Mamas w/food allergic children - Page 9

[Pilgrim]

OK, DD is going to have general anesthesia Jan. 31 to have fillings and caps. I just thought to ask this, but has anyone in the allergies group gone through this before? I am especially concerned because I don't feel that we've identified all of DD's allergies. This is because she still has eczema flares for unknown reasons (although it could simply be environmental, I know...)

Anyway, she is highly allergic to milk, eggs, banana, and avocado (therefore probably latex.) Also we avoid nuts, wheat, soy, corn, and citrus.

And, to try to get her eczema under control before the big day, I'm experimenally restricting apples, tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, plums, and grapes. (Thank you Good Papa!)

Does anyone have any advice, for example, I know to watch out for certain IV drips with lactose or dextrose (milk and corn triggers.) I'm also concerned about the sedatives, the gas, well just EVERYTHING! Anyway, if you know of any advice, I'd sure appreciate it. I want to be as informed and prepared as possible. Thanks!

[JaneS]

What kind of fillings is she getting?

[Missy]

Hi Pilgrim!

Ds2 has had two endoscopies so we've had a little experience with it. His known allergies are dairy, soy, egg, corn, peanut, treenut, wheat, bananas and avocados and latex, mustard, sesame, coconut, barley, buckwheat, most fruit and veggies. We haven't had any problems, but I have had to be a little aggressive about making sure they avoid his allergens.

First of all, if you suspect a latex allergy (very probable with banana and avocado), don't leave any wiggle room. When ds2 was hospitalized, we listed it as a "suspected" allergy due to the banana and avocado--and then spent the next week fighting with the staff (drs., nurses, everyone) to take it seriously. Just assume you're dealing with a latex allergy and have every dr.'s office write it in her chart.

From what I understand, there are two common types of general anesthesia. One contains egg. I just told the anesthesiologist (sp) that he could not use the one with egg. The last time, he tried to argue with me. Seems he prefers the one with egg. I told him I didn't care about his preferences. He said kids wake up a little faster with the one that contains egg. I told him I'd prefer to have my son sleep a little longer than not wake up at all because he had a reaction to the egg.

Ds2 is very sensitive to corn; he reacts to the corn found in most medication (sorbitol, glucose, dextrose, etc...) He reacts to the corn used in the bleaching process for white sugar. He reacted when I ate something containing regular baking powder, hence cornstarch. He had an IV drip during his hospital stay--I didn't notice any reaction. Now, in retrospect, he did have really funky weird diaper the next day, but he was being exposed to a lot of crap during his stay. As far as I know, it is almost impossible to get a corn-free drip. If he needed a drip again, even given his positive corn allergy, I would probably allow it...and watch him very closely. If I ever noticed a reaction, I'd insist that they find an alternative. And I'm anal. We compound most of his medications to get rid of corn. I've never heard of lactose in a drip, but ds2 is ana to dairy and his drs. are all very aware of that.

Hope this helped a little!

Missy

[Jessica36]

I agree with Missy. No Latex (call ahead) and the type of anthesia. Zach is also egg allergic and Children's in Chicago will not use it on him.

HTH

[Pilgrim]

Oh WOW, oh THANKS! I never dreamed about eggs in the anesthesia!!!

The anesthesiologist was supposed to call me this evening, but that didn't happen. We'll have a lot to discuss before the procedure!

She's getting some resin fillings. I've insisted that there be no metal in her mouth when all is said and done.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Missy

Hi Pilgrim!

As far as I know, it is almost impossible to get a corn-free drip. If he needed a drip again, even given his positive corn allergy, I would probably allow it...and watch him very closely. If I ever noticed a reaction, I'd insist that they find an alternative.

You can get corn free drips, just need to ask for Lactated Ringer's Solution instead of a glucose drip

[Missy]

But what's in a Lactated Ringer Solution?

I did a search and the most I can come up with is the suggestion that it contains dextrose, which is corn. It also contains lactate and those of us with dairy allergies tend to stay away from anything with the word "lactate" unless we can identify the source, which then, more often than not, is corn (if it's not dairy-derived, it's plant-derived. Usually corn, sometimes soy, less frequently potato--all out for us, anyway).

Missy

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Missy

But what's in a Lactated Ringer Solution?

I did a search and the most I can come up with is the suggestion that it contains dextrose, which is corn. It also contains lactate and those of us with dairy allergies tend to stay away from anything with the word "lactate" unless we can identify the source, which then, more often than not, is corn (if it's not dairy-derived, it's plant-derived. Usually corn, sometimes soy, less frequently potato--all out for us, anyway).

Missy

I have no idea whats in it as we dont deal with corn allergies anymore (outgrew it around 1 year) but its whats reccomended over and over again on various allergy lists by those with corn allergies and a friend of mine with a servely corn allergic kiddo uses it with no problem. Also, just becasue it says lactate does not mean it comes from milk, I can think of at least 4 commonly used lactate's that are not dairy derived.

edited to add: Dextrose can also be derived from potato and grapes that I know of and i'm sure there's a couple other sources.

