Do You Think or Hope That Your PA Child Will Be One of the 20% to Outgrow It?

I would absolutely love for my son to outgrow PA. However, just last week I was at the allergist and he didn't want to re-test him. He said that even if he were to test negative, I should still never let him have peanut products. He believes the research in this area is too young and the studies aren't long enough to know whether these people re-develop the allergy or even react later in life. Based on this, I certainly hope my son can outgrow this allergy but it also makes me nervous. If he "outgrew" the allergy, I think I would be a nervous wreck letting him eat whatever peanut products he wanted.

I Dont hold out much hope that Evan will ever outgrow his PA, it is his only food allergy, and the only reaction he has ever had was anaphalactic. In many years, I may wish to have him retested, but for now I am resigned to the fact that he will always be PA.

Shannon, you know, I've never even thought of having Jesse re-tested. I'm sorry to say almost, but I was glad to see that I wasn't the only person who felt the same way as I do. I think we all have good reasons - what our doctors have told us and how our children have reacted.

I'd still like to hear from people that do have hope though.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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[This message has been edited by Cindy Spowart Cook (edited February 11, 2001).]

Cindy,

I have to admit after reading that article I secretely daydreamed that my son was one of the 20%, and to be honest somewhere deep inside maybe I really believe it. Its probably not going to happend given he's a Class 5 but between the article and the hope of this shot it helps me get by.

Ari

I agree with AmyR, even if the tests said he was clear, I just couldn't let him have that Butterfinger. I am putting pretty much all my eggs in the vaccine basket. I know that is years away, but I think that it holds great promise.

I don't hold much hope for my son to outgrow, but I don't feel badly about being realistic. I only know how he is today. Yet I am going back for another RAST anyway (last was two years ago.) Data cannot hurt. Trust me HE will never himself touch a peanut product anyway. At age 8, he is more realistic than me. But to lose some of the fear would be unbelievable. I vote for losing fear and staying abstinent and still going anti-IgE in several years. My eggs are in all the baskets at once.

I still have HOPE!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] This allergy drags me down, keeps me from housework, keeps me from certain family gatherings etc. and it does lots of other negative things. BUT - I am still a happy, strong mommy that hopes to never loose hope! I have faith that God will keep my son safe and whether it be through healing (growing out of it) or through a protective hand, I have hope that he will be OK!! I also have confidence in those things. I am going to become organized with this allergy this week (the stack of messy papers has got to go - I can't live like this!) and I am going to have time to do things with my kids! This allergy is not going to run my life in every aspect. I will always have hope - even if this allergy lasts into adulthood for my son. Who knows?!? Not me, not my doctor (for definate) maybe he will grow out of it. I have no idea what the future holds, I can only hope for the best! Now, time for my regular disclaimer. That being said, yes, I will of course still be careful and I will never let my guard down. But, this will just be another life change, not a life controller! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] I'm feeling good tonight! (singing - I feel good, da na na na na na nt, I knew that I would, da na na na na na nt I feel good, da na...go with it ladies!) [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/cool.gif[/img] So sorry for that interruption, my DH gave me coffee tonight! Take care all! Kim

[This message has been edited by Merri - Kim (edited February 12, 2001).]

Cindy,

I actually do have a lot of hope that my son will outgrow his peanut allergy especially after listening to the talk that was given by Dr. Michael Young (allergist who specializes in PA) a couple of months ago.

In so many words, he stated that if your child has not had an anaphylactic reaction EVER that their chances of outgrowing the peanut allergy are 20%. This to me is excellent news because Ethan has never had this reaction!!!

I don't know anything about the vaccine so I don't feel I can comment on that yet.

However, after many years, if my son did show that he was no longer allergic to peanuts would I give them to him---NO WAY!!! But I don't think that I would have to read the labels anymore--although after doing something like that for years how could you really stop?

