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I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
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I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
So, as I wrote last week, my 2 year old son was diagnosed with a peanut allergy--along with several other moderate/mild allergies.
Today, I brought my DDs to the pediatrician for flu shots and while I was there I requested my son's blood results so that I could take them to the allergist when I go. So, I'm perusing the results and...drumroll please...
He's got the maximum level of peanut allergy...>100 and a level VI!!!
I guess what I really want to know is how common this is? What's your child's allergy level? Have you actually had to change your life? Because I wasn't planning on it until now (except for carrying the Epi Pen, of course). Do I really need to call ahead to restaurants, etc? He's going to be relegated to the peanut-free table at school his whole life, isn't he?
As I've been saying, "Welcome to 21st century parenting!"
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Posted 1/11/13 3:54 PM  |
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nicknmb
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Member since 1/06 5193 total posts
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MaryBeth
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
DD was diagnosed this past summer at 3.5 with a peanut allergy. While I don't remember her #'s exactly, she was level V, so pretty high up there as well.
I think you will get a very broad range of opinions on this. While I do take my DD's allergy very seriosuly, there were just certain things I was not willing to do.
I do not call restaurants ahead of time or anything like that. But when we go to Ralph's Italian Ices, I have them wash the scoop with soap and water before the scoop DD's ice. I am sure some peanut mom's won't even let their DC's eat Ralph's, but I do. I do not bring my "nut free" cupcake to bday parties. I let her eat whatever it is that they have. Of course, I make sure to "inspect" beforehand, but I don't let it rule our lives. They way I looked at it was that she was fine for 3.5 years with practically anything - except the Snickers that triggered the reaction that brought us to know about her allergy.
I do read labels in the supermarket and pretty much anything that has a label. I let her eat M&M's even though they are made in the same factory as the peanut ones.
I have 9 epi-pens.....yup 9. One in my pocketbook, 1 in the diaper bag, 1 in my car, 1 in DH's car, two at home, 1 at my mom's, 1 at my in laws, and 1 at school. I recently added them to my pocketbook and the cars since I freaked out when I realized that the 1 in the diaper bag didn't cover us when going out since the diaper bag isn't always with us.
I try not to get freaked out. I try to let evyerhing be as normal as it can possibly be. But if I am ever on the fence about letting her have something, I don't give it to her and find an alternative. Hope my rambling helps!!
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| Posted 1/11/13 4:02 PM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Posted by nicknmb
DD was diagnosed this past summer at 3.5 with a peanut allergy. While I don't remember her #'s exactly, she was level V, so pretty high up there as well.
I think you will get a very broad range of opinions on this. While I do take my DD's allergy very seriosuly, there were just certain things I was not willing to do.
I do not call restaurants ahead of time or anything like that. But when we go to Ralph's Italian Ices, I have them wash the scoop with soap and water before the scoop DD's ice. I am sure some peanut mom's won't even let their DC's eat Ralph's, but I do. I do not bring my "nut free" cupcake to bday parties. I let her eat whatever it is that they have. Of course, I make sure to "inspect" beforehand, but I don't let it rule our lives. They way I looked at it was that she was fine for 3.5 years with practically anything - except the Snickers that triggered the reaction that brought us to know about her allergy.
I do read labels in the supermarket and pretty much anything that has a label. I let her eat M&M's even though they are made in the same factory as the peanut ones.
I have 9 epi-pens.....yup 9. One in my pocketbook, 1 in the diaper bag, 1 in my car, 1 in DH's car, two at home, 1 at my mom's, 1 at my in laws, and 1 at school. I recently added them to my pocketbook and the cars since I freaked out when I realized that the 1 in the diaper bag didn't cover us when going out since the diaper bag isn't always with us.
I try not to get freaked out. I try to let evyerhing be as normal as it can possibly be. But if I am ever on the fence about letting her have something, I don't give it to her and find an alternative. Hope my rambling helps!!
Just wanted to say check the appropriate temperature for epi pens. I dont believe you are supposed to leave them in the car
OP-your son has what is considered a life threatening allergy. At first, you will ask at every restaurant. Most do not use peanut oil anymore but always ask. Also be careful with cross contamination. Keep your epi pen on the table. Make sure you have a 2 pack, in some rare instances if you have to deliver it, you may need more than one shot. if you do have to deliver it call 911 immediately. My son is also allergic to nuts. His first reaction was hives, however 2 years later he snuck a piece of halloween candy and vomited profusely and had to go to the ER.
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| Posted 1/11/13 4:56 PM |
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Lillies
Grateful for my babies!
Member since 2/12 4571 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Posted by DRMom
Posted by nicknmb
DD was diagnosed this past summer at 3.5 with a peanut allergy. While I don't remember her #'s exactly, she was level V, so pretty high up there as well.
I think you will get a very broad range of opinions on this. While I do take my DD's allergy very seriosuly, there were just certain things I was not willing to do.
I do not call restaurants ahead of time or anything like that. But when we go to Ralph's Italian Ices, I have them wash the scoop with soap and water before the scoop DD's ice. I am sure some peanut mom's won't even let their DC's eat Ralph's, but I do. I do not bring my "nut free" cupcake to bday parties. I let her eat whatever it is that they have. Of course, I make sure to "inspect" beforehand, but I don't let it rule our lives. They way I looked at it was that she was fine for 3.5 years with practically anything - except the Snickers that triggered the reaction that brought us to know about her allergy.
