What is the best way to determine if corn exacerbates symptoms?

[bsimon3]

I have suspected for a while that corn exacerbates symptoms in my DS9. We have virtually eliminated corn and foods containing corn here at home (although sometimes corn starch, corn meal, xantham gum, HFCS via Halloween candy, etc. makes an appearance). It doesn't seem to be making any difference. However, I know that out in the world of school, group gatherings, etc. he is likely still getting plenty of corn. So my question for you is this: is there any reliable test that will tell me one way or the other if corn is in fact exacerbating my son's symptoms?

 

Thank you kindly for your help.

[writergal]

Have you tried allergy testing? Corn is one of the top allergies for children, so it definitely would make sense if your child's behavior was getting worse after ingesting corn products. We have two children that are sensitive to corn and a host of other items. I do not buy items with corn syrup in for our kids- and believe me that can be difficult!

 

Fortunately we've been doing this for a while and their dessert of choice is typically fruit.

[bigmighty]

When DS was 3 (now 13) we realized that anything containing corn made him become wildly out of control. He has always been very low-key and easy going. With corn, he runs around in circles smacking himself in the face. A couple of taco chips used to be enough to make us worry that he would race out into traffic. It was astounding to see the difference between DS on and off corn. We had him allergy tested for corn and it was negative. However, it was obvious that corn was a significant problem. At this age/weight, DS can have limited corn if he has consumed a meal first (like one twizzler red licorice after dinner). But if he eats too much corn or eats it on an empty stomach, he struggles to keep his behavior within the bounds of acceptable. So far, you are the only other person we have heard of in 10+ years that has experienced corn-related metabolism challenges.

 

The only thing I can think of that you could do with respect to tracking the symptoms is probably to keep a journal during a period of time when there is little chance for outside influence - like a long weekend - when there is no corn introduced whatsoever. Then introduce limited corn and see what happens and document. Best, Suzanne

[bigmighty]

Forgot to add - DS's corn sensitivity resolved fully and completely after his 2nd IVIG in June. When he got strep in July, it returned in full.

[thereishope]

From what I remember, corn aids in inflammation.

[bsimon3]

(Please excuse me if I double post this reply -- I think my first attempt at a reply failed.)

 

Thanks for your help all.

 

Writergal, what type of allergy testing did you do -- skin prick or blood draw? The one allergist (as well as our ped) we consulted with doesn't support (or do) blood testing for allergies, (IgG I believe it is called) citing reasons of unreliability and false positives. If you did the blood test, what type of a doc ordered the tests for you and helped you interpret them? I'd be grateful if you PMed me the name of your doctor.

 

Bigmighty, so did you see an almost immediate reaction to the corn when he was younger then? I am under the impression that it could take days to react to a food, but perhaps I am wrong about that. I wish this all felt like more science and less mystery to me. I like the idea about testing and observing - idea could be very useful with the long holiday break coming up in December.

[bigmighty]

Yes. Maybe 30 minutes to an hour after ingesting corn he'd become a totally different person. Light switch different. Somebody we did not recognize.

 

Bigmighty, so did you see an almost immediate reaction to the corn when he was younger then? I am under the impression that it could take days to react to a food, but perhaps I am wrong about that. I wish this all felt like more science and less mystery to me. I like the idea about testing and observing - idea could be very useful with the long holiday break coming up in December.

[writergal]

We did the blood draw and I'll PM you the name of our doctor. Also- I've meant to do this and haven't gotten around to it- there is an allergist, Dr. Doris Rapp that has had a lot of success with allergy testing. She actually will test the child with something under their tongue and then have the antigen available to bring the child back. I've seen videos of kids absolutely FREAK out within moments of ingesting a substance they are allergic to.

 

My mother is a nurse and she is like your doctor- insisting that we need to only do the skin testing. I think there is a place for both, but have also been told by those more knowledgeable than myself that skin testing can also cause false issues. I think what Dr. Rapp does makes a lot of sense- and there are allergists trained in her protocol that are likely close to where you live.