Post-peanut challenge gloom

[whenwillisleepagain]

I don't often post on here because life usually chugs along fine - DS will be 6 next month, has various allergies including some foods and well-controlled asthma and eczema. Today he went to St Thomas' for peanut challenge - having been discovered to be allergic at 5 months when we tried enrol him for LEAP. I had gone from pessimism to having high hopes of today - but he reacted to the smallest amount of peanut that they give in a muffin - haven't seen this in RL before but it was unnerving. A great relief that all the staff were so kind and efficient in a non-fussy way, and on the strength of the skin prick tests we had on arrival, it was agreed to put a canula (sp) into DS' hand - and v soon after he had eaten the challenge food, he so clearly was not himself that he had IV steroids and anthistamine, inhaler, oxygen. All a sobering reminder that we have to be vigilant forever, probably.

My other slight gloom is that sesame ,having been off the allergic list, is back on.

Anyway, just posting here because I know there are many of you who completely get what this is like and I know we are lucky because despite having a slightly restricted diet - eggs , peanuts, treenuts and fish are off the menu, actually it's all we've ever known and it's fine, and DS is well.

So just having a brief 'moment' in a safe place. Thanks.

[eragon]

we have experienced the outgrowing of one allergy and its dramatic return.
its horrible having hopes dashed, when they are raised for nothing.

food challenges are very emotional times.

[freefrommum]

I feel for you totally. We had a bad wheat challenge and it is not a nice experience - very distressing for all concerned (including the nurse who couldn't stop apologising like it was all her fault!). The only positive for me was that it was the only time I've seen him have an anaphlyactic reaction and while it was horrible to watch, at least I know what to look for as I had always wondered whether or not I'd know when to use the epi-pen.

This is what this forum is for, having 'moments' with people who understand.

[whenwillisleepagain]

Thank you all - knew you'd understand

[mamado]

Hey, you could be us! My dd2 did the same PAS challenge in sept and reacted to the smallest amount quite dramatically. It was quite a wake up call - she'd never had a reaction to peanut due to the initial LEAP testing and so we had come to think it wasn't too bad. Now its a case of avoiding anything that may even contain a trace. It's so awful to see your little one so ill after so little of something... The staff were amazing though - it's so nice when the professionals are just that, rather than GPs who seem to know nothing!

DD2 is also allergic to sesame, egg and milk... although fish is fine for us. I write a blog with recipes and musings about it PM me if you want the link

[ishopthereforeiam]

Hi all,

DD has a peanut (and other nuts) allergy. We need to get her retested 12 mths post initial test as we were told there is a chance she could outgrow it as reaction was mild (runny nose, coughing, hives on face and neck). From posts above, does it mean the allergy could come back (if it disappears)?

[trixymalixy]

I can empathise totally. We had a disappointing round of skin prick tests recently and have to go back for food challenges for both DC. After a failed milk challenge a while ago I'm quite apprehensive about it.