Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Sunday, 12 April 2009
hmmm fishy...
Well, the steroid trial continues, still one application a day (evening) until Monday. Then we'll chop it back to every other day for another week. Jasmine's skin seems to be doing ok at the moment. It's almost as if two applications a day were overloading her skin. The eczema is still visable, and areas of her skin seem rougher than others, but generally it doesn't seem as angry as in the last post.
One possible coincidence is that lack of fish in her diet in the last five or so days. We plan to trial a fish free couple of weeks just to see.
The little monkey is on the brink of toddling. She is standing unsupported more and more, and just hasn't work out what to do next before plonking down on her bottom. It's going to get interesting when she'll start running after Hazel :D
One possible coincidence is that lack of fish in her diet in the last five or so days. We plan to trial a fish free couple of weeks just to see.
The little monkey is on the brink of toddling. She is standing unsupported more and more, and just hasn't work out what to do next before plonking down on her bottom. It's going to get interesting when she'll start running after Hazel :D
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
A week in...
As the title suggests, we're one week into Jasmine's steroid use. The 1st three days went well, her itching gradually subsided to the extent that we thought any residual itching was almost more habitual. From the fourth day however it was apparent that our little monkey was indeed still itchy. The eczema was visable beneath her skin. Not in the usual rough skin, but a brooding, red layer, waiting to burst through.
Jasmine has a patch under her right eye, her cheeks are waiting to erupt and where the skin was smooth for the 1st three days is becoming rougher now we've reached the week mark. Her scalp is very itchy and tonight I noticed that where she had frantically scratched to the point of weeping an area on her scalp has formed a kind of cradle cap. :(
We are only using the steroid ointment once a day now. I think my biggest concern is that the Doctors will just recommend a stronger steroid - enter vicious cycle....
Well, we'll wean her off this batch of steroids gradually, and hopefully there will be no ill effects. Otherwise her routine is much the same. We tried the Cetraben emolient, though were not convinced. It seemed to make her itchier, though it was only a brief trial. Either way, we're back on Aveeno, with the usual homeopathic and flower remedy suppliments. She's bathed every other day, alternating between using Aveeno bath lotion and Himalayan rock salt.
Jasmine has a patch under her right eye, her cheeks are waiting to erupt and where the skin was smooth for the 1st three days is becoming rougher now we've reached the week mark. Her scalp is very itchy and tonight I noticed that where she had frantically scratched to the point of weeping an area on her scalp has formed a kind of cradle cap. :(
We are only using the steroid ointment once a day now. I think my biggest concern is that the Doctors will just recommend a stronger steroid - enter vicious cycle....
Well, we'll wean her off this batch of steroids gradually, and hopefully there will be no ill effects. Otherwise her routine is much the same. We tried the Cetraben emolient, though were not convinced. It seemed to make her itchier, though it was only a brief trial. Either way, we're back on Aveeno, with the usual homeopathic and flower remedy suppliments. She's bathed every other day, alternating between using Aveeno bath lotion and Himalayan rock salt.
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
astounded...
We went to bed at 10pm last night, some 3 hours after Jasmine. The little monkey woke up at 11.30pm, but I was convinced it was much much later than that. I gave her a quick squeeze and plonked back into her cot with her muslins and teddy and ambled back to bed myself, fully expecting to be up again in an hours time at most.
The alarm went at 6.30am
We had either crashed out and ignored any cries that Jasmine had made, or she had gone through without any more stirs.
SHE SLEPT THROUGH!
Steph popped in to be greeted by a wide eyed, cheery little baby. It's so refreshing! Steph changed her nappy while Jasmine amused herself with a book. ...A BOOK! ...not tearing at her skin!
What a difference for only one application of the ointment.
I'm still concerned about using steroids, but I'm incredibly thankful for a night off.
The alarm went at 6.30am
We had either crashed out and ignored any cries that Jasmine had made, or she had gone through without any more stirs.
SHE SLEPT THROUGH!
