Allergist Appointment Tomorrow - What should I ask?

[Twinklefae]

We got a magical call today. Despite the fact that it's usually a 6-8 month wait to see an allergist here, we got asked to come in tomorrow. :

The problem is I haven't had any time to think about what I want to ask, and have no idea what to expect. It's bedtime here now, and our appt. it in the morning, but I'll check back here before we leave.

I'm mostly concerned about whether or not DS is allergic to soy, as sometimes he handles it (accidental exposure) and sometimes he doesn't. Or he has another allergy that I haven't put together.

Anyway, mostly just hoping for some answers and for the chance to feel like I'm not crazy. (I feel crazy a lot- people just don't seem to believe that DS could be Dairy allergic and nursing.)

[Ophelia]

Without knowing more about your situation, it's hard to say. Are you planning on getting him tested while there?

Ask about testing, and the chances of false positives and false negatives with each type of test.

Here, I just found this, it might help:

http://www.allergychannel.net/patien...gy/index.shtml

[kjbrown92]

And if it's IgE testing, and it's negative, he can still be reacting and it just means it's an IgG response. So if it's negative, don't think it's all in your head. elimination and challenge is still the gold standard for testing.

[Chinese Pistache]

I hope things are going well. You can always call back with your questions if you think of more.

[Twinklefae]

Ugh. Appointment was awful. The dr. basically said he doesn't think he has any allergies, he just has a "senstive stomach". So that's why he's had diarhea for most of his life? Silly me thinking I should eliminate things from his diet.

We didn't do any testing as he said that if he's not showing an "immune response" like hives or something, then it wouldn't work anyway. Which I get and was not upset about. I also agree that there is nothing else to do but trial him on it every six months or so. However, I really didn't need to here from both him and his medical student, multiple times, "It's not clear that dairy is the problem". :

Just really really frustrated.

[kjbrown92]

If diarrhea is the response, you might have better luck with a GI doctor. I had good luck with two of them. Others on this forum haven't been so lucky. But if you know dairy is the problem, then just stay off it and trial it every 6 months or so. Are you doing healing things as well or just elimination?

[changingseasons]

Sorry you had such a crappy visit. I don't think I've ever heard a good story of someone in this forum visiting an allergist- they all seem to turn out the same.

I also think that elimination diet and food journaling are the most-accurate way to discover food allergies.

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

Sorry you had such a crappy visit. I don't think I've ever heard a good story of someone in this forum visiting an allergist- they all seem to turn out the same.

I just had to laugh and shake my head.

[VENT]It occurs to me, and I'm not a conspiracy theorist. But, if you let your son continue to eat stuff, then the doctor will have something to treat! :

Disclaimer for my sarcastic comment. I really don't believe they feel that "you"- the general public, will be able to eliminate the foods that a child reacts to, to such a degree that it would benefit the child's gut. So, they just deal with the consequences, once they develop more: eczema-got an ointment/steroid; asthma-got a pill and inhaler/steroid; allergies-got a pill/steroid. What is the point of healing the gut? Too hard. Pills are easier. The doctor CAN NOT DO anything about your diet. How many folks "know" not to eat: sugar, salt, fats, cholesterol, junk food, etc. And do. They certainly can't *expect* a nursing mother to eliminate foods effectively. It just is. And they deal.

Or you can follow CS's advise: elimination diet and food journaling are the most-accurate way to discover food allergies.

But, it is a PIA. People go to doctors for a solution. They don't have one for this. Soon though, they'll have a pill/inhaler/steroid to offer, when the symptoms get bad enough.

[/Vent]


Pat, this isn't about you mama. It is about the medical system at least offering alternatives and information which HELP!

[lil_miss_understood]

I seem to be the exception to the horrible allergist rule around here and I feel blessed.
I have learned, since coming to this forum, that the vast majority of allergists do not believe that intolerances are anything to be worried about. My allergist disagrees.
You have gotten great advice from pps already. *MY* allergist, believe it or not, actually agrees with the advice these mamas are giving. If you eliminate a food and you stop seeing symptoms, *obviously* there is a problem with that food. If you ingest a food and you start seeing symptoms, *obviously* you should not be eating it.
Also, fwiw, ds1 never had hives as a response to his "true" allergy.
Here is a list of allergy/intolerant symptoms.
It sounds pretty clear to me that dairy is a problem, as well as soy, and pretty clear to you as well.

[clutterbug]

Originally Posted by Twinklefae

Just really really frustrated.

I am so sorry FWIW, Dh saw an allergist (maybe the same one? I will ask him the name) a few months back and got the exact same line...well, mostly the same...said that it didn't sound like a food allergy and maybe he was reacting to something environmental, but it was impossible to really identify and the tests aren't accurate etc etc. I insisted my DH get the referral because he has had a number of instances where he ate Cinnabon or TH's muffins (and a couple of other baked goods) and gotten some fuzzy/swollen feelings in his throat. Hasn't happened in a while, but it was always linked to eating something. Environmental my a$$.