Or perhaps I should say no definitive answers.
We had a follow up with The Bean's pediatrician today to go over the results of his (second set of) blood work and ultrasound.
The ultrasound didn't show much. A small blockage, likely because he had to poop, and some swollen lymph nodes in the lower right quadrant of his intestine. These could be causing some of the pain he's been experiencing. Unfortunately my question about how we could treat any potential pain resulting from this was met with a big shrug from the doctor. Dr. Google tells me that warm compresses may help ease discomfort. Jen started giving him warm compresses for his tummy a few weeks ago. Score one for mom-tuition.
The blood work was not entirely conclusive.
I didn't get into the details last time, but one of the results that had shown up was anemia without iron deficiency. Everything looked normal with his red blood cells this time, so we are taking that off the list of potential concerns.
Next there was some indication of eosinophilic enteritis. Unfortunately something happened with the blood work (I have no idea what) and they didn't have these results yet. The pediatrician was supposed to call this afternoon after the results came in, but no call. Which makes me assume no results yet. Basically they want to check whether the number of eosinophis is still elevated.
The final note worth point on the last set of blood work had to do The Bean's IgA levels. The results had shown an IgA deficiency. (They look for IgA antibodies when testing for crohn's/colitis.) The second set of blood work showed the same thing: IgA deficiency. There are a few things to note here:
-We will have to do a scope to see if the issues he's having are from crohn's/colitis.
-The doctors (The Bean's pediatrician and the allergist/immunologist he has on staff) want us to do more blood work to test for other Ig deficiencies.
-IgA deficiency is hereditary. Jen's dad also has IgA deficiency which they discovered when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer last year. We don't know if Jen does too, but we may request her levels be tested.
We currently have an appointment with a GI specialist schedule for the end of January, which is a horribly long time. However, since the results are so bizarre, and our pediatrician has no idea what's going on he is going to push to get this bumped up significantly. We plan on holding off on any further testing until after we see her so as to minimize blood-draw related trauma to The Bean. He flipped out last time I took him in and we know she will order more --better to get it over with all in one go.
So, for now, we wait. Warm compresses on the tummy. Immediate antibiotic treatment for any infections he may get between now and then. Washed blood, should he (god forbid) need a blood transfusion.
Hopefully we get some answers soon.
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Sorry you don't have any answers yet. :(
ReplyDeleteGah. So frustrating when it takes so long!
ReplyDeleteFor the pain, could you try a castor oil pack? Supposed to be great for digestive/ stomach issues and pain. I've been using it for some discomfort I've had and it has helped. Just a thought. It's fairly messy and he'd have to be still for a while, but may be worth a try.
Hope you have some answers soon.
P.S. Also wanted to tell you that Ian had a scope done and it was quick and easy. The procedure was only about 20 minutes. We had to hang around for observation, but by the time we left the hospital he was right back to his normal self. I was very stressed ahead of time.
ReplyDeleteOh that's hard. How frustrating to have to wait and work so hard for answers. In Canada, is it like here where if you call every week, you might stumble upon a cancellation and get seen quicker? Hopefully you keep finding wise phlebotomists to minimize the trauma for the poor little dude.
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