kinesiology and prick tests? - unsuccessfuly allergy visit

[sarasprings]

So, we just got back from the allergist and it didn't go great. She said she didn't think C has a true allergy (which I agree with) so the prick test and IgE tests would show negative. She also said that everyone has the antibodies that the IgG tests show and so everyone is positive and that test doesn't mean anything. She seemed unwilling to do the IgG test and since our ped can order it, I didn't push it because I didn't know what to say to her. She had the "there's a book out there that will support any old idea" attitude.

She also had no useful information about gluten intolerance, which C seems to have based on his more solid poops. She wouldn't say if it's something he'll out grow, how different are levels of intolerance in children. All she would commit to was that probiotics would only work for children with CD. And I'm not sure if I should proceed with eliminating other allergens or stop with this.


If he has an intolerance to gluten, should I eliminate it all or do you think little bits are okay?

So, now I'm frustrated and confused. I'm thinking maybe a homeopath should be our next step.

I added a couple questions about the accuracy of kinesiology and if I should have done a prick test below.

[Wolfmeis]

OK, way to waste some money. That sounds like a really hide bound allergist.

I agree with your initial sentiment here of "find someone else." I am sorry they wasted your time and money here.

[wendy1221]

What? She said probiotics would only work for someone w/ CD? Exactly how are probiotics supposed to help someone w/ CD? THey have a GENETIC inability to digest gluten, how are probiotics going to help that? (well, other than help heal some of the damage done? I mean, they definitely won't do anything to cure it!) She sounds like she had no clue. Sheesh! I'm not sure I'd bother seeing another allergist if your child's allergies are not IgE mediated, though. Most allergists only deal with that type. If you ask around and hear of one that does deal w/ IgG, go for it, but they are few and far between, depending on where you live (I'm in the Midwest, so I'm out of luck for most alternative things. :P) If you suspecr CD, ask your ped to refer you to a GI. Or order the tests him/herself. An allergist doesn't normally do those tests anyway, I don't think.

[jaidymama]

Sorry you had such rotten luck with the allergist. I would find another medical practitioner who is willing to work with you to find some answers. If you're trying to get your insurance to pay for the doc visits and testing, you may want to search around to find a pediatrician or other medical professional... because they can order allergy testing to be done. They would typically order the IgE tests. I think alternative medicine isn't always covered by insurance, but I think it's another good choice because they may be more likely to have solutions for you. Plus they would be able to help you on the healing component that goes along with eliminating allergenic food from your diets.

You can order some tests online from the laboratory. There's a website... http://www.usbiotek.com/ I think the cost to order from them is comparable to paying out of pocket to have it done at a ND office.

Short answer--YES, keep searching until you find a physican who is willing to help you. Don't be discouraged by one uninformed allergist. Good luck.

[sarasprings]

I called a local naturopath and I'm not sure that is what I want. Years and years ago I went to one in Seattle and she diagnosed me with a gluten intolerance doing some kind of muscle thing -- kinesology (sp?). I'm not sure how accurate that would be, but I may look into it. Has anyone tried this?

Also, do you think I should have done the prick test even if I thought it was an intolerance?

[DanAbimytwomiracle]

skin (prick) tests and blood tests are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to food issues, unless it's a severe (anphylactic) reaction like my son has to tree nuts. But his dairy and soy issues never showed up on any test, yet we know what he's like on soy (a very angry, sensory crazy boy) and not (high needs but manageable).
My daughter's blood test for celiac disease was negative but she is a different person since being gluten-free - she gained tons opf weight, got her energy back, no more painful gas at night, no bloated stomach, etc.

The best way to diagnose any allergy in children, as long as you don't suspect an anaphylactic allergy, is to do an elimination diet for 4-5 (5-6 for gluten) weeks, notice any changes, and then reintroduce it. That means eliminate ALL possible sources of it - no cross-contamination.

And, since no one knows that I've read, if it;s possible to have gluten intolerance but not celiac disease, you should treat it as celiac, which means no gluten at all.

