Hypoallergenic Formula - help!

jennylove1084

I know, this stuff is getting old.  DS has always been on Gentlease but recently developed a bad case of eczema so the Dr. suggested we switch him to hypoallergenic.  Well, he was 100% fine on Gentlease except for the eczema and now on the hypoallergenic he has the WORST dark runny-ish poops and is kind of fussy. 

It's been a week and he is on 2/3 hypoallergenic and 1/3 gentlease for a few weeks and then will be 100% hypoallergenic.

Are these side effects pretty common for the 3 weeks it takes to adjust to a new formula or is this how it's going to be?  It's not like we have any other alternative.

ETA:  He is sleeping though the night (7 hours) on the hypoallergenic and we all know that is priceless.  The itching from the eczema was causing him to wake up every 4 hours before the switch.

suprchicy

We gave formulas 1 week to see how DD did (unless it was really apparent earlier that she just couldn't handle it).    I'd call your doctor though since you are trying to fix the eczema.  It might take longer to see a difference in the eczema, but it might not be worth it with the fussiness and runny poop and your doctor will have to be the one to tell you how long to wait to see a change.

jennylove1084

ExpectantSteelerFan:

My ds was still really gassy, constipated, and uncomfortable/fussy on the gentlease, so we switched to nutrimagen.  Within a week we saw improvement in those things, but no improvement in his eczema or cradle cap.  He still has both of those really bad months later now. 

If the eczema was the only problem your LO was having, I'd switch back to the gentlease and treat the eczema.

Really?  That's just wonderful Dr. thought the eczema was caused by a possible milk protein - we have prescription cream and have done everything by the book to minimize it but it wasn't doing the job....the hypoallergenic is doing the job but then we have the fussiness and poop issues...that's where the mixing formulas plan came in - to try to find a medium.  I'll give it 3 more weeks til his 4 month appointment and see what she says.

Have you ever looked on e bay for the formula?  I just ordered 24 16 oz cans of Similac Alimentum for $375 this morning, I hope it's not a scam!

Jimsgirl5821

DD is on Alimentum. It took a few weeks, but her eczema is WAYY WAYY better and she doesnt wheeze after eating and doesnt have the bad gas anymore like she did with regular formula. The pudding poop is normal for the hypoallergenic cause everything  is already broken down. Did you try getting a prescription for the formula? Our pedi wrote a prescription and a back up letter and we submitted it to our insurance. The formula is 100% covered, not even a co-pay. A home healthcare agency ships us the formula each month.

jennylove1084

Jimsgirl5821:

DD is on Alimentum. It took a few weeks, but her eczema is WAYY WAYY better and she doesnt wheeze after eating and doesnt have the bad gas anymore like she did with regular formula. The pudding poop is normal for the hypoallergenic cause everything  is already broken down. Did you try getting a prescription for the formula? Our pedi wrote a prescription and a back up letter and we submitted it to our insurance. The formula is 100% covered, not even a co-pay. A home healthcare agency ships us the formula each month.

I was going to call last night, but didn't when I found it on e bay for $15.62 a can.  I still should, but not in any hurry considering our insurance doesn't cover squat.  Maybe tonight!