Help please- not sure what to do next

[daisylulu]

Hello ladies
I hope I'm not being too PFB but i really need some advice. Apologies in advance for my ignorance but I would like to educate myself before I return to GP.

My 9 mo DD is on neocate for cmpi. She had severe projectile vomiting, irritability, restlessness, wheezing, constant snot, watery eyes, bloating and diarreha (sp?!). The change of formula sorted all symptoms. (oh she also had mucus in poo) I have been told to reintroduce dairy after she is 1 yo. This is a really stupid question but how do I know if she is allergic or intolerant? If she is just intolerant I'd be more comfortable trying to reintroduce dairy but if she is allergic do I need to do this under supervision of specialist? Should I push for a referral and if so to who? My HV said she should see a dietician but when I mentioned this to GP he said it wasn't necessary.

Secondly my DD has begun showing intolerances to other food. For example, after I ate a strawberry I kissed her and she came up with a big rash on her face. Also yesterday she managed to eat her first slice of toast (dairy free) but ended up screaming from 11-4 solidly last night and farting loads. Is there a way I can get her tested to see how these foods effect her?

Sorry for my ignorance. I would really appreciate some real life experiences so I don't make a fool of myself to gp and don't get fobbed off.

Sorry also for any typos- am on iPhone and can't scroll back up.

TIA

It sounds like you and dd have had a rough time recently. I don't have that similar experience to you as I've been lucky enough to have had referral to great consultants for both my dairy (and other things) allergic dds. But I would say that you really should demand allergy testing... it sounds like your dd suffered enough with dairy in her diet previously to be cautious of reintroducing it. Also, as you have concerns about other food stuffs I would say you really need help from a specialist with the whole weaning process. Surely the Dr can understand that it makes more sense to have comprehensive testing, rather than your dd suffering through possibly failed attempts of reintroduction. Although i have to say that MANY GPs are very badly informed on allergies/intolerances.

Where are you based? Maybe someone on here can recommend a specialist that you could be referred to?

Good luck

Thanks mamado

We are in west Sussex so can easily reach the London hospitals. DD is also lucky enough to have private healthcare through DHs work so hopefully that may make getting a referral easier.

Another stupid question... Presumably an allergy specialist would do the allergy testing, would she also need to see a dietician to help with the weaning/reintroduction or are allergy specialists also dieticians?

Thanks again

If you can easily reach London and can go private try and see Dr Gideon Lock, Dr George du Troit or Dr Adam Fox. We see Dr Fox via the NHS at St Thomas' and I cannot recommend any of them highly enough as specialists at the forefront of the field. Dr Fox has been the only Dr we've ever seen who has been able to calmly answer every query we've had. I think they all do private surgeries too, not sure where though, but if you google their names I'm sure you'll find them. If you see a specialist you will then also see their nutrionalist (?)/dietician, and receive all round care.

you might still be able to get reffered on the nhs london allergy clinic ,takes about 8 weeks for first appointment, which sounds a long time, but is, trust me not as bad as it once was!

good luck.

Certainly sounds like an allergy rather than intolerance to me and I think your GP is verging on negligent to suggest re-introducing dairy without medical supervision. Go back and demand a referral, it's your right even though they try to avoid referring anybody for anything (I'm sure they must be penalised financially for every referral they make otherwise why are they so keen not to?). Anyway, please do not re-introduce dairy until you've seen a specialist and had some allergy testing done as it could be quite dangerous (allergic symptoms tend to be worse if re-introduced after a significant period of absence). Sorry, don't want to scare you but I know first hand how scary an allergic reaction can be. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm making gp appointment first thing in morning to push for a referral. I don't know why it is always such a stress trying to get a referral even with private cover.

Agree with everything said above.
Good luck with getting a referral - hope everything goes well tomorrow.

Thanks everyone- earliest GP appointment I can get is 10th feb as 'non-urgent' - will report back then.

Just wanted to mention that lots of babies get a red rash on their faces from strawberries (and sometimes tomatoes) but it doesn't necessarily indicate an allergy, it's something to do with the fruit acid if I remember correctly. If they get hives (red or white itchy lumps) then it's more likely to be an allergy. Goof luck with the GP appointment. Don't take no for answer, get that referral!

Quick update - GP has agreed to refer to whoever I like he suggested Susan hlll at Gosh but from what I can see she is more of a gastro paed so I think Im going to go with George Du Toit.

I need to email GP tomorrow to confirm my choice so if anyone has any other thoughts before then please let me know....Sorry I'm a bit clueless with all this and want to make sure DD gets seen by most appropriate person.

Thanks SO much for all the advice so far- wouldn't have gotten the referral without you all.

what good news , u picked a very good chap! he explains things in very clear simple terms which really helps!

let us know how you get on with his clinic.

Thanks - I have mamado to thank for the recommendation thanks again for everyones advice. Will let you know how we get on

Great news. Keep us posted.