Yes,
I like to call it failing to gain FTG
It sounds much better. LOL

Eric's intake has been at normal levels since he was 6 months old
and his constipation issues were addressed. Since then his
weight has been falling off the chart, and I was hoping someone
here could lead me in the right direction to figure out WHY.
he went through some weight loss at 5 months, because of his bad eating,
but he gained back his 4 pounds rather quickly once his pooh
was moving along. (think it was only 2 weeks)

I have been fortifying his meals since his 12 month check, and I
give him a pediasure every day.
From 12 months until now at almost 16 months he's gained
only a few ounces, and pooped a big one when we got home. Bye bye few ounces! LOL
He is a very active guy, but he sleeps 12 hours at night, and takes
a 1 and a half to 3 hour nap each day. albeit, sometimes his reflux can make his sleep
restless, but for the most part he sleeps soundly as long as his food
agrees with him, and his meds are given correctly.

Oh, and Eric doesn't puke or spit up, he never has. So he's keeping everything
in.
I don't think Eric's reflux is to blame for this.

His doc ordered a CBC (blood test) at his 12 month to check for
malnourishment, (is there such a word LOL) AKA anemia, allergies (although the test is not conclusive enough
to completely rule out allergies), white blood cell count, and lead. Everything came back normal.
I found out through research that it's not the only test that should have been done. There's another blood test, and a urine one.

So at this last appointment we talked a lot about his eating, and her only
solution was to let him spoon feed himself to give him more
"control" of how much he eats. Well, that's fine and dandy,
but he doesn't eat anything spoonable except his cereal with yogurt in the morning, and he eats it
like a champ. I don't think he's interested in spooning it himself. he's having fun.
and I don't think he will actually take in more doing it himself. To me it's just going
to cause him to get frustrated because he's WAY hungry in the morn.

She also said some other tips (I already do) that lead me to believe she thinks I am limiting
his intake. I am in no way limiting his food. He can't have food after 2 hours before
bed (because of reflux), but he doesn't want food then anyway. He's stuffed to the gills. LOL

I think she's waiting to see what happens next.

I don't want to wait to see what's going to happen next. This has been going on long enough!

Eric has hit all his milestones except speech (but it's coming a long)
and is a happy guy that loves the world.

I did some research on Celiac disease (grasping at straws here) and was
wondering if soy formula, rice cereal, or karo have gluten? This is because
his only possible symptoms he has (bloating, fullness, tummy troubles) were
happening on and off all his life, and this was what his diet was until 6 months.
Minus breast milk in the very beginning.

Thanks girls

Hmmm...my post disappeared. I'll try again:

Its nice to hear that Eric's tests came back normal, but that doesn't answer any questions, then, huh? I don't know a darn thing about gluten, but Leigh is on that diet now, isn't she? I hope you can find some answers about Eric's FTG (I like that better, too!). Do they have any other ideas as far as tests go?

Minnie, I hear all your frustration. Eric is Parkers reflux twin.

Well to start Parker is now eating quite well and we are getting 3 meals and a few snacks, and 1 bottle (all he will have) per day. All this and for the past 7 months- yes 7 months he has gained a little over a pound. And this was in the last 6 weeks. My doctors aren't even overly concerned at the moment because he "looks" OK. This does nothing for my sanity but they do see it a lot so it makes me feel a little better.

Parker was gaining really well until about 7 months and then just stopped eating. You get used to your baby putting on so much weight when it is little, that when the weight gain slows it is hard to realize that they don't put it on as quick. Also they are using energy to move etc and also they use A LOT of energy refluxing- thats what my Dr's said.

I have had all the tests and they came back all good (including celiac), so this doesn't explain it.

If you feel he is getting enough, he probably is. Don't worry so much on the gain as is Eric happy and healthy (as much as a reflux baby can be). It is really easy to worry all the time, but try not to and try and enjoy this time with Eric. The weight will come.:iconbigg:

Regarding the prior to solids diet, I am not sure. But I know with Parker that until we introduced solids he was pretty much the same- and we have had the celiac test and it is negative. Also if he was celiac, there are some signs esp. really smelly poo's, and I don't think he would be sleeping as good.