Steph popped in to be greeted by a wide eyed, cheery little baby. It's so refreshing! Steph changed her nappy while Jasmine amused herself with a book. ...A BOOK! ...not tearing at her skin!
What a difference for only one application of the ointment.
I'm still concerned about using steroids, but I'm incredibly thankful for a night off.
Monday, 30 March 2009
some tests at last...
Well, it's been a little while since the last post and today has included enough new stuff to warrant an update. Over the last week or so Jasmine's skin has been bothering her greatly. It always coincides with her teething, but none the less, when she's not distracted (ie trying to sleep) she's miserably itchy.
Despite this she puts on a brave face and had a great time at Hatton Country Park over the weekend.
She Particularly loved the tractors, though the birds of prey brought lots of pointing and exclamations of "Sa!" and "Eo!" All before she eventually passed out and gave Mummy and Daddy a couple of minutes respite! :D
Her general development is going well. She isn't yet walking alone, but is growing ever more confident in her cruising abilities. Things within reaching distance are fair game as far as Jasmine is concerned, normally associated with a good deal of babbling and pie-eyed expressions of innocence! ;)
Today's excursion involved a trip to a new paediatrician. After summing up Jasmine's history to date and tackling the usual unvaccinated status we started to assess where to head with Jasmine's treatment.
Despite our dedication to being as natural as possible it is clear that currently Jasmine is just too uncomfortable to sustain this wishful thinking. In light of this we have reluctantly decided it is best to return to steroids, at least for a short while. The paediatrian recommended a 1% hydrocortisone ointment (a little more greasy than a cream), combined with a new emolient: Cetraben. We've not done a whole lot of research into Cetraben, though at the moment I think we're all approaching our wits end and will try practically anything, if only to get a couple of nights unadulterated sleep!
We also went through the traumatic experience of have some blood tests done for Jasmine. The nurses were astounded at how strong she was, causing them to fail taking the bloods from one arm and needing to call in support to pin her down. It took four adults in the end to stop her spontaniously combusting!! Not pleasant. Still, the tests should hopefully confirm her calcium levels are ok (in light of her rice milk diet), bone component levels (indicating potential vitamin D issues), and test for coeliac disease.
We've also been given a couple of dinky little tubes to spoon in a couple of stool samples. Yummy! We have just one hour to get the samples to the lab before they spoil ...who would have thought that poo could spoil! The stools will be tested for malabsorption and faecal elastase. Hopefully this will confirm our suspicions of issues with her gut.
So tonight was the 1st night of the new regime. We don't get the new emolient until tomorrow, but used Aveeno instead. She seemed to accept the new steroid at least, though she could equally be relaxed as she had a nice bath beforehand.
Hopefully all will go according to plan, hopefully we'll get a few uninterupted hours of sleep!!
Despite this she puts on a brave face and had a great time at Hatton Country Park over the weekend.
She Particularly loved the tractors, though the birds of prey brought lots of pointing and exclamations of "Sa!" and "Eo!" All before she eventually passed out and gave Mummy and Daddy a couple of minutes respite! :D
Her general development is going well. She isn't yet walking alone, but is growing ever more confident in her cruising abilities. Things within reaching distance are fair game as far as Jasmine is concerned, normally associated with a good deal of babbling and pie-eyed expressions of innocence! ;)
Today's excursion involved a trip to a new paediatrician. After summing up Jasmine's history to date and tackling the usual unvaccinated status we started to assess where to head with Jasmine's treatment.
Despite our dedication to being as natural as possible it is clear that currently Jasmine is just too uncomfortable to sustain this wishful thinking. In light of this we have reluctantly decided it is best to return to steroids, at least for a short while. The paediatrian recommended a 1% hydrocortisone ointment (a little more greasy than a cream), combined with a new emolient: Cetraben. We've not done a whole lot of research into Cetraben, though at the moment I think we're all approaching our wits end and will try practically anything, if only to get a couple of nights unadulterated sleep!
