Should I request more tests?

Shan - We avoid all nuts and anything that remotely has the word "nut" involved with it.
I am not sure if Spencer was tested for tree nuts and it doesn't matter to me. We assume that all nuts are a danager. We tell everyone ALL NUTS because even if was just "peanuts" we wouldn't want someone else deciding what was safe and not safe.
We do try and explain which soy is ok and which is not because I don't think I have found a single store bought item that doesn't have some sort of soy product in it.
I understand your concern about other allergies. I think that if you are concerned about other things (for example corn) then I would call the allergist back and ask him to do additional testing. Since you are responsible for feeding your child you want to be as safe as possible. I just explained to the allergist (for the second set of testing) that I was afraid that my lack of information was going to hurt my child (because I didn't know all of his food allergies). I told him that I needed his help so that I could properly feed my child with peace of mind.
We are about to start our third round of allergy testing (as a result of last weeks allergic reaction). This time skin test I believe. I think we are doing non-food things like grass, weeds, trees, etc. I will let you know what we find.
Good luck!
------------------
Kelly M
Another Mom in Michigan

Shan, Josh had the RAST test done (in Marietta [img]http://client.ibboards.com/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]) when he was 10 mo old. At that time the results came back allergic to peas, eggs, milk & some others I have since forgotten, and, of course, peanuts were outta sight! Our allergist did not discuss much with me at that time, merely that he showed an allergy to these foods & that we should keep him off of them until he was older & reintroduce them at a later time. We did have a special test done later when he needed a shot that eggs could cause a problem with & it proved negative. It was our family doctor who told me to never let him eat a peanut (she mentioned nothing about peanut butter!) We had him given the skin tests for allergys about 2-years ago because he has so many sinus problems & had two wheezing attacks. This test showed him highly allergic to dogs & dust mites. We have a dog that we've had for years, I just try to give the dog a bath quite often & keep him out of Josh's room entirely. The dust problems are rough. I have all the mattresses sealed in allergy free covers, pillows are covered, I have hepa filters in two bedrooms & hardwood floors. Still, I'm not much of a housekeeper, and the dust is relentless!!! Sometimes, when he is all stuffed up & has the purple circles under his eyes, I get busy dusting & mopping and washing the woodwork. If your daughter has sinus problems, wheezing, rashes, stuff like that, you might want to talk with your allergist about other tests. I plan to talk with our allergist this fall about testing Josh again for more food allergies. I've become real suspicious of green peas, and soy, but I'd like to know for sure.

Kelly M! I have a question please. I have always been convinced my 9yob may have a problem with soy. I didn't know that some soy could be Okay and some not until I read your reply to Shan. Now, I'm really interested!!! Please, could you enlighten me. Thanks!!! SM/ [img]http://client.ibboards.com/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

SM - According to my FAN materials on soy it indicates that most people who are allergic to soy do not have a problem with soybean oil or soy lecithin. I am sure some people have a problem with these two items, however, Spencer does not. Thankgoodness because almost everything has it in them.
------------------
Kelly M
Another Mom in Michigan

Squirrely Mom--Just for your information, dust mites have nothing to do with dust or poor housekeeping. Dust mites are little "bugs" that are shed from the skin of humans and animals and love to dwell in bedding, mattresses, carpets, etc. It is best to wash your child's bedding once a week, keep allergen covers on the pillows and mattress, and, if possible, have hardwood floors.
Christine

I agree that it anyone has ANY suspicions of additional allergies you should request additional testing. My problem lies (again) with the military medical system...I've requested and requested and requested and requested ad infinitum, unless you have a doctor or system that will allow the extra testing it won't do you any good! I've had Charmaigne (3 yrs old) skin tested at 2 (for only a few things including peanut) and CAP RAST tested at 3 (for 5 of the major foods, milk, wheat, eggs, soy, and peanuts) her ped allergist simply says that she doesn't need any more testing done, even though I'd really feel better having them done.
Any suggestions?!
Also, if anyone has any info on testing that we can have done on our own, as I was told that unless the allergist did the testing I'd have to pay for it myself. I have no ideea where to start looking or what the cost is going to be!

