What to expect from first Allergist visit

We live in MA too and saw a pediatric allergist at Children's hospital. The doctor was recommended by my pediatrician. The purpose of our visit was to try to find a way to help my DD's intense ezcema. The doctor tested for allergies as a possible trigger for the ezcema. She suggested a few changes to our daily routine and DD's ezcema is significantly better.

The visit may differ according to the age of the child. DD was only 6 months old at the time (last September). The doctor asked many questions about our daily routine, the foods she ate, family medical history... She had a blood test at the end of the first visit and it was terrible for both of us. They wanted to do a skin test as well but DD had Benadryl the night before and she needed to be Benadryl free for five days before they can do the skin test! We went back a few weeks later for that test.

The particular doctor we had was not very informative about the seriousness of PA and the precautions that should be taken. Quite frankly I've learned more on this site than I did from the doctor.

I found out later that the author of "The Peanut Allergy Answer Book" is located in MA on the South Shore and I am considering switching to him.

Hi Jeannine,
our first allergist appt is coming up in May, I tried to get on Dr. Young's calendar, but every time I called up, I got the same answer: He is booking in July and you have to call back because the appt book is not open for July yet. So I called back every week for a month, this goes back 6 weeks. Very frustrating, we would have taken any appt at any time, if I could have only been able to make one. Our pedi then recommended Dr. Twarog at Children's Hospital, and I made an appt for May 9th.

Who did you see ? I would hate to have this be disappointing.
Our pedi has been "okay", but the 1 year cap-rast recheck was an eye-opener, the nurse called us to say that the overall numbers had gone DOWN, when I asked to pick up a copy of the lab report, they had MIS-READ IT!!!!!! the overall number actually went UP from 4.96 KU/L last year to a whopping 25.2 KU/L this year, with no known exposure. That, plus a new asthma diagnosis, made it clear to us we needed a competent allergist.
I'd be interested in knowing who you saw, if you felt comfortable posting it, or emailing me. Thanks!!
Amy

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Neil's Mom

My 3 year old pa/tna/melons/egg allergic son (also with asthma) goes to Dr. Twarog's office in Brookline. We actually see the other doctor (Dr. Moody). I have found that he is very knowledgeable and has been on target with all of my son's diagnoses and treatments. My brother in law has been seeing both doctors for 26 years and has been nothing less than happy with them. Also, Dr. Moody was listed in the Boston Magazine as one of the top doctors for allergies. I think that you will have a very positive experience in May.