My little puzzle (Josef) is up to it again! GERD, new allergy?, binkies, sensory seeking, PLEASE read

[Josef1129]

I will warn everyone now, this will probaly get long. 

Josef turned 4 in late November, and was still using his binkie at nap time, bed time and in the car.  We had taken it away TWICE before, but the first time we had to give it back was because he was mouthing un-safe things.  The second time was because he was giving himself arm hickies to go to sleep.  We are now wondering if we should give it back AGAIN :-(

I guess I should go into a little background with Josef.  He is on the autism spectrum (VERY mild), he is a sensory kiddo (Sensory Processing Disorder) and we are still batteling GERD treating that with 30mg of prevacid solutabs.  In Jan we went to the pedi and he was VERY hopeful that since Josef had finally put some weight on, we had his mouthing under control (of unsafe objects) that we would be able to wean him from his prevacid.  So, we went down to 15mg.  This only lasted 10 days, and we were practically forced to give back the other half.  He started seeking things to suck on, you could hear the reflux, and he had the puke bug. 

Now to present day.  He chewed up his last binkie almost a week ago, he ask for them, but he does not scream for them (like we thought he would).  But he is SEEKING out ANYTHING to suck on.  We just do not know what to do.  We of course are talking to the pedi tommrow, and the pedi said if there was any trouble that he would send us back to a pedi GI. 

A little hx again, we moved in Novemeber of '06 and Josef's last visit to a pedi GI was in Sept '06-she was fine with telephone calls until we got into a good pedi, which was not until this past summer, and at that point she turned Josef over to the pedi with the understanding that he would be reffered to someone else if anything changed.  He has had 3 endoscopes, 1 colonoscopy, and an upper GI in his short life.  He is SEVERLY intolerant to gluten, but of course this means he is on a GF diet. 

After we decreased the prevacid, he was SEEKING wheat at preschool!  He is not eating much at all right now, not even drinking much.  He will drink his "splash of juice" which is literally 99% water, and 1% apple juice.

We have tried other homeopathic remedies to help with his GERD including digestive enzymes and now probiotics.  The digestive enzymes only harmed him, he SCREAMED every time he saw the bottle.  He also compalined of sore throats, he said it burned him.  Now we are trying probiotics-he is complaning that it makes his throat itchy and sore.  There is NO gluten nor milk in his probotics or were there in his digestive enzymes.  So this is just another piece the puzzle we call Josef. 

The ONLY connection we can make is that the enzyme and probotic has an ingrediant that is DERIVED from shellfish.  He has never had shellfish before, but hubby thinks it would be a much more severe reaction, if he were allergic to shellfish.

I know this was going to get long, I am sorry it got soo long.  Thank you for taking your time in reading this. If you have ANY questions, suggestions, comments, there are GREATLY apprecaited.  Thank all of you wonderful ladies in advance!

[ratchetlee]

Feb. 17, 2008 at 9:57 AM

WOW!!  I have no idea of what to say.  I have never had a child on a pacifier, so I really cannot help you on that.  Bree had GERD, but we feel she has outgrown it at this point.  I pray that you are able find your answers,  right now I have none.  I am so sorry!  Let me know if you need anything.

[milkMama25]

Feb. 17, 2008 at 2:51 PM

I am so sorry little Josef is going thru all of this! And I totally understand your desdire to do anything possible to make him comfortable, and keep him safe. I say, if he needs it, go for it. Whatever works...

Also, just wanted to add, I do have a shellfish allergy, and thats how it started out for me....itchy throat, that feeels like its closing up. If I accidentally consume something with higher levels of shellfish, tho, it progresses to full blown throat closing, not just tightness. My face also swells, and I get hives. But, just cause a reaction is minor, doesnt mean it *may* not be a reaction.......I would look into it, so you know for the future.....in case he comes in contact with higher doses......

 Hug your little angel for me!! I know you will get him thru this! You are such a loving, wonderful mama! Way  to go!!!!!

 

[faeriemamma]

Feb. 17, 2008 at 5:28 PM As far as the oral issues, have you tried chewsticks/ tubes or oral vibrators to give him the stimilation he needs?   I wish I had an answer on the GERD.  Will do some research... 

[willsmomstacie]

Feb. 17, 2008 at 10:28 PM Crystal, have you had a 90 food IgG panel done for Josef?  I can't remember if I asked you this before.  If not, it might be worth considering.  You can hav your ped order it through Great Smokies Lab.  It's 2 vials of blood.  The bad news is that most insurance doesn't cover it.  If you pay when you send in your samples, it is $200, but they send back your results with a customized rotation diet.  Just a thought.  I'll be praying for the little man.  How are you doing?

[TotallyConfused]

Feb. 18, 2008 at 11:44 AM

for the pacifier I don't know what to say b/c emma wasn't on one but for the possible allergy I'd say it's highly possible. Some children have such mild reactions to things that they don't discover they're allergic until they're adults. It's definately a possibility. I would recommend avoiding shellfish at least, if not having the food allergy panel run on him. Good luck mama!!

[faeriemamma]

Feb. 18, 2008 at 2:40 PM Willsmom made a good suggestion, also, you may look into checking for yeast (which ins also doens't pay for) but could be a big thing..