Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

First of all, I want to thank everyone who has given advice, hugs, etc on here and on FM. My poor baby has just been getting worse and worse and it's gotten to the point where I held him all day long, could not put him down, and most of the time, he screamed and writhed.
DH came in last night and took one look at me (I was hysterical crying to my mom on the phone) and said that he would take a family sick day today from firefighter job (27 hour shift) so I could sleep last night and he could help. We have not been doing too well together and he has not been helping the way he should - so this was big.

We took him to ped today. Luckily, he pooped right before - he's been constipated - so I grabbed it to bring with me.

Long story short - there was blood in the poop so he does have a milk allergy. My poor boy. I feel like I've been poisoning him this whole time :(. So - he started the Alimentum $$$$ and ped has us putting 1 teaspoon of oatmeal per ounce in the bottle to help with reflux and and satisfy him longer - hopefully. Meanwhile - I love how the alimentum is 87% water and second ingredient is sugar

He is still on the prevacid -which is a HUGE pain to give because has to be half hour before meals.

If the alimentum doesn't help, then we have to take him to a ped GI. I hope and pray it will!

For those of you on Alimentum, how long until you saw a change?

Again, thanks so much for the hugs and advice and fingers crossed that this works and it's his LAST formula change.


ETA - my little bruiser is 11 lbs!!!!!

Message edited 3/9/2010 8:08:53 PM.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

I am so sorry you are going through all these troubles, but I do know EXACTLY what you are going through. DS was the exact same way. Unfortunately for us, the Alimentum did not work and we had to switch to Elecare. Make sure when you put the oatmeal in the bottle, you use Beech Nut Oatmeal. All the other oatmeals contain milk proteins in the actual oatmeal where Beechnut does not. I promise you it will get better. It took my son about 12 weeks, and then he was a different baby. I don't know where you live, I am in the Selden/Coram area if you ever need help... or even just a shoulder to cry on... hang in there.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

What about Nutramigen? I don't think it has nearly as much sugar, although I just looked at the can and the first ingredient is "corn syrup solid"...not sure what that means.

Sadie was the same way.. ALL SHE DID WAS SCREAM. When I switched her to the nutramigen I noticed a difference within 24hrs BUT not a total cure. She puked (A LOT) with the nutrmigen and did until she started solids, but I could take the puke over the screaming. If youre adding oatmeal, that might help with the reflux puking (I was too nervous to try that).

Every day after got better and better until the crying was no more....

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

I asked him about Nutramigen and he said that we could try either but he said Alimentum first - so I'm willing to try that first - I love this ped and trust him. I do hope the oatmeal will work!

Laura - thanks so much - I no longer live on Long Island though - wish I did - esp with having a newborn and a tough time - I miss home.

How do you know if ALimentum works or not? How long do you give it? I know the ped will monitor - he wants me to call in two days, but how long before they make a switch?

BTW - of COURSE I didn't get Beechnut Oatmeal I have Gerber - but I looked at the ingredients and didn't see anything about milk protein (unless it's some big word I don't know.) Thanks for the head's up though!!

Message edited 3/9/2010 8:25:05 PM.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

you are doing such a great job - you are following your gut and you are doing what's right for your little man!!!!!!!!!!

if you need anything and we can help in any way - please reach out!!!!

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Posted by davenjess

you are doing such a great job - you are following your gut and you are doing what's right for your little man!!!!!!!!!!

if you need anything and we can help in any way - please reach out!!!!

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

I would take him to a ped. GI now rather than waiting especially if he had blood in his poop. While peds deal with this often, a ped. GI really is an expert.

I have a friend who went through something terrible like you and her son had a milk allergy and was not only pooping blood, but throwing up blood. It was very scary. After many formula's thank god he is now doing much better.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

I hope your little one feels better soon, and you and DH get some rest I second the notion of going to a Ped GI instead of waiting. Usually GI offices are harder to get appts in, so it might be a good idea to make one and get DC checked out anyways.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

The ped wants me to call on Thursday and check in with him - I can always ask him about that then and for a rec. Do you think he would be insulted?
What is a ped GI going to do? I hate to put Jordan through different invasive tests.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

I'll keep my eyes out for coupons! I do not FF so have no idea the cost and like a dope I toss them. I'll have to hold on to them and pass them on.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Many hugs to you and prayers for my boy to feel better! Our ped is awesome, so I know Zevvy is in great hands! And you know I am 10 minutes away if you need anything.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Alimentum didn't help my DS. It made him worse. He is now on Elecare. He was a different baby within a few days. And at his 3 month visit, he no longer had any blood in his stool. He has a severe milk protein and soy allergy. The amount of blood in his stools had the doctors scared for a while. When we first found out when he was about a month old, we tried a few different formula's. Nutramigen seemed to help him, but he still had the blood in his stools. So the dr put him on Elecare. We also used cereal in his bottles. Earths Best is what we used/use. It is all organic and has no dairy or soy in it. Found out the hard way that Gerber has soy in it. As for the reflux, Zantac worked the best for DS up until he started to dislike the taste of it, so now he is on Axid. Not as good as Zantac but it works. And we can give it to him anytime of the day...Good luck..

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Thanks, everyone. I will look for the Earth's Best oatmeal. Anyone know where they sell it? Although I'm going to be speaking to ped on Thursday, the next appt is on the 20th and he wants us to bring a poop diaper in so they can test it. I'm scared the Alimentum will not work.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Posted by jellybean1420

I would take him to a ped. GI now rather than waiting especially if he had blood in his poop. While peds deal with this often, a ped. GI really is an expert.

I have a friend who went through something terrible like you and her son had a milk allergy and was not only pooping blood, but throwing up blood. It was very scary. After many formula's thank god he is now doing much better.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Posted by munchkinfacemama

Posted by mrswask

Thanks, everyone. I will look for the Earth's Best oatmeal. Anyone know where they sell it? Although I'm going to be speaking to ped on Thursday, the next appt is on the 20th and he wants us to bring a poop diaper in so they can test it. I'm scared the Alimentum will not work.

I can call Publix for you and ask If not, Whole Foods?

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

target, bru, walmart all carry earth's best! it's what we use for Emma...

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)

It seems to go so differently for everyone whose baby has a milk protein allergy. My doctors were pretty quick to send us to a GI doctor but they were also clear that we should give any new formula at least 4-5 days. You are doing great if your son is still gaining. My son spit up so much and that was a real issue.

Re: Update on Jordan and his issues (and mine too)