Do I believe Stephen will outgrow his allergy?? I don't know, but his allergist seems to think he will. I'm kinda in a mindset that he won't mainly for his safety. I think if I allowed others (aka my family) and possibly myself to believe that he'll outgrow it they won't be as cautious. I don't know if that makes any sense or not.
Jami

blackmoss - your family needs to know that if there's to be ANY hope of outgrowing the allergy, Stephen must not have ANY reactions, or contact with items that may cause a reaction.

This should make them even MORE cautious (I hope!) - his future is in their hands. Do they want it to be a dangerous future, complete with the landmine food allergies? Or are they willing to be careful now, to perhaps give him a more carefree future?

Cindy - since Cayley has kind of outgrown her milk allergy, we may have hope, but realistically, my DH has more hope than I do that she'll outgrow it. Perhaps I'll be more optimistic after her next allergist appointment in 18 months, if we see the now mild milk allergy completely gone (now she's still a 1+).

Having said that I don't have much hope, I can see myself being completely devasted by a still-severe positive peanut test, if I got my hopes up even a little bit, so I'm not even going to go the hopeful side. I think it would be like going through the initial PA diagnosis all over again - newly scary and newly devastating.

I am a very optimistic person, but I am also realistic when it comes to my son's allergy. When he had his cap rast test done when he turned 3, he was still a level 5 even though it had been a year and a half since his anaphylactic reaction (from my understanding, the longer you've been reaction-free, the lower your levels should be). So even after a year and a half, his levels were still very high. Needless to say, I really do not think my son will outgrow it given the fact that he's had two ingestion reactions (the 2nd being anaphylactic), he's very sensitive to peanut residue and he has not had any other food allergies that he has outgrown.

On the other hand, I think the parents on here that have children who have never had an actual peanut reaction and have low levels should be very hopeful. It sounds to me like they would fit the description for the 20% that could possibly outgrow it.

But I guess God sometimes works in mysterious ways and you should always have hope! Take care, Deanna

Of course I would love to watch Christopher relax and be able to enjoy any food that he chose to eat. To watch a boy of his age have to check with parents and friends before goint to there house is frustrating for him and scarry as well. I get tears whenever I watch him reading ingredients that i have read for 14 years over again,because he is worried I missed something. However when I talk to him he assures me that he would never be able to put nuts of any sort to his mouth because he would have such a doubt in the back of his head of fear. The doctors have told us his reactions are to strong to even dicuss getting over. But there is always hope. I think if it did happen I would cry so uncontrolably in happiness for him. I fear the day he chooses a wife that she will not love him enough to protect him. I love him so much that there are millions of emotions all the time. I am noticing my husband is finally getting emotional and he has been my hero in this situation. I think it is getting to a point where christopher is bonding up to him and going through the dad is great thing. Boys get to a point where only dad will understand and he talks to him a lot. Sorry cindy I am getting off the point. It is just such an emotional thing with these little darlings. claire

Claire, you can never get off topic or off the point when you're being emotional about Christopher being PA. It is okay. We're all here to listen to you and support you and your son. Don't worry about getting slightly off topic (and I don't even really see how you did!).

Big hugs to you to-day, dear woman, and best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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emom, interesting point about the allergist saying that those who have not had a reaction have a better chance of outgrowing it.
I'd like to believe that, because to date, my daughter has yet to have a reaction except for the first time she had some hardly noticeable white and red dots around her mouth after eating a walnut a year and a half ago.

Sometimes i almost dont even believe she even is pa since shes never had a reaction (but thats wishful thinking and probably because we have been so careful).

It would be nice to have her outgrow it of course, and even though she wouldnt eat any nuts, it would make things easier especially with trace amounts. She could probably have a donut or regular ice cream etc. like she used to!

Also, i think its important to have them tested every few years, to see if anything has changed, such as types of nuts or severity.

I just hope my son will outgrow his PA. Although, my main hope is with the new vaccine that is being developed.
My son has a few positive signs that my indicate he will someday out grow this allergy, such as, no asthma, only has allergy to peanuts, no anaphylactic reactions. Even if he did outgrow his allergy, I would still treat peanuts as poison, out of fear that the allergy would return.

