Saw an allergist

I got some answers and then none. I hate being in the vague zone, especially when food is my life and I feel like everything is being done wrong.

Dr. Lee told me that my measuring his allergy through skin isn't accurate. Since he has his skin flared up, it has become more sensitive to nearly everything (be it the wind, sun, drool or simple rubbings from clothes). Also, if I feel itchy from something I ate (soy or wheat), it does not mean that Aidan is allergic to it.

I've been given the green lights to do soy. So far, so good. Tomorrow I'll try tofu. I also was told to give Dr. Pepper another go. I had Dr Pepper and what ya know, he didn't react to it. I bet it was from the burrito that had wheat in it last week. Aidan is doing good. Yesterday he slept ALL day and last night too. Now he is asleep which is why I am able to blog in this and blogged in another site.

I was told to not eat wheat until he has his blood test, which has to be done AFTER he's 8 or 9 months old. I'll just wait until he's 9 months. The skin test can be done but not at this age, it wouldn't be accurate. So basically, it is still a waiting game.

joy. whee. hallelujah.

I had an odwalla bar last night, made with flax and oats. Stupid me, oats have traces of wheat in them. Immediately after eating it, I itched like crazy. Aidan nursed then itched like crazy. We gave him Benadryl, he slept like a log last night.

That's all I can update for now. I still pine for kit kat and reese cups though :) At least I can have my Dr Pepper. Yay.

Update: Week two

Hi, so sorry for not posting!! The two weeks have been hectic and quite an adventure. I started off an excited dairy/soy free woman and now have been a very "tired" vegan. Long story short, I decided to read Skinny Bitch and got hooked to their "diet". Vegan was the way to go for me however, it is hard due to not being able to eat soy.

I also decided to go gluten free... my gut instinct tells me that Aidan is also sensitive to wheat. I decided to try eating bread the other day and ah, he flared up once again.

How is Aidan? His skin is 99% perfect, his behavior/personality is so sweet, funny and energetic. Finally, his poop? It remains the same (a big frown).

Here are pictures for you guys to see:

January 15:


It did get worse as Molly warned me. He was scratching himself ALL over and going ballistics at some time. I gave him 1/4 tsp of benadryl twice (it helped, tremendously) and didn't do it again... too much scary stuffs result from giving that meds to a tiny baby.

Aidan was seen by a ped. dermatologist last week and she prescribed him desonide saying he had eczema (oh really?) and a bad case of cradle cap that spread everywhere. I was faithful with applying it once in the morning and before bed covering the thin layer of desonide with cetaphil.

I've also been taking probiotics as well as the fish oil. Anyway, here's the result two weeks from the strict diet I've been on. Believe me, it took a lot of commitment and will power to remain soy/dairy-free!!!!

Today:


I decided to go vegan and so far, I'm liking it. However, I wonder if I didn't have a strong reason to go dairy-free, I probably wouldn't have gone vegan. I definitely don't mind staying off of dairy or meat and hope that soy is something I can have soon so I can have those "substitute" meats to ward off my frustration with the vegan diet.

And good lord, I miss my candies (Kit Kat, Reese Cups, M&Ms)!

Til then,
Clare

The Visit with LLL

It went very well. I felt like someone LISTENED- and the lady, Molly, is my Dr Pepper Soulmate. We both share the same addiction and love for Dr. Pepper. But that's completely another topic ;)

I am to go on a very strict dairy and soy free diet. I cannot have ANYTHING that has soy (such as soy sauce or even, edamame) for the next 3 weeks. She explained so very clearly and I knew most of them however, it was nice to have someone EXPLAIN it to me in my language. She had her sister as the interpreter who's RID certified. We chatted for 2 hours and she also discussed about my depression (PPD).

I will write a detailed post about what I've learned but right now, I got two boys with me and they're demanding attention :)

I feel positive and believe that the next three weeks will be challenging yet fun. She said the first week will show a difference then the 2nd week would have worse symptoms then the third is when the body is clean. I wasn't clean before because I had Tofu and other things I thought were safe.

I am also to avoid beef for now. Anything that has to do with the cow.

