A variety of "issues"

[Mrs Potts]

My DD2 is dealing with a few different issues so rather than post in a specific forum I thought I'd put them all here together.

A bit of history to start: she was born via c/s and was extremely mucousy for the first week. She was vomiting a lot and eating very little. Partly because she wouldn't feed, and partly for other reasons I won't go into here, she was put on the bottle after a few days. She's on Nan HA Gold. I'm fairly sure this all has nothing to do with anything else but figured it was worth mentioning anyway ;)

At her 6 week check up she was diagnosed with reflux, we were advised to use thickener to minimise the puking and start on Zantac. This helped with most of the pain but didn't help her to settle much better. Back to the paed at 13 weeks and switched to Losec. Worked well, then slipped back, increased dose and she seems to be settling down a bit again. So hopefully that's sorted for now.

The other issues are terribly runny nappies a few times a week. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to them, but when they come they're horrid! I've heard that Losec can cause constipation, but can it go the other way too?

And lastly, she is always (and has always been) snotty. Not drippy snotty, but mucousy snotty that I'm regularly cleaning away. And it's not clear snotty IYKWIM. It doesn't seem to bother her, but makes me wonder if there's something else going on. I know I get congested/phlegmy if I have too much milk/dairy and I'm wondering if she might have the same intolerance that I do. (Of course, I always forget to mention this to the pead :o). And if there is an intolerance, do you think that it could be causing or making the reflux worse?

I know you guys here have experience in all kinds of things so there maybe someone who's bub has had similar issues and can share their experience with me.

[Just Add Water]

I can't offer you any advice sorry. But I can send you some *hugs* and bump this up for you so hopefully someone who can help you will see it. Good luck :)

[Mrs Potts]

Thanks Nomadic. I do intend to discuss things with our GP/Paed but figured I'd ask here too anyway.

[Roxy]

Hi hon :)

It does sound like she may have an intolerance - hence the constant snuffles...I know you are reluctant to change formulas, but do you think it's worth trying her on one that's not whey based and see if that changes anything?

Sorry I can't be more helpful... xox

[reAllytee]

Sounds like an intolerance & something I am suprised your Paed isnt talking about but then it took me 6mths to get someone to listen to me :rolleyes:

The nappies are the major give away ... That is not right & dont let any doctor tell you otherwise ... It just isnt plain & simple !

I would try & get a referral to a GI if you can because it doesnt seem like the Paed is really clued in to whats going on.

It really sounds like it would be worth trying say a Pepti Jr if they want to see how that goes but otherwise Neocate or Elecare is the major step to a full elemental formula which are amino acid based so that the body cannot recognise any protiens etc.

[Nowhere]

:iagree: with ally, apart from with the trying pepti first for the simple fact that pepeti is a step down one to wean from neocate or elecare back to a cows formular is is broken down but not as much as ele or neo alot of drs wil however try it first, like ally has sugested but it also fails alot KWIM

good luck

[reAllytee]

:iagree: with ally, apart from with the trying pepti first for the simple fact that pepeti is a step down one to wean from neocate or elecare back to a cows formular is is broken down but not as much as ele or neo alot of drs wil however try it first, like ally has sugested but it also fails alot KWIM

good luck

Yeah I know ...

I just suggested it cause so many Paeds seem to be having a love in over it atm so are making sure they trial it first ... Firgured its better than nothing hey !

I would hold my ground to be honest & demand Neocate or Elecare !

[Mrs Potts]

Thanks Amy & Ally. I appreciate your advice since I know you guys know a lot about this stuff.

Are you able to give me more info on Neocate and Elecare, or links? The paed did briefly mention possibly switching to a soy formula. Do you know the pros and cons of soy vs prescription formula? I'd like to be suitably armed if I go in with swords drawn ;)

I do trust the Paed. I think it's just that up until now we've really been focussing on the reflux side of things, so I haven't pushed the issue with anything else.

[Nowhere]

Sure can will go get you some links now



neocate
http://www.nutricia.com.au/clinical/neocate/neocate.aspx

elecare

http://abbottnutrition.com/products/products.aspx?pid=11

[ElizaDoLittle]

Thanks Amy & Ally. I appreciate your advice since I know you guys know a lot about this stuff.

Are you able to give me more info on Neocate and Elecare, or links? The paed did briefly mention possibly switching to a soy formula. Do you know the pros and cons of soy vs prescription formula? I'd like to be suitably armed if I go in with swords drawn

I do trust the Paed. I think it's just that up until now we've really been focussing on the reflux side of things, so I haven't pushed the issue with anything else.
Oh hun I could have written your post 4 years ago! The nappies thing sounds ust like him, often green and bubbly and evntually black :barf:. DS had a cow's milk protein intolerance and we were encouraged to try a soy formula first but the soy protein is so similar to the cow's milk protein he reacted just the same way, pepti junior was no help and it was only the combo of neocate and losec that helped him. Honestly I think that once you get his intoerences sorted his reflux will b helped dramatically as often it is from an inflamed gut that the reflux is there in the first place.
My DD has the same intolerances fortunately we had great help this time round and I am BFing her with diet restrictions (I could have killed someone for a piece of pizza last night!!!!!)
:hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs: I hope you get it sorted x x x x

[MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea]

Definitely push for more answers and dont get dismissed with the old "reflux babies are often snuffly." Thats what I was told with my DS till finally I demanded a referral to a paediatric ENT and 2 days ago he had his adenoids out - they were huge and limiting his breathing and causing sleep apnoae and already we can see a huge change.

Not saying your DD has the same problem, as you have the runny nappies which points to intolerance, but just saying to push for them to look into it and not just dismiss it.

[reAllytee]

Soy can be n alternative but as badgersmum said the protiens in it are similar to cows milk so a lot of kids with issues both.

Soy along with wheat & dairy are in the top 5 in Oz in regards to allergies & intolerances .... Plus I have issues with the phytoestrogens ( bah not even sure if thats spelt right ! ) in regards to little boys & I know this is for your DD but still I would be looking at whether its worth it iykwim.

Usually they do like to trial Soy & see what happens ... I did myself because in the end no one was listening & I had to do something iykwim plus it then meant I could say to them " ive trialled it next step please ! " rather than wasting my time going backwards & forwards iykwim !

Elecare tends to 'taste' better even though they are both revolting but many babies take to it better so they often tend to opt for this first.

Now that Neocate has the LCP though our GI says he prefers to opt for this because of the added goodness which it allows the bubs to get.

Thing is remember that if you trial one & it too doesnt seem to be helping that there is a chance they are reacting to it also so dont give up & trial the other.

For use Elecare did help quite a lot G finally gained weight etc but something still wasnt right & it turned out he was reacting to it but as soon as he was started on the Neocate LCP he was a new child !

Whilst being similar they are both different in their bases ( Amy can give you more info on that lol she is a wealth of knowledge ! ) so smetimes a child can still have issue with the base iykwim !

[Mrs Potts]

Thanks again - all the info is great! My first two bubs suffered with constipation so I'm an expert on that - this reflux and intolerances stuff is all new to me.

Weight gain has never been an issue fortunately. From the outside she's a perfect chubby bub. But her waking and unsettledness (is that even a word?!) tells me there's more going on.

She's been on the Losec twice a day for 4 days now (was once a day for a week then increased) and we're not seeing a big change so I'm tempted to go back to the paed sooner rather than later...