This is a little off the subject, but has anyone been to see Dr. Wood who did this study. I was thinking of making an appt with him. When I tried to get Ben RAST tested last summer, the doc at Children's told me that the only lab he trusted was the Johns Hopkins lab. Because of insurance (even though I was willing to pay for the test myself) I had problems getting Children's to send the test to Hopkins, so I never got it done. Dr. Wood is at Hopkins and seems to be the leader in PA in the mid-Atlantic area. Since I am really unsure about whether Ben is truly PA, I have thought about going to see him (even before I heard about the study) and was wondering if anyone has seen him and what he's like.

momof3 I wonder and hope if my 5 year old son will or already has outgrown his peanut allergy. His allergy was discovered at 18 months and on his second exposure to a very small amount of peanut butter had a fairly severe reaction. Two years later we had the skin test done. (+4) I cannot decide whether it is reasonable to hope that he will outgrow it when his allergy is so severe, but in all this time we have never had a second reaction. We have tried hard to educate ourselves and others-have we truly never exposed him to peanuts in all this time through a combination of luck and hard work? Sometimes I feel that after all this time without a reaction I become complacent and less careful. Does anyone else have this experience? Are my hopes that he has outgrown it unreasonable?

Momof3 I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. In fact, if I were in your shoes I would have a blood test done ASAP. Apparently there is a relationship between the child's IGA-PA level and the likelihood that he or she will outgrow the allergy. It sounds to me like your son is an excellent candidate for potentially outgrowing his PA. As you say: he may have outgrown it already.

I am probably crazy, but I am feeling a little hopeful myself! Leah did have an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts when she was almost five, about 16 months ago. She had severe vomiting from ingesting walnuts almost 3 years ago, when she was 3 1/2. I am a little more optimistic about the walnuts, in some ways, even though the study wasn't regarding tree nuts. Leah doesn't have asthma, and she did outgrow a severe milk allergy and a mild egg allergy. Maybe there is hope. I plan to talk with our allergist soon about having Leah RAST tested.

Good luck to everyone! Miriam

Guess it is too late for me to outgrow my allergy as I am over 60. LOL

I think that if I were the parent of a PA child, I would never even hope about a cure. I think at some point, this allergy must be totally accepted as life-long and part of what makes each person special. The thought of outgrowing it might give your kids hope that life could change, and it looks as though over 80% would be disappointed.

Mothers, your child's allergy can be a gift. Think of how much more understanding you are now, and how understanding your child will be, about others who are different. In my lifetime, understanding about "my disability" (which I do not consider a disability) has made me much more able to deal with my clients and co-workers. Possibly, it led me to the types of positions I held because of my affinity for helping people.

Your children's lives will be normal for them. So if your child re-reads a label, don't fret. I do the same thing, and my husband reads everything when he shops. When your children are adults, they won't need someone to protect them, and they won't marry someone who exposes them to danger.

Those of us with PA just learn that it is part of us. The other night I won this huge basket full of gourmet foods, almost all of which had nuts or nut warnings. I packed it all back up and am donating it to my service club for our fundraiser. Then I had popcorn. In the long run, it is no big deal to me, and it won't be for your kids either.

My son has been under Dr. Wood's care for about four years now. He has undergone nine food challenges at Hopkins - eight under Dr. Wood's supervision. He doesn't actually feed your child - his assistant does. We have mainly interacted with her during the challenge. She is very nice. They have videos to watch, games to play, and even an older Nintendo game. I have always felt very secure with my son under their care. Dr. Wood is very nice as well. He is very easy to talk to and never rushes me through my endless questions. I would highly recommend him!

I think it's safe to say that everyone here HOPES their child will outgrow PA, I know I do. I hope he outgrows it, but I am not counting on it. To tell the truth I don't even consider him "in the running" for outgrowing it as he has several other food allergies (only one other I would consider SEVERE, but still...), and has had an anaphylactic reaction to the peanuts. I don't count on him outgrowing it, by any means, but yes, I do HOPE he does. But, like so many others have said...even if he were to 'outgrow' it on paper, I don't think I would have the guts to give him a pb+j for lunch!!

