So E had creamy white colored stool for about 10 days which started 3 days after his introduction to cow's milk. At first he was constipated. Then on about day 7, he had the grossest BMs I think I've ever experienced (yeah, there's a reason I say "experienced") in my life. And I see poop at work, so this is really saying something. Those continued for a day or two until he had a night of such unrest, hard gassy belly and crying that we became concerned and called the doctor... and the doctor called the nurse, and the nurse called the lady with the alligator pur.... Shit I can't get that saying out of my head this week.
OK, I'll stop wasting your time. So Dr. F. thought it could be milk related, but wanted to be sure because E is still losing weight. He is now in the 75th percentile for height and under the 5th in weight. He LOOKS healthy, so I have my theories on the multiple hiccups that caused this issue. He also began having a constant runny nose and a weird gagging choke and cough that didn't seem to be related to any sickness. Furthermore, we noticed some weird labored breathing going on periodically. But we go on.
Dr. F was concerned something bigger might be going on even though he thought it unlikely, so he referred me to a pediatric gastroenterologist that day.
WARNING: BREAK FROM IMPORTANT ISSUE TO COMPLAIN (Read at own risk)
**I was going to post the next story within this one, but it got too long and involved. You can find it here if you are interested in my self righteous indignation. I'm quite good at at that.**
In any case, despite the fact that we reiterated our observations that it only occurs around milk and gets better when he hasn't had milk, she thought it had nothing to do with it. She figured he had a virus (he has had no fever and this has been coming and going for over 10 days at this point) and that the only things she was worried about were possible celiac disease (noticed no symptoms surrounding gluten ingestion in any way before or during) or thyroid disease. (I'm assuming she meant Graves disease because of the weight loss?) Blood draw orders were given and off we went.
Fast forward to now when we decided to do an elimination trial on our own. We gave him sensitive (remember he's always had a problem with most milks) formula for a day and no cow's milk. His stools immediately improved and by the middle of the day were almost completely normal. His belly lost that hard bloated feeling, and he became less gassy. Even more importantly, his normal ravenous appetite is returning, the snot is abating and the choking, huffing, coughing has gone away completely! This is in one full day of no milk. I don't think a virus does that.
I called Dr. F's office today and got the nurse I love. Hallelujah! This one actually gives me advice instead of telling me to bring him in for every sniffle. She said to get sensitive toddler formula and try that. So off we go for this part! If his symptoms continue to stay away, and he gains weight, we may just stay on this for a while and not even try the cow's milk again until later. Why not? It won't hurt him. It would also be nice to avoid that blood draw and more specialist visits if we don't have to do it. We are all sick of doctors by this point.
I will be reporting in from time to time to let you know how it goes. (I know you're on the edge of your seats!) As of right now, it's going ok. Last night was Hell, so it's all relative, but you gotta look on the bright side huh?