Cows milk protien allergy

[Lukeandmattsmum]

I have just found out that my DS has a cows milk protien allergy. I am b/f but did a trial run on formula to see if he would take it in an emergency if i wasn't around. He ended up having an allergic reaction :eek: , thankfully it wasn't serious enough that he had to be hospitalised but enough to scare the pants of me and DP. anyway my question is the paed. offered us a script for a special formula and i was wondering if anyone has used these and what they are like.and how much they cost compared to the normal tins.

any help is muchly appreciated

Kylie

Luke 1-2-05

[sopolicha]

I have a friend who has had to use the formula without the cow protien in it for her daughter for severe intolerance/allergy issues so severe that breastfeeding was also eventually ruled out. She has told me that it is over $20.00 for a small tin. If you are lucky (?) enough to have a health care card, the majority of the cost is mitigated by this.

She has also found that the chemist has had to order in as it not usually an item that they stock.

At one stage this was the only sort of nutrition that her daughter would tolerate, through the nasal tube.

I know this is only second hand info. but I hope it helps.

[nemosmum]

Hi Kylie,

Like your little one my son has allergies and couldnt have the normal formulas, we tried hypo-allergenic, soy and goat based formulas before getting a script from our paed. for one called ELECARE. If you have a script its actually cheaper than normal tins We get 8 small tins (400g) for $28 from the chemist who has to order it in (which takes a day) But if you dont get a script it costs around $600 for 8 tins.

I starting weaning my son at 8 months becoz I had to be on a very strict diet while bf due to his allergies and I could take it any more we started giving him the formula and his been great ever since his eczema cleared up and his doing really well. His just turned one and still on the formula - we havent tried cows milk yet becoz I really think he'll have a reaction. But were going back to the allergy clinic next month to get him pric tested again to see how his allergies are eg if there getting milder or worse.

Good luck with your little one and I hope I've been helpful :)

[LoniVV]

My son is on a dairy free diet (not just lactose free) due to my allergy to milk protein (both cows and goats) as a precaution and he has recently been given a soy based formula (Karicare) for the times he is in daycare which we have found to be great.

I was told by the paed. that for people who have a cows milk allergy they also usually have a goats milk allergy because although the protein is smaller and so easier to digest it is still the same type of protein.

It costs about $17 for a tin (in Brisbane) and it may be an option if your son can tolerate this type of formula.

I hope this helps as far I can tell it is trial and error to determine the type that works best for your son.

Leonie and Dominic (2-12-2004)

[madvoice]

If you've been prescribed a formula a lot of chemists will let you purchase several tins for the price of one. My neighbour has her daughter on Lactose free formula and gets 4 tins for the price of one because of her prescription. I'd check that out with the chemists where you are too or speak to your paediatrician.

[Lukeandmattsmum]

Hi guys thanks for all your advice.

When i saw the paed. last he said there was a 15% chance that he would be allergic to soy aswell. So i am a bit wary of trying him on this, i know it is only a small percentage but after last time i don't want to go through that again. The paed never mentioned anything about goats milk but my chn recommended i try this first. I find it very confusing when one says one thing and the other says something else.

Orlandosmum, i think that was the one the paed. was going to prescribe for me. Im thinking of maybe trying this instead of going through the trial and error with the others. Was your son allergic to the soy and goats milk aswell? My son also has eczema aswell. If i could get rid of that would be great also.

Anyway thanks

Kylie

Luke 1-2-05