Woozermom, great words. I completly agree. My son is not different he is a gift to us. I have a friend with a brain tumor and that is different and horrible to deal with. I have hope they will find a cure for the tumor. She has a 7 year old child that could be without her someday and I pray for her cure every night. My other friend from high school just had his brain tumor operated on and they have given him an extra 11 months to live. Maybe he will be blessed with 11 years. He also has 2 children and one is my sons age and the other is my daughters age. May they get the chance to enjoy their dad. I can handle the peanut allergy as long as I never have to face the lives of those two people. Good luck to all claire

I, too, hope and pray that my PA child will outgrow this allergy....but I have only been dealing with this allergy (and several other food allergies) since last October. It has been extremely stressful, because we had to learn very quickly and head straight into the nut-filled holidays. In that time, he has developed asthma, has had frequent outbreaks of eczema, and breaks out facial to something almost everyday.

My older son's teacher approached me yesterday (as others have already) to happily tell me that LOTS of kids outgrow their peanut allergy! I find this news very encouraging, but I'm still having a hard time getting others to take this allergy SERIOUSLY, or to understand how frightening it can be, how you have to be aware and prepared at any moment to handle an emergency, to know that your life and the life of your child can change in an instant. I sometimes feel that for those who are having a hard time "GETTING IT", news like this just makes it easier to be more casual about peanut allergy and it's implications.
Does anyone else feel this way?

I am trying to be optimistic and hope for the best, but I owe it to my child to be REALISTIC, and prepare for what may be a life-long severe allergy. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Mouse, thank you. Maybe I'll make an appt for the spring or summer. I dread taking him to an allergist again because he HATES the scratch test and blood tests, but I'd really like to try to find out if he's really allergic. I'll still have walnuts to deal with, but if I could get peanuts off the list, that would be nice. I also suspect he is slightly allergic to corn, bananas and cantelope, but who knows.

Cindy, I hope and pray Nick out grows his peanut allergy. I don't know if I would let him have peanut products or not. I guess I'd cross that bridge if it ever comes up. Kim

I would like to think Adam may outgrow his allergy. He was exposed to a "trace" at age 10 months, and has had no exposures since, and he is now 5 years and 3 months. However, he was skin tested last September with a very positive result...

I am far more optimistic with his brother. He has had no exposures, one positive skin test and one negative. He has an allergist appointment in May to decide if we procede with an oral challenge.

My son had his first reaction at 11mths of age. I'm not sure if it would be classified as anaphylactic. He broke out in hives over his entire body so he looked severely sunburnt and needed an adrenaline shot once we got to the doctors. He has never had a major reaction since and actually ate a small reeses when he was around 3. I gave him benedryl and waited at the doctors for hours -nothing happened. He than had his second scratch test which was positive. I made another appointment when he began kindergarten. The scratch test was NEGATIVE!!!! He had the blood test which also came back NEGATIVE!!! Now the hard part, We took him for the oral test . He hid under his chair when the time actually came to taste the peanut butter. Now I wait . Until he's ready I still treat him as allergic. I'll post results as soon as that day comes.

hello, yes l do hope my son will be that 20%, he has never yet needed his epi-pens,although l have found each of his reations to other foods seem to bring out new and alarming symptoms. if peanut allergy is life long but lessons in its reactions l think thats the best all of us can hope for.
one day when he is an adult if all the reactions, although unpleasant are v & d, or a few (just a few!) hives that would be a happy result. l have heard that of all allergys peanut is the one that is least predictable. (am l right in that?)
his exposure to peanut have only been twice,and for a long time because the first exposure was just touch,and he was on piriton twice daily , his reaction was mild so we didnt worry too much. l was more concerned about the egg which was far more dramatic and looking back l should have taken him to hospital,but thats easy to say in hindsight isnt it!
The kiwi fruit caused the swelling as well as v@d hives , weakness etc, but luckly this too responded to piriton after a nerve shattering hand over epi-pen/phone time.
I worry about the foods we have been to cowardly to try, and if he does no matter what age he is, what will be the reaction will a new food out there finally catch him?
our next appointment with our allergist is next april , and my list of questions is growing. sorry to waffle , simple reply to simple question YES!!!!, l do hope we are the magic 20%, well lve got my fingers crossed.
bye on a beautiful sunny day , sarah

