Anyone else need an ED support thread? - Page 10

[DevaMajka]

Just found this about mucous in stool:

According to alternative practitioners, the more common causes of mucus in stool includes bacterial overgrowth and food allergies and sensitivities.

And this that says that a small amount may be normal.

Just wanted to share in case y'all didn't know that. I didn't come across that info when ds had mucous in his poo.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by chellebee

I figured out multi-quote. woot!

No prob...so you are a nap-driver too? Every.single.day over here. It's the only way we nap. I daydream about having a kid who will go down at home.

You know, he doesn't scratch at it, so I don't think it itches. He doesn't act like the eczema bothers him, but he did tell me today that his tummy hurt. Poor kid. That's a good idea to see if there's something homeopathic I could give him...I never even thought of that. It would be for the tummy ache though, I think. What is apis?

Hmm. I haven't figured out multi-quote. My husband is usually the nap driver He works from home & when DS starts throwing punches & whining, DH often loads him up in the car to "go to the hardware store."

Apis is a homeopathic for bee stings, swellings, hives.

No fun having a tummy ache. My DD's tummy seems fine, but she is super itchy scratchy. I have to keep her nails really short & sometimes hold her in a straight jacket hold when I'm carrying her on my hip.

Right now her cheeks look awful. I'm so frustrated. I've eliminated all spices except salt, garlic, & basil. I'm trying to stay on a yeast elimination diet at the same time as my regular ED, but I keep breaking down and snacking on apples & berries or putting honey in my tea or eating too much rice.

I'm so HUNGRY. I don't think I've mentioned that I'm tandem nursing. I've really been limiting DS & I haven't been very sensitive to him at all lately.

Thanks for the poop links Chellebee & Deva! My DD just got tooth #7 in, and her drooling has subsided a bit, so I'm hoping that her poop might look better for a while if the teething was causing the frothy greenish poops. She does seem to have mucus in there quite often though.

Welcome Deir!! This is a bit embarrassing to admit, but the only real way that I keep from obsessing is to compulsively shop for baby clothes online. I don't actually buy most of them, just do "research" on different styles, etc. and put them in my cart.

Deva-Good luck with the whirlwind food re-intros. I'm worried that we're going to get a bunch of false negatives b/c I've been off so many foods for so long. I really wanted to get the testing done before we go out of town at the end of the month though. I'll be reporting back on the results after our appt.

[DevaMajka]

Originally Posted by Huck

I'm so HUNGRY. I don't think I've mentioned that I'm tandem nursing. I've really been limiting DS & I haven't been very sensitive to him at all lately.

are you eating loads of fat? I agree with mamafish- you need what seems like an excessive amount of fat if you are on a limited ED.

I just looked back- are you off the top 8, corn, nightshades, and citrus? How long has it been since you've had ALL corn out?

[Huck]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

are you eating loads of fat? I agree with mamafish- you need what seems like an excessive amount of fat if you are on a limited ED.

I just looked back- are you off the top 8, corn, nightshades, and citrus? How long has it been since you've had ALL corn out?

I'm eating a ton of meat, fish, olive oil, & avocado. I am off the top 8 plus legumes & bananas. I just pulled myself off of strawberries & raspberries today.

I got all trace amounts of corn out starting on 5/25.

I usually finish dinner (meat, vegetable, rice, with oil) and then an hour or so later I want to eat again.

[fraggle2]

about to start TED

Hi, I've been reading this thread all day, and it's been very interesting.

My son is 5 months, he's had digestive issues for a while now, but I just didn't realize what was going on. HE has always had trouble sleeping--he wakes up suddenly, screaming, and is a fussy nurser. I had oversupply issues that took 6 weeks to get under control, so I thought that was it. At about 3 months I went back to work (temporarily, since he refused a bottle), and around then things got worse--he had green mucousy poo every night. I thought it was from not eating all day, plus once I was back home the oversupply problem was back since I'd been pumping at work. Gradually the poops got worse--brownish yellow, dark green, streaks or blood, etc. He started screaming before every poop.

