How long until I will see improvements from an ED?

[LadyCatherine185]

So, DS has allergies. And sleeping issues. High needs/fussy. If you want the full history, please read some of my posts. I don't have the energy to retype everything now....

Anyway, I had him tested (skin test) at 6 months old. I eliminated all of the foods he tested positive for (dairy, wheat, tomatoes, grapes, tea, chocolate, and strawberries) for 2-3 weeks. I saw no difference in his demeanor or sleeping patterns. Maybe it was just a bad 2-3 weeks for him, and it would have been worse had I not eliminated those foods? Who knows...

His sleeping has been getting even worse. Up every 15-45 minutes the last 5 nights in a row. I am debating whether to try an ED again, starting with the positive reactants.

How long should I wait to see results? Longer than 2-3 weeks?

Just wanted to add- I cut out dairy when he was 4 weeks old bc he had a rash all over, and after 5 days the rash was gone and I've been dairy free ever since.

[changingseasons]

I would definitely cut out those things that he tested positive for right away. Just because you didn't see improvements cutting those things before doesn't necessarily mean that they're ok- more likely, it means that there are more allergens that you were still eating at the time. Skin tests will only show IgE allergies, not IgG allergies/intolerances (and they're really not all that accurate anyway, especially at that age.) So there are probably some intolerances as well that were still bothering him.

You might try an elimination diet with those things plus a few more of the really common triggers - soy, corn, eggs, gluten (I don't know if you cut all gluten before, or just wheat). If you still don't see improvements, try cutting the rest of the top 8- peanuts/nuts, fish/shellfish. Nightshade veggies are often a cause of inflammation, and citrus fruit is a common irritant. I would avoid anything processed so that you're not ingesting any food dyes, preservatives, or hidden ingredient- like dairy in deli meat for example. Have you seen the lists of hidden ingredients to watch for? (If not, they are on my blog- link in sig.)

IF you have all the triggers out of your diet, you should start to see improvements within a few days, although it might take a while longer for complete improvement (and in the case of gluten, in can take a few months.) If you see absolutely no change, then you are most likely still eating something that he's allergic to.

Are you keeping a food journal? That is the most important part of the elimination diet. It really helps for cases like this, when you need to look back at what you were eating months ago and trying to remember how the symptoms have changed since then.

[PeachBaby]

I had initially cut out dairy (and pasta and shrimp) and saw a bit of improvement in my DS, but then symptoms came back.

Then I read that dairy and soy often go hand in hand. So I decided to eliminate soy and really focus on doing 100% ED (i.e., no cheating like I was doing occasionally before).

Symptoms started clearing up gradually and within a few days (maybe 3 or 4) I could start to see the difference already -- red cheeks disappearing, less fussy, sleeping better. Longest to be healing is his red ring around anus, but now finally after I think between 1 to 2 weeks it is starting to show signs of improvement (still a ways to go before the redness hopefully goes completely goes away).

I did have a slip up during this time (accientally ate a small bit of tofu on two separate days and both times, his red checks came back with 24 hours! And his spit up came back within a day too! So for me, I know soy is also a big problem.

[PeachBaby]

Also wanted to add that I agree with changingseasons post.

I too have been avoiding processed foods and pretty much have been eating only fresh.

One more thing I noticed is that DS is hardly rubbing his eyes anymore, took under a week for that itchiness to clear up.

Today I just checked DS now and his red ring around anus suddenly looks much better (redness suddenly almost all disappeared) compared to this morning (it was still quite red). Ive been on the ED (100%, no cheating) about 2 weeks so far. For me, 100% means not even shoyu (soy sauce).

So yeah, I'd say symptoms can clear up in a couple of weeks once the allergens are removed. The key really is finding out what all the allergens are.

I know what it's like from a previous TED experience to be frustrated when the diet does not seem to work. And particularly when it does, but then things get worse or don't improve (since that dashes your hopes for a quick recovery) as well as prolongs the not-knowing-what's-the problem.

I hope you can figure out what the allergy is soon and start on the way to healing! Good luck!

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

Skin tests will only show IgE allergies, not IgG allergies/intolerances (and they're really not all that accurate anyway, especially at that age.) So there are probably some intolerances as well that were still bothering him.

This has been such a long, hard journey. I feel like I will never figure this out!!!

are there any tests that will show IgG allergies? that are accurate?

Are you keeping a food journal? That is the most important part of the elimination diet. It really helps for cases like this, when you need to look back at what you were eating months ago and trying to remember how the symptoms have changed since then.

That is a great idea. I will keep one for both of us (he is eating some solids)....