Shan, It is possible to be allergic to only peanuts as they are a legume and not related to tree nuts.
As for costs, after the most recent RAST required as my daughter was anaphalatic to an unknown food, we looked at the bill submitted to our insurance co. It was close to $1,000. Luckily our insurance covered it, but I was willing to cover the entire cost if only to keep my daughter out of Emergency Rooms. You might be able to get a perscription to take to a non-military hospital lab (which is where my daughters blood work was done), but I understand not all labs are willing to do food allergy testing and some sets of results are easier to understand. My daughter's blood work waas sent to a lab in Fla. We live in NJ, I wish we could have gone instead of her blood sample.
Good Luck in your decission making.
Mary Lynn

Mariella & Shan: Do NOT ignore your gut suspicions! Doctors are human and make mistakes. Also, Mariella, do not get hung up on the military medical system - pay out of your own pocket if you need to. But for both of you, if you have ANY doubt whatsoever, get a second opinion. My insurance would not cover the allergist, and we just swallowed the cost -- believe me -- it's worth every penny. I realize what these tests cost, but you cannot put a price on safety. Sometimes, Mother (and Dad!) know their kids best. Get a second opinion if you're uncertain or do not have total confidence and, get additional testing from an allergist who specializes in food allergies. Good luck to both of you! Michele

Squirrellymom, how old was your son when your doctor told you never to give him a peanut? The reason for this in babies/toddlers is usually that peanuts are a significant choking risk in young children, not because of of the possibility of allergies.
Marielle, I don't know where you are posted in the military. If you are in a region where there is Tricare, it matters what type of tricare you are, prime or non prime. If you are prime and your primary care provider is outside of the military, you should be able to get that person to request the necessary lab tests from an outside lab for a small co pay. In most cases, your outside doctor can even write a prescription and the military hospital will have to draw the blood and perform the tests. This means there will be no co pay for you. Most allergy testing (blood tests) are not routine and may not be performed on site at the military hospital lab. However, all labs have reference labs and outside labs where they send specimens that need unusual tests. Whatever hospital you are dealing with has a reference lab and can get the testing done. If you are dealing with a military doctor I would persist in getting him/her to order the tests from the military hospital lab. If you or your husband are active duty, there should not be any cost involved.
As for avoiding other nuts, my son is allergic to peanuts only and we do not avoid tree nuts.

MJ, we are TRICARE Prime and dealing with a board certified pediatric allergist at David Grant Med Center in CA. They did do a CAP system w/ FEIA for the peanut, egg, wheat, milk, & soy, a couple months ago at no expense (it was sent to an outside civilian lab). However, I'm concerned about other foods and have asked if they'd do any further testing for my peace of mind and was told that it wasn't necessary. I mentioned strawberries to her and she told me that they have compounds in them that can cause the person to react like an allergy, but people aren't really allergic to them.
I think you can see why I need someplace to start looking for further testing (at my expense since they're convinced that they've discovered all her allergies as her eczema is under control, NOT gone). The expense isn't really a big issue since his parents have offered to pay for anything Charmaigne needs (they already pay for the special foods that we have to buy).
I'm extremely frustrated with the way we've been treated overall! They act like I'm some sort of idiot and don't really know what is going on with my child. Basically, I'm poo-pooed and told that I really don't know anything about allergies and I should leave it her (our doctor). I've even let my husband do the talking (after doing all the research before going to the appointments, I'm also former military, and have an education) since they act like I'm just a stay-at-home mom who really doesn't have a right to ask anything, they treat him a little better, but he laughs when they tell him what I've already told him they'd say.
Sorry...I guess I'm a little sensitive about this subject and needed to vent. Everyone I've talked to absolutely loves the military medical system. So did we, until Charmaigne was born and since then I think we have a big tattoo on our foreheads that says "mess with them...it's fun!"
I'm very grateful for all the advice so far and look forward to whatever else you (or anyone) can tell me! Thanks and I'm NOT giving up (like they want me to)!!
[This message has been edited by Marielle (edited August 10, 1999).]