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Allergies and intolerances

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could this be an intolerence? (probably best not to read if eating!)

15 replies

MommyUpNorth · 13/10/2008 09:43

We've had problems with ds3 in the poo department for a looooong time now. He was failure to thrive when tiny, and around 5/6 months was put onto Infatrini (high calorie milk). Up until then was fully breastfed. He then started to become constipated, and also developed reflux. The paed was trying harder to control the reflux than the constipation as they felt if the reflux went, then he would take more fluid... end cycle...

Anyway, moving along a little over a year... In June this year he went from being constipated to having very loose stools anywhere from 3 - 6 times a day. There were no med or diet changes when it happened. As we were so happy to see him finally being able to go, we (along with his paeds) decided to ride it out for a while, and let it clear out his system.

Well, it's October, and we're not that much further along! We've done a dairy free month now, and although that has cleared up his massively bloated tummy, I'm not sure it's that beneficial. His pattern of daily bowel movements is what has me troubled. He'll start the day with a fairly soft (pretty much formed - for him!) one, then a soft/slimy one around midday, and then a blowout in the afternoon (usually once, sometimes twice). It's really watery.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?? I can't see anything in his diet that has changed...?? Should I be looking at his diet, or do you think I'm on the wrong track here?

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Spidermama · 13/10/2008 09:49

I think you should be looking at his diet and IME doctors often overlook this fundamental possible cause.

When I took my ds to a naturopath she suggested taking him off dairy and wheat for six weeks, then re-introducing one to watch for any effect. She said the effects would be dramatic.

His symptoms were different to the ones you descrive. He had loads of snot all the time hanging in rope-like structures from either nostril. I was forever wiping his nose. He used to get a sore tummy straight after eating too.

Anyway I reckon it was dairy as the snot stopped when the dairy did (and just in time for reception - phew!).

I don't know what funds are like for you but I'd be tempted to go to an allergist or naturopath for advice.

He's 8 now and can tolerate a bit of dairy better but I try to keep it down.

misscutandstick · 13/10/2008 10:11

I really think that DAiry AND wheat are causing the problem. DS5 had the same symptoms, the wheat causes the diarrhea as it cant be digested and it 'runs' straight thru and the dairy causes the constipation (IME anyway). the dairy takes about a week to clear the system, but the wheat a little longer (upto about a year OMG!) but the tummy troubles should settle within a week or so. There is a good chance that you should also see a major improvement in concentration and a slight improvement in appetite.

If you should try the soya milk route and still have diarrhea, he may also have a problem with that too - in which case try rice milk. XXX

misscutandstick · 13/10/2008 10:19

Just had a quick glance at the nutricia website which states that infatrini is basically milk based, if your son has problems with lactose or casein (which is more likely) theres no wonder he was struggling with it! HTH XXX

tatt · 13/10/2008 10:21

he could have a problem digesting wheat or gluten. Lactose intolerance may be caused by a wheat intolerance and clear when wheat is avoided. A couple of weeks wheat and dairy free then introducing dairy should tell you if it is the problem provided you are careful about labels and possible contamination.

You may find an NHS dietician helpful.

If deit changes help look into digestive enzymes and probiotics.

MommyUpNorth · 13/10/2008 10:43

Thanks very much for all the replies! We're already under an NHS dietician, paed gastro, amongst others... I think the trouble tends to be when one recommends something, and someone else disagrees!

He's on rice milk at the moment as our developmental neuro paed said that it should be the easiest to digest, and I do think she's right.

Our dietician thought from the beginning that it was a lactose issue and we'd been through nutramigin and neocate... both relieved the constipation, but not the reflux, so we continued with the infatrini as we couldn't keep his weight up. He had dropped off the chart at that point and the infatrini was the only thing keeping him on it.

So it looks like the next step for us is to add in the gluten free for a few weeks and then slowly add some things back in to see what happens. If gluten is the problem, how soon would I see something changing in the nappy department? A week or so, or sooner?

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tatt · 13/10/2008 10:58

Could be as little as a couple of days for some improvement and as long as months for it to fully leave his system.

misscutandstick · 13/10/2008 10:59

A few days tops. probably within 5 days, in the nappy dept. BUT you have to cut out EVERY trace, all packaging (english ones anyway) has to have it stated on it wether or not it contains gluten (usually under a separate little heading in red, but not always. Wheat, barley, oats and rye all have gluten in them, so while something might be 'wheat free' theres a possibility that it might not be gluten free. The only cereals that are wheat free are: rice crispies, ricickles, cocopops, and the ones that state "gluten free" in proud packaging!

Has anyone mentioned 'duocal' to you?

MommyUpNorth · 13/10/2008 11:47

Thanks again. I'll get a few things in town later today & we'll give it a go starting tomorrow!

misscutandstick, no, no one has mentioned it, but ds3 is no longer ftt. When we took him off the infatrini completely and started the rice milk full time both his height & weight shot up to just about the 50th centile.

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misscutandstick · 13/10/2008 12:08

glad your DS is much better than he used to be!

Sorry Tatt, i rather feel im toe-treading here and reading your other posts, you have way more experience than me.

tatt · 13/10/2008 12:25

nope not really, I still learn things on here. Anyway its comforting when posters agree - reassures the OP.

MommyUpNorth · 13/10/2008 12:33

Can I ask is there a list somewhere that lists cfgf foods that are available in shops (tesco/co-op,etc)? I'm sure I've got a few websites for ordering in bulk if we decide to go ahead, but for starting out... a cheat sheet perhaps? Just noticed that the pure spread we're using has gluten, so I suppose I'm going to have to change over lots of items!

Will probably do lots of fruit and veg to start, but would like to have a few ready made things on standby.

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misscutandstick · 13/10/2008 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

misscutandstick · 13/10/2008 17:58

im so sorry that last post, it sounded so patronising, but i nearly had a coronary! as thats what we have, and im desperately trying to sort out DS5's diet.

The tub does state ingredients that it DOES NOT contain, which is very confusing when normally ingredients are stated if they ARE contained.

misscutandstick · 13/10/2008 17:59

pure website

MommyUpNorth · 13/10/2008 19:34

Whoops! I'm so sorry about that. Yes, you're absolutely right. I did a quick glance at the box and thought it had gluten as being in it. I had only checked for the dairy free previously.

Sorry, sorry, sorry...

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