Oh! My Coccyx!

When I gave birth to Jaden 3 months ago, my coccyx (tailbone) was injured, caused by the pressure generated when the baby passed through the birth canal. This type of injury always happens when the baby is bigger in size or the mother has a narrow pelvis, but for your information my baby was only 2.61 kg and I have big butt. 

I have severe pain on my pelvic area whenever I change my position while sitting or rise from a sitting position. I was referred to a orthopedic surgeon a day after my delivery.  The surgeon came to my ward for examination and told me that what I was experiencing was common for those who went through vaginal delivery and the condition would recover by itself after 3-4 weeks. The most he can do at that moment was to prescribe some pain killer if I want ( I did not opt for this as I wanted to breastfeed). The consultation took about 5 minutes and I was charged RM180.

After my confinement, the pain had subsided but not entirely. I am still in pain, especially now when I have gone back to work and couldn't avoid from sitting long hour in the office. I have read a lot of similar cases in the Internet but most people are still in pain despite having through many types of different treatments like physiotherapy, laser treatment and steroid injection. These treatments, to an extent reduce the pain, but not to cure the condition. Consistent follow-up treatments are required too. There were some extreme cases where people decided to get their tailbones removed, after bearing enough pain for more than 10 years.

Definitely, I am reluctant to live with the pain for the rest of my life. Does anyone of you having the similar problem? Can you share with me what have you done? Thank you!

Angel Baby Evil Eczema

Jaden is 3 months old now. He is healthy and kicking except for his eczema condition that comes and goes. Well, this is the typical stubbornness of Eczema, isn't it?

He was first prescribed with a non-medicated cream, Ceradan.

However, after applying it generously 4 times a day for a week, there was no improvement on his skin condition. The dry patches on his feet, wrists and navel area in fact became more red.  Luckily, Jaden seemed to be not irritated by his skin condition, however I started to become very worried. Questions without absolute answers began to linger in my mind.

"What if his skin cracks and he is in pain?"
"Did I eat anything wrong that trigger his eczema through my breastmilk?"
"What moisturizer should I use next?"
"What if he has to use steroid-base medication to control his condition, what are the side effects?"

And then...came one night when Bernard had to attend the wedding of one of his very important client.  He was hesitating, whether he should attend the wedding and leave his wife and son at home on a Sunday night or just make an excuse not to attend the wedding.  I told him to go as I have no problem taking care of Jaden on my own. Ultimately, he went but decided to come back before the dinner ended.
His attendance led us to the discovery of MooGoo Irritable Skin Balm (ISB), a non-steroid cream that was recommended by a guest that Bernard met at the wedding dinner. (Apparently, other than mothers, fathers also couldn't stop talking about their children to others!) According to the lady, this cream works wonders for her eczema and best of all, this Australian made cream is 100% herbal base with no steroid content, thus is safe to be used even on infant.

The next day, I went to Caring Pharmacy to get a tube of Moogoo ISB. The price was RM58.60, after a 15% discount.

After applying the cream for 2 days, Jaden's dry skin area became flaky white. I got a shocked and thought his condition had worsen. However, luckily I was wrong. The flaky skin condition was actually the sign of recovery.  On the 3rd day of application, Jaden's skin was 80% recovered, redness and dryness had disappeared, leaving only some rough surface when you touch the affected area. This was a great improvement and we were very happy, thus instantly fell in love with MooGoo! Nevertheless, we continue to apply ISB on daily basis to prevent any reoccurrence.

The good days lasted only for a week, before the dry red patches developed again, this time with another additional area, his stomach. Since it was due for his 3rd month's vaccination, we decided to consult Dr. Chai to see what else we can do.

While advised to continue applying MooGoo ISB to maintain the moisture level of Jaden's skin, Elomet lotion was prescribed, and I knew this drug contains steroid. Before I managed to clarify the side effect of steroid on baby, Dr. Chai proactively explained that this medication although contains steroid, but the amount used was very minimal and if used correctly will not bring any harm.

( I have applied Elomet on Jaden once after coming back from the hospital, but have decided to stop after finding out that FDA America does not encourage children below 2 to use Elomet lotion/cream. One man's meat is another man's poison. I just love my son too much. Hence, choosing not to take the risk to expose him to steroid, even though at a very low dose, at his young age.)

At the same time, we were recommended to change his formula milk from NAN 1 Pro to NAN HA 1, just in case his eczema is caused by allergy to milk protein. So, the hypothesis here is if his eczema is caused by the protein in normal formula milk, changing to HA milk will eliminate the root cause. But we have to do a little experiment here to find out the truth.  If his condition improved with no recurrence after consuming NAN HA 1 for the next two week, then the hypothesis is proven to be true.

Hmmm....for your information, the price of NAN 1 Pro, which Jaden was consuming, just went up about RM5 per box (from RM51.00 to RM 55.8, crazy, right?). Prior to this I have gone to a few baby shops and Chinese medical halls to bulk purchase the old stock. More than RM 500 was spent to stock up 2 months supply of milk. Now, what should I do with all the milk powder?

Well, this was what Dr.Chai and Bernard said almost in unison after I told them about the bulk purchase: " What is RM500, if HA version can reduce or eliminate the cause of eczema on Jaden?" So, it is obvious that if I insisted to let Jaden finish up NAN 1 Pro before we switch to NAN HA 1, I will be crowned with the label of ' a mother that put money before the health of her own child'. Of course I can choose not to think it that way, but no matter how, Jaden has begun to consume NAN HA 1 immediately after we got back from the hospital.



NAN H.A 1



These are the NAN 1 Pros that have yet to define their future!

At the time of this writing, Jaden has consumed H.A milk for 2 days. I will update the findings after 2-3 weeks. If the above mentioned hypothesis is true, can anyone suggest me what should I do with the 10 boxes of NAN 1 Pro?

Meanwhile, I have requested the baby sitter to add a cap of QV bath oil in the bath water every time she bathes Jaden. We will also continue to apply MooGoo ISB 4 times a day. Hope that his situation will be under control.

QV bath oil to moisture the skin during bath

Despite his skin condition, Jaden is a healthy and happy baby. He starts smiling since 2.5 months old. This is indeed very emotional rewarding to me and Bernard. And again....he did not cry when he was jabbed this time!

Expenses of doctor's visit on 3rd month

Medical and surgical supplies     RM      5.25

Admin Fee                                RM      4.00

Medication                                RM 429.00

-Vaccination

- NAN HA 1 x 2 cans

-Elomet lotion

Consultation (Dr. Chai)             RM    80.00

TOTAL                                    RM  518.25