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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

Peanut Challenge

26 replies

MetalMummy · 18/04/2008 12:08

Got a letter from the allergy clinic saying that DS1 has to go for a peanut challenge on the 1st May. We knew that he would have to have one but they told us it would be 5 to 6 months time bcause they have a big waiting list.
In one way I'm pleased because we will know for definite if he's allergic to peanuts or if his postive results have just been because of his allergy to beans, but I'm also quite worried.
What can we expect once we get there? on the letter it said they may put a canula in, is this normal?

OP posts:
Original poster
MetalMummy · 19/04/2008 20:35

bump!

OP posts:
Podmog · 19/04/2008 20:48

Message withdrawn

Original poster
MetalMummy · 20/04/2008 01:09

He is 5. Is there much chance of a delayed reaction with peanuts? (I know there can be with shellfish). We live in Stoke on Trent and have to go to Leicester Royal Infirmary which is at least a 1 and 1/2 hr drive. Just a bit worried about being stuck on the Motorway if he starts to have a reaction, I know it's highly unlikely but I can't help worrying.

OP posts:
wb · 20/04/2008 07:01

Hi MetalMummy,

from what I have read, yes there is a danger of a delayed reaction with peanuts. I think you can react up to 8 hours after exposure (!), but usually a delayed reaction would start a couple of hours later (when the nuts are digested).

I should stress that these reactions are rare - immediate reactions are much much more common.

When ds1 had his challenge to milk, we were kept in for an hour after the challenge - maybe they do something similar w. peanut. I guess 8 hours would be a bit long to wait around tho.

Could you get someone to come with you to the hospital, or collect you afterwards - to set your mind at ease apart from anything else. Other than that have a mobile phone and his meds on you just in case.

And good luck for Monday!

Original poster
MetalMummy · 20/04/2008 09:52

DH will be with us and we always carry his epipen. He's only had it since January and we haven't had to use it thank goodness.
I wish it was Monday that he was going so we could get it over and done with but its not until 1st May so it's nearly 2 weeks away. The one thing I'm not worried about is how DS will cope with it, when he went to the clinic in March he was upset that we were there for less than 2hrs because there were so many things he wanted to do ie. painting, making models, etc etc. When we were there in January we were there for 5 hrs which he thought was fantastic because the playworkers in the clinic are so good.

OP posts:
waycat · 21/04/2008 15:23

Good luck MetalMummy.

My youngest son (12) was diagnosed with nut allergy about three years ago.

Last time we went to the allergy clinic, the doctor broached the subject of a nut challenge with my son but he burst into tears and will in no way consider it at the moment. Maybe when he's older.

I do hope it all goes well for you. I shall be thinking of you and your son.

bethoo · 21/04/2008 15:31

i have never heard of the nut challenge. does everyone recieve a letter about this?

Original poster
MetalMummy · 21/04/2008 20:09

Last time we went to the allergy clinic we were asked if we wanted him to have a peanut challenge. We said yes because he hasn't actually had a reaction to nuts because he's never had them (unless unknowingly in foods). He has however had bad reactions to baked beans and the consultant wants to see whether DS is actually allergic to nuts or if the positive results he has had are because of his allergy to beans, he said because they are both legumes it is possible. The letter we received was telling us the appointment has been made, it's just a lot sooner than we were expecting, they told us it would be 5-6mths because they had a large waiting list.

OP posts:
Berrie · 21/04/2008 20:14

I'm interested to hear that...ds (4) is going for a retest at Leicestershire as his last skin prick test did not show a reaction like before. We were told if it was clear he'd have a peanut challenge and we were given to believe it would be before he started school in September. Can't be with that waiting list though!

Original poster
MetalMummy · 21/04/2008 20:22

It was only March when we went though so it's not been that long. Does your DS see Dr Lluyt then, not sure what I think of him he was a bit abrupt. Kristian, the dietician is lovely though

OP posts:
Berrie · 21/04/2008 21:02

Tee hee yes he is isn't he...Dr Luyt I mean. He was a lot nicer the econd time we saw him!

waycat · 22/04/2008 06:42

My son is also under Dr Luyt. I agree with you both in that he seemed rather abrupt to start with, but I think that's just his manner.

entertainingangel · 23/04/2008 23:32

Hi - can I ask those of you in the know? My dd is 2y 7m - allergic to milk, eggs, recently tolerating soya. When I tried her with the end of a spoon amount of peanut butter, her reaction began in 2 mins, eyes puffed up, all red, became very agitated etc. Breathing rapidly etc. Gave her Piriton and settled after about an hour.
Took her to the consultant, when we eventually got an appt, finally had a RAST test and she is allergic to all nuts, especially hazelnuts. When we asked about an epipen, he said, oh well, her reaction wasn't so severe so you probably don't need one.
Am I right in thinking the 2nd exposure can be more severe? And do you think we should push to see an allergy specialist instead of someone who is not really clued up? Just worried as she starts preschool in Sept & I won't have control over what she eats... thanks...

