Results of IGG4 totally negative, help me...

[Italiamom]

I have long suspected food allergies in DS. I had to fight, fight, fight to get him a basic food panel from his pediatrician. They ran an "IGG4 food panel 1" on him which shows no allergies to anything. What I don't get (or what sends off alarm bells for me), is that it showed he has no allergy to "whole egg." But whenever I feed him eggs, he gets a rash on his face and hands within minutes. I guess I just equated almost instantaneous rash = allergy to food. But again, the test showed "no allergy" in the words of the pediatrician's assistant.

Another alarm bell -- the phlebotomist at the lab who took DS's blood said that results typically take 1-2 weeks. He had his blood drawn on Tuesday AM, the results came back today (maybe it can be done this quickyly, I dunno).

This has been a whole saga just to get it done, that I could go on and on about. But I don't know a whole lot about this test, or really food allergies. Apparently our insurance will cover 1 appointment with an allergist, but I don't know what they can do for us. For the record, I suspect food allergies because DS has a scaly rash on his wrists (for about the last year), and has horrible sleep habits (never slept for more than a 2 hour stretch in his life).

Help me out here... Could they have misread the test? These people are incompetent anyhow (but unfortunately the only people our insurance will cover). Should they have ordered a different test? What should I said to the allergist to make the most out of our 1 and only appointment?

I was honestly really hoping that the IGG4 would show a food allergy so I would know why/what to do about DS's rash and sleep. I'm kind of at a loss...

[True Blue]

First, I'd want a copy of the test results to look at, they should be able to fax it or have a copy for you to pick up.

Second, an instant reaction like that could be IgE, which is a totally different test, and might not cause an IgG reaction. I would tell the allergist about his insteant reactions, and ask for a RAST and skin prick test. Since you only get one visit, I'd request they do both, I think, since sometimes one picks up something the other doesn't. I don't know how old your DS is, and that can sometimes have something to do with which of those two tests the Dr will prefer.

[JaneS]

ditto what Amy said

Our nationally known allergist has always said that observation trumps testing... there are many false negatives. Especially the younger the child.

Also in our house rashes means salicylate intolerance which is a food chemical intolerance and doesn't involve the immune system so it doesn't show up on food allergy tests

http://failsafediet.wordpress.com/

[Italiamom]

DS is young -- a year and half. I'm having DH pick up a copy of the results on his way home from work. I'm just pretty shocked that they show nothing at all. I tried to take care of this back in July, as our insurance runs out at the end of this month. But it looks like he wouldn't be able to get in to the allergist until November anyway, so now it's looking like it may not happen at all. Not that it would really matter.

Eggs are the only "instant" reaction food, I had no idea what the different between an IgE and an IgG were. I guess I should have demanded they do both? I look at the salicytes stuff and it's so overwhelming... And doctors don't even test for that, correct? Essentially at this point I would need to just start trying different strange elimination diets? I guess this means weaning?

I'm very, very confused now.

[mamafish9]

Doesn't mean weaning at all, in fact nursing can really help your little one nutritionally while you figure out what's going on. What it does mean is that you need to do the elimination diet as well (so if eggs bother him, you need to go off eggs too).

[JaneS]

No, docs don't test for salicylate intolerance. We found through an elimination/rotation diet and worked with our allergy dietician.... sleep was a major symptom as well.

I know exactly how you feel, just take it one step at a time.

[rhesp1212]

I agree....they should have tested for IgE allergies. I find it odd that a pedi even tested IgG, but good that they did. I also agree that reactions trump any test...if your DS is having an instant reaction to eggs, pull them completely from both your and his diets.

I think Jane is speaking from her experience in sals causing those issues. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that is what is causing your child's issues. Rashes related to foods can be allergies, intolerances to the actual food or it could be food chemical reactions. The rash on his wrists could also be due to environmental allergens such as grass, pollen, etc and might not even been from a food. Either way, keeping a food journal is a must. Write down everything the two of you eat and see if you notice a pattern.

I agree that when you go to the allergiest, ask for both RAST and skin prick testing. Being only a year old will limit how many things they can spt due to his size. But, RAST is pretty unlimited! If you can start a type of elimination diet and see any improvements it will help you know what foods to ask him to test for. Most people will eliminated dairy and soy first and see what happens. Also include eggs in your case. Some people go right for eliminating the top 8 allergens and then gradually try to add some of them back in after they are at baseline. You can do it!! I know it's overwhelming at first, but you can do it!

