Yesterday we met with Cincinnati's Aerodigestive feeding team for Stanton's evaluation. Several different people came in and out while we were there. During our 4 hour stay, everyone took time to play with Stanton, watch him eat, drink, or attempt and asked us lots of questions. The GI doctor came in after reviewing the team's observations. He said that he felt Stanton had three main areas we should really focus on. Each are is Its on specific issue, but when layered on top of each other, as they are in Stanton's case, they confuse and complicate one another. The first area we need to target is the skin patch allergy testing. The team here feels that bloodwork testing, which is what we've had, isn't reliable in little ones. There are obviously some hidden allergies going on with our little guy. The tean here feels that his marked improvement since switching to an elemental medical formula is just proof of hidden allergies. Cincinnati has encouraged us to find a pediatric allergist who works with elimination diet kids.
The second issue with Stanton is with his stomach. They feel pretty confident that he has Delayed Gastric Emptying. This means that his stomach isn't digesting the food he eats in a timely manner. Which could explain why he usually vomits 3-4 hours after something. There are two scans to diagnose this, and medication to treat it. We just have to get our local GI on board with this.
And the final area we need to address is behavioral. Stanton has lots of trauma and stubborness built around his food experiences. Those behaviors make meal time and even taking medication impossible. The team would like for us to find a behavior psychologist to work with us and Stanton. This would give us tools to help recreate positive experiences with food.
So this is our new starting place!
We were to begin some of the above mentioned testing today, but Stanton threw up last night and was left that all to familiar barking cough and stridor breathing. We were up all night with him coughing and screaming. So, instead of testing, we went to the er and got a breathing treatment and steriod shots in each leg. Stanton is finally sleeping back at our hotel.
Ginger
Oh my goodness. Reading your blog is like reliving my life. My 8 month old son has sever food allergies. He was put on elemental formula at 4 months. He is under the strict guidance of a GI. No allergist yet because we are trialing foods. He too has problems eating solids - behavioral issues. It is hard to get him to try something new and he usually just reverts back to the bottle. Our symptoms were vomiting -1 to 2 hours after-, diarheeah and SEVERE stomach cramps. Just know that there are people out there who are going through what you are. Children are a blessing and I would have the problems then not have him. You are not alone. Good luck with your little one and you are in my prayers. Jami
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