On the advice of the LC, when he was 4 mo I did more block feeding to settle my supply down, and then after a week of that with no poo change, I gave up all dairy including trace. It's been 3 weeks, and that hasn't helped.

Some people have suggested we should go see an allergist or GI specialist--what would they have to offer besides an elimination diet? Has anyone gone to specialists and gotten useful information?

I'm planning on trying the TED with turkey, lamb, potatoes, rice, millet, summer squashes, and peaches. I was wondering about spices. Can you use anything besides salt and pepper? Can I use sugar? What type of oil is best?

Thanks--it is great to know there are others out there trying to figure this out too.

[LisamommyRN]

I was told to give up dairy and soy at the same time, 'cause babies are often sensitive to both. 3 weeks dairy free is good, but it might just take longer to see results.

I went to a pediatric GI doc- basically she checked out all the other possible causes of bloody poop, and reassured me that my DS was thriving overall. She also offered formula, if I chose to go that route. (I didn't.)

As for your TED, make sure your sources of turkey are "clean"- alot of turkey in the grocery store has "natural flavors and preservatives" which could mess up your results. I believe sweet potatoes are less likely to cause a reaction than potatoes, that might be something to consider. I used sea salt only- the kind that comes in a grinder. Regular table salt often has "anti-caking agents" that are corn-based. I did not use pepper or any other spices. I did not use sugar, but was told that I could by a nutritionist. After the first few days, sweet potatoes actually started tasting "too sweet" to me! I started out on safflower oil, but after a week or so, the nutritionist said to switch to olive oil, so I did. DS now tolerates both, so I don't know if it made a difference.

Also- give up all medications (if you can) and supplments until you get to baseline, then challenge them individually as if they were foods. My mini BCP contained lactose, and I didn't realize it for a whole month!

And this will probably fix any oversupply problem you might have - be prepared to deal with possible low supply in a couple weeks.

Overall, I can't say whether I recommend the TED or not, but if you're gonna do it, do it right, so you only have to do it once . Keep us posted.

[chellebee]

fraggle--I'm sorry you are going through this. Oversupply can definitely really affect babe's poops/digestion, so I have to wonder if there is a combo of that and something else going on to tip the scales.

I think if you are wanting to try more things before moving on to a TED, removing soy would be the way to go, IMO. You could also keep removing from the top 8 allergens (or do an elimination of all the top 8) for more to try before TED--unless of course you want to go straight there.

AFM: We had a big reaction the other night and I'm not sure what it was. It was either to vanilla extract (suspecting corn alcohol) or xanthan gum. I was challenging xanthan gum to see if he could now tolerate a small amount, but of course, I had given him a boat load of homemade granola with loads of vanilla in it that day not even thinking about it. So now I don't know which one it is.

[DevaMajka]

fraggle- welcome, but sorry you have to be here

I recommend eliminating the top 8 plus gluten and corn (plus anything you specifically suspect) before trying anything more restrictive. It's just WAY too easy to stay on a TED for too long, and IME the nutritional deficiencies can make things worse and more confusing.
If you do decide to go straight to a TED (and I completely understand wanting to), make sure you don't go more than two weeks. If you aren't seeing a lot of improvement in a week, switch things up.
Make sure you eat lots of fat. I was adding canola oil to my black beans, just to make sure I was getting enough fat. I never noticed a supply drop unless I didn't drink enough water, and I attribute that at least partly to eating lots of fat.

I used canola oil, sugar, and sea salt on my almost-TED. Of course, it didn't get us to baseline We added back everything, and his reactions improved, but not to baseline.

Which brings me to another idea for figuring out problem foods- Doing a rotation diet- the same 10-15 foods for a few days in a row, then switching out to a new set of 10-15. Don't repeat foods. I'm wondering if this would work for us- ds seems to react within a few days. I just have to get up the energy to try again.

chellebee- were those the only new things? That's kind of exciting that you have it narrowed down so much!

