New here and unhappy about doctor

Welcome Michelle!

Sorry to hear of your trouble with your children's MD.

There's no reason to wait until she is 4. She is certainly old enough to be tested now. You should be equipped with an epipen and proper dose of Benadryl. Do you need a referral to go to an allergist? If not, by all means go ahead and take her. If you want any accomodations when she goes to day care or preschool, the documentation will come in handy.

I received the same advice about "avoiding peanuts". Did your MD tell you anything about label reading, etc.? Please take the time to read the various forums on this board. There's lots of great information here and if anything is unclear, do ask. To start with, be sure to avoid "may contain", scooped ice cream and bakery items which are among the highest risk foods.

Again, welcome.

Amy

[This message has been edited by Going Nuts (edited January 23, 2004).]

I can not believe the answer you were given by your "Educated" Doctor! My son now 17 was given testing at 1 year old. He Was severely allergic and we knew it before the testing but wanted everything in fine print. The Dr. was excellent and spent a lot of time with us. I remember the day so clearly because it was such an emotional day.
I think you need to go to another doctor. Don't give up until someone listens to you. I learned so much the day I had him tested,
#1. thing I learned was that I am in charge of my childs life at that age.
#2. Speak up and get the answers you need.
#3. I Don't need friends that don't get it because they are not friends. My baby is my only concern.
I say go with all the testing you can get. MY son did have a reaction at the testing but they were very much prepared for that.
Now he only gets a blood test because of the severity of his allergy.
Let us know what you decide to do and how it comes out. Take care claire

I basically got the same response from my ped when my (then) 10 month old son had a reaction to eggs:
"You know what that means, dont you?"
"Yep, no eggs and nothing with eggs in it".
"Yep, and that's harder than you think".
That was it, except he told me to give him Benadryl for about 4 days.
So, a few days later after the shock of the reaction wore off (absolutely no allergy istory in my family, only 1 person in DH's family), I realized it might be more than eggs. So I called the ped and had him referred to a ped allergist, who gave him the skin prick test a week before he was 1 yr old. From that we learned he's allergic to eggs and peanuts. That's where I got the Rx for the Epi-Pen and what info I got. It kinda irritated me that the ped didnt mention (1) a referral to an allergist and (2) an Epi-Pen. DS's reactions have only been hives on the face and chest, but you never know.
Maybe he thought you'd be before off by waiting until your child is 4 to be tested, as I think the results are "supposed to be" more accurate, though 3 years is a long time to chance a reaction to something. The ped allergist wouldnt test DS when we were there, only saying "we'll dont a blood test oh him next year to see how sensitive he is".
If you cant insist on a referral, I'd change peds if at all possible. I'd also take the results of the test back to the ped and "rub it in his face".

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. My real concern is that I was given no real information about reading labels, what to do if she has another reaction, no written documentation that she is allergic. I've got family members who don't see the seriousness of PA and would really like to be able to give them some information and some "proof" that they really need to be concerned about this when she is at their house. I have to wait until monday now to do anything further and I'm just so emotional about all this, probably because it is new to us.

It seems to me your doctor should have been more concerned about the reaction then he was and in my opinion I think it would be a good idea for you to see an allergist with them. If you need a referral I would ask for one. These are your children and there is no one who knows them better or loves them as much as you do and would do anything to keep them safe.
Seems to me that the eczema on both children would indicate allergies. I wish my pediatrician would have suggested an allergist when my DD who is now 4 yrs.old, had eczema as a young infant. We would possibly have known enough to avoid the severe, near fatal anaphylatic reaction she had to nuts this past December. Now we know she has a life-threatening reaction to all tree nuts and peanuts, and we carry Benadryl and Epipens, Jr. where ever we go. It would seem that you too should have been given epipens and the dosage for Benadryl when you were in the office, there is a definte concern for your children if you were not advised by your doctor properly. Your heart should tell you what you need to do.
You have my best wishes. {{HUGS}}

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Alicia, mom to:
Edward-20 years-non PA
Cody-8 years-non PA
Shaylyn-4 years-PA/TNA,Asthma

Hi and Welcome! You should definitely see a ped. allergist. My ds got tested through bloodwork at 13 months. His first reaction was similar to your dd's reaction (hives, slight swelling). His next reaction was 100x worse (anaphylaxis). Don't want to scare you, but reactions a lot of times get worse every time. Please see a new doc ASAP. Having Epi-pens is essential, and may save your child's life someday. Hope you find lots of info here to help you keep your dd safe!

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Tina
Trevor 8/6/01
Harmony 1/22/03
Baby #3 due June 24, 2004!

Hi Michelle,
My son was 18 months when I found out he was allergic to Peanuts. There are some pediactric allergists, and they will give your children a pediatric allergy test. It tests just 25 different allergens, instead of the 56 adults get. Also, if you do get into an allergist, have a list of food you may think your children are allergic to. My doctor tested my kids for them. I have one allergic to Peanuts, the other allergic to Eggs, Chicken and Wheat!! Just have a list. Good luck.