Minnie,

The sources of gluten are wheat, rye, barley and oatmeal. We're two weeeks into the month-long wait for Catherine's celiac panel to come back. It's a blood test your doctor can order.

I know how much it sucks to have a kiddo who may be celiac. We are doing the multiple elimination diet here and gluten is not on the list but after we identify other triggers we will move to gluten free as a trial for a month to see where it takes us. Curran has been suspected celiac by our ped for over 2 years and testing back when he was 2 came back negative. The problem is that they need to be shedding the sprue in order to have a positive and that the test is a point in time test and may not show it. I personally do not feel that Curran has it as he is too tall and his stools do not float. Having said that it is not 100% sure that he does not have it as he does have risks from genetic makeup (we have crohns and diverticulosis in the family plus I bring thryroid into the mix).

Here is a list of foods to avoid for gluten. There are more I just have to find it...


Forbidden List - Foods and Ingredients Not Safe for a Gluten-Free Diet

http://glutenfreeforum.com/adserv/adimage.php?filename=stprod_ad_pioneer_2.jpg&contenttype=jpeg (http://glutenfreeforum.com/adserv/adclick.php?bannerid=29&zoneid=3&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pioneernutritional.com%2Fpro ducts%2FGluten-free%2Fgluten_free.html) http://glutenfreeforum.com/adserv/adlog.php?bannerid=29&clientid=26&zoneid=3&source=&block=0&capping=0&cb=a8de60ba1fbb1de6ba5a114ef5c587d9
(http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/forums/)See your ad here! (http://www.celiac.com/advertising.html?sid=91hH9H1TyMB39-T-21106216697.ee)

Site Sponsor:
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(http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/forums/)Gluten Free Food
& Drug SmartLists:
http://www.celiac.com/clan_db_combo_80w.jpg (http://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid=112&sid=91hH9H1TyMB39-T-21106216697.ee)

