8-Month-old Son Has Had Diarrhea for Almost 7 Weeks

Any chance you're going to be seeing Dr. Grant Geissler at Children's Memorial?  My son saw him and he also operated on my son when he was 5 days old for an intestinal problem, but not quite the same as your son's condition. Anyway, he is EXCELLENT!!!  If there is any chance you can get your son in to see him, DO!!!Dr. Geissler sees patients at a few different hospitals.  He saw our son at Lutheran General, but I know for sure that he also sees patients at Children's Memorial.  I think that might be the main hospital he works out of.  He saved our son's life and also provided follow up care with C Diff that developed after surgery.  A very caring, wonderful man who really knows his stuff!!!  I can't say enough wonderful things about him.  Also, when my son was 5 days old and needed emergency surgery, I was, of course, at the hospital balling my eyes out.  Every single person who worked at Lutheran General and knew my son's condition looked at his chart and said, "Oh, thank God, Dr. Geissler will be performing your son's surgery. You have nothing to worry about. He is excellent!" 
It was very reassuring, but also turned out to be true.  Hope this helps! Good luck to you and your son. I feel for you.

First off...my heart goes out to you. Really..... 8 month old babies don't have to be this challenging.

Secondly, Bacitracin Zinc is one of the ingredients in Neosporin. So..... if your child had hives, I would be leery to include that in your recipe mix.

In instances like this, I would talk to your local Pharmacist who is an expert w/ medications, even check with them on the specific probiotic that you are administering. Probiotics are a good choice, for adults and may be safe for babies, considering all the diarrhea that he has had. Again, the Pharmacist may have some insight into this.

It sounds like you and your family have been through a lot. You certainly are looking for answers from renowned professionals. Don't give up hope. I'm sure this is frustrating but you are not giving up and that is a wonderful thing. Could be something so innocent as a food allergy (Celiac disease - even) and that's something that can be very controlled.

Best of luck to you and your family. You are in my prayers.

Wow, my son had intussuption as well! He had it at 3 months old. He had the barium enema and then the surgery. He's always had loose stools but both my sons have. I had to put my youngest on Soy to cut the acid so his stools wouldn't be so acidic and burn his skin. The best thing I could suggest that really helped those open sores is vaseline - gobs of it. I would put a hunk of diaper rash cream on and then tons of vaseline. In between diaper changes I would let him air out. Put a pair of underwear on him with a pair of sweat pants. That way when he does go it's pretty well contained. It's messy but it's breathing instead of being contained in a diaper. Warm baths always helped too - I put a thin layer of vaseline on and let him sit in a couple of inches of water. So in addition to watching the acidic foods (apples, tomatoes, certain formulas), you can try the really thick diaper rash cream and vaseline. They worked wonders for me and my 2. Good luck and I hope all turns out well.

Have you thought about consulting someone homeopathic? I don't know what you've already tried as to his diet, but perhaps it could be cow's milk or other food. I've had to cut cow's milk out of my diet because the foreign proteins were giving my son gas through breast feeding. (My son is only 2 1/2 months)

L.,
Could his diarrhea be a developed allergy to something? Have they ruled that out? Have you tried cutting out one food at a time to see?
I do not have a suggestion or a cure to your problem but I felt compelled to write you as I could NOT even imagine going through what you have gone through. I'm at a loss. I will pray for you and your little boy for a speedy recovery. You sound like a wonderful mom - and that little boy sounds like he is in wonderful, caring hands of someone who is trying to go to the ends of the earth to find a cure to heal him. I wish you and your little one strength, healing and a permanent recovery.
Sincerely,
M.

L.

I would guess and wonder if the formula is helping this cause along. Has anyone suggested trying pedialyte exclusively to see if that will help?? Or a soy base formula as maybe he is experiencing a lactose intolerance?? And of course,any of the baby foods you are giving him could also be causing this or at least helping it along. I would definitely suggest seeing a dietitian @ a local hospital for suggestions on foods that might help slow the diarrhea. Or try a BRAT diet which would help as well. The initials stand for banana,rice,applesauce and (dry) toast. He probably isn't qquite ready for toast but everything else would be OK,in whatever form he's capable of. Let us know what happens. be curious to hear the outcome as so many doctors haven't helped yet!!! Good luck !! J.

Hi
I don't have an answer for the diarrhea, but have you checked out the possibility that he may have a yeast infection? I hope you get your answers soon. Good luck and God Bless!