Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

So DS is refusing his bottle. We have gone through several formulas in his 2.5months. He has blood in his stool and sees a GI every 2 weeks. On Friday he is going to Zwanger for a GI series of tests??????
He's been on Alimentum for almost 2 weeks, at first it went well then he is stopping his formula and wont take it.
He just got switched to Elecare this morning and still wont eat an ounce all day. Im so upset, in tears, and totally exhausted and spent with all these changes, insurance to cover formula, and the crying and fussing all day.
i need advice with any of these formulas, stories of similar issues, or any support cause I just wanna cry for my son, who is just hurting.
Thanks for any info

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

Cara!!! I'm sorry to hear this! DD1 was reflux and colic...oh the crying! The poor kids! Alimentum and reflux meds did help us, but b/c of the colic the all day, every minute of the day crying didn't end for a long time. It can be so hard and it sounds like your DC has some bad tummy troubles (maybe not the colic though)! Have you gotten a second opinion from another GI? I'm glad they are running more tests b/c the blood in his stool would worry/scare me too. Was he tested for allergies? I hope your DD is holding up alright with this!

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

I am so sorry and we went through some similar issues. DS has Acid Reflux, we tried about 5 different formulas, at the Ped every week, etc.. He is now on Nutramigen and Previcid and he is doing so much better, we also give him 1/2 tsp of Mylanta between bottles which coats his throat and helps with the reflux/gas.

We just went to a GI doc the other day, he said we are on the right stuff and to continue doing what we are, but he said after all this, it may just be bad gas which is causing the reflux.

DS used to cry all day as well, he is now a different baby...still has his moments of course, but I will take this over what he was going though any day of the week. He did not have blood in his stool often, in fact the other day was the first time I saw a trace of it but the GI doc said it was from pushing.

I hope he gets better, I know it's heartbreaking.

I am not sure, but maybe ask your Ped or GI doc about the Mylanta because that may help a great deal and make it easier for him to get food down. My DS is 2 months old & 12 lbs and he was only taking in about 3oz at each feeding, he is now almost hitting the 5oz mark which is a huge improvement!

Message edited 11/17/2010 6:40:53 PM.

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

My DD was on Alimentum due to a milk protein allergy and was later put on Zantac and then Prevacid for her reflux. If reflux is the issue, formula alone will not help - your dc will need meds too and may not be responsive to Zantac. It did not work well at all - once DD was on Prevacid, she improved tremendously. Your dc may also have a milk protein allergy - my DD had blood in her stool as well and that's how we discovered it. She's almost 10 months, off all meds, and slowly transitioning to dairy - she's doing great - your dc will too once you and your GI can figure out the right combo - this will pass!

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

Sounds just like my DS. He went through 5 formulas before we went on Elecare. It will take a while for his system to feel better and for him to eat better. The intestinal tract is probably very inflamed and it will take about 2 weeks for it to heal. DS was also put on Zantac. Alimentum made him worse when he was put on it. He almost ended up in the hospital. I know it is HARD. Went through so much with DS too. The Elecare tastes horrible but it will row on him. When he feels a bit better and is really hungry, he will eat. It is OK. DS is now a little over 1 and is still on Elecare. He also has a severe soy allergy. Which he hasn't grown out of. FM me with any questions..

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your replies...It really made me feel like I am not going through this alone and its not just me.
We went to Zwanger for a upper GI series of tests. I am waiting to hear the results.
He is also on Ranitidine(Zantac) and now Dr said Mylanta. He gets cereal in bottle and he is taking 2oz stop burp another 2oz and done. I know he should be taking wayyy more than 4oz but I guess right now I will take what I can get.
Thanks so much and with the Elecare and all these changes I hope it works.
WHAT BOTTLES DID YOU USE??
We were on Dr. Brown's cause it worked wonders for my DD but not so good for DS we just switched to drop ins but DH HATES them...any other good bottles??
TIA

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

jack didnt do well with Dr. Browns, we love Tommee Tippee...

but, do you think part of it might be that the nipple is too slow and he is loosing interest? we went through that at 2 months!

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

Elecare is an amino acid formula meaning NO milk proteins at all. It tastes like poison though. My son refused it totally. I ended up goiving him Nutramigen AA(same thing as Elecare and neocate) He sucked oit down and did great on it.

Nutramigen and Alimentum still have milk proteins in them. If your child still has blood in his stool and is uncomfortable it is probably that. if he has a true milk allergy he cannot have that. I would change formulas before medicating. My Dr was able to get me samples of the Nutramigen AA until I could get approved by insurance.

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

My son is on Elecare and his GI has us put Splenda in it to make it taste better - 1 packet for every 4 oz. of formula. We also put, per his instructions, 1 tsp of oatmeal per oz in the bottle - Elecare is very thin!

Message edited 11/20/2010 12:17:59 PM.

Re: Alimentum, Elecare, Acid Reflux...Help!!

Your LO doesnt need to take more than 4oz. my daughter is 3 months old and is taking 4oz. right now at every feeding which is about every 3 hours.