Hello Everyone,
Im new to this board, my daughter is 14 she began having allergies about 2 years ago first was everything out side grass, hayfever, pollen then it went to dust, mold, mildow its been barable. Then with in the last 3 months it went to strawberries, kiwi, and in the last week she ate shrimp and ended up in the ER they gave her med and sent her on her way. They gave her something calle predizone I think the name is. Anyway we set up a appt with an allergist to see what she really is allergic too. The drs nurse set it up and called and told us to stop the med with in 10 days of her apt. Anyway to make a long story short she had a reaction to going off the pills cold turkey She said her throat felt like it was swelling shut I just thought nothing of it (she just seems to complain alot) i didnt realize she was that sick she ended up in the ER again and the kept her in.
She felt bad last nite and we both were up all nite she was afraid to go to sleep I thought it was just the flu she said she felt like throwing up had a fever. we finally got maybe 2-3 hrs sleep. Took her to the dr today he said he wouldnt give her anything because of her allergy tests coming up then went back a hour later she was bad they kept her
i couldnt stay with her because I have a bad back and use a cane to get around so sleeping in a hospital chair would kill me. So my sister was kind enough to go stay with her till I get there today.
I just feel like the worlds worst mom!!!
I didnt realize that young people could have so many allergies and that they can get so many new one.
i dont understand how a kid can be healthy one year and so miserable the next. How do you get allergies and does anyone have any advise for a new allergy mom.
Sorry this was so long but I needed to vent
Thanks

Newmom, you are not the worst mom! We all make mistakes, I have a few stories that I could tell. When the situation changes so drastically to something so much more serious it just takes us off guard. Sorry to hear about your daughter's allergies. My daughter had one anaphylactic reaction with peanut butter and it was really scary. It shook us both up for quite a few weeks. Does your daughter carry an epipen with her ALWAYS now. Be sure that the school is very well informed on this. FYI, there is a shot available through select alternative doctors called LDA (Low Dose Allergen) Therapy. My daughter has had two of these shots and she is eating all food now (she was allergic to almost all food, she is 5 1/2). I am allergic to all toiletries and plants touching my skin and I am getting my first shot this week. If you are interested, you can advance search this site and the web for more info.

Don't feel bad. Us older folks can turn up a new allergy overnight as well. For some reason the immune system just decides to go haywire and not work right. Nothing is cast in stone with allergies.

Thanks,
I got about 3 hours a sleep was so worried about her. No she doesnt use a pen yet not sure what the dr is going to do. But I do have to ask you guys do you know for instance she is allergic to strawberries if someone touches them then touches something she uses can that effect her allergies? She is so worried about that at school. There is kids mean enough to just do it to her for the fun of it.
And thanks for repling to my post
kathy

People are different with their food allergies. My daughter had a peanut butter allergy but we could sit next to her and eat it. Others cannot even smell it without going into anaphylaxis. I know a boy whose family cannot fry eggs in the house because the steam will go in the air and he will go into anaphylaxis. I would error on the side of caution and not let any of these foods touch her food or her skin. The school district that my children go to have the strictest food allergy policy possible. They had a child die and the family worked with the school so that this will hopefully never happen to another child again. Everyone, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, etc. are trained on how to use an epipen. There is a no food sharing policy, etc. The mom of the boy above goes to the next county district and they did not have any policies. She spoke to her teachers in person and taught them how to use an epipen. I would get your daughter some epipens ASAP. I have learned because of my daughter's allergies that you have to be proactive with their health. Don't leave your daughter's health solely in the hands of her doctors. You have to educate yourself and always check to make sure that everything is covered for her health. In reality it isn't fair because we mothers did not go to medical school and it is too much responsibility to be responsible for my daughter's LIFE, but when it comes to anaphylaxis we have to do it even when it feels like it is too much.

You're not only not the Worst Mom- I'd say you're probably up there with the best. You are properly and appropriately concerned, and your post and responses show this.

I do suggest that you follow the above advice and acquire EpiPen (it comes adult and EpiPen Jr.) to keep at home and school.

Also, as all of these questions come up, write them down in a little notebook so that you won't forget to ask the doctor. Of course, keep asking here, too! More than happy to help share our experiences, but we are not doctors.

Good luck, supermom. I mean, Sannah. :D

hello everyone,
And thanks for the response to my post. Just got back from the hopsital she has to stay again. She says that there is something in her throat so tomorrow they are going to do a procedure where they stick a camera down her throat. We also found out she has acid reflux (not sure about the spelling) It is so fustrating that she is getting so sick.
For supper tonite she had tomatoe soup and grilled cheese about 10 min after she had bloches on her face. Now she only had a few bites i just cant figure this out.
Anyway have to make it short her procedure is at 630 am.
They are going to give her the eppe pen and other meds will find out more tomorrow. But one thing that did suprise me the school nurse called me at home tonite and wanted to know what was all happening. They have never called before.
Thanks for your post will keep you informed
Kathy

Well, I have to tell you, I'm pullng for ya up here. I'm so sorry that everything is so difficult for you right now. As an aside, I was surprised when my allergist/immunologist informed me that acid reflux is often allergy-related.

What a nice thing for the school nurse to do. You see, more people care than you know. Including us.

Newallergymom, yeah reflux can be allergy related. With the reaction to your daughter's dinner, milk is a big allergen but tomato can be too. I am so sorry that you and your daughter are having to go through this. I had shed so many tears over my daughter's food allergies. I am so glad now that it is in her past, though. Anyway, keep us posted. I can't imagine what they think is in her throat? This is great that the school nurse is already working with you! Hope to hear from you soon.

new mom don't feel bad.. I have spent days to a week in the hospital. When my daugfhter was first diagnosed with a eggs allergy I gave her a few things that you wouldn't think had eggs in it... PIZZA HUT SAUCE and she went into anaphlaxis I felt like a horrible parent I should have known... but if it doesn't say egg sometimes we don't catch it.
My dauighter now carrie a epi pen I think having them just in case makes me feel a little safer It would be good if your daughter had one

You should be getting your daughter into an pediatric allergist right away no waiting around. She will get tested on her skin and blood work which will let the doctor know how serious the allergies are. Yes some people could smell or touch something and have a reaction and other can be next to it and as long as they don't eat it they are fine. You can only get these answer from the allergist. Plus your daughter is a great candiate for the