peanut allergy - am I doing wrong?

[kels666]

DD has always had a very good appetite and eaten most foods. At the age of one she was diagnosed with a peanut (not other nut) allergy (after consuming peanut butter) And here's the dilemma. Prior to that she had been eating EVERYTHING including foods saying "not suitable for nut allergy sufferers etc. etc...." So as long as the food doesn't contain peanuts, I'm giving it to her. Am I doing wrong? Haven't really had any advice, my GP is useless and refuses to refer me to a dietician. Is anyone else in the same situation?

How old is your dd Chloesmumtoo?

oh by the way Chloesmumtoo, thanks for your advise on my thread also. It all helps.

My dd is now 5 yrs. Has many different allergies to things but not all anaphlactic like the peanuts. Glad to be a help

By the way - good luck for the meeting tomorrow!!

Hi all,
I hope you don't mind me taking advantage of this thread to ask a question as I'm new to nut allergies:

My DS (18 months) has just been diagnosed with peanut allergy through blood tests - 8.71. What grade is that? Is it high?

The docor didn't think he should get an epipen, as the 2 times he came into contact with peanuts, he didn't have serious reactions (she said his reaction was a mild one) and that the chances of him having an anaphylactic shock are very slim. So she gave him tablets inststead of an epipen.
With the result test, do you think I should have an epipen at hand?

Quite confused, and the more I read the more terrified I am...

Thanks

I hope that this helps with the class/grade

kU/L Level of allerg.spec. IgE

Class 0, 100 very high level

Thanks Heartmum2Jamie. I didn't know that. So apparently, DS is considered high... Now, I'm even more worried. The doctor didn't think i needed an epipen, but maybe I do... I think I shall call to get a prescription for it. Thanks.
Are there any of you who have LO who are grade 3 and don't have epipens?

Debliz, it is so confusing when the so called professionals give such different advice

I was told there is no way of knowing how severe another reaction would be - hence we were prescribed epipens. I would definitely go back to GP. What were the tablets, antihistimin? How on earth would you get an 18mth old to take a tablet?

I would try and get referred to a paed. allergist.

Good luck x

Pimmpom, the doc told me that most of the people who she perscribed the epipen to never used it. From what I described DS reactions to be, she thought tablets (dissolved in something) are enough and that there is always time to get to a hospital (we live in Amsterdam where there are many hospitals close to each other).

Are there any of you who have DO who have grade 3 and were also not given epipens?

sorry to add to the confusion but a level that is considered high for one allergen may not be considered too bad for a different one.

If anyone, adult or child, is having an adverse reaction its probably easier to get syrup into them than a tablet. We carry small bottles of antihistamine around with us. A pharmacist can sell you a little bottle and you can pour a few spoons of syrup into it. Just remember to ask for the tops that are not child resistant. You don't want to have to wrestle with the tops when you are worried.

Epipen or not is a difficult issue for babies. Most epipens aren't used to treat a reaction. I have a stash of out of date ones used for practise. But when I did need one it was probably life saving.

50% of those with peanut allergy go on to develop a tree nut allergy according to the consultant we saw most recently. He was a bit of an idiot but the Food Standards Agency says 40% here www.food.gov.uk/science/research/researchinfo/foodcomponentsresearch/allergyresearch/t07programme/t07projectlist/t07001/t07001r

Debliz5, my ds2 is 2.9, was diagnosed a year ago with a peanut/treenut (peanuts, brazil nut, hazelnut, almond & coconut mixture)at grade 3 and we don't have an epipen either, although in all fairness, as far as we know, he has never reacted to nuts and we don't have them in the house. It was a surprise when we found out about his nut allergy as we took him for testing as we knew that he had a dairy & egg allergy. The 2 shocks were nuts & wheat. According to his rast, his numbers would indicate that he is most allergic to egg, then nuts, milk and wheat last, but we get the bigggest headache from his wheat allergy as it causes the most disruption, tummy bloating, tummy ache, lots of yucky stools (needed to be bathed this morning...have no idea what he ate ). In that respect, I agree with Tatt, one child with a level 4 or 5 allergy, may not react at all, where as another person with a level 2 may be the one to go into anaphylaxis.