The problem I have is, his symptoms aren't crystal clear. While he did break out in hives a few days ago from accidently ingesting some CRUMBS of wheat crackers, the "signs" that I see are-- red ring around anus, very runny poops, fussy behavior, terrible sleeping, gassiness. None of those signs went away with the previous ED.

So you think I should go off all top 8 first? For how long?

Looking on the bright side, I will probably lose some weight for the summer by doing this...

[LadyCatherine185]

Question about gluten- is it in all grains?

[Catt75]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

Question about gluten- is it in all grains?

I noticed above that you mentioned he tested positive on the skin test for wheat. It may take a little longer to see the results from removing wheat. Also depends if it is a wheat allergy or if it is a gluten allergy. If it is gluten then you have to avoid all forms of wheat, oats (except GF oats), barley and rye. I've read that gluten can take a few months to totally get out of yours and babies system.

Also if it is not necessarily gluten but wheat allergy you may still just want to go gluten free for the ease of finding stuff and not having to worry about cross contamination. My DD is allergic (skin test) to wheat but reacted to oatmeal. Oats can be contaminated with wheat, however one could also be allergic to oats. For her I know its not the gluten because she does fine with barley but because of ease I've just done the gluten free thing with her. I have not bothered to try the GF oats because we are doing well introducing other things such as quinoa, millet, buckwheat

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by Catt75

I noticed above that you mentioned he tested positive on the skin test for wheat. It may take a little longer to see the results from removing wheat. Also depends if it is a wheat allergy or if it is a gluten allergy. If it is gluten then you have to avoid all forms of wheat, oats (except GF oats), barley and rye. I've read that gluten can take a few months to totally get out of yours and babies system.

Also if it is not necessarily gluten but wheat allergy you may still just want to go gluten free for the ease of finding stuff and not having to worry about cross contamination. My DD is allergic (skin test) to wheat but reacted to oatmeal. Oats can be contaminated with wheat, however one could also be allergic to oats. For her I know its not the gluten because she does fine with barley but because of ease I've just done the gluten free thing with her. I have not bothered to try the GF oats because we are doing well introducing other things such as quinoa, millet, buckwheat

Sorry for the dumb question, but what are GF oats?

He has had oatmeal a few times and didn't seem to react to it.. but at this point I really don't know..

[Catt75]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

Sorry for the dumb question, but what are GF oats?

He has had oatmeal a few times and didn't seem to react to it.. but at this point I really don't know..

Gluten Free oats. They are not supposed to be contaminated with gluten. Your little one may have a wheat allergy then and not a gluten issue.

[Catt75]

You may want to start by cutting out all the things he tested positive for. Keep a food journal and keep track of his behaviour and other reactions. This way you can look back after a month to see any patterns. I don't understand tea...tea can be made with so many different ingredients so I don't understand what in tea is he a allergic to?

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by Catt75

You may want to start by cutting out all the things he tested positive for. Keep a food journal and keep track of his behaviour and other reactions. This way you can look back after a month to see any patterns. I don't understand tea...tea can be made with so many different ingredients so I don't understand what in tea is he a allergic to?

actual tea leaves.

other things that are called "tea" (herbal 'teas', etc) aren't really tea.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

are there any tests that will show IgG allergies? that are accurate?

So you think I should go off all top 8 first? For how long?

Looking on the bright side, I will probably lose some weight for the summer by doing this...

ELISA and ALCAT tests will show IgG, but they are not 100% accurate. They might help give you a good starting point, but the elimination diet is really the most accurate way to find intolerances.

Top eight is a good place to start. I might add corn to that list too, since it's becoming a more and more common allergen.

Be careful with the weight loss though- you don't want to lose too quickly, or else all the toxins in your body (stored in fat) will end up in your breastmilk. Just be sure to get a good amount of protein, carbs, and fat. Use lots of oils and eat nutrient dense foods.

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

Question about gluten- is it in all grains?

Nope- gluten free grains are rice, buckwheat, millet, teff,.... I'm sure I'm forgetting something here.

Just keep in mind that ANYTHING can be an allergen- so if you start an ED and notice symptoms getting worse, or not getting better at all, look at what you're eating more of. Like for me, I ate a lot of rice and squash when I did an ED and DD ended up being allergic to both, so it was confusing to figure out.

Just keep up posted with what you're eating and how the symptoms are going, and we can help you troubleshoot.

[Catt75]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

actual tea leaves.

other things that are called "tea" (herbal 'teas', etc) aren't really tea.

LOL..thanks for clearing that up. I didn't know that.