Dammit! Crappy allergist appt.

[helicase]

About a month ago, C had a pretty severe reaction to cashews (vomiting/hives) which resulted in a trip to the ER and a shot of epinephrine.  We finally got in to see an allergist today and had him tested for a bunch of different things via scratch test.  He's allergic to: cashew, almond, hazelnut, pecan, pistashio and PEANUTS.  His most severe reaction was to peanut (HUGE hive).  He is not allergic to brazil nut, walnut, shrimp or strawberries (two things I wanted tacked on just in case). 

I know scratch tests are notorious for false positives, but the doc said because his reaction to peanuts was so large, it is likely a true positive.  We'll be going back next year for a blood test.  I didn't want to subject him to both the scratch and blood test today, and really, what more can it tell us at this point?  We're going to avoid all tree nuts and peanuts. 

The peanut thing really is throwing me for a loop.  We've given it to him many times, though he's always spit it out.  I thought it was a texture thing, but it must have been making his mouth hurt.  He's never vomited or had hives after a peanut exposure.  I ate a bunch of PB during pregnancy and we exposed him to PB at ~10 months.  He does have eczema, which, in hindsight, is probably due to all of this nut exposure.  Shitty shit shit.

[laurack]

Dammit I'm sorry

[ktstorm]

Oh no I'm sorry.

[honeybee503]

I'm sorry.

[EmmieB1025]

Oh no! I am so sorry. There are several tree nut/peanut allergy moms here if you've got questions.

[Faevantastic]

I'm sorry.

[mcburglar]

I'm sorry. For what it is worth, the eczema is probably not worsened by peanut exposure. They just tend to go hand in hand.

[sandj82110]

I'm sorry, that sucks.

[shmoo]

I'm sorry. I guilted myself sick believing that eating nuts and nursing caused G's eczema when he was young, but every doctor (allergist, pedi, derm) told me it wasn't my fault, it's just kids with nut allergies also tend to have eczema.

[thedahliharpa]

I know you will do a great job managing this but I'm sorry you have to.

[carawestt]

I'm sorry

[lolaburns]

I'm so sorry and am here, along with the other allergy moms, if you need us. L is PN/TN, as well, and negative to similar things - cashew, pistachio and Brazil nut.

You can't blame yourself because it is not your fault. You did everything right. My allergist has echoed the allergists of the other moms- the allergy and eczema tend to go hand in hand and feeding the allergen isn't necessarily causing the eczema. L doesn't have eczema and never did so one thing doesn't cause the other.

Hugs mom. So much love your way. We are here if you need us.

[Beener]

Damn, I'm sorry!

[chirpchirp]

I'm sorry . That is rough news to get.

[shevacc]

I'm so sorry. We're here for you -- be kind to yourself! It really is A LOT to take in, especially thinking about all the ways it affects your and his life. Ask any questions you need and let yourself feel any emotions that come. Big hugs.

[imimahoney]

I'm sorry.

[raynes]

Ugh, I'm sorry. That's such crappy news.

[spaghetticat]

Ugh, I'm sorry. Hugs.

[fusion]

I'm so sorry

[jg183]

I'm so sorry food allergies suck

[badgermom]

I'm so sorry!

[rxbeth]

Crap, I'm sorry you got that news.

[kandrze1]

I'm sorry.

[AndyCohen]

I'm sorry. (((hugs)))

[claralou]

Damn. I'm sorry. But you've got this, mama.

[helicase]

Thanks, everyone. The enormity of it just trips me out. And I'm sad he will have to avoid fun things like Halloween candy and ice cream parlors.

[shevacc]

Oct 5, 2015 22:03:08 GMT -5 helicase said:

Thanks, everyone. The enormity of it just trips me out. And I'm sad he will have to avoid fun things like Halloween candy and ice cream parlors.

It sucks, I'm sorry . Rolos are ok, as are much of the pure sugar candies. Nestle chocolate chips don't have a cross contamination warning. There's other stuff out there that is nut free and it's getting more common as nut allergies unfortunately also get more common.

I'm not sure what we'll do about trick-or-treating this year. We'll probably go, but I'll trade G her candy for some that's safe for her. So many celebrations involve food this time of year. But you'll find your new normal and it will be ok. Hugs, friend.

[jg183]

Like shevacc said it's so tough and the holidays are harder (from Halloween through Christmas)
One thing we learned is how different packing plants have different cross contamination labels- it makes sense but I didn't think of it... Like some chocolate chips and Hershey's kisses say made in factory that processes nuts but others don't it seems around the holidays when they increase production it's more likely!
Also some Halloween size things have different ingredients- it's so weird

It is tough and for me causes a lot of anxiety but you will get better at it and it becomes your new normal. It sucks though

[lolaburns]

Hershey's is really good about allergen labeling for cross contamination/made in warnings. I call and listen to their allergen statement every time just to double check nothing has changed.

I buy chocolate from Vermont nut free and get the Hershey's that is ok for PN/TN.

Enjoy Life foods is a good brand for snacks and chocolate chips.

Pillsbury's chocolate chip cookie dough is safe for PN/TN.

We use SmartyPants gummi vitamins that are safe for nut allergies. Lots of vitamins have cross contamination warnings... It's so weird.

I have two pumpkin pails for L. We go ToTing and when we get to the car I just stealthily switch out his pail for one of safe candy that I prepared.

Everyone has differing comfort levels with ice cream. Some parents consider some soft serve on the list of things they are ok with. I know McDonald's has their peanuts in wrapped packages now. Some ice cream parlors are also willing to go out of their way to accommodate by dipping into a brand new container of ice cream with new gloves and scoop.

Snacksafely.com is an amazing resource.

Oh, and the ViaSkin peanut patch is entering Phase III trials!!! it's coming! mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSnHUGH9Dl5+f4+ONE20151005