Hi all.  Ok, before I begin, this is long so grab a seat and a drink (LOL) and  I know some of you will prob. think I am over-reacting, and maybe I am......

As you know (I think u all know) I suspected Tyler had a milk allergy back in mid June--put him on non dairy diet--lots of rice and soy products--doing well--all of a sudden trouble begins last Thursday--diarrhea---getting worse, along with tummy cramps, still has it, a very raw rash.

Today was our pred allergist appt (scheduled about 2 weeks ago when I ONLY suspected milk).  Doc was very nice, went over all the info I gave, did skin tests (u know the prick tests) for milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, dog, cat, and dust mites. ALL negative.  Now please do not misunderstand me, I am glad--I REALLY am--that he doesn't have allergies BUT now something else must be wrong with my baby, I don't know what it is so I can't fix it, and that is just devastating to me.  I didn't WANT him to have allergies, but at least I would've  had an answer.

The ped allergist said, with the symptoms I described, it could be an intolerance or a sensitivity--meaning it would take a larger amt to affect him than if he had a true allergy (with which just a drop causes a reaction).  I also told the allergist how Tyler went from 50%tile at birth, to 25% at 8 mo (after weaning himself) to 15% at 10 mo and then between 5-10%tile at 12 mo.....and my ped's reasoning was genetics---I'm short!  Allergist shook his head NO, and said (which he had mentioned earlier) "If he was my little guy, I'd take him to a peds gastroenterologist".  He says it  could be a malabsorption problem or another GI problem and that will eventually (if it isn't already) affect his nutrition and growth and development.  He said he's NOT saying it is that but when a child has adverse reactions to food the things to do are (1) eliminate, (2) allergy consult and (3) gastro consult......

He told me to slowly intro back the "forbidden" foods, SLOWLY he emphasized, and to call a peds gastro.  He said he thinks my ped is off on his diagnosis of "its just teething or age or genetics".

So, my questions (as I sit here almost in tears with confusion and worry of what the heck is wrong here) are: (1) how accurate are skin prick tests (he says they are very sensitive and have a very small false neg rate)?? (2) Should I insist in further allergy testing/another allergist? (3) Should I see the gastro ASAP-- anyone know a good one in NJ or have ANY exper. at all with this?  (4) should I talk to my ped further or just go over his head, as I did with the allergist since I do NOT need a referral?

*ANY* advice anyone has, allergy-related, food tolerance-related, gastro-related, just  a hug,......anything, please let me know.....I feel so terrible, as we sit here he has had diarrhea for 5 days and his butt is raw.....and I have no explanations.....and feel bad subjecting him to more tests that may tell me nothing.

TIA for any help...sorry so long!!!

Nancy
Proud mommy to Tyler (5/6/01)

"My son is my greatest accomplishment and the opportunity to raise him is my greatest challenge"