Yes!! I hope and pray that my son will outgrow his PA one day! I consider myself realistic, the odds are against us, BUT, I have faith.

Neither my husband or me have food allergies (only seasonal allergies, and slight exzema), and I am trying my hardest to not expose my son to any peanut products or anything coming in contact with peanut products.

I'm very optimistic that my son will outgrow this allergy even though his Dr. was NOT optimistic. He told us to prepare for him to be allergic for the rest of his life and told us that "ONLY 20% outgrow it". When he told me that - I was actually relieved to know that he has 20% because before that I thought that he had a slim to none chance of outgrowing it. One out of 5 odds are pretty good I think!!
My son has never had an anaphylactic reaction to nuts though. He had worse reactions (hives all over his body) to eggs when he was younger and outgrew that allergy about a year ago (he's 5 1/2). It wasn't until this past week though that I actually gave him scrambled eggs for the first time. He ate things with eggs in them with no problems...but for some reason I just didn't want to rush the whole eggs.

I on occasion have hoped my daughter will out grow the allergy. I however really don't think that will ever happen. I am thankful that I am aware of her allergy and feel that she is teaching me alot with this problem. I have become a much stronger person and more outspoken than ever. I have never told her she may outgrow it, I am only teaching that it is a life long, life threatening allergy. There are so many other things that could be wrong, I am thankful hers is allergies. That is why I have never considered not having more children. I have my 5 1/2 year old with the allergy, another would be no problem, it hasnt' happened so far, but if it does, it does. It has restricted alot of things, but nothing that really meant anything. My daughter has given me so much happiness already, her allergy is just part of life. I don't think I could stop being involved with the allergy even if she somehow stopped being allergic.
Currently I am applying for Social Security Disability in the state of Florida. Since her allergy is a disablility and fits the description of disability I am curious to see what happens. It is a very long process, but I will keep all updated. This would help with medical bills, prescriptions for Epi-pens, and give her a cash payment each month. Which all would help, since alot of food I can't buy and have to buy name brands alot of times to feel good about the foods she eats.

Another angle to this topic...
A friend's son did outgrow his PA. He has eaten mutiple peanut products, including p-butter etc..., over the last two years but he does not care for them. He no longer reacts, they are just not a taste he finds pleasent - as the majority of the world consider the peanut taste to be.

Even if they did outgrow the allergy I would guess that many of the kids that have been raised around our caution and warnings will not go running off to have a Nut buddy candy bar.

Not real protection there, I know, and no advice for little kids.

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Chicago, your post was very interesting. I have a little twist on it. I have HATED pb since I was a child. I have NEVER eaten a Reese's pb chocolate product. I did eat honey roasted peanuts, but that's about it.
It's odd that since I really didn't require peanuts as part of my life EVER, that I should end up with a child with PA. I guess it has made it easier on me than some people who do actually enjoy the taste, etc. I never did.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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just helping karalot on her MISSION!!

Even though raised by a veteran/old-timer, I think it's relevant to current discussion and some other people *might* like to add to this thread.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk up to heaven and bring you back home with me.

CSC, I found this thread very interesting. What I'd be curious to know, being 5 years later, is what some of those original posters think now. It also made me wonder how Sarah is doing. She hasn't been around as of late.

It is funny too, I wonder if certain subject matter is cyclic? You know, relatable due to the age of the child, and what parents naturally go through at the differents stages of FA's, with respect to when you find out, how supported one is, schooling and the length of time managing.