[sarasprings]

Thanks for that info. We've been off gluten, but he had animal crackers at preschool one day, so I guess we need to start over, but really, we're very sure about gluten. I guess we'll do one food at a time. We're reintroducing dairy in two weeks and then we're going to try soy.

Do you happen to have a list of foods to avoid for dairy? If it's casein and whey, does the calcium in tofu count?

[Ophelia]

Originally Posted by sarasprings

I called a local naturopath and I'm not sure that is what I want. Years and years ago I went to one in Seattle and she diagnosed me with a gluten intolerance doing some kind of muscle thing -- kinesology (sp?). I'm not sure how accurate that would be, but I may look into it. Has anyone tried this?

yes, i think that is what i had done. it was at a chiropractor who also did nutrition. it came up with wheat and sugar sensitivity. i could not figure out if it was a hokey test, but i do wonder if i have wheat sensitivity.

[my2girlz]

We did kinesiology with our chiropractor. It picked up wheat, citrus, and dairy for my 2 youngest. We avoided those things and all of their symptoms went away. We actually just had the two of them retested and both can add wheat and dairy back into their diet. It's been over a week since we added wheat back and no symptoms have returned. I would recommend it to anyone that thinks they have a food sensitivity.

[my2girlz]

Originally Posted by Ophelia

yes, i think that is what i had done. it was at a chiropractor who also did nutrition. it came up with wheat and sugar sensitivity. i could not figure out if it was a hokey test, but i do wonder if i have wheat sensitivity.

Just curious to know where you are located at since I see you are in MN. My chiropractor also specializes in nutrition here.

[sarasprings]

Do you know how I'd find one? Alternative medicine's not too prevalent near us (upstate NY). Is there a website online that lists them?

[Ophelia]

Originally Posted by my2girlz

Just curious to know where you are located at since I see you are in MN. My chiropractor also specializes in nutrition here.

I am in Lakeville and the chiro I went to for the test is also in Lakeville. Not my regular chiro though, that one's in Rosemount.

[my2girlz]

Originally Posted by Ophelia

I am in Lakeville and the chiro I went to for the test is also in Lakeville. Not my regular chiro though, that one's in Rosemount.

The one my family goes to is in Eagan. He's written books and was just recently on Fox9. He's amazing! If you want his info let me know.

[sarasprings]

We found a kinesiologist and have an appt. for the 16th. I'm so excited!

[Peony]

We went through this this dd. Went to an allergist who did 6 skin prick tests, she was "negetive" in the alloted time, but broke out in full blown hives on the drive home. Of course it was not related, according to the allergist. : : I found someone who does NAET http://www.naet.com/ near me and took dd there. The testing is done through the muscles, which almost 2 years later I still find weird but it works. Good luck.

[wendy1221]

Originally Posted by AMB8301

We went through this this dd. Went to an allergist who did 6 skin prick tests, she was "negetive" in the alloted time, but broke out in full blown hives on the drive home. Of course it was not related, according to the allergist. : : I found someone who does NAET http://www.naet.com/ near me and took dd there. The testing is done through the muscles, which almost 2 years later I still find weird but it works. Good luck.

Wow, I'd say your allergist sucks. Liam had an SPT (for top 8 only) done at 6 mos. When teh time was up, egg was the only positive. As the allergist was standing there talking to me, and I was explaining how I was SURE he was allergic to wheat, and soy, and peanuts, but the rest maybe not, when the egg kept growing and wheat started puffing up. The allergist noticed it b/c I was holding the baby on my shoulder. So we kept talking adn the rest started popping up. THe only one that had absolutely no reaction was fish. My ED had pretty much figured out he was allergic to all of the top 8 except fish and shellfish. I hadn't eaten shellfish, but I had eaten fish w/ no reaction. SO the allergist said he couldn't say the test showed a positive, since they were out of the time limit, but he agreed w/ me that he was allergic and his letter to the ped said to consider him allergic based on reaction.