Solids confusion, Doctors confusion

[Anonymous]

Tracey – I’m sure they’ve done this already, but I forget – did they test for c-diff? That can cause longterm loose stools and stomach cramps, and they are finding it is getting more and more common. James had loose stools for months – never normal – but in our case it was cow’s milk, but it sort of came on gradually so I didn’t put 2 and 2 together until after much testing (stool and allergy testing.) Stopped the milk, and the loose stools cleared up. (Then started soy milk which bound him up like you wouldn’t believe, but that’s another story!) So in your case, it seems unlikey that it could be a formula thing as he did well on the elecare for so long…unless it is a “side-effect” of the elecare that was masked when you were thickening…(grasping at straws here…) I guess I’d go for the enema if I were in your shoes, before starting solids, just to rule out anything else so you can be more certain of what is a food reaction and what isn’t.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tricia-no straws are good! They did test for c-diff ( I brought a mucous diaper in because it had reddish stuff in it). It came back negative for both c-diff and blood. We are doing probiotics but not seeing any changes yet but will give it time.

Thank you too Lori-because he has had this problem prior to antibiotics, they’re a little concerned. That was even when he was just on elecare(after brief ST trial) and no prevacid (we weaned him off at one point-now back on). And it got down to just water. Of course, he’s teething too so that clouds everything.

We did try the rice yesterday. He used to have it in his bottles so we weren’t too worried. He loved the taste! Only gave one tsp and he seemed fine until 2 hours later, then cranky. However, got a BIG clue-we fed him his bottle and he had a huge, explosive, watery bm THEN went into bouncy chair and started doing bearing down thing again like he had to poo. Haven’t seen that in a couple of weeks. I think allergist was right-if he’s got something backed up-then rice would make him feel worse but was worth a try. This is behavior he did right before the week of projectile vomiting/hospital visit. So I feel bad that I made Ian so uncomfortable, but at the same time, it was a huge clue for dh and I to feel ok about going forward with enema. They’re calling us to schedule this week. I’m stressed about putting him through one more thing (especially radiation) but I feel it’s high time. If all 3 doctors think it’s a remote possibility, I’d rather check it out then find him in a pool of blood again.

Poor bubba!

Tracy

[Anonymous]

Glad they can do the test this week – definitely keep us posted. We may
end up having to do it soon too – Marisa is still only have
pebbles/small rock poops despite peaches and peas and oatmeal and white
grape juice… Poor girl. She doesn’t seem uncomfortable from it but
it’s so odd. We can’t see Dr. Moon until next Monday though – we’ve
been waiting some time.

[Anonymous]

Tracy – how is Ian doing? Do you have a day set for the enema?

[Anonymous]

I am glad that they are setting up the enema but i feel so bad for Ian! Big hugs from Isaac and I!

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys.

Just got a slot for unprepped barium enema tomorrow am at 9. I think we’re rushing it due to Ian having two more small, EXPLOSIVE, watery movements. He’s grunting like mad-definitely think he’s trying to push. Also, he’s having a hard time during feeds (although finishing). Good news is actually that his appetite is great. We have to feed him much more often and he’s up to 40oz a day-and we don’t think it’s comfort-mood seems ok and poops have been during feeds again. He’s gained a lot of weight-now 19 pounds which is a good 2 pound gain and I really hope we get this under control because I think my big boy needs solid food soon! Formula isnt gonna cut it anymore with this appetite.

Anyone know what’s involved in the unprepped?

Thanks!

Tract

[Anonymous]

Good they were able to get you in so quickly. I am in a rush so can’t
pull up a search now – but I know that in my posting previously in the
gastro section on barium enemas, a few people posted back with what
would be involved.

Glad he’s eating though and gaining weight!

[Anonymous]

Tracy, Just thought I throw in a “glass half full” possibility. Have you discussed with either the ped or ped GI that Ian may be having “osmotic diarrhea”? Elemental formula like Neocate and Elecare have a higher osmolarity than convential infant formula and hydrolysed formulas. That means that the colon has to draw in more water to “dilute” all those tiny elemental bits. It can manifest as explosive water stools.

Hope Ian’s test goes smoothly tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

I hope the test goes well today!

[Anonymous]

Tracy – it was at 9am today? Hope you’re on your way home now and that everything went well.

[Anonymous]

We’re home and test went fine. Ian handled it like a pro! Dh got to stay in the room and Ian didn’t even need to be strapped down. Whole thing took about 10min with just a little whimpering from barium. I spoke to radiologists and they explained radiation is really not that much which made me feel better if we end up having to do a barium swallow after all this.

Good news (great news actually) is Ian looks great. Everything’s normal and negative for Hirschsprung’s. We’re so happy about that but feel awful he had to go through yet again another proceedure and we still don’t have answers. DH and I feel confident though that we had to check it out at this point or we’d be worrying forever.

Which leaves us with-WHY are we having these weird bm’s. Karen that is such an interesting thought about the osmotic diarrhea! I’ve never heard of that or that elecare had higher osmolarity! Do you know where I can get more info on that? Anyone else experience it? Or know anything? It’s something we have to fix though right?? Otherwise it could lead to malabsorption…? With him being on prevacid I constantly worry about it anyways – but I guess I’d know if he was malnourished…So frustrating! Ian has major problems with sorbitol and sucralose so maybe this is it.

Only other guess is switch off solutabs and see if it helps. Go to capsules I guess…Anyone have more luck with those? I’m going to search through medicines section now.

Thanks for support. Positive thought for the day-my son doesn’t have a scary disease. All and all that’s the most important thing to focus on for now. Tomorrow, is a whole new day to freak out!

Tracy

[Anonymous]

Great to hear everything went well. Where do you go from here?

[Anonymous]

Glad it went so well! Yes – maybe switch off solutabs and see if that helps – check out the capsules or try Zegerid?

Yay on the news though!

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear the good news!

[Anonymous]

I am glad to hear that the test came out fine!

[Author]

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