[Missy]

Also, just becasue it says lactate does not mean it comes from milk, I can think of at least 4 commonly used lactate's that are not dairy derived.

That's why I mentioned it could be plant-derived, usually from corn, sometimes from soy, less frequently from potato. Thanks for the info on dextrose; I've never seen or heard of any derived from grapes or potato. Doesn't make it any better for us, but it might help someone else.

[Pilgrim]

Well in our particular situation, I THINK they should just give her a saline drip, right? I can't imagine she'd need anything but that for a one-hour procedure. That's what they told me too. I'm just going to be SURE by being a pesty parent reminding them over and over again!

Oh, and to top things off - I had a Party Lite Party today. The consultant came and lit all the candles. Well DD's eczema is completely flared up! I hate that she's all flared up two days prior to GA. The good news is now I know one more thing to cut out of her life. I usually have a candle burning at our home. I had no idea!

[moneca]

Saline drip should be fine for her for a minor procedure that will only last one hour. Good luck.

[Missy]

Hey everyone!!!

Look!!http://www.mothering.com/discussions...play.php?f=307

[Pilgrim]

Well the procedure went well, and I'm exhausted! I spoke with the anesthesiologist about all this stuff. He said that he normally uses Lactated Ringer's and has NEVER heard of an allergic reaction to any drip. But he agreed to use saline only for us.

DD did fine, although she cried a LOT coming out of the anesthesia. But she had no allergic reactions and seems to be doing well now. Thanks for your help y'all!!

[Missy]

I'm so glad it went well!! I know how stressful it can be!

Missy

[moneca]

Glad to hear all is well. I'm happy for you and your babe.

[southerngul]

Count me in

I'm new to the forums here and am thrilled to see this thread! My oldest, who is 6, has food allergies. I knew from the time he was about 2 that he had allergies but it took me 4 years and finding the right DR to get him tested. We finially had the RAST test done right before Christmas and the results show him being allergic to milk, soy, wheat, corn, soy and peanuts. This after he's been on like 11 different meds for the last year or so. He was diagnosed ADHD which we now know is behavorial reactions from his allergies. He also has exzema, and last year developed asthma- all directly related to food allergies. We have modified his diet, which as most of you know, is a real experience! (I am lucky to be good friends with the owner of the local HFS!) He is doing much better and we are weaning him off meds now. I am constantly looking for other Mamas of food allergic children to talk to.

Ooops... I said soy twice. Should have been egg.

[~*max*~]

Welcome Southerngul. Sounds like we are going through similar things - my ds, age 5, is allergic to dairy, citrus & mold (and quite possibly others that we haven't detected yet). He too presented w/behavior similar to ADHD. After we cut out the dairy & citrus he was like a new child. What a relief! Yes, the "cutting out" part is hard, to say the least, and you sure have a lot to cut out. Holidays, birthday parties, school snacks - it's like constantly being the food police, but well worth it of course.

Glad to have you w/us.

[myjo]

Well, you can count me in. I guess if there's an allergy club I might as well join. We've been dealing with this for 7 years, and frankly, I'm just so sick and tired of it!

It was really quite an adventure at first, trying to figure out all their food allergies and watching to see if they would improve on a restricted diet. But my poor kids have shed so many tears over being different and not being able to eat normally, it just breaks my heart.

So here's our laundry list: ds #1 is allergic to milk and wheat and cannot tolerate sugar. ds#2 is allergic to milk, eggs, tomatoes, and chocolate. ds. #3 is only 5 mos old, but already shows some sensitivity to eggs and milk.

So here's my pet allergy theory: Besides the hereditary factor, a major contributer to childhood allergies in bf'd kids could be the mother's leaky gut problems. She's passing undigested proteins into her milk before the baby is able to tolerate anything but predigested food which is what breastmilk would be in a mama with a healthy digestive system. So of course the poor babe gets sensitized to all kinds of allergens while their digestive and immune systems are still developing.

I know I have major problems with leaky gut, because I have colitis, candida overgrowth, and food intolerances. Lately what has been helping us is pre-soaking our grains, using sprouted grain bread, and lacto-fermentation. I am feeling much healthier now. I also found that I can tolerate fertile eggs, just not regular "fecal farm" eggs. I also found that eating plenty of coconut oil and taking cod liver oil helps heal up the gut and fight inflammation, which contributes to leaky gut.

I was quite underweight before I started eating better (and I had just had baby #3!) I have gained about 7 pounds and feel much better. I also feel there may be an end in sight to this allergy business. I'm also hopeful that some more NAET treatments will help us get better faster.

Anyway, I hope all you other mamas of allergic kids are getting along okay. Hang in there, and keep researching. Allergy avoidance is not the end all and be all. It is possible to heal the body enough to rid it of allergies.