HELP? What else could be the issue? Thinking it's not MSPI at this point. . .

Meganequine · August 2012

We see the doctor for our 6 mo appointment next week anyways, and will be discussing all this with him then. The last time I saw him was our 4 month appointment, but we've also talked over the phone. However, I was hoping to get thoughts from ladies with experience in MSPI and/or allergies.

Since June, my son has a blood in his stool about once a week. (That you can visually see, it's just a tiny spec, but it's there) Other than that he has no other symptoms of MSPI/allergy issues- not fussy, not gassy, no skin issues, no reflux or excessive spitting up, eats like a champ, gaining weight.

I have been dairy free since June 18th (so 2 months). With the exception of one hotdog bun in July, I know I've been completely dairy free- including hidden and baked in. I've been soy free since July 23 (so like 3 weeks) though I still did soybean oil until a week and a half ago.

Despite this effort, absolutely nothing has changed! It's very frustrating and I feel like a failure (I hate dieting) and at this point is making me and my husband think it's not the dairy or soy. Any ideas on what else it could be? I was wondering if maybe it could be nuts- I'm drinking almond milk and eat nuts as snacks to make up for all the other food I can't eat. I was just trying to brainstorm what I've been eating more of since cutting dairy that might be the culprit of the increased bloody stool.

I was planning to give this diet until the end of August and then add dairy back in and see if it makes things worse- if not then I suppose I'll go back to eating it. I was thinking I might try cutting out something else, like nuts at that point.

I do not want to put my LO on formula. My doctor said his next step would be to try my guy on a hypoallergenic formula and see if that stops the symptoms, but he's not keen on that idea because he doesn't want to disrupt what seems to be a sucessful breastfeeding relationship. He also said since my son is otherwise healthy and happy, he doesn't see a need to go overboard with tests and lifestyle changes. (Which I agree with, but I'd still like to be rid of these bloody poops.)

So- suggestions, thoughts, similiar experiences?

PennysPennies · August 2012

If you were still doing soy until about a week ago...I would give it longer. I was told at least one month and sometimes more to let the belly heal.

imimahoney · August 2012

My pediatric GI said small dots of blood every once and awhile is actually ok as long as the baby is not in pain, fussy, etc. I would see a pedi GI and see what they say.

GL!

ababymaybe · August 2012

Any chance he has a fissure? We had blood on and off between months 24 and I think that was the culprit from super frequent pooping, with force.

I did a very strict dairy and soy elimination for over a month with no effect. He seemingly just grew out of whatever was going on. His stool sample and such came back normal too. It's definitely alarming to see but I think usually not too serious.

Meganequine · August 2012

PennysPennies:
If you were still doing soy until about a week ago...I would give it longer. I was told at least one month and sometimes more to let the belly heal.

I've been "soy free" for about 3 weeks, except for soybean oil. I read that soybean oil typically doesn't cause issues in people with soy allergies. But I decided to cut out soybean oil too- just to cover all my bases.

shotzie · August 2012

Meganequine:
PennysPennies:
If you were still doing soy until about a week ago...I would give it longer. I was told at least one month and sometimes more to let the belly heal.

I've been "soy free" for about 3 weeks, except for soybean oil. I read that soybean oil typically doesn't cause issues in people with soy allergies. But I decided to cut out soybean oil too- just to cover all my bases.

I would continue without the soybean oil and also cut out soy lecithin if you've been consuming that too. It just depends on how sensitive the person is, whether they are bothered by soybean oil/soy lecithin as well. DD2 can't handle it if I consume soy lecithin, but she seems to be okay with soybean oil. I cut both out, and then after a couple months, trialed soy lecithin and she became very gassy and very fussy. I've had things with soybean oil here and there and she's been okay thus far.

She used to have diapers with a few specks of blood in it. Her pedi tested a diaper without any visible blood and it still was positive for traces of blood. So even if you can't see it, there can be blood present in the stool. It took about 5 wks of me being completely dairy and soy free for DD2's stools to go back to normal. Her pedi tested another diaper then, and it was negative for blood at that point.

I also cut nuts out because DD2 developed eczema after I was already dairy and soy free. Within a week of me being nut-free, her eczema cleared up. We had her tested for allergies at 5 months, and it turns out she's allergic to cashews (I had been eating walnuts daily and other nuts occasionally).

sweetMay119 · August 2012

I went from dairy/soy free to full elimination diet of the top 8, but it wasnt until i went vegan that the blood stopped. I know for sure she has dairy, soy, chicken, beef intolerance. unfortunately, it could be just about any protein source. goodluck!