Allergy Update

Jeff and I visited Jack's Allergist today for a 3-month checkup after his last round of skin testing. She was pleased with the weight Jack had gained and how healthy and active he looked. We really like her. (Dr. Priyanka Gupta, part of Ratner, Dilley and Associates)

When we last met with her and she reviewed the test results, the intention was to start a round of trials, one food at a time. Maintaining absolute control of his diet (in order to truly isolate one food at a time) the plan was to try each allergen for a few days and then record the results. The idea is that while certain allergens may show up on a test, we might find that those same allergens don't actually cause a physical (gastrointestinal in his case) reaction.

We told her about the wheat trial we had conducted (per her instruction) on June 1st, and shared the disastrous results. We started with the wheat test because he had had prior exposure to wheat, so we needed to know for sure whether that exposure was resulting in the inexplicable recurrent vomiting. If taking it out resulted in no change, we would have had to conclude that something else was wrong (digestion issues, gastro problems, reflux, etc.)

We gave him about 6 pretzels every morning for three days, and all three days he vomited within a few hours. Other than those three days, he had essentially stopped vomiting since his test two months prior. This (oh so enjoyable) wheat trial helped us to conclude that wheat was still definitely off limits.

Because of the results of his trial, (when you're cleaning up vomit out of your Sam's shopping cart, you realize why they call it a trial) and his dramatic improvement over the past 3 months, she stopped any further food trials. She instructed us to continue to eliminate all allergens until he is re-tested in April 2008. We were really hoping to try to introduce milk next, but his milk allergy is even stronger than wheat, so she did not want to try this too early.

She said that this next year or so is his best chance of outgrowing some or (God willing!) all of his allergies. So, while we were a bit disappointed that she did not feel comfortable continuing with the trials, we completely understand, and agree that it is best just to give him time to heal and build his own resistance. We are thankful for answers and so glad that he is as healthy as he is!

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For Mom's documentation sake only (sorry to bore with so many details...):

Pediatric Epicutaneous Test results: Taken 04-27-07

100% Avoidance:
Egg White 22
Soy Bean 18
Milk 17
Pistachio 17
Wheat 13
Mesquite 11
Almond 8
Peanut 7
Pecan 7
Peas 7
Cat Dander 7
Oak 6

Positive results, but just keep an eye on:
Bermuda Grass 7
Chocolate 6
Corn 6
Peaches 6

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On a lighter note, when we were leaving the parking lot of the Medical Center, we had to pull up between two toll booths to pay the parking attendant. They were painted blue, and Jack says, "Mama, are we at Sea World!!??" It was too funny. These kiddos are paying attention to everything!