22 May 2008

Poor Peanut

So I don't have a lot of time to type right now and the backstory is incredibly long, so I'll sum up:

We now know that Peanut is deathly allergic to peas, which with the first (and definitely last) attempt to feed it to him resulted in anaphylactic shock, a trip to the ER in an ambulance, his being transferred to Johns Hopkins Children's Center, and being admitted for two days for tests and observation. He now has to have an EpiPen Jr. near him at all times. All of the doctors said this also explains his six-week weight loss. We're grateful that his doctors are looking in this direction as previously his pediatrician believed I simply wasn't feeding him enough (the next prescribed step would have been to call Social Services to my home to monitor me and his environment to ensure I wasn't neglecting him since most weight loss in infants under six months (80%) is due to neglect or parental stupidity). So in a way the Peas Incident probably saved his life in the end.

His pediatric allergist specialsts said he's too young to tell conclusively everything he's allergic to as he hasn't had time to develop the antibodies in high enough numbers to show up on tests. Oh, and he is officially weaned as of three hours ago as the allergins in my breastmilk were making him sick and forcing the weight loss. So with his new and WAY too expensive hypoallergenic formula he should start to gain weight now (he now weighs less than he did 3-4 months ago).

Peanut will also need to have several appointments with a pediatric gastroenterologist. They are confident that most of his allergies manifest themselves in his GI tract (hence the weight loss) and it's very likely he has a few very rare diseases contributing to the problem, which they'll test for with an endoscopy and colonoscopy.

And a big round of applause for my sainted, patient mother who flew out on short notice Tuesday afternoon to force Peanut to take a bottle--something he'd become conditioned to believe would cause him pain because the milk-based formulas caused immediate painful reactions. She flew back home this afternoon after complete success with her. The real test came when I reintroduced myself to my poor son (I had been banished from seeing him for two days to make sure this worked) and had to give him a bottle myself. He hated the breastmilk and barely made it through that bottle (a transition tool I had thought would work). And yet when it came time for bed and I gave him the formula, which honestly tastes like the worst thing you've ever put in your mouth, ever, he drank it like crazy. So no more nursing for me! Woohoo for both of us! May our lives become instantly better as a result. Can I just say that this is the first time I've ever laid Peanut down in his crib while he was wide awake and he didn't scream when I left? He just rolled over and went to sleep on his own. Seven months of screaming his poor little head off and we never knew why. Now he's finally happy. I just hope he starts to gain weight again soon. He's so skinny (only 11 lbs now), it's depressing. His doctors assured us he has a long way to go before he is permanently damaged or anything, but I'd like to not push it.

So that's why I haven't posted in a while. Many thanks to those whose prayers and good thoughts got him through this. More prayers would be more than welcome.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you are finally getting some real answers!!!! And poor little Peanut, he must feel so much better to just go to sleep like that...I will definitely send some prayers your way.

Holly said...

Poor peanut :( Poor mommy :(
Allergic to peas huh? I have to admit I have never heard that one - although if my dad had used that excuse he could have avoided some wicked bad looks from my mother over the years.
I hope peanut gets feeling better soon!

Stephanie B said...

Yeah, I'm so happy for you!!! Congratulations! I bet in the next little bit he will turn into the chunkiest little baby.

That makes me sad that he's down to 11 lbs, but thankfully that's all over. Maybe he'll be a great napper too...

Abby said...

Yeah, I'd never of the pea allergy one before either, and apparently neither has most of the medical community except the allergy/GI guys. But there are people who are allergic to the whole pea/lentil family, so. They said he's probably going to be one of those "peanut kids" who's allergic to EVERYTHING so they're not particularly surprised. Plus I have some really odd food allergies myself, so perhaps that contributed as well.

Great napper? That remains to be seen.

And thanks again, Steph, for all your help and supplies. They will be returning to you as soon as I can get them out of the dishwasher and reassembled. :)

Unknown said...

I was near tears when I was reading that. Oh, my poor Abby and poor Peanut.

Maybe this is what was wrong with PW, too, when she was little to cause all the screaming.

Ryann said...

Holy cow. That is awful. But I'm happy that you have found the solution! Hoping we're still on for tomorrow...

Abby said...

Heck yeah we're still on for tomorrow. So you better show up with bells on.

I wondered that about PW, too. She just suddenly turned happy around seven months. I've been reading about milk allergies and how common they are, particularly with infants. Most of them grow out of it at around six months. Interesting....

Justin and Diana said...

What a scary nightmare! I am glad all is well and at least you have answers. I think it is crazy that babies can be allergic to breast milk...I mean what's up with that. I bet he feels so much better and mommy too! (BTW I didn't know you had food allergies, good friend I am I could have killed you.)

Kleanteeth said...

My son had milk issues too and seemed to grow out of it around 8 months. He kept a little lactose intolerance until he was about 3, though. Hopefully peanut will get better with age. Peas, huh? I think lots of people are "allergic" to peas. I too was glad to be done with breast-feeding. Not my favorite thing. Bring on the saggy boobs.

Stephanie B said...

Yeah, what food allergies do you have?

Abby said...

I doubt either one of you could have killed me without my knowledge. Kiwis and pumpkin. I can't eat kiwi. As far as I know I can eat pumpkin OK, I just can't touch it. See? Strange.