And we're off!

To the allergist that is.

I feel like I haven't updated on Nicholas' tummy and eczema issues in forever.  So here we go, let me see if I can remember where I left off.

Ah yes, we had just been through the nightmare that was Nicholas' 6 month visit and his eczema and reflux were still giving him problems.

His doctor suggested that we try to switch him back to a milk based formula.  Remembering how our first shot with milk based formulas went made me want to shake the doctor and make sure he wasn't on anything himself, however, he explained that he felt that enough time had passed since Nicholas had last ingested a milk based formula and that his body, especially his stomach, may have had enough time to properly develop and adjust to digesting milk.

He started us on an Enfamil powder formula and told us to try it for one week unless anything crazy happened.

I just had this feeling it wouldn't work.  From the first day of that week I knew we were simply trying it to make sure that we tried everything.

Long story short, worst week ever!  It only lasted 5 days and by the end of it Nicholas was having diarrhea 4-6 times a day and his eczema was out of control.

When we revisited the doctor, he took one look at Nicholas and apologized for suggesting it.  He excused himself for a minute, made a few phone calls and found an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist that agreed to see Nicholas.  (Apparently here, they don't see children until they are at least 9-12 months old).

So just before Christmas we visited this specialist who spent a grand total of 10 minutes in the room explaining to me that he was not aware of the severity of Nicholas' eczema when it flared up (which it had that day).  He listened to me go on and on about everything we had already tried and what foods we were avoiding and essentially told me that he felt that Nicholas needed a more specialized specialist, if that makes any sense.

So after a referral and a quick phone call we had a new appointment.  Which brings us to today.

We are headed downtown this morning (side note: I detest downtown traffic in the morning, 5 miles can take hours) to see a pediatric allergy specialist.  Nervous doesn't even begin to explain how I'm feeling.

About a week ago they sent us a packet of paperwork to fill out, instructions on how to prepare for the appointment, lists of what foods, meds, etc. he can and can't have for at least 7 days leading up to the appointment and information for parents on how to prepare yourself for your child's allergy test (which will include blood work).

Hopefully today will work out okay, hopefully Nicholas won't be too incredibly mad at me when we are finished, hopefully I don't break down when they have to stick my baby with a needle.

I'll update when we know what this doctor has to say but until then if you have any spare good thoughts and vibes that you wouldn't mind sending our way, they would be greatly appreciated today.