Questions for those with LOs with food allergies

gimbal

DS was just diagnosed with a peanut allergy.  His RAST is 7.56 Ku/L.  I'm kind of confused since the chart classifies that as "high," but it looks like the chart goes to 100+, and 7.56 seems pretty low to me compared to 100.  He's broken out in hives both times he's ingested peanut butter.

At this point I'm not sure I even know what to ask you ladies who have been down this road.  It just kind of stinks.  On the one hand I know it's relatively common, and he tested negative for all tree nuts they tested.  On the other hand, he's been so easy until now.  We've had lots of little bumps in the road with DD pretty much her whole life, and DS was my carefree, easy one.  I hope that makes sense.  I'm not saying that DS is in anyway better than DD; he's just been so easy in comparison, so I think this diagnosis was just kind of out of the blue and is kind of depressing me more than it should.

I'd appreciate any tips you can give me.  Obviously, I'll avoid all peanut products until we can meet with the allergist in a few weeks.  Is there anything else I should do in the meantime?  What questions should I ask at the appointment?

Thanks! 

little-peanut

I don't have any experience with food allergies, but I did want to post and tell you this is just a small bump in the road and you guys will have no problem dealing with it.  You have been so great with all that you have been through with your DD!  Hugs!

hav2run

I am sure DD is peanut allergic too.  We had two tiny episodes with minor breakouts after a taste (literally, one little lick) of peanut butter, and the other was after she ate two peanut halves at Lone Star.  We let her order a PBJ while on vacation after she had a meltdown over it.  She had a scary reaction about 30 minutes after two bites of it.  We had little hives, then a whole face full, swelling of her face, coughing, and red weepy eyes.  Benadryl elixir fixed it.  We have to wait until 9/1 for testing.  Wehave the epi pens, and benadryl on hand at all times.  Since then, she is showing signs of environmental allergies that I think are contributing to new behaviors that are not so good. 

I feel your pain.  My son had medical and ADHD issues that made life a challenge daily, and still does 20 years later.  DD was so easy, until very recently.  The idea of the allergy is scary, and I know life changes are ahead if the diagnosis is made.  We are avoiding peanuts and shellfish for the meantime.  I am very upset about it, and the new worry is a huge struggle.  BUT, I know there are worse things out there that people face with their children every day, and we are lucky.  That thought keeps my feelings in check.  Yay for good health, otherwise.  

It will be ok.  It's a change in lifestyle, a new worry, and a challenge to make sure that no one exposes your child to his allergens while he is too young to protest.  That is a very scary thought.  I am not sure how we will handle the diagnosis, although I will be completely shocked if peanuts is not the culprit for DD, and I am sure a post much like yours will be coming from me soon.  Big hugs to you.  Hang in there, and know it will be ok once you have time to adapt to the new circumstances, and you learn how to effectively advocate for his new needs.  They often will outgrow the allergy. Fingers and toes crossed for him.  Hugs.

Miller238

The rast numbers cannot predict how severe a reaction will be.  Someone could have be only 1.0 and have anaphalyxis, while someone with a 7.0 may just break out in hives.  Katelyn was a 17 last year, but we didn't have her blood retested this time.  Only skin testing.  More than likely, they will do a skin prick test at your appointment.  And more than likely it will confirm the blood test positive.

Please, please, please avoid all peanuts in any shape or form.  Even though his reactions have been only hives so far, peanut reactions tend to get worse and worse each time they are exposed.  The past may have only been hives, but next time could be anaphalyxis.  And if you don't have an epi-pen yet, I am sure they will write a script for one.

Tree nuts and peanuts are not related.  Peanuts are legumes.  The reason they say to avoid both is because of cross-contamination wuth peanuts and tree nuts in facilities.  Katelyn is negative to walnuts, but we still avoid.

I seriously went through the stages of grief when we were finding out about all of Katelyn's allergies.  I was so depressed about it for a very long time.  It has been very challenging and a hard time for us.  I am still uncertain about another child as I cannot imagine going through this again. It's amazing how allergies never cross your mind and the things you probably never even considered or thought about until you are faced with it.  You totally are ok to be depressed about this.  It is new.  It is a shock.  But that will change.  It will always suck and there will be hard times, but you learn to deal with things and once you learn to accept it, it will become part of your everyday normal life.

I would ask for an action plan at the allergist.  I would ask for an epi-pen script.  I would ask for skin testing to confirm the allergy (but I am sure you will have this done anyway).  I would want to know how often he will be retested.  I would want to know if food challenges can be done if his allergy seems to be getting better.

If you ever want to chat, you can find me on FB.  I completely understand what you are going through.  And if he just loves peanut butter, try SunButter.  You can get it at Kroger in the natural/organic section.  Get the one with the red cap.  I think it tastes very similar!

gimbal

As usual, you ladies are so kind.  Thank you so much.  Miller, I truly appreciate all the insight.  Thanks!