We finally have the latest allergy test results. We have good news, and bad news. Which do you want first?
Okay, okay… So this is what we’ve got… Good news first!
WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Because of our son’s multiple severe food allergies our allergists have recommended that we do not introduce any shellfish until he is four. We have never bothered testing for it. So this is good news, great news! My mind is already racing with ideas on recipes that I’ll be attempting and sharing. I can’t wait!!! This kind of news makes all of our son’s tears, while getting his blood drawn, worth it!
Soooooo…the bad news isn’t really all that bad. I’m not going to lie…the milk scares the crap out of me. He’s already had two severe reactions and now the test results are showing he went from a 28 to a 44. sigh. It was high enough that our allergist changed our allergy reaction plan. So now, if we know that he ingested any milk product at all, we are to use the EpiPen immediately. He does not want us to wait for signs of reaction.
At first I thought, no big deal. I won’t have to sit there wondering on whether or not the symptoms are severe enough for the EpiPen. Now, I’ll just use it. Ugh. Now I’ll just use it. deep breath in…deep breath out… Yup, now I’ll just use it. Thinking about it gives me a kind of sick feeling inside.
I hope at some time I can overcome this feeling I get when I think of using the EpiPen again. I highly doubt nurses feel this way when giving vaccines. I know I should be incredibly grateful that there even is an EpiPen to be used to save him. I also realize how incredibly selfish it is of me to be thinking of my feelings about using the EpiPen, when my son could be in a life threatening situation. But like I said, hopefully I can overcome this feeling.
Hmmmm…I wonder…I wonder how parents would act differently if… Let’s say, if your child broke their arm, the only way to fix it would be to snap it back in place yourself immediately. Knowing this information would certainly make you think twice, and fear…it would make you fear the time when you would have to actually do this. So maybe, just maybe my fear of using the EpiPen again isn’t all that selfish. Maybe it’s just human.
Well, writing up this post was definitely therapeutic for me today. I feel better already. Now I’m off to make my grocery list, starting with some coconut and shrimp! 🙂
-Elizabeth 🙂
Jenny says
Glad you got a few positives to help balance out the negatives! We were pretty disappointed at my sons test results when he was 3.5 years old, we hadn't had him tested since he was 10 months. I thought for sure they would have all gone away because he did not have any reactions, eczema was gone and we had him in a strict environment where he couldn't have been exposed…well…everything got worse according to his skin testing at the allergist. His peanuts went to severe. He was tested for various tree nuts which were severe. Milk was moderate. I just don't understand how that can happen…Anyways, we got the pediatrician to test his blood levels for milk and peanut. Milk stayed a 2 and peanut went from a 1.19 to a 20. Have NO idea how that could happen. Anyways, hang in there. There's always hope,right!?!?!?!! Hope the coconut and shrimp tasting go well!
Elizabeth DiBurro says
Hi Jenny! sorry to hear that your sons peanut level went so high. It's a good reminder to us all that just because an allergy test comes back low, doesn't mean that they can't have a severe reaction. Especially with peanut.
As for the skin testing…our new allergist said he doesn't use skin testing anymore because it wasn't accurate. He said that the potency of the allergen they use for testing varies too much. He could get one batch and someone could test at 2 and use a different batch on the same person and get 3. So he now only uses blood testing. Something to think about…
Texan Art Freak says
Beth! I am very happy to hear Ryan's allergies are "better" somewhat…Miss you guys! Thank you for the blog! I still LOVE it:)
Elizabeth DiBurro says
Hi Nat! We miss you too!!! How's Gage doing with his allergies???