I do read labels in the supermarket and pretty much anything that has a label. I let her eat M&M's even though they are made in the same factory as the peanut ones.
I have 9 epi-pens.....yup 9. One in my pocketbook, 1 in the diaper bag, 1 in my car, 1 in DH's car, two at home, 1 at my mom's, 1 at my in laws, and 1 at school. I recently added them to my pocketbook and the cars since I freaked out when I realized that the 1 in the diaper bag didn't cover us when going out since the diaper bag isn't always with us.
I try not to get freaked out. I try to let evyerhing be as normal as it can possibly be. But if I am ever on the fence about letting her have something, I don't give it to her and find an alternative. Hope my rambling helps!!
Just wanted to say check the appropriate temperature for epi pens. I dont believe you are supposed to leave them in the car
OP-your son has what is considered a life threatening allergy. At first, you will ask at every restaurant. Most do not use peanut oil anymore but always ask. Also be careful with cross contamination. Keep your epi pen on the table. Make sure you have a 2 pack, in some rare instances if you have to deliver it, you may need more than one shot. if you do have to deliver it call 911 immediately. My son is also allergic to nuts. His first reaction was hives, however 2 years later he snuck a piece of halloween candy and vomited profusely and had to go to the ER.
Good info! DS is egg and shellfish allergic and we carry epi pen and benedryl everywhere. Epi pens are temp sensitive so can't be in an overly hot or cold temp. I always have issues at the beach bc if there are a lot of mussels or clams around, he breaks out in hives and it could get worse so I have to secure the epi pen near cold water bottles but can never freeze it. Always drama for us lol.
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| Posted 1/11/13 6:01 PM |
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mig
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/10 888 total posts
Name:
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Message edited 1/12/2013 4:10:22 PM.
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| Posted 1/12/13 4:09 PM |
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mig
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/10 888 total posts
Name:
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
didnt mean to post here
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| Posted 1/12/13 4:11 PM |
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Donna
1 year already!!
Member since 5/05 3360 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Sorry! Wrong topic
Message edited 1/12/2013 8:29:54 PM.
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| Posted 1/12/13 4:27 PM |
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nicknmb
SISTERS!
Member since 1/06 5193 total posts
Name:
MaryBeth
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Thank you!!!! Didn't know about the epi-pen storage!!!! Just may have helped to save my DD's life!
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| Posted 1/12/13 5:54 PM |
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Lillies
Grateful for my babies!
Member since 2/12 4571 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Posted by Donna
Does anyone have a cake person that delivers to Queens?
Thanks trying to plan my sons birthday
 LOL
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| Posted 1/12/13 8:00 PM |
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Lillies
Grateful for my babies!
Member since 2/12 4571 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Posted by nicknmb
Thank you!!!! Didn't know about the epi-pen storage!!!! Just may have helped to save my DD's life!
Ironically, it was my mom- a nurse- who informed me! Not even our allergist or pharmacist told us.
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| Posted 1/12/13 8:00 PM |
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Donna
1 year already!!
Member since 5/05 3360 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Posted by Lillies
Posted by Donna
Does anyone have a cake person that delivers to Queens?
Thanks trying to plan my sons birthday
LOL
Sorry about that, put in wrong spot!
Sorry about your ds' allergies 
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| Posted 1/12/13 8:32 PM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Thank you, ladies! MaryBeth, that sounds like just how I was planning on handling the situation. But yet, my friend's niece (she's around 10) has the same allergy and they're always in a panic about what foods to buy, where to eat, etc. in fact, the mom is now freaking out on my behalf! I mean, I know we need to be cautious but I don't want to be consumed with it, KWIM?
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| Posted 1/14/13 9:42 AM |
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nicknmb
SISTERS!
Member since 1/06 5193 total posts
Name:
MaryBeth
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Re: I wasn't freaking out, but I'm mildly freaking out now re: food allergy. Can someone please commiserate with me?
Posted by Eireann
Thank you, ladies! MaryBeth, that sounds like just how I was planning on handling the situation. But yet, my friend's niece (she's around 10) has the same allergy and they're always in a panic about what foods to buy, where to eat, etc. in fact, the mom is now freaking out on my behalf! I mean, I know we need to be cautious but I don't want to be consumed with it, KWIM?
Totally agree! Some people may feel that I am too relaxed about it, but I am definitely not "relaxed" - I just choose not to stress. I did totally panic at my sister's baby shower in November though - LOL....it was at a chinese restaurant. DD loves chinese food, but I am of course very cautious about where I let her eat it from. So I brought her a bologna sandwich to the shower. I freaked when I realized that I didn't have the diaper bag (at home with baby sister) which has her epi-pen in it! That's when I refilled her prescription and now carry one in my pocketbook. I thought the cars were a good idea also, but it appears that is not safe. Not sure what to do now about when she goes out alone with DH.
I just try to think logically about it and make the best decision I can. Like I said, if I am ever on the fence, I don't let her eat it. I always carry lollipops & fruit snacks so that I have an alternative.
Are you going to see an allergist? We did and I felt no better after seeing them. I do need to take her back in the spring for a "baseline" reading. I believe they will be taking her blood again and doing a skin test. It isn't really an allergy that she will grow out of, so not sure what good it does to go annually to the allergist.
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| Posted 1/14/13 11:34 AM |
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