I went shopping with my boys today and it was tough. It is hard reading labels for this and that when the 3 years old boy is pulling everything off the shelf!! However, two wonderful workers at Whole Foods came to me and told me they could sign. I guess they could see I was a tad bit overwhelmed at the moment. I explained them my situation and the next thing I know, they took me on a shopping spree and gave me a lot of freebies (foods, ice cream, yogurt, canvas bag, bottle and toys-free!). They had fun when "looking" for soy free food because man, it is nearly in EVERYTHING!
*just to let you guys know, soy isn't all that savvy- it's quite unhealthy and should be taken in minimal amounts...*

Anyhoo.

I also am to take probiotics for cleansing of my stomach, fish oil (1000mg OMEGA) to boost my depression as well as help the body heal. Finally, I have this cool Rescue Remedy spray... it works! When I sprayed it in the air and had Aidan go through the mist... he started laughing SO hard. I'll have to videotape it as a proof.

Here's a picture to share with ya'all



I don't know about you guys but I really love this shot :) He was nursing but stopped to look at me and play with my hair... I looked down as a reaction at the same time the camera took its shot :)

More to come! and Feather, I miss you!! Email me about any cravings you had when you were pregnant with Shaye... it has a lot to do with the allergy, you'd be surprised!!

xoxo,
Clare

p.s. be sure to check out Eitan and Aidan's blog :)

on the brink of giving up

Aidan hasn't improved since that day I ate buns on the burger... could it be the beef because cows and dairy are from the same source??

I've given up on quacks and will have him seen by professionals I should have consulted with in the first place... the La Leche League!

I want my boy to have his pasty poo back.

i tried and...

I ate hamburger with buns.

Results? Rash flared up and watery stool PLUS fussy/crying baby.

Wow.

Wheat? Gluten?

exciting update

Who would have thunk it? Me being thrilled on some poop news!

Few days now I've noticed Aidan's poop becoming pasty. His stool was always watery and doesn't have curds. I used to think that it was normal for him. I remember, vividly, two months ago I thought to myself, "that's weird, shouldn't he have curds or should it be thicker?"

Only if I realized that it wasn't normal at that time!! Poor Aidan. Anyway. Two days ago his poo was thick and pasty- wasabi looking in fact! sorry!!

So, I decided to google up "pasty stool" and came upon this excerpt:

"A watery stool also could indicate a sensitivity to a certain food you're eating or medication you're taking. A good first step for determining whether that's the case is to eliminate all dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt from your diet for at least three weeks. If the bowel movements change, you'll know it was the dairy. Add dairy back slowly to your diet, starting with the hardest cheeses. If your baby's stools turn watery again, you'll have to find other sources of calcium and protein for your diet."

Wow!!! yay!!! My diet IS making a difference for real. Looks like Aidan is sensitive to dairy. Whee. And it says three weeks? Alright, I've been on the diet for 9 days now... 12 more days left :). I'll stick with what I am on right now and introduce dairy first.

And he continues to be a happy silly bugger.

Clare

8 days of the Going Clean diet...

Not bad. I think my honeymoon phase of "yay, I'm taking more responsibility in my eating habits" definitely dwindled down to a slump.

I'm eating the same thing over and over.

Jason went to see his doctor, who also is Eitan and Aidan's doctor, today. He explained about Aidan's conditions while being checked. The doc, or may I say, the quack, told him that mine going on the diet really is not necessary. And to apply cortizone on his dry skin as well as soak his head in heads and shoulders for 3 minutes then wash it off. Hmm.

First of all, Aidan's personality is 100% better. He rarely cries, he communicates better, he laughs more, he plays... I think the diet is making a difference. Secondly, heads and shoulders?1 WTF? Are you kidding me? God knows what chemical is in that thing and I believe that shampoo itself has a conspiracy of its own. It makes the skin more flaky that way you end up buying more and more- keeping that company in business. Finally, cortizone?! Don't get me started on that thing.

We wonder if he is allergic to laundry soap because we've used cloth since. Ever since his rash got bad, he got it bad down there too. His balls are chapped and skin is peeling (looks like dried Elmer glue stuck all over his weenie, balls and arse). We went 100% disposables and it is healed. I suspect it's the soap. We bought a new detergent, Purex Free & Clear. We'll see how that goes. His skin could be from the soap in all the sheets and his behavior from the food I've eaten.

Only if it were that simple.

I snuck a chocolate coin or two (Hanukkah treat). And let me tell you this, I am so sick of brown rice already.

Brown rice flour, noodle, pasta, bread, brown rice cakes... brown rice sushi... but it is all worth it. Some of my friends have noticed a major improvement in Aidan's behavior.

Boy, this has turned into a ranting vent.