My Cousin's Son

[torimuse]

I don't know a lot of real specifics, but my cousin called me the other day very concerned about her son, and I'm hoping to make sure what I told her was right, as well as see if there's anything else I should add.

Her youngest son is (I think) just over a year old. Her other son is seemingly normal.

I may have a couple events in the time line in the wrong spots, but I'm hoping I get it right.

He was on breast milk for the first 5 months of life. He was then introduced to cow's milk, broke out in a nasty rash, diarrhea, the works. Diagnosed Lactose Intolerant. He was put on soy formula after that. Later on down the road he was introduced to whole foods and soy milk. (I wish I knew brands, but I don't.) He broke out in a rash again, was completely miserable, screaming and everything. His mom put him back on the soy formula and the rash went away, though the diarrhea seems to be persistent.

What she knows is that he can't have soy milk or cow's milk without a rash and complete misery, and he has pretty much constant diarrhea. He continues to drink the soy milk formula, but she really wants to be able to stop buying baby formula for a toddler. The little one eats everything his big brother does, which includes glutenous foods.

Evidently, the little one has shared symptoms with her brother's daughter, indicating a genetic link. I'm self-diagnosed myself, so I can't help them much in that regard.

I told her to keep him eating gluten for right now, as well as try to avoid anything with casein in it, since that could be in the soy milk, and the cause of his problems. She's going to get him tested, but I can never remember the names of the tests for Celiac's, though I did suggest that she try and get the biopsy done, too, and to make sure they take more than one or two samples. I suggested that she fight for it if the doctor is reluctant, and she at least has gluten intolerance in the family to help back her suspicions up. I also told her not to wait for the results of the testing before putting him on a gluten-free diet, and seeing if that brings about any changes. She's thinking about getting herself tested, too, because our side of the family is chock-full of different health issues, so we might all be undiagnosed Celiac's for all we know.

Did I tell her the right things? I can always call her and give her new and updated information, as well as get any information you guys might need.