[Italiamom]

I'm just at a loss. They had originally ordered the IgE test too. But when I went in, I had the phlebotamist double check what the tests covered, because I didn't trust the doctor to order tests that covered the major allergens. The IgE test only tested for wheat/soy/cow's milk/egg, whereas the IgG test covered those, plus corn, chicken, beef, oats, white potatoes, and a couple of other things. I thought, hey, why would they run two tests. I asked the phlebotamist, who was foreign, and he couldn't explain why they would run both. So I refused the IgE (it required almost twice as much blood, and they were already taking a fair amount for the IgG).

Our insurance runs out at the end of the month, giving us basically no time to have the IgE done. If they would even order it again. And it's my fault that it didn't get done.

I just wanted something to come back and tell me why. An elimination diet is not a possibility in our house. I don't have the time to sit down and plan a menu, I literally have 0 meals that don't include at least one major allergen. There are plenty of sites online that tell you what not to eat, but I have yet to see a single menu plan.

I am in tears. Again.

[mamafish9]

I'm sorry you're feeling so stressed. Figuring out food reactions can be a really stressful time, but it's worth it in the end to have a happier kiddo.

In a child as young as your DS, both IgG and IgE testing is often inaccurate. I know you'd like some clarity to help you plan meals, but the testing often isn't entirely right, so there is some elimination and trial and error involved anyhow.

It sounds like you know at least some foods you need to eliminate completely from both your diets - eggs, do you suspect any others? Beyond that, I'd start with eliminating the top 4 intolerance foods - dairy, corn, soy, gluten. You'll want to try this for at least two weeks. If you're not seeing at least some improvement in that time, then you'll want to pull additional foods, but we can help you with that step.

There are lots of great recipe ideas in the resources sticky at the top of this forum. But the easiest way to start is generally to eat meals that are naturally free of those 4 foods + eggs - rice & beans, meat & veggies, etc. Are you Italian? (I lived in Italy for two years and giving up gluten is a toughie - there are gluten free pastas available, but you'll have to lower your expectations some!).

[gigismom]

Just wanted to pop in and give you a hug. It is so overwhelming to think of needing to change your family's eating habits and come up with an all new way of looking at food and cooking when already busy with taking care of kids and life in general! My ds has many allergies and sensitivities (and I am nursing him so I am on his diet too) and one of my girls can't have gluten and the other can't have dairy. We are all currently grain free as well. For us, it was very tough in the begining and still is at times when 5pm hits and I have no idea what to make for dinner. I just take one meal at a time. I do plan ahead as much as I can to have on hand all safe foods. Then I think "what do I really want for dinner?" Then I modify to fit the our needs. For the longest time, I did not let "allergy" foods in the door so they weren't a temptation. Now my girls eat eggs (they are not allergic/sensitive to them) while ds knows he can't eat them and this is not an issue. He has gotten to know his allergy foods and does not ask for them.

I agree with using the elimination diet as the diagnostic tool, though if you can get an IgE test that would be great. However, I think it is highly likely that it would show positive to egg with the reaction you describe. My son gets immediate rashes and swelling of the face to both eggs, nuts and some fish. If you do get the IgE test, make sure they test the top allergens and maybe corn too. Either way, I would still do the elimination diet bc the tests are not 100% accurate. My son tests negative both IgE and IgG to corn but gets terrible eczema from even trace corn. (he reacted a couple of weeks ago to the soy free earth balance that has natural flavors derived from corn that I used in some yummmmmy caramel apples ) I would start by eliminating the top allergens plus corn and then get him to baseline and start adding in. This might seem very overwhelming but really is the quickest way to the end, imo. We all give opinions based on our own experience so you will see some variation. Sals were an issue for us for awhile but this passed quickly for us when we got some other nutritional/detox stuff taken care of. I would not start with sals because if there are other allergies and sensitivities that are still causing reactions you will likely drive yourself nuts trying to sort it all out.

Anyway, you are really in the right place to find support and suggestions. I have been helped so much by this forum and the wise mamas on it! At this time my kids are so much happier and healthier and I have learned so much about my own health as a result of this journey. What started as something so overwhelming and negative in my life has turned into a very positive and life changing experience. gl

peace

jen