http://glutenfreeforum.com/adserv/adimage.php?filename=elf_plane_banner.gif&contenttype=gif (http://glutenfreeforum.com/adserv/adclick.php?bannerid=130&zoneid=37&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.glutenfreemall.com%2Fcatalog %2Findex.php%3Fmanufacturers_id%3D28%26ref%3D1) http://glutenfreeforum.com/adserv/adlog.php?bannerid=130&clientid=80&zoneid=37&source=&block=0&capping=0&cb=ed0fdb141bd0b0926e521e18a68a4f5c
(http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/forums/)Abyssinian Hard (Wheat triticum durum)
Alcohol (Spirits - Specific Types) (http://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=271&sid=3m22sY0WXMM51AT-17102292299.ef)
Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Barley Grass (can contain seeds)
Barley Hordeum vulgare
Barley Malt
Beer
Bleached Flour
Blue Cheese (made with bread)
Bran
Bread Flour
Brewer's Yeast
Brown Flour
Bulgur (Bulgar Wheat/Nuts)
Bulgur Wheat
Cereal Binding
Chilton
Club Wheat (Triticum aestivum subspecies compactum)
Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Couscous
Dextrimaltose
Disodium Wheatgermamido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate
Durum wheat (Triticum durum)
Edible Starch
Einkorn (Triticum monococcum)
Emmer (Triticum dicoccon)
Farina Graham
Filler
Fu (dried wheat gluten)
Germ
Graham Flour
Granary Flour
Groats (barley, wheat)
Hard Wheat
Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Kamut (Pasta wheat)
Malt
Malt Extract
Malt Syrup
Malt Flavoring
Malt Vinegar
Macha Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Matzo Semolina
Oriental Wheat (Triticum turanicum)
Pasta
Pearl Barley
Persian Wheat (Triticum carthlicum)
Poulard Wheat (Triticum turgidum)
Polish Wheat (Triticum polonicum)
Rice Malt (if barley or Koji are used)
Rye
Seitan
Semolina
Semolina Triticum
Shot Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Shoyu (soy sauce)4
Small Spelt
Soba Noodles4
Soy Sauce
Spirits (Specific Types) (http://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=271&sid=3m22sY0WXMM51AT-17102292299.ef)
Spelt (Triticum spelta)
Sprouted Wheat or Barley
Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Strong Flour
Suet in Packets
Tabbouleh
Teriyaki Sauce
Textured Vegetable Protein - TVP
Timopheevi Wheat (Triticum timopheevii)
Triticale X triticosecale
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Flour Lipids
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil
Udon (wheat noodles)
Vavilovi Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Vegetable Starch
Vitamins4
Wheat, Abyssinian Hard triticum durum
Wheat Amino Acids
Wheat Bran Extract
Wheat, Bulgur
Wheat Durum Triticum
Wheat Germ Extract
Wheat Germ Glycerides
Wheat Germ Oil
Wheat Germamidopropyldimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Wheat Grass (can contain seeds)
Wheat Nuts
Wheat Protein
Wheat Triticum aestivum
Wheat Triticum Monococcum
Wheat (Triticum Vulgare) Bran Extract
Whole-Meal Flour
Wild Einkorn (Triticum boeotictim)
Wild Emmer (Triticum dicoccoides) The following items may or may not contain gluten depending on where and how they are made, and it is sometimes necessary to check with the manufacturer to find out:
Artificial Color4
Artificial Flavoring6
Caramel Color1, 3
Coloring4
Dextrins1,7
Flavoring6
Food Starch1, 4
Gravy Cubes4
Ground Spices4
Maltodextrin1, 8 Miso4
Modified Food Starch1, 4
Modified Starch1, 4
Mono and Diglycerides1
Monosodium Glutimate (MSG)1, 4
Mustard Powder 4
Natural Flavoring6
Starch1, 4
Stock Cubes4
Wheat Starch5 <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">1) If this ingredient is made in North America it is likely to be gluten-free. <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">3) The problem with caramel color is it may or may not contain gluten depending on how it is manufactured. In the USA caramel color must conform with the FDA standard of identity from 21CFR CH.1. This statute says: "the color additive caramel is the dark-brown liquid or solid material resulting from the carefully controlled heat treatment of the following food-grade carbohydrates: Dextrose (corn sugar), invert sugar, lactose (milk sugar), malt syrup (usually from barley malt), molasses (from cane), starch hydrolysates and fractions thereof (can include wheat), sucrose (cane or beet)." Also, acids, alkalis and salts are listed as additives which may be employed to assist the caramelization process. <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">4) Can utilize a gluten-containing grain or by-product in the manufacturing process, or as an ingredient. <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">5) Most celiac organizations in the USA and Canada do not believe that wheat starch is safe for celiacs. In Europe, however, Codex Alimentarius Quality wheat starch (http://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid=15&sid=3m22sY0WXMM51AT-17102292299.ef) is considered acceptable in the celiac diet by most doctors and celiac organizations. This is a higher quality of wheat starch than is generally available in the USA or Canada. <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">6) According to 21 C.F.R. S 101,22(a)(3): "[t]he terns 'natural flavor' or 'natural flavoring' means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof. Whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional."
7) Dextrin is an incompletely hydrolyzed starch. It is prepared by dry heating corn, waxy maize, waxy milo, potato, arrowroot, WHEAT, rice, tapioca, or sago starches, or by dry heating the starches after: (1) Treatment with safe and suitable alkalis, acids, or pH control agents and (2) drying the acid or alkali treated starch. (1) Therefore, unless you know the source, you must avoid dextrin. May 1997 Sprue-Nik News.
(1) Federal Register (4-1-96 Edition) 21CFR Ch.1, Section 184.12277.
(2) Federal Register (4-1-96) 21 CFR. Ch.1, Section





What colour are his stools? And do they float? Malabsorption problems can seem like celiac and yet be other conditions as well.

I will post some other great links later.


:hug:

It will not let me take out the ads... hmmm. Sorry for the billboard advirtising.

Here is a great link:

http://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?sid=91hH9H1TyMB39-T-21106216697.ee


One for irritable bowel:
http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-157.shtml


Another one:


http://www.paediatricgastroenterologist.co.uk/common_GI_probs.htm


I can fill pages with these links but will stop there for now.

Leigh, have you had Curran tested for inflamatory bowel disease (Chrons and colitis)? If it is in the family it may be worthwhile to check out. Parker had an abnormal ultrasound showing a thickened ileum, its why we were sent to the GI in the first place. He has since been cleared.