Like I said, I am not even sure if he really is allergic to nuts, but it is not a chance I am wiling to take. As he has had no known reactions to nuts, the dr's refuse to prescibe an epipen. Not that I agree with this as each exposure to any of his allergens could result in the next one being anaphylactic. Equally, they are unwilling to do a challange for another year, possibly as I told them at his appointment last week that I know that he is still allergic to eggs and wheat. Oh well, I can't complain too much as the strict avoidance was set for 2 years when he was diagnosed, so only another year to go!

Debliz - Hopefully, my DS will never have to use the epipens but it is insurance. I was told that you can never tell if a reaction would lead to anaphylaxis shock.

I just hope the decision not to prescribe epipens is not down to money

Good luck x

Soory to interrupt your conversation but i wonder if someone can help me?? I am lookinf for info for my bubba. I want to know whether dd (6 months old) can now have things like crumpets ???

Would be sp grateful if someone can help me with this matter

xx

Kerrymum, everytime I ask the dr about re doing his RAST (last one a year ago) or challenging for nuts, I get blown off and do feel that this could be down to money. I have only seen the consultant twice and that was while we were seeing him privately, since then,we have had another 2 appointments and each time seen a registrar, who seem more interested in getting a listen to ds's chest than talking about his allergies. I think part of the reason that they haven't prescribed an epipen in our case is that ds also has a heart condition and breathing issues (result of surgery). We are due to have some bloods done later this week, so I may get them to tag on a RAST while we are there.

I agree that havig an epipen would perhaps make me feel more protected, especially when we are out and about, but equally, i would be terribly worried about the effect on his heart, even though he is stable for the time being.

Ds2 was due to start nursery this september, but I made the choice not to send him (am already home educating his brother) for safety reasons and also, they wouldn't take him anyway as he isn't even remotely interested in using a potty or the toilet .

I tell you what I wish (apart from that allergies never exsited), I wish that all PCT's worked to the same guidlines, none of this postcode lottery that seems to rife.

Bit OT, but nurseries/preschools are not allowed to not take kids that aren't potty trained.

I know, I did say that they wouldn't take him anyway . Who can blame them, I can barely stand changing his nappy when he has been exposed to wheat, I really wouldn't expect anyone else to do it!

KerryMum, you are very right, I would not leave him in anaphylaxis becuase of his heart! The thought alone makes me feel ill . Besides, if he went into anaphylactic shock, what would I have to lose right?

I will certainly have a word with the allergist and see where I get. We need to go in later this week for bloods, so I hope to catch him while there.

Hi, Debliz5, My ds has a severe peanut allergy. He is grade 6. The consultant prescribed him a Epipen as soon as the tests came back positive. He had had lots of reactions to lots of different allergen's before being tested for certain things & had a nasty reaction when he was about 3 yrs old after eating some crunchy nut corned flakes, which contained peanuts. It was after this that he was tested & an Epipen prescribed. I pushed to have 2 Eipen's prescribed at a time & i now have 2 for home & 2 for school. They are on re-peat prescription but sometimes i do have to remind them i need 2 or 3 or even 4 if all the dates have ran out at the same time. They were a bit hesitant to start with. I was told by his consulatant that i would probably never have to use the Epipen/s but it is important to have them incase of Anaphylaxis. I did have to use it 2 years ago & if i had not, he may not have been here today, or even brain dead. This was what the paramedics & consultant told me. I believe it really depends on your consultants opinion & views, as to whether you are prescribed a Epipen or not, as i have heard people have been given different advice & info.Some given Epipen's, other's not. Money, may be a reason but i certainly hope it is not the reason why you have not had one prescribed for him. My ds is fortunate enough to have a very good consultant . I think you should most certainly persist with this. I never thought i would have to use his Epipen and did & it saved his life. Good luck!

Oh sorry that message posted is also for you Heartmum2jamie! Good luck.