Original poster
MetalMummy · 24/04/2008 17:50

That doesn't sound right, DS hasn't actually had a reaction to peanuts but because he was positive on both RAST tests and skin prick tests he was given an epipen just in case. Mind you they did say even without the positive results for peanuts he would have been given the epipen because he has had reactions to shellfish.
That does sound like she had quite a bad reaction too, was it the actual consultant who said this or one of the registrars?

OP posts:
wb · 24/04/2008 18:21

entertaining angel - please get a second opinion. Your dd had a reaction that affected her breathing - this is not a minor reaction. Epipens are generally prescribed if a reaction causes breathing problems I believe. If she was exposed again the reaction may be worse - or it may not be - but if she carries an epipen but never needs it, well so much the better.

MeMySonAndI · 27/04/2008 11:35

Entertaining Angel... get another doctor to see her, the reaction was strong enough (and many GPs are not really trained to offer advice about allergies). Keep pushing to see an allergy specialist, and in the mean times carry the piriton with you at ALL times.

waycat · 29/04/2008 15:25

I agree - a second opinion is definitely needed here.

The Epipen is a must. It is perfectly safe to administer, and won't do any harm even if it isn't really needed (ie: just given as a precaution in the event of a mild reaction), as adrenaline is made in the body (which I'm sure you know!). Our allergy consultant and our practise nurse have always said if in doubt, get the Pen out and use it.

My son had a severe reaction while he was away with the school for a week, and although he asked for his Pen the teachers refused to give it to him, preferring instead to bundle him in the back of a car and drive him to hospital. Once there, the consultant told the teacher in no uncertain terms that he did completely the wrong thing in refusing my son's request for his Epi Pen.

Please do see another doctor, angel - you deserve it for you and you daughter.

Oh, and the nurse and consultant also told us that reactions can indeed get worse with each exposure to nuts.

Original poster
MetalMummy · 02/05/2008 13:46

DS had the peanut challenge yesterday and he had no reaction at all
That's one less allergy to worry about

OP posts:
wb · 02/05/2008 14:14

Metalmummy - I am so pleased for you all. Think of all those 'May contain traces of nuts' warnings you can ignore from now on

RoscoPColtrane · 02/05/2008 14:21

Hi, can I ask did he have a positive skin prick reaction to peanuts? my dd had a +ve skin prick and then passed the oral challenge but I've still been very cautious as I had never heard of that happening to anyone else!

Original poster
MetalMummy · 02/05/2008 17:55

He has had a very mild positive RAST test result and 2 positive skin prick results, the first one in January was 4mm and the one in March was 1mm. We will still be cautious but I'm not worried about things that say "May contain traces of nuts".
DS is allergic to beans which is a legume like nuts are so maybe that's why he got the positive result for the peanuts. We do still have an epipen because of his other allergies so we are still prepared if he did suddenly have a reaction to peanuts.

OP posts:
schmoopoo · 02/05/2008 18:40

Is Heidi still in Leicester we saw her

Original poster
MetalMummy · 02/05/2008 19:13

The nurse who did Daniels challenge was called Charlie, she was really good with him. He was really nervous at first because he was on Ward 28 and not at the allergy clinic but he soon settled down.

OP posts:
tatt · 03/05/2008 06:45

glad the challenge worked out well. A wheal of 1 mm isn't normally considered positive for nuts, surprised they said that was positive. Even 4mm is considered borderline see e.g www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cea/2001/00000031/00000001/art00008

If you child tests clear you're supposed to give nuts regularly, but kids can become resenistised by the challenge test so you do need be cautious/ have medication handy the first time.

Sorry won't be around to answer questions as I shall only visit this site when I have something useful to post for those with allergy or intolerance.

RoscoPColtrane · 03/05/2008 13:21

Thanks for that, hers was only about 3/4mm, like you we no longer worry about traces of nuts which definately makes life easier.