Rachel, nothing has been done yet at all other than our ped doing a celiac test at the age of 2 (negative). We know he has a chronically high sed rate (even when he is "healthy") and the poop issues continue. I have no idea how to test for IBS or crohns. I would imagine biopsies? We go to our new GI in May.

Sorry, did not mean to hijack, Minnie

Leigh, I think it would be a good one to mention to the GI. We had an ultrasound and I think this is the first step, the second is a colonoscopy and this can prove it, like an endoscopy but the other end. It is very rare in little kids but your problems with Curren sound pretty severe, worth eliminating, especially with a family history. Inflammatory Bowel is the name used to identify either Chrons and Colitis.

Sorry Minnie, I promise no more hijacking.

Wheat can be hidden in lots of places. My brother has a wheat intolerance (it's a little different that celiac disease, but the treatment is the same - no wheat) and has had to majorly overhaul his diet. Some odd things he has to watch out for are "artificial and natural flavors," and caramel coloring. There's a lot of other stuff, too, but it's late and I can't think of them.

He got a book from the celiac society (I'm sure it would come up with a google search... so I'll do that in a minute) that is like his food bible.:iconbigg: Seriously, it lists all the "safe" foods. I'll post the link as soon as I find it.

Ack... couldn't edit my other post.

Here's the link I was thinking of...
http://www.celiac.com/index.html

Thanks ladies,
I don't think I'm going to try cutting out gluten. I think that would be detrimental to his weight right now. I would HAVE to have celiac disease confirmed before I made that big of a step. Too scary because most his high cal food comes from food with gluten.

Leigh,
I have no idea if his poops float. I just change his diapers LOL I don't know why that's funny to me right now, but it is. As much as I have talked about poop since he's been born, I never thought I would be discussing float ability. LOL

I make sinker and floaters. What does THAT mean? LOL

Thing is the more I read about celiac the more I'm convinced he would have more tummy troubles than he does. I mean as far as lower abdominal. He's never had diarrhea. Maybe 2 loose runny stools his whole life. Gas only after green veggies and is easily remedied with gas drops. He poops pretty normally, and regularly since he's been on a WAY too LOW dose of zantac. ummmm. since about 9 months.
It just seems like he would feel WAY worse, and not be so happy to be here in the world as he is.

But I am interested in trying to find another cause to his FTG. So if you have something hand it over

I'm in the process of trying to get him in to see a GI again. Hopefully he/she will come up with something. Right now I'm not having much luck. So far it looks like end of spring before he can get in, so the search is still on for something sooner.

I don't know maybe I should follow the doc's cues and "wait and see what happens next" as far as his weight. UGH! Maybe I should strap him down all day so he can't move, and just keep feeding him.

Oh,
Just thought you would all be interested:
Rice cereal no gluten (duh)
karo no gluten
but soy formula may have some depending on the manufacturer.
It's weird because some sites recognize that soy formula does indeed have gluten, and others don't.
Man, what a boring read!
I don't recommend it at all!

What a waist of my life

Thanks again every body
Don't know what I would do without you

I'm glad that the signs don't indicate celiac!

One quick thought - you CANNOT eliminate wheat from his diet before a celiac diagnosis anyway!!!! The testing they need to do will come back wonky if the wheat has been eliminated because the body would be starting to heal itself. It's one reason my brother never finished all the testing. He would have to start eating wheat again (and feel like cr-p all the time) to have the tests give accurate results. And in the end, for him, the treatment would be the same - no wheat.

I'd keep looking for another possibility. I think celiac in such a young person is not so common. Another food or environmental allergy could be the issue.

Oh! I do know that Ian gained weight very, very slowly. The ped commented one time about how "busy" Ian always seems to be - the boy does not ever sit still. He just said that Ian's metabolism must be very high and he burns every calorie that he consumes - there's not anything left to pack the weight on with! Maybe it's the same for your little one?

Hi! Just to 'second the motion' - My dad & cousin both test neg in blood tests for celiac's (apparently only conclusive if it's positive) but neither can tolerate gluten and since my dad eliminated gluten for years already, even his biopsy came back neg. My son also tested negative for celiac's about 6 mo ago, but I am currently trying to eliminate gluten to see if he's got any kind of sensitivity (sleep issues). Milk & eggs are already out, what's a little gluten-free trial (UGHHHH)!