If you remember me mentioning here about the possibility of seeing a Nutritionist who is based in Maryland. I had decided to make the appointment since it takes 6-8 weeks to get in. That would give me time to do some more research and gather information and then change my mind if I wanted. Well, the best laid plans...I got a call on Tuesday that they had a cancellation. On Thursday. As in February 28, 2008. So that was unexpected, but in the end it was a really good thing.

Alysa's feeding therapist was involved so we had my information and hers. I was very impressed with the Nutritionist. My biggest concern was the dairy thing. Not everyone is understanding as to the reasons why I keep Alysa off dairy. But she was very understanding, knowledgeable and open to the whole allergy thing. She never once tried to get me to give Alysa anything dairy – either on purpose or out of sheer stupidity. And everything she suggested was just that – a suggestion. She never pushed for anything and made sure I wanted more information from her b4 she suggested something else. I never felt pressured to sign away my life savings. Everything was based on what I was comfortable with doing.

Her feeling is that Alysa has something irritating her insides causing her reflux. With the allergies in the family and her Environmental Allergies she thinks it’s a food bothering her. Her thinking based on her diet - which is mainly made up of soy and wheat - is that we’re looking at a soy or gluten intolerance. Yay! She suggested retesting her for food allergies since her last tests were done at 1 year of age. Since allergy testing is so unpredictable at that young age and I’m OK with that. Sometimes it's better safe than sorry. She also suggested an IgG test for intolerances. She said there’s a lab in Atlanta that sends a kit with how to prick their finger then you send it to them and they test for 30 foods.

She wants her off soy. But thankfully she means the main sources of soy – soy milk and soy yogurt. It didn’t click until dinner that we use soy butter. Yikes! So I'll be checking into Earth Balance’s other vegan substitutes. Thankfully, she is not concerned with the soy in breads, crackers, etc. What a relief that was – as it was my biggest fear about soy. I’d have to throw out every ounce of food in my house.

She also wants to change her vitamin. She and the therapist want her off fluoride vitamins – not sure on that one yet… but again, she is not pushing. Her therapist gave me some articles about how fluoride is bad for you – when aren’t there these kinds of studies? So I still have some checking to do there. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with eliminating the fluoride yet.

I’m going to put her on a fish oil supplement which helps with sensory development and sooths the sensory nerves. It will help in her eating since she’s learned foods are bad and make her miserable.

I’m also putting her on a probiotic (this was my suggestion) and she gave me some good ones to try.

The drink she wants me to give her is this recipe (per day):
14oz rice milk
2oz coconut milk (already checked with her allergist that he is fine with us doing this as it’s more a palm seed than a tree nut)
1tbsp of some rice protein powder mix (I have to buy this)

There is one other supplement that helps to heal the esophagus lining, but she is waiting to see if the other things help her reflux before we add this.

Her follow up is scheduled for April 18th.

I then spoke to her allergist and he agreed that the retesting is a good idea. He is testing her for the allergies by blood and he’s adding in a celiac screening since we’re looking into intolerances. His opinion is to keep her on the fluoride. He also suggested to find out what is in the vitamins and how much, then call her Ped’s office to make sure it makes sense for her.

We didn’t get to talk too much about Kayla, except in relation to family history. So I’m hoping as time goes by I can work her in. I can’t work to get Alysa off Prevacid w/o getting Kayla off. But she was also impressive that she agreed no probiotic with lactose. Not everyone realizes that can be an issue. She gave me suggestions of things that are all dairy-free so I can use them with Kayla too. This is the main reason I'm so open to these changes.

I picked up the coconut milk today - $1.79 for 13.5 ounces and at 2oz a day you'd think - OK, not too bad since it will last almost 7 days. But...it has to be used within 4 days. Just my luck, right? And then I shelled out $40 for the fish oil supplement. Thankfully that is a 90 day supply. And it's kid friendly both in dosing and taste.

So wish us luck on our new path. Hopefully we're headed towards one reflux-free child.