View Full Version : Back from Shands Children's Hospital


VTC1028
03-10-2006, 08:13 AM
We went up to Gainesville (4 hours away) on Tuedsay so Tucker could see the GI there. The GI was great...very thorough. He spent about an hour with us and then ordered some tests, that Tucker see the speech pathologist, and the neurologist. He, like our local GI, thinks there is something more global going on with Tucker causing the retching issues. We saw the neuro the next day. He thinks Tucker looks great, and he un-diagnosed him with CP (he got diagnosed w/ it a couple of weeks ago by our local neuro). He said when he was reading Tucker's medical records he thought he was going to see a really impaired baby, but was pleasantly surprised at how great he's doing. That was the best news we got while we were up there. :) Then we spent about 2 hours with the speech pathologist. She was great. She reminded us to focus on the fact that Tucker's nutrition and growth are more important than him actually eating at this point--at least until he's on the charts. She was very positive--especially after she had me try to feed my perplexing child, and he ATE some bananas in front of her. I swear I couldn't believe it. He seals his mouth shut here like crazy and there he would open it when the spoon came towards him. We've decided that he must just like to travel as he does much better any time we take him anywhere.

He had an upper GI and small bowel series yesterday afternoon, both of which were normal. I'm partially happy and partially saddened by that, because if it was abnormal, at least we'd know what the problem is causing the retching. All in all, it was a great trip and Tucker was a trooper through the whole thing.

We are thinking that maybe he's allergic to something in our house, the soap I wash his bottles in or the water or something because he only retched 4 times total the whole time we were up there--3 days. And that was on the first day. He didn't retch at all the last two days. Even with the neuro flipping him all around and the same with the GI series....too weird. Have any of you had your kiddies tested for allergies? How young can they do that? Could allergies cause retching?

AndrewsMommy
03-10-2006, 08:42 AM
Victoria, It sounds like it was a very informative appointment. I am so happy to hear he does not have CP, that is wonderful news.
It would have been nice if you got an answer for his retching though, right?
As far as Allergies, they can do a rasp test on him, although it can be innaccurate in smaller babies..I would talk to his doctor about it and see what he maybe suggests!!

I think our little ones enjoy "showing off" for other people and making us look as if we are crazy!! So glad to hear about the appointments!

sixdogssixcats
03-10-2006, 08:53 AM
Great appointment, Victoria! I'm so glad Tucker doesn't have CP. I know exactly how you feel about almost wanting a test to reveal a problem just so you know exactly what you're dealing with.

Allergy testing in children under age 4 is considered to be unreliable. That's not to say allergists won't do it or that you may get some valuable information out of it. Catherine was RAST tested for everything under the sun at 7 months and came back negative for everything. She clearly has all kinds of allergies.

ElisMom
03-10-2006, 11:46 AM
Sounds like a great appointment! That is good news about how positive everyone was.

I am sorry you got no answers for retching. I wish there was some magic answer and cure for it. Eli has been retching here lately. It seem once it starts it takes a while for the swelling or something to go back down. I don't know, I have may theories when it comes to him!! As, I am sure you do too with Tucker!

Lena
03-10-2006, 12:16 PM
No CP is great news!
What kind of cleaners do you use? I can't walk down the cleaning supplies aisle in a store without gagging and getting sick. Just a random thought.

VTC1028
03-10-2006, 12:56 PM
We use Clorox Clean-up (not near babies though), 409, Fabulouso, Pledge, Windex. Wow, that sounds like a lot of chemicals. Looking back, we got our dog shaved (lab who sheds a ton and I was sick of sweeping up hair) around the time Tucker got really bad with the retching. Since Blue (the dog) is shaved, his dander is closer--so I wonder if it's the dog. But why would that cause retching? Post nasal drip maybe?

Miori
03-10-2006, 02:16 PM
[QUOTE=VTC1028]We use Clorox Clean-up (not near babies though), 409, Fabulouso, Pledge, Windex. Wow, that sounds like a lot of chemicals. [QUOTE]

There is a line of products by Seventh Generation that we have started to use - works great w/out all of the heavy chemicals. I can get them at most of the grocery stores, Target, etc. Just a thought.

I hope Tucker is better soon!!! Glad to hear you had a good appt and got lots of info.

Sam's Mom
03-10-2006, 08:18 PM
they did the rast test with Sam and it came back positive for cat allergy. After many weeks of begging--our friends are taking the cats this weekend! So I will be cleaning like mad for the next week to see if it makes a difference in Sam's nose scratching.

It sounds like you got some good info. Could someone take the dog for a few weeks to see if it makes a difference?

ElisMom
03-10-2006, 09:09 PM
Oh, wow, what a pain for you having to find a cat sitter!!! Let me know what you find out :)

VTC1028
03-11-2006, 02:00 AM
If I can find someone to take the dog for a few weeks, they'll have to take my husband too--he loves that dog. ;) (Not that I don't, but......)

ElisMom
03-11-2006, 05:43 PM
LOL, that is too funny. My hubby hates our animals