Dear All,
Our 16 month bold young man has been unwell since birth, it's almost certainly allergy related knowing his family history and certain clear tell-tale signs. Although having said that, nothing would surprise me....
In desparation we wondered if someone here has any ideas or suggestions? Sorry it's a long list of symptoms but we wanted to get as much information out to see some of it rang any bells with people.
CONSTANTLY IRRITABLE
Conservatively I'd say Ben is crying, complaining and generally not happy for around 70% of his life, night and day. This is awful for all of us. We can probably count the 'happy days' he's had on the fingers of two hands.
ALWAYS GASSY
He is very windy most of the time, usually from the rear. His 'happiness' such as it is, improves slightly when a lot of the wind has passed.
HAPPY IMMEDIATELY AFTER HAVING A POO
Without exception Ben's entire personality changes once he's passed a poo. Not soon after, it's as if someone had flicked a switch (if anyone knows where that switch is... ;-) . He becomes, for a short while at least a happier, smiling, tactile little boy. He has no trouble passing poo whatsoever - it's hardly noticeable except that we always know because his mood and irritability improve in an instant.
WAKES UP SCREAMING AT NIGHT
Ben sleeps better these days but regularly wakes screaming. Not gently waking up, is scared, fed up and wants something - he goes from asleep to wide awake screaming at the top of his lungs in a single move. This is nearly always as a result of wind / gas. Even when comforted out of his cot he continues screaming until gas is passed at one or both ends, upon which he usually settles.
BLOATED BELLY
Perhaps also related to gassy build up in his belly, Ben generally has a 'pot belly', more pronounced than we've seen on other babies of his age.
DROWSY
By mid morning Ben becomes lethargic and drowsy. In the past week this has actually resulted in him falling asleep on the sofa, unheard of until now. This recent sleepy behaviour has been accompanied by a few patchy marks on his skin. My other half has just returned from the GP who diagnosed an 'allergic reaction to something', despite nothing having been changed in his diet as far as we can tell.
RUBS EYES AND EARS
He regularly rubs his ears and eyes for no apparent reason.
COUGH AND RUNNY NOSE
He has had a cough and runny nose on regularly since birth. Granted it has been 'the cold season' for children and adults alike in recent times, but Ben's symptoms have been with him since before Christmas and it's almost April now. His cough is very chesty and keeps him awake at night.
RED CHEEKS
Whilst not so deep red as they were earlier in his life, Ben often has red cheeks.
We've been keeping an extensive food diary, ruling things in & out, gone through every kind of milk / forumla imaginable (currently on oat milk - tried rice) but nothing seems to make any difference. He's definitely allergic to (some) fish and egg...a reaction we noticed and had confirmed by a blood test.
At long last we have an another appointment with paediatrics at the local hospital this coming Wednesday but are uncertain wha,t if anything, is available that we can push for by way of tests or investigative work.
Any advice would be sorely welcome.
Thanks very much in advance,
Steve