We have been on a very strict diet and were told no foods that he was sensitive or allergic to. In fact, we weren't even suppose to give him foods that he wasn't allergic or sensitive to. Pretty much all he could have was meat, veggies, and strawberries. We were told he could have bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and lunch meats. Of course we cooked chicken and other meats for dinner, but those weren't so easy to prepare for breakfast and lunches. Throw in a couple of hotdogs, peas, carrots, and strawberries in his lunch box and call it good.
Well....today we got some very interesting information in the mail. It was the official results from his allergy test, which we already knew about, but also a food plan for him. It's a list of foods he can have each day. There are four different days and we are to rotate them. It gives several different options of different foods. It includes fruits, other than strawberries, and even beans and rice. Never would I have thought I would be so happy to feed my kid beans and rice! It's something different!
Another thing that was very interesting was that it had a list of foods to avoid. On that list it included BACON, SAUSAGE, and LUNCH MEAT!!!! Sigh...... no wonder he isn't getting better. It's because they can have trace amounts of gluten and when you are dealing with a severe case of eczema, like we are, any amount can set him off big time.
Here's what really blew my mind. It makes perfect sense though once I read it. Food sensitivities can occur as a result of repetitive eating. When you have a leaky gut the undigested foods you eat can leak out and cause your immune system to go into overdrive. It starts attacking those foods and creating antibodies towards them. The more you eat them the more the body attacks them and causes the sensitivities, which can trigger the eczema flair ups in Jacob. So what you have to do is rotate the foods. In his case, if he eats an orange on day 1 he can't have it again for 4 days. So in a nutshell that's why Jacob isn't healing. Even though we haven't been giving him the foods he is sensitive or allergic to, we have been giving him the same foods for 2 weeks straight. This has allowed his body to make antibodies towards those foods since he eats them so much. Foods that weren't a problem before we started this, probably are now since he eats them day in and day out. They are now triggering his eczema flair ups. Now we have a list of foods that he can have that goes beyond meat, veggies, and strawberries. He can even have white potatoes and popcorn! Sounds so simple but those will be special treats for him.
Just a vent: This report was prepared on April 8. Why am I just now getting it April 26? The logical side of me knows how the system works and sometimes it takes time. However, this valuable information could have prevented three doctor appointments and more flare ups. Why did it take almost 3 weeks for me to receive this? I know that it is out of my control and I am grateful we have more answers, but the mama bear in me can't help fell discouraged and upset that it took so long. However, I am relieved that we know more about what is going on and now can move forward.
I pray that in two weeks we will see significant improvement. Until then, thank you for all of your continued prayers!
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