Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Allergies and intolerances

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Allergic reaction to nutramigen, what next?

19 replies

trixymalixy · 01/08/2007 20:57

Tried DS on Nutramigen today after he had a bad reaction to normal formula (hives, projectile vomiting).

He came out in hives after the nutramigen as well. My GP didn't know what the next thing to try would be, but was going to find out.

She has referred DS to an allergy specialist but the waiting time is 4 months.

Does anyone else have experience of an allergic reaction to Nutramigen? What did you try next?

OP posts:

artichokes · 01/08/2007 21:07

Have you tried Neocate?

DD was prescribed Neocate after terrible hives and swelling with normal formula. Then we saw allergy consultant who said Neocate was an extreme measure for the worst allergies and asked why GP had not tried other forumlas first. In the event I decided to continue BFing so never experimented with the other hypo-allergenic formulas but the consultant def gave the impression that Neocate was a last resort.

Good luck.

Original poster

trixymalixy · 01/08/2007 21:24

No haven't tried anything other than aptamil and nutramigen.

Have exclusively bf DS to 6 months, but I'm exhausted and thought that giving him some formula would allow me to have a bit of a break, so tried him on formula for the first time last week.

OP posts:

Jackaroo · 01/08/2007 21:28

Hi Trixy - where do you live? The waiting time to be seen at St.Thomas' in London is negligible (sp??) and they're the biggest (and they say the best ) allergy dept. in Europe. Relatively new paed.s extra clinics etc etc... Dr Adam Fox - the main man saw DS on Monday... fantastic.

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/services/managednetworks/childrens/paediatricallergy/aboutus/t eam.aspx

DS was seen in 4 weeks from referral being faxed to them. Might be worth a special trip if it's that fast?

Good luck.

Original poster

trixymalixy · 01/08/2007 21:35

We're in Glasgow, but I'd be happy to travel elsewhere if it meant DS was seen more quickly.

My GP is phoning to see if things can be speeded up because he has reacted to nutramigen as well. If not I will ask about going elsewhere.

OP posts:

Jackaroo · 01/08/2007 22:28

I'm not given to altruistic gestures, but if it helps we live v. near to St THomas' - if you need somewhere to stay over night. I really mean it too.

Hope you get an answer soon.
J

Original poster

trixymalixy · 01/08/2007 22:41

Wow that's extremely kind of you Jackaroo.

I have quite a few friends in London so wouldn't be short of places to stay.

Thany you for the offer though.

OP posts:

moondog · 01/08/2007 22:43

Wouldn't it just be easier and kinder to stick with breastmilk?Before you know it,he will be eating a fair bit.You've done the hardest part.

CantSleepWontSleep · 01/08/2007 22:49

Yes I'd agree with moondog, especially if you can eat dairy ok without him being affected by it (I've been off dairy since dd was 15 weeks, as it passes through in my bm).

If you really do want an alternative, then I think that Neocate would be the next step - not prescribed routinely because it's more expensive than Nutramigen, and most babies are ok with that.

In cooking you can use rice milk (get the one with added calcium) if you don't express.

Soya formula would be a last resort if he cannot take any other type, and you won't bf, but there are lots of potential problems with this, so it really is just a last resort.

Original poster

trixymalixy · 01/08/2007 22:53

I have given up dairy as he has always been really fussy.

I think I will end up just breastfeeding.

Just feeling absolutely knackered with it as he never feeds that well so feeds quite often and so I feel I never get a break, which was the main reason for giving him some formula.

OP posts:

moondog · 01/08/2007 22:59

Howc is he getting on with solids?
How is he with cheese and yoghurt?

tatt · 01/08/2007 23:05

don't know about this personally but I had a look at some old mumsnet posts and neocate seems to be the next step. This website helps find your nearest clinic www.bsaci.org/clinics/UK?PHPSESSID=1f6df6c7d2e20095a3eb41dbd4ced362

tatt · 01/08/2007 23:08

have you had any advice about breastfeeding from a trained counsellor? Maybe they could suggest something that would help you keep going.

Original poster

trixymalixy · 01/08/2007 23:32

Moondog - the solids haven't been going too well. He just clamps his mouth shut and won't let me put a spoon in his mouth. The BLW approach he seems much happier with, but not very much goes down.

Tatt - How do you think a counsellor could help?

OP posts:

tatt · 01/08/2007 23:48

you said he isn't feeding well - not sure what you meant by that but assumed it was little and often. A beastfeeding consultant could check he was latching on Ok and may be able to sugegst other things to help.

artichokes · 02/08/2007 10:11

Trixy - you are in exactly the same position as I was. Maybe my story will cheer you.

After 6 months BF I was desperate for the occassional break. I gave DD her first formula and thought I had nearly killed her. She got hives, her face swelled and she creamed and vomited. We were given Neocate and an urgent referral.

In the end I decided to stay with BF as the allergy consultant said that all the hypo-allergenic formulas taste so nasty that you rarely get babies to drink them once they are used to BM. If I had been willing to give-up BF totally then DD may have accepted Neocate in the end but I was not willing to give-up. Esp as consultant said BF was good for babies with allergies and if I carried on it would give her the best chance of growing out of the allergy.

DD is now 11 months and BFs are much fewer and far between since she has caught onto solids. It is so much easier (and as an added bonus I found that BFing after 6 months made my weight drop dramatically). Nursery give her rice milk with added calcium when I am at work. She loves that. It does not have all the nutrients of a real formula but it gives her calcium and keeps her hydrated while I am gone.

Have you got piriton syrup on hand at all times in case your DS has a reaction to anything else? DD turns out to be allergic to eggs too. The good news is that alreay her allergy seems to be less severe and many babies grow out of cow's milk protein allergies. The other day she got hold of a bit of cheese and although she got a rash there was no swelling or vomiting .

Original poster

trixymalixy · 02/08/2007 21:51

Thanks artichoke, it has cheered me up a bit. I do have piriton in my bag at all times now.

It's stupid but had he been able to take formula he probably would never have had that much of it. It just feels like it's no longer my choice to continue bfing if you see what I mean.

I think I'm going to give up on trying him on other types of formula and have just invested in an electric pump instead.

OP posts:

SBE · 02/09/2007 15:21

hello everybody , i'm at my wits end in what to do with my baby she is allergic to every formula iv tried, last formula was C&G comfort, she was on it for three months then suddenly she became allergic to that to with developing hives and vomiting. im going bak to work in three days and don't know what to do. which fomrula can i use to prevent anymore allergic probs!! HELP PLEASE!!

Original poster

trixymalixy · 20/09/2007 21:47

SBE - go and see your GP who will refer you to a specialist and hopefully prescribe some hypoallergenic formula.

OP posts:

Megglevache · 20/09/2007 21:51

Message withdrawn

Flip