Hello everyone!
My daughter, Bethany, is 16 mos old and severely allergic to peanuts. I'm so terrified that I'm going to screw up somehow and she'll be exposed when I'm not prepared. Please tell me how you all deal with this. I pick up her first EpiPen prescription tomorrow (today, it's late). Thank you for any advice and encouragement - I need it.
Shauni Johnson
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Hi Shauni! It is very scary to be told that something you have little control over is so dangerous to your little one. On the positive side there is a multitude of information and support now available. For example it is a very recent thing that you can stay in your own home and turn on your computer and get support and info. from other allergy families all over the world. (Thanks Chris!) How did you come to know of Bethany's allergy? Do you have many friends/relatives living near you? Bethany is at a great age to start a play group of peanut allergic kids. Perhaps you could post something at the doctor's office. I find the more knowledge I obtain regarding peanut allergy the less worried I am. If you are looking for any specific information you can post your questions on this board. This group has a lot of resources! Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Hi Shauni
Welcome aboard. You are right it is scary at first. As Coco has said, it does get easier to deal with , the more info that you get. There is a wealth of info on line.
Take a deep breath and relax a little knowing that you are not alone in this.
Take care and stay safe [img]http://client.banreets.gsp.com/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Hi Shauni: You've probably already been told this - but you should join the Food Allergy Network ([url]http://www.foodallergy.org[/url]). They are a wealth of information. You should send in your dues before you go to bed tonight (really!). Nancy
Hi Shauni,
I know this allergy is very scary!!I also have a 16 month old with a peanut allergy. We found out a couple of months ago. Its getting a little bit easier. We just don't let him eat anywhere. I bring all his food. This has been a great web site to learn things and I would also join the food allergy network like Nancy said. Good luck.
Shauni,
I know how you feel, as we just found out a little over a month ago about our 10 month old son's allergy to peanuts, and as he's never even ingested peanut, I worry about what his reaction might be if he accidentally does one day. I had some pretty tough days there for awhile, and sometimes still do, but at least we know about it a lot more now and are always "on guard".
We just received our epi pens a few weeks ago as well, and I've mentioned somewhere else that I'm terrified of ever having to use them: not because I'll have to poke my son, but because something will happen that I'll have to. What has helped me calm down has been getting as much info. as I can, reading about other people's experiences and thoughts, but taking them with a grain of salt, as was suggested to me in another thread; also the positive and helpful responses from family, friends and people in the service industry. (lots of them have food allergies, too, which I never really thought about) What's working for me lately is e-mailing FAN with questions as well as a local group, talking with other parents dealing with this, and most of all, waking up each morning knowing that even though our son has a tough allergy to live with, he's a superbly healthy specimen in all other respects, and I try VERY hard not to spend the time I have with him feeling like we're too different from everyone else. (do you know what I mean? sometimes that gets to be an overwhelming feeling) I hope it helps to know that you have other new and scared pals out here, too! Take care, and enjoy your little one, even though it's hard not to be afraid.
Welcome! I am also fairly new at all of this. I have found great comfort in using these message boards and I have also joined The Food Allergy Network. Both have been a life saver!
Hi everyone! I have a 16 month old with a peanut and an egg allergy. He had his first reaction a few months ago and it scared me to death. It has helped so much to read all the information here and to know there are so many others dealing with this allergy.
Thanks to all who responded to my post!! I'm beginning to understand the depth of this whole thing and I really appreciate your support and encouragement. We found out Bethany was allergic at 10mos when I offered her a bite of my PB&J sandwich. Her reaction was immediate and serious. Prior to that, I had NO idea that peanuts were so allergenic. We live in a big city (San Diego) so we were lucky to get emergency help very quickly. Also, thanks for the tip about FAN. I'm going to join tonight!!
With gratitude, Shauni
Thanks to all who responded to my post!! I'm beginning to understand the depth of this whole thing and I really appreciate your support and encouragement. We found out Bethany was allergic at 10mos when I offered her a bite of my PB&J sandwich. Her reaction was immediate and serious. Prior to that, I had NO idea that peanuts were so allergenic. We live in a big city (San Diego) so we were lucky to get emergency help very quickly. Also, thanks for the tip about FAN. I'm going to join tonight!!
With gratitude, Shauni