[fraggle2]

I thought about doing a more gradual elimination, but I really want to get this resolved before we start solids. We might have to delay past 6 months, but he is already trying to steal food from my plate, so I feel bad making him wait forever. I just don't want to have everything still messed up and then try adding solids on top of that--I don't know how obvious an extra reaction would be. And I worry if I keep with the 1-2 things out at a time, I'm never going to figure it out.

I may go ahead and ask the LC if she can recommend a GI doc, rather than an allergist. I just don't want to even bother with anything more invasive than a poop or blood test until I've tried TED anyways. Growth and development wise, he's doing great. Even this last month, when he tummy has been the worst, he still gained 1lb. So at least there's that.

We have a local farm with free-range turkey, but all they have available is ground turkey because it isn't the normal turkey-slaughtering time of year. Otherwise I'm stuck with the 1/2 lamb in my freezer.

Lisa-you really eat just salt as a seasoning? I think the lack of herbs and spices may be worse for me than everything else!

I do wonder if the over supply issues are still part of the problem. Kieran is a totally erratic eater--he eats a ton one day and then nothing the next. Some days I have to pump because he's eaten so little. I don't know if it's just a personality thing, or if some days his tummy feels better/worse so he eats more/less.

[DevaMajka]

Not Lisa, but I did use just salt as seasoning. Yeah, it sucked! I used to eat mostly vegetarian dishes, so I was used to a LOT of seasonings in my food. Honestly, after a short time, I was starting to enjoy the taste of the food a lot more, and I didn't miss the seasonings that much.

I totally understand wanting to figure it out quickly. That was my goal! I have 2 important pieces of advice though- if you are going to do a TED, do it right. No cheating!! If I'd completely stuck to my almost-TED it probably would have told us a lot more. Also, take a break after a couple weeks to get some varied nutrition in you. Nutrition deficiencies can make reactions worse, and can probably cause reactions to foods that are otherwise ok.

I really hope you get to baseline quickly! As much as it sucks to be so limited with food, it makes it worth it when you get to baseline, and see your dc comfortable and happier!

[Huck]

Originally Posted by fraggle2

I thought about doing a more gradual elimination, but I really want to get this resolved before we start solids. We might have to delay past 6 months, but he is already trying to steal food from my plate, so I feel bad making him wait forever. I just don't want to have everything still messed up and then try adding solids on top of that--I don't know how obvious an extra reaction would be. And I worry if I keep with the 1-2 things out at a time, I'm never going to figure it out.

Welcome Fraggle! I hear you on wanting it resolved before solids. My DD is 8 months now, been trying to grab food since 5 months, and I still don't have this figured out. I've been off top 8 plus others since February and if I had it to do over, I'd try the TED first for faster results. And I echo the "do it right" comments.

Chellebee- We just got DD's igG results and she is allergic to Vanilla. That was the ONLY spice she reacted to.

[Huck]

IgG results!!

We got the IgG results for my 8 month old daughter. Glad we did it (if it proves accurate) b/c I would have NEVER guessed she was reacting to some of these foods! We also did a panel of 16 inhalants & the spice panel.

I've been off of dairy, soy, corn, gluten, nuts, sesame, citrus, tropical fruits, nightshades, chocolate, coffee, & sugar since February. (a few coffee breakdowns) And off of legumes for a month.

Surprisingly, no mold reactions YAY!! And it looks like most grains are fine, as are coffee & chocolate (thankfully!).

Here's what she reacted to:
All the Grasses (low-high)
Cat antigen (low)
Dog epithelia (moderate)
Dust mite mix (low)

All Dairy (moderate-high)

Apple, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Plum, Strawberry (low)
Cranberry, Grape, Papaya (very low)
Grapefruit (moderate)

String Bean, Corn, Spelt, Whole Wheat (very low)
Peanut (low)
Almond (moderate)

Asparagus, Cabbage, Carrot, Green Bell Pepper, Radish (very low)
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cucumber, White Onion, Red Tomato (low)
Celery, Lettuce (moderate)

Vanilla (moderate)
Dong Quai, Milk Thistle, Saw Palmetto (very low)

We're starting a rotation diet (I think I'll start a new thread for the details).

