How do you really know?

[jenniepaige]

So, my 4.5 year old exhibits some behaviors that I just have a hunch may be triggered by what she is eating. She is super hyper active and has a few of the signs on what to look for like the Dr. Jekyle and Mr. Hyde thing and some other. BUT she doesn't get rashes or hives or anything like that from what she eats.
She does complain about having a tummy ache a lot but that kind of comes and goes.
We are scheduled to do an allergy test tomorrow but from what I've been reading is that they aren't always very reliable.
So, what else can I do other then an elimination diet? I am just so intimidated by that. It seems like such a hard thing to do, when, if I'm honest with myself we really do eat a lot of convenience things and other not so great stuff.
I'm just sort of overwhelmed by it all.
Any suggestions on what else I can look for?

[4Blessings]

You keep a detailed food diary keeping track of what she eats and the resulting behaviors. Then hopefully you can connect the dots.
Have you read Is This Your Child? by Doris Rapp?

[changingseasons]

Also, Dealing with Food Allergies in Babies and Children by Joneja. It's got a ton of useful information, and more up to date, easier to read (IMO) than Is This Your Child.

Instead of trying a complete elimination diet, you could just take out one food at a time for about a week and see if there is any improvement. If not, you can resume that food and take out a different one. I would start with the top 8 allergens for sure.

And definitely, like PP said, keep a detailed diary with all foods eaten and symptoms.

[Chinese Pistache]

At her age, the tests are likely to reveal any IgE allergies. The problem is that food can cause problems and not be IgE mediated, but some other kind of sensitivity. A food journal would be very useful.

Especially when talking about behavior, you might research the Failsafe and Feingold diets. Both address problematic natural food chemicals, as well as food colorings, preservatives and such.

http://www.feingold.org/pg-overview.html
http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/failsafe.htm

I know that several moms at MDC board are following these diets with their children.

[jenniepaige]

Thanks for the replies.
I've started taking a diary a few days ago, thinking that they may help to pinpoint things. It feels like a needle in a haystack.
Looks like the first diet the feingold one you have to pay like over 60 bucks to get the book or whatever to follow it. Suprised that info isn't free.
I have also ordered the first book "Is this my child" hopefully that will shed some light as well.
Ah...so hard to know for sure! But it sure as heck doesn't hurt to cut out things mentioned on the failsafe diet. those are bad anyhow and we do try to severely limit them. Maybe it's just a little that does it. who knows?

[kjbrown92]

I'm not a big fan of Feingold or kidswithfoodallergies.org because they charge money for support to the people who need it most. Of course I think life saving drugs shouldn't cost so much either!!

If your child's reactions are mostly mood/behavior, I doubt that skin prick tests are going to tell you anything. The most likely culprits are food additives, preservatives, food coloring and flavoring. That being said, soy and corn also make my DS more "volatile" (he has tantrums and cries more - he's 7 yo). Mood/behavior is also the most subjective - is your child just having a bad day? Or did she eat something that is amplifying every reaction?

An elimination diet is probably going to be key for you because a food diary might be confusing if it's more than one food. I find that the behavior changes are the next day. I know other people say it's immediate for their child.

[4Blessings]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

I'm not a big fan of Feingold or kidswithfoodallergies.org because they charge money for support to the people who need it most. Of course I think life saving drugs shouldn't cost so much either!!

.

I've had a "sponsored membership" at kidswithfoodallergies for two years now. All you have to do is ask.

[kjbrown92]

It's not the money as much as it is the point. How hard it is when you have a child who has multiple food allergies/intolerances, and you want recipes to make it easier. And there's a perfect place, BUT you need a membership. No one wants to be in that club. It's one of the reasons I started my blog, with recipes sortable by allergens, free to anyone and everyone, because I think starting from scratch is downright hard and if I can make it easier for just one person, it'll be worth the time and energy I spend on it. For instance, charging money for the Feingold Diet book makes sense, but you could give out some of the information on the website, so that you can at least see what it's about. I love capitalism, believe me, much moreso than socialism, but I think allergy forums should be as accessible as possible. Just my opinion obviously (a pet peeve, actually) and I don't mean to be critical. Just exasperated over the years.

[Chinese Pistache]

I've heard from a few moms that they like the FAILSAFE diet better because it's more comprehensive. I'm pretty sure that information is free, but I don't know where THE definitive website is. I used to have a link for a failsafe message board. I'll look for it. . .

ETA: http://members.essentialbaby.com.au/...p?showforum=83

[Joshuasmom16]

I agree with kjbrown. I actually considered paying the 25 membership fee just so I could get recipes, but then I wound up checking out her blog and printed out a bunch of stuff. Thank you!

[Meg_s]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

At her age, the tests are likely to reveal any IgE allergies. The problem is that food can cause problems and not be IgE mediated, but some other kind of sensitivity. A food journal would be very useful.

Especially when talking about behavior, you might research the Failsafe and Feingold diets. Both address problematic natural food chemicals, as well as food colorings, preservatives and such.

http://www.feingold.org/pg-overview.html
http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/failsafe.htm

I know that several moms at MDC board are following these diets with their children.

that food additive site is where I got most of the info I needed, it changed our lives, Im so grateful! We are also gluten and dairy free though... very creative with the cooking

[jenniepaige]

Thanks so much for the replies. I feel the same way about charging for it though. I will def be checking out your blog.
yea, much of what I expected at the mainstream doc. We ended up talking parenting and discipline and not what I came there for. Ah well...it's all useful I guess.
I am going to continue with the journal and then slowly take things away so as not to scare the poor child! (and myself quite frankly as well) I think the biggest thing is the additives and all that junk.
Some of the info. is a bit confusing but I think I just need to take the time and sort through all of it. Hopefully just take it one step at a time so it's not so burdensome.
Now, a random question about dairy sensitivities....is that mostly referring to milk that is not raw? Because I thought that raw milk doesn't give you the same reaction? Am I wrong in thinking that?

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by jenniepaige

Now, a random question about dairy sensitivities....is that mostly referring to milk that is not raw? Because I thought that raw milk doesn't give you the same reaction? Am I wrong in thinking that?

It depends on the type of allergy/sensitivity. If you are IgE allergic to dairy proteins (casein/whey), raw products will be just as bad for you. If you have some other kind of sensitivity, you *may* be able to tolerate raw products. There's really no way to know without trialing it, though. Personally, I would stay away from all dairy during gut healing, just to be sure (of course, the SCD differs from this view and cultured/raw dairy is used for gut healing, but it's mostly for digestive disorders, not specifically people who present with more typical allergic reactions).