I dont know if I answered it before.

Do I think.. 20%? No.
Do I hope? Actually... Honestly? No. We've lived PN free for awhile now (household), so it's just 'second nature'

If I had to choose to outgrow ALL other allergies and keep PA? You bet I would...

I dont have those 'wishes' though [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

Jason

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[b]* Obsessed * [/b]

I definately hope my ds will outgrow the allergy. I hate it and hope everyday that he already has and we just dont know it yet. He is 3 1/2 has has not been tested since he was 15 months old. His dr. wants to wait till he is 4. I just pray and cross my fingers. That being said.. if he hasnt we will deal with it.

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Lalow
James 4 yrs, NKA
Ben 3 yrs, PA and MA and SA

There are sooooooooooooo many other "hopes" I have for my children. It's not at the top of the list.

Besides, how would I know my child would have "outgrown" it?

I've actually just assumed she would grow out of it, even though I know the chances are statistically small. I've also read that children in the 'magical' 20% are less likely to have had excema, asthma or anaphalaxis. My daughter has had none of those. She's never been exposed to peanuts except through the actual test.

When I think about the possibility of her not outgrowing it, I like I've been punched in the stomach! I guess since we found out through the test and she's never reacted otherwise that I still question whether or not it was a false positive (a small bump classified as 'borderline' though I'm not sure that's possible). Since she is just 2, I haven't had to deal with schools and the like and the thought of doing that terrifies me! I try not to think about it - I'll cross that bridge if I get to it!

She'll be retested this summer (12 months after the diagnosis) so we'll see...

"There are sooooooooooooo many other "hopes" I have for my children. It's not at the top of the list"

If you put it that way I guess it isnt at the top of my list either... I mean if I had to have just one hope or even 2, 3, 4 I dont think it would make it. But if I am allowed to have lots it deffinately comes in the top dozen. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Lalow
James 4 yrs, NKA
Ben 3 yrs, PA and MA and SA

Quote:Originally posted by lalow:
[b]
If you put it that way I guess it isnt at the top of my list either... I mean if I had to have just one hope or even 2, 3, 4 I dont think it would make it. But if I am allowed to have lots it deffinately comes in the top dozen. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

[/b]

see, that's just it, in general, the one's near the top command my attention. The only time I even *think* of "outgrowing" is in the context of questions such as these. I mean, it's not even a priority. Don't think there's anything I can do about it anyway. In my situation. Individual Mileage May Vary. So I devote my time, energy, and [i]hope[/i] to things that my cubs [i]lives[/i] *truly* depend on. And that's difficult to explain, except to someone in my shoes. But hey, that's just me. KWIM?

Quote:Originally posted by MommaBear:
So I devote my time, energy, and [i]hope[/i] to things that my cubs [i]lives[/i] *truly* depend on. And that's difficult to explain, except to someone in my shoes. But hey, that's just me. KWIM?

You must be wearing size 9. I feel the same way...

Jason

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[b]* Obsessed * [/b]

[This message has been edited by jtolpin (edited June 04, 2006).]

gvmom, I think your post *might* have hit the nail on the head in a great many ways. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Someone I did look through to see if they had posted originally was rilira. I'll contact rilira later and get her to check what I've posted here about "her story" to make sure it is factual.

But when I was first a member here, and even later, when someone needed help with a 504 Plan, rilira was considered one of *the* experts. When I wanted to write up a written school plan for my son (we don't have 504 Plans in Canada), rilira's was one of the 504 Plans I was referring to.

What I'm trying to say is that rilira was EXTREMELY pro-active here helping other members and also helping herself on the journey.

What a thrill to find out, what, last year, that her daughter had outgrown her allergy at a later age (say the same age as my guy)?

In the list of names that did post an answer when the ? was originally raised, I can't see anyone still posting (but that doesn't mean anything). I still am.

My answer is the same. Since that time, my son has had another anaphylactic reaction and three reactions that weren't anaphylactic but hive only (and very minimal hive but also to very minimal exposure).

