We took Noah to get an allergy test. I feel that the root of all of the health problems we've been dealing with...the excema, the bacterial infections, etc. stem from allergic reactions. To do the allergy test they performed a blood draw and screen for antibody levels against common allergens. Unlike when he was a little baby and they took blood out of his heel, this time they took blood straight out of his arm like an adult. It was the saddest thing ever and I almost cried.
We got the test results back yesterday and I almost cried again. The test is out of 5 or 6 scale, with a 2 being the lowest number that they consider to be an allergic reaction.
Noah is allergic to:
Wheat grain (2)
Milk (2)
Egg whites (3)
Peanuts (4)
Cats (2)
We have an appointment to speak with a pediatric allergist in mid-July and I think we'll know more then. The doctor said for now that we don't have to get rid of our cat. I'm most concerned about the peanut allergy, though Noah certainly has been exposed to peanut protein as I have been eating peanut products the entire time I've been nursing.
Anyway, after my initial freak out yesterday, I'm am trying to remain calm about all of this. Everyone keeps reassuring me that kids grow out of a lot of their allergies and that it is so common now-a-days for kids to be allergic to everything. Also, Noah' allergic reactions so far have only been hives and excema, so far no respiratory problems. All in all, I realize that it could be worse. Part of it is I just have to wrap my mind around being an allergy family. It's a foreign concept to Grant and I as we're not allergic to anything. I suppose it will make us eat healthier as a family, and that is a good thing. However, I am not a parent who wants to deny my kid junk food, so the thought of Noah going to birthday parties and not being able to eat cake and ice cream breaks my heart a little bit.
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oh Karla, I'm both sorry and happy for you guys - now you finally have a root problem for Noah's health issues, but I completely understand the concern and wariness b/c of the allergies. Just know that even if he doesn't grow out of them - the world is actually fairly well equipped to deal with allergies, at least the world of education, which, realistically, is where he'll spend most of his time for the first 18 (possible longer).
ReplyDeleteAt the school/parish where I work we've got five kids with the all same allergies as Noah and they do just fine (and many with just the peanut allergy). It is common enough that this past week when we were making pb sandwiches for lunch on mission trip I freaked out for five seconds; it's just so common not to use peanut products I couldn't believe we were...none of the kids were allergic and they'd checked, which is why it was ok, but my mindset, as someone who works with kids, has been permanently changed.
Good luck. You'll handle this in stride, I know it.
Our neighbor's son is allergic to EVERYTHING (even soy products!). He's 2 1/2 now and seems to be fine with it. He understands, as well as a 2 1/2 year old can. It's a bummer, but like Abby said, it's manageable. Good luck figuring it out!
ReplyDeleteglad you have some info to work with! i'm sorry that it'll be such a transition into constantly watching what he's around and eating. allergies seem so much common these days, as opposed to when we were kids!
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