Neocate or Nutramigen Formula?

[SweetTalkinWoman]

Hello - hope someone can help me! DS is 12 weeks old and has been plagued by eczema and nasal congestion for most of his short little life. I've been struggling to get my GP to take the eczema seriously, or to assume that the nasal congestion and cough is anything more than a cold. Yesterday in my desperation I ended up in A&E bcause DS looked like he'd been dunked in a pot of boiling water and was squirming and crying in discomfort. The paediatrician suggested that the two are linked and that he may have some sort of lactose or dairy intolerance/allergy.

A different GP told me this morning to find out from the pharmacist which dairy free formulas they usually dispense, and they told me Neocate or Nutramigen.

I have to phone the GP this afternoon and he will prescibe one for DS. My question is, which one should I ask for? Does anyone have any experience of either - and has it helped anyone with skin probs etc?

Thanks for reading this - hope you can help!

Poor baby. I hope he gets better very quickly.
Did the Paed not arrange for some kind of allergy testing or suggested you actually go to the GP for advice?
It does sound very much like intolerance/allergy. There are lots of mums here who know loads about it all.
I am BF and try to stay completely dairy free for DS. It has helped his congestion and skin but he was never as bad as your ds sounds.
I hope someone comes along with some good advice for you.

Thank you! Yes, the paediatrician suggested I ask the GP to refer DS to a Direct Access Clinic (if I heard correctly as it was 1.30am by that stage!). The GPs just seem very reluctant to refer him for allergy testing . Does anyone know if I can self refer to a clinic? I'm willing to pay anything to get it sorted!

You can insist.
If you look up Allergy clinic on tinternet, it will give you a list of all big clinic in the country. London has a few as does Southampton. Not sure of anywhere else. I think you can self refer. Often with private all you need is a letter from GP. Maybe if they know you are paying they might be more willing to refer! Call me cynical!
I am in process of trying to get allergy testing for DD1 as she reacts to some nuts but not all. GP said testing not worth it as you can get false positives. Seems odd as I have had testing done twice with no probs

both of mine were/are milk intolerant. Testing may show up if it's an allergy, but often not if it's an intolerance. Tbh the best test is usually to remove dairy from diet and see if things improve.

Nutramigen cheapest so usually tried first, but tastes utterly vile, so if refused then baby gets moved on to neocate or pepti or pepti junior. Unless you have massive conscience re nhs resources, I would ask for neocate.

My DD now 15mths is on neocate due to severe intolerance to dairy/soya.

Again as cantsleepwontsleep said if its an intolerance then it won't show up in tests.

If lactose intolerance then they usually do a stool sample test.

My advice would also be to cut out dairy and see what happens and also don't then go over board on soya as an intolerance can develop for that too

Thanks for your replies! I asked the GP for Neocate, but he called me back to say he can't prscribe it without DS being allergy tested, so looks like we might be referred soon!

Simpson DS is 12 weeks and on formula so am finding it tricky to cut out dairy! Just need try some alternative formula and hoping the GP helps me soon!

Hi, my son is 24 weeks and has had terrible skin on his legs, arms, face and scalp since birth and is always scratching his cheeks are sometimes blistered, my gp has been no help at all and refused allergy test etc....but wouldn't give me neocate or nutrimigen til I had allergy confirmed , I changed him to soya milk myself with slight improvement but he was still sore. Last week I couldnt watch him suffer anymore so searched the internet and found Allergy UK got in touch with them who told me where I could go for allergy testing, 2 days later I took him for his test cost me £60 and well worth it to find out he is allergic to cows milk, soya milk, wheat, fish, hazelnut, peanut, carrots, celery...the list goes on! I phoned my gp and she reluctantly prescribed neocate for me, he didnt like it at first and refused to drink it but after 1 bad night and 2 days he is taking it much better and his cheeks are perfect and smooth, and the rest of his body is clearing rapidly!

You can buy neocate over the counter from the chemist but the mark up price is truly shocking.

Think a tin is about £30-£38 depending on where you go.

The tins are only tiny too 400g.

Sometimes you can buy it cheaper on e bay.

I know what its like seeing your LO in pain and the doctor won't help

(although its due to the cost of neocate I guess)