We have been sent home with a peanut solution (now safely stored in our fridge). She will receive two doses of this solution every day for the next 7 days. The doses should be given 12 hours apart (with a 3 hour window on either side), she has to be observed for at least an hour after the dose and she can't exercise for 2 hours after (4 hours is even better). I'm a little concerned about the timing because of softball season starting, but I'm sure we will get it figured out.
Our next appointment is Friday, March 23rd. At that appointment, she will get a higher dose and be observed for an hour. If all goes well, we will spend 7 days at the new level.
Some children are able to eat some of the actual food by the second month and a whole serving of peanuts by the fourth month. What a change from reactions on playground equipment & toys!
Thank goodness for iPads, LeapPads, laptops, comfy chairs and tons of snacks! It was a long day in the doctor's office.
I'm SO excited for you and Callie! I really hope this becomes an option closer to Austin soon. Were there age requirements for the treatment?
ReplyDeleteI think the minimum age is 5. The doctors need the child to be able to describe any sort of reaction, because they do not want to cause a full blown reaction.
ReplyDeleteHello, I found my way here from my sister-in-law, Melissa {Beard} Pate. I'm starting from the beginning here, & I'm sure I'll miraculously come across the answer later, but I had a few questions. Our daughter Peyton {5yro} was also diagnosed has severe peanut allergy {almonds,walnuts & we just avoid all treenuts at this point}. Also, Egg {whole egg}, Cow's protein. I was told the more I expose her the more "intense" her reactions would be. She is a level 5 {at least I believe thats what they catagorized it}. How many patients has your allergist successfully desinsitized to peanuts? Are they allergy free for life?
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Melissa! Give her a hug for me.
DeleteAccording to the newsletter from March, 70 patients have completed the peanut desensitization and 22 are currently active. 37 have completed milk, 25 have completed egg, 3 have completed wheat and 1 has completed cashew.
You do have to maintain regular exposure. After you complete the peanut desensitization, you eat 8 peanuts twice daily for first 3 months, then 8 peanuts once daily.
She has "outgrown" the cow's protein {which they said is 95% of the cases} & her egg allergy has drastically reduced because she is able to eat "baked" goods with eggs {supposively this alters the protein or chemical make up the egg & it also is very common for children to "outgrow". Now, peanut is the one {treenuts included} that usually sticks for life. Has your daughter had an acutal anaphalaxis reaction or was she confirmed by blook/skin testing?
ReplyDeleteCalista has had a few reactions (none requiring Epi). She has had numerous skin tests and Dr. Wasserman did a blood test before we started desensitization.
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