We also went through the traumatic experience of have some blood tests done for Jasmine. The nurses were astounded at how strong she was, causing them to fail taking the bloods from one arm and needing to call in support to pin her down. It took four adults in the end to stop her spontaniously combusting!! Not pleasant. Still, the tests should hopefully confirm her calcium levels are ok (in light of her rice milk diet), bone component levels (indicating potential vitamin D issues), and test for coeliac disease.
We've also been given a couple of dinky little tubes to spoon in a couple of stool samples. Yummy! We have just one hour to get the samples to the lab before they spoil ...who would have thought that poo could spoil! The stools will be tested for malabsorption and faecal elastase. Hopefully this will confirm our suspicions of issues with her gut.
So tonight was the 1st night of the new regime. We don't get the new emolient until tomorrow, but used Aveeno instead. She seemed to accept the new steroid at least, though she could equally be relaxed as she had a nice bath beforehand.
Hopefully all will go according to plan, hopefully we'll get a few uninterupted hours of sleep!!
Monday, 23 March 2009
Happy Baby =]
We spent the weekend with Jasmine's Grandma. The weather was great so we naturally had to exploit it and get Jasmine off to the park :D
She loves the swings and slides, though she's not too sure of the roundabout.
Who'd have thought a empty packet of organic raisins could be so amusing :D
I couldn't resist showing Jasmine Sporting her 'bed-hair' look at some ridiculously early hour on Sunday morning :D
Jasmine loves her new trike. Though truth be told I think Daddy is rather fond of it too!
She loves the swings and slides, though she's not too sure of the roundabout.
Who'd have thought a empty packet of organic raisins could be so amusing :D
I couldn't resist showing Jasmine Sporting her 'bed-hair' look at some ridiculously early hour on Sunday morning :D
Jasmine loves her new trike. Though truth be told I think Daddy is rather fond of it too!
Thursday, 19 March 2009
guinnea pig
Jasmine has, at least in principle, been accepted on a trial. The trial is to assess whether the use of softened water would have any impact on her eczema.
Softened Water Eczema Trial
It's early days yet and we have yet to have Jasmine checked to see if her eczema is 'moderate to severe'. We also need to have an engineer out to see if they can even fit the softener. Either way, it's an avenue to follow. I must admit though, I am a little concerned as to the risks of the salinated water effect. More research required methinks.
On another note, we've received the latest batch of supplements from the kinesiologist, all aimed at tackling the candida and leaky gut and strengthening Jasmine's tummy.
We'll still be taking the flower remedy - Daffodil formula FF14 (one pill, morning and night). We'll also keep the New Vistas Microflora homeopathic drops (x4 drops morning and night) and the BioCare Acidophilus Plus (1/4 teaspoon with her evening milk). The new additions are New Vistas Baby Thrush homeopathic drops (x4 drops morning and night) and New Vistas Digestive Enzyme Liquescence homeopathic formula (1/4 teaspoon before her evening milk).
We'll see how all this pans out! Fingers crossed :D
Softened Water Eczema Trial
It's early days yet and we have yet to have Jasmine checked to see if her eczema is 'moderate to severe'. We also need to have an engineer out to see if they can even fit the softener. Either way, it's an avenue to follow. I must admit though, I am a little concerned as to the risks of the salinated water effect. More research required methinks.
On another note, we've received the latest batch of supplements from the kinesiologist, all aimed at tackling the candida and leaky gut and strengthening Jasmine's tummy.
We'll still be taking the flower remedy - Daffodil formula FF14 (one pill, morning and night). We'll also keep the New Vistas Microflora homeopathic drops (x4 drops morning and night) and the BioCare Acidophilus Plus (1/4 teaspoon with her evening milk). The new additions are New Vistas Baby Thrush homeopathic drops (x4 drops morning and night) and New Vistas Digestive Enzyme Liquescence homeopathic formula (1/4 teaspoon before her evening milk).
We'll see how all this pans out! Fingers crossed :D
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