Don't know what to do

[Anonymous]

So I have no idea what to do anymore.

My DS is almost 7 weeks old. He is currently on Alimentum (after milk-based formulas gave him severe gas and projectile vomiting. Soy was better–no vomiting– but still seemed very hard on his stomach.) On Alimentum, he seemed to get better (softer stools and less gas) within a few days.

At the same time we started Alimentum (2 weeks ago) we also switched from Zantac (which didn’t seem to do enough and wore off too quickly) to Prevacid.

The acid seemed much better. He’s still refluxing but it seemed less painful.
Then, two days ago he started getting more and more painful gas and developed a full body rash. He’s back to not sleeping and just seems to be having a really bad time of it again.

My ped is telling me this rash may be baby acne and that babies just “get gas”. I just can’t believe that acne could be ALL over his body (mostly face, chest, stomach, back) and come on so quickly. And, when I added in the escalation of the painful gas…I was thinking he might be reacting to the lactose in the solutabs.

What do you think?

I thought about getting the compounded version of prevacid but no one seems to be able to do this here or even know what I’m talking about.

My only option now seems to be to go back to zantac for a bit and see if the rash goes away. I just am at my wit’s end and can’t stand to see my DS in pain.

Any ideas or help appreciated.

[Anonymous]

The rash sounds like the “baby acne” that my ds had. When we saw the pediatric gastroenterologist, turned out the acne was really bad excema. A VERY VERY small percentage of babies are lactose intolerant (hardly any). He is most likely intolerant to the milk in Alimentum. I know he seemed to get better on the Alimentum at first, but its most likely due to a “honeymoon” type period after changing formulas that is usually about 2 weeks. After the 2 weeks, all goes south again. The milk proteins in Alimentum are broken down, but they are still there.

I would make an appt. with your pediatrician. Make them do a fecal hemoccult test. This test checks the stool for microscopic blood, which is a sign of an intolerance. If the test is positive, and since the Alimentum has not helped you will most likely need to go to an elemental formula like Neocate or Elecare. Elemental formulas are amino-acid based and milk and soy free. Once my ds was on Elecare for a little under a week his excema went away and he was a MUCH happier baby. It may take up to a month for the full effects of the elemental formula to be seen.

Make SURE you are giving the Prevacid 30-60 minutes before meals and on an empty stomach. If you don’t give it this way, it will not be effective. You will need to give the Prevacid this way for at least 2 weeks for the full effects to show. That is, unless there is an underlying intolerance issue. Also, check http://www.marci-kids.com for medication dosing info. IMO, I would not do a compounded med. Its really hard to get one made right.

Good luck and welcome to the site. It has been a pure lifesaver to me.

[hellbennt]

Yes it might be time for neocate or elecare.

You are in LUCK! you can get a properly compouned PPI now!!!!

you still need to make sure the dose is ‘high’ enough, though.

anyway read here! Caracream: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11191&PID=94236#94236

I would also read: Mspi/allergy info(‘main page’): https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2697&PN=1&TPN=1

hang in there!

[Anonymous]

I was so hoping to avoid neocate…

As for lactose intolerance…I was lactose intolerant as a baby (and outgrew it) and so was my older DS. He had full body rashes, constipation, gas, blood and mucous in his stool but did great on lactose free formula. Later he could eat hard cheeses and some yogurt but drinking milk brought on all his earlier symptoms. He outgrew this at 2.5yo.
So there is this genetically hanging around in my family.
Could he really be fine on Alimentum for 2 weeks and then start showing signs of problems?

So for the capsules (which I assume every pharmacy carries) I just mix it with the caracream? Where do you get the caracream?

Thanks for the help!

schuyler2008-07-03 10:52:15

[Anonymous]

Yes- there is a “honeymoon” type phase associated with both medication and formula changes. For the first 2 weeks after a change in either, symptomsl seem to get better or stabilize. Then, after the 2 weeks, the symptoms either go back to being bad or they get worse. This phase happened to me each time I switched formulas with my son, until we got him on Elecare. With my son we tried Enfamil Lipil, Gentlease, Lactofree, Nutramigen and finally Elecare.

The Prevacid capsules are the most commonl;y prescribed form of the med. Its generally prescribed to older kids and adults b/c (obviously) babies can’t swallow pills. What is usually done with older toddlers is to open the capsule and sprinkle the beads on something like applesauce. So, for an infant that can’t eat something like applesauce, the Caracream is a base for compounding the capsules into a liquid yourself.

Hang in there! Good luck!

Oh, here is a link for a free sample can of Neocate: http://www.testforallergy.com/treat.asp

[hellbennt]

current caracream info:

Caracream: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11191&PID=94236#94236

[Author]

Posts