I know that elsewhere on the board, but can't remember the exact wording to do a search, I did raise the ? if some of us didn't have the hope because of our {perceived} perception of our child's severity.

I figure I basically blew it out of the water for Jesse and I have to live with that.

Would he have not had an anaphylactic reaction if I had PA.com in my life when he had his first one? I don't know. The second and the third? Well, PA.com was in my life by the time he had his third and yet, jeez, it still happened.

So, my answer is still the same and it's what, five years later? But that just for me and my son and given his reaction history.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk up to heaven and bring you back home with me.

Hope? Yes, I still do. A little.

Think so? No. Definitely no. He is 12 years old, is allergic to all tree nuts in addition to peanuts (I've read that they have a better chance of outgrowing if only allergic to one nut), and despite careful avoidance and a tight comfort zone, his #'s keep going up.

I hate the idea of giving up all hope, but I guess I pretty much have. (We need a "shrugging" smilie here!)

Amy

I pray constantly for him to outgrow his allergies. Miles allergist is hopeful, as he is very young and his RAST test numbers were all under 50 (all under 4, and peanuts were 1.8) and he's never had an exposure to nuts (aside from the spt).

My husband refuses to believe he will be allergic when he reaches school age.

hmmmmm
Well i think I hoped when he was younger, although he is only 8. I mean when he had that first reaction and rast test his was a class 2 for peanuts and class 0 for tree nuts. When he was tested when he was 5 I did hope that he wasnt but he turned up a class 4 for peanuts and a class 2 for treenuts. And we avoided all nuts since test 1.
Now he has asthma and is allergic to alot of enviromental stuff. I guess I don't think he will outgrow it but of course I hope he does just don't think about him doing that. I really hope he outgrows the enviromental ones or at least doesnt react that bad to them. On a day to day basis he suffers from them alot more then then pa or ta, kwim?

Ok I just want to be clear, If tinkerbell came in my house now and said which allergy would you want takedn away from your son it would be the Pa and Ta hands down .

Quote:Originally posted by patsmommy:
[b] If tinkerbell came in my house [/b]

this is about my cubs chances. I mean, 20 percent of "all" isn't my cubs chances. I never even had to contemplate his exposures. I mean, from the [i]get go[/i], (infancy folks), his predisposition, objective lab findings, and genetics had him from "hello". KWIM? "20%" doesn't apply in my cubs case. [i]It's irrelevant.[/i]

It's a [i]non-issue[/i]. Hey, but I could be wrong in how I figure. My perspective, I mean..........but my cub in the other "80%". Math, folks, I mean. I did it. He's in the 80%. And I never even gave [i]exposure[/i] a second thought when figuring that. Not that I'm even sure that's exposure has much to do with it. My cubs instance. [i]Written in stone[/i], I mean. Who knows?

That said, I like that [i]he has a life[/i]. Worth living, I mean.......

And ya know what? After this post, I won't be thinking about it. I tend not to give it thought until I come across these types of things. It's just not how I measure "happiness". Quality of Life. Worth living. KWIM?

~absolutely no advice intended or given, just personally, individually, bad mommy, reckless, homici........oh, you know. I'm an [i]idiot[/i]. And a [i]veteran[/i] of pa. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img] And a few other things. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by MommaBear (edited June 05, 2006).]

Let's just say that I'm not going to hold my breath. He's a very atopic kid.

From day 1 we've treated his peanut, tree nut and shellfish allergies as lifelong.

That said, his RAST numbers for peanuts has dropped some... from class 6 to 4.

I have hope that his allergy may become less severe with time, but completely outgrow it? No.

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Cheryl, mom to Jason (8 MFA including peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish and egg)
Joey (6 NKA)
Allison (3 MFA including milk, butternut squash, several fruits and suspected shellfish allergies, avoiding tree nuts, RAST - for peanut)
Ryan (born 12/27/05) nka *knock on wood*