Allergist update
We took Trey to the allergist on Tuesday. After talking with us about Trey's history with cow's milk, the doctor gave us his take on where we would go from here. First the skin prick tests, then they would combine that test with a blood test from Trey's upcoming regular checkup to see the severity of the allergy, then most likely bring us back when Trey turns 2 for an exposure test. For this, Trey would drink cow's milk in the doctor's office to see if he has outgrown the allergy. Translation: no projectile vomiting, we're in the clear.
So they do the skin prick test and Trey freaks out. That is until he gets to run up and down the hall during the 15-minute waiting period. (The nurse said we could!) Meanwhile we see 3 wheals forming on his back. One of them grows and grows and grows until it is the size of a quarter.
Fifteen minutes passed, and the nurse takes a look at him and says, "Wow, that one's milk." The big one. In talking with the doctor a little later, they can already tell that the allergy is severe, enough that another blood test is not needed. And they want to delay the exposure test until Trey is 3.
The good news that came out of this is that we're no longer supposed to read labels. We have been avoiding anything that said "contains milk" on the nutrition label. The doctor said to use common sense - if you'd have to read a label to know that a food contains milk, then the milk is in such small quantity or has been processed enough that it would be OK for Trey to have. It actually may be beneficial, introducing his system to small amounts of milk protein at a time. So that's good! We will just continue to avoid things like milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, etc. It's fine - Trey likes soy.
Trey is also allergic to peanuts (one of the other wheals) and that is not likely to go away. Bummer. Basically a Reese's cup, one of God's great gifts to humanity, would be the absolute worst thing Trey could eat. Big bummer. Oh well, lots of parents are dealing with that one, and we will too.
Lastly, the asthma. Trey had not had an attack since September 2007...until last week. I pulled out the old inhaler and it helped him instantly. He did not test positive for general airborne allergens. The doctor said to keep the inhaler handy and keep an eye on him. If the attacks start coming back in force, they want to dig deeper into airborne allergens testing.
Thank you so much for praying for us. Amid all this, we have a healthy, happy, growing boy who brings us so much joy. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
So they do the skin prick test and Trey freaks out. That is until he gets to run up and down the hall during the 15-minute waiting period. (The nurse said we could!) Meanwhile we see 3 wheals forming on his back. One of them grows and grows and grows until it is the size of a quarter.
Fifteen minutes passed, and the nurse takes a look at him and says, "Wow, that one's milk." The big one. In talking with the doctor a little later, they can already tell that the allergy is severe, enough that another blood test is not needed. And they want to delay the exposure test until Trey is 3.
The good news that came out of this is that we're no longer supposed to read labels. We have been avoiding anything that said "contains milk" on the nutrition label. The doctor said to use common sense - if you'd have to read a label to know that a food contains milk, then the milk is in such small quantity or has been processed enough that it would be OK for Trey to have. It actually may be beneficial, introducing his system to small amounts of milk protein at a time. So that's good! We will just continue to avoid things like milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, etc. It's fine - Trey likes soy.
Trey is also allergic to peanuts (one of the other wheals) and that is not likely to go away. Bummer. Basically a Reese's cup, one of God's great gifts to humanity, would be the absolute worst thing Trey could eat. Big bummer. Oh well, lots of parents are dealing with that one, and we will too.
Lastly, the asthma. Trey had not had an attack since September 2007...until last week. I pulled out the old inhaler and it helped him instantly. He did not test positive for general airborne allergens. The doctor said to keep the inhaler handy and keep an eye on him. If the attacks start coming back in force, they want to dig deeper into airborne allergens testing.
Thank you so much for praying for us. Amid all this, we have a healthy, happy, growing boy who brings us so much joy. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Comments
We had to take Kayil to the allergist for an egg allergy...so I can picture little Trey running through the halls for 15 minutes. I walked the halls with Kayil during that time. Praise the Lord, her allergy was not severe at all!!
Maybe the Lord will take these allergies away as he gets older; that would be a blessing and would not be too hard for God. But, if not, then Trey will be fine...and will probably not have as many temptations to choose from in the dairy and candy isles at the grocery store.
Glad that's over though, huh!