[DevaMajka]

Wow! Those would have been really hard to guess, even with a great journal. I could even see a TED including some of those. It's a good thing you did it! I'm super curious to find out if you discover the test was accurate!

[chellebee]

Huck--I hope this gives you a great starting point! Interseting on the vanilla. And good point for me to remember, that DS could be reacting to the alcohol OR the vanilla bean. I am going to get us some potato vodka and make our own vanilla extract and give that a go. That should give me a good answer on the vanilla front. GL on your rotation diet!

[Huck]

It's 6 pm, my head & tummy are hurting & I need to eat! DD is a hot little bundle asleep in my lap. DH is working on the bbq for the chicken. According to this rotation diet, all I have in the house to eat with it are kale & kohlrabi. I think I could eat a whole chicken. I already ate all of the buckwheat that I prepared this morning and too many sunflower seeds. It's too hot & I have to get ready to leave town on Wednesday & then how am I going to eat on vacation??

Ok, done whining. What do you folks think of reintroducing nuts? I am a little afraid after our peanut incident. I was thinking of getting some walnuts in the shell from a local source so I know they weren't cross contaminated with peanuts.

[chellebee]

woah, dead thread!

DS is still off all of the major reactive stuff--no challenging things yet. We have got to get his system settled down. He keeps having definitely random bouts of minor eczema on his cheeks and weird diapers and then everything goes back to normal. We've been food journaling and can't find any allergy related connection. Took him to acupuncturist and she thinks it's because his body hasn't been able to 100% rid of the toxins. He got some needles today, we have acupressure assignments for at home, and some chinese herbs to help clear the meridians. She thinks this will do the trick to truly get him at baseline. She also wants to see him eating mostly neutral or cooling foods and be careful with anythnig warming. Makes sense to me, and I think THAT has a relationship to the random diapers/eczema more than anything, since we weren't looking at foods that way. SO, 2 weeks of this once the herbs show up at my door, and then we reevaluate. And at that point I will be about 37 weeks pregnant. Nice timing for all of this to go down, eh?

[DevaMajka]

Very interesting! Let us know if you think it's working. I hope it does! It sounds like you've gotten a lot, or all, of the triggers out!

I've taken a break from trying to figure out J's sensitivities until we get his results back. So I'm working on mine. My symptoms are gas, bloating, and other gi problems. I'm on a low sugar/anti-yeast diet, and yesterday I felt better than I have in a while. So yay!

J's rash is gone. Totally gone. I think his eczema spots on his elbows and knees are gone. His sleep is OMG sucky. sigh. I'm debating trying low sals for a week until we get his results back. I don't know if I'll be able to do the anti-yeast diet PLUS low sals. I've been having berries for my sugar fix, and I won't be able to do that.

[Huck]

Chellebee-Which chinese herbs is your LO taking? How old is he? How's it going with the cooling foods? Sounds like a good approach to try.

Deva- results yet?

How is everyone else???

Here's our update. DD's rash is GONE from her back, inside of elbows, forehead, & back of head/behind ears. Her cheeks are still red, rough, sometimes crusty & yellowish, but they're NOT bright red and they look much better than before.

I actually like the rotation diet that we're doing b/c I know what to eat! Before I was stressing out about foods, having guilt, & feeling hungry a lot. Now I mostly just eat what is on the list for the day. The night before I soak whichever grain I'm going to eat the next day - rice, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat... and cook it in the rice cooker in the AM. And I soak then dry my sunflower seeds & pumpkin seeds in advance. I've tried local walnuts and they seemed fine. Coffee & chocolate also seem fine. Today I made an apricot ginger sauce to go with shrimp and it was good. I've cut out all brassicas after trying rutabaga, turnips, & kale again so my veges are very limited. I actually went on vacation for a week in so. cal. and was able to stay on my diet (except for a pomegranate juice mistake).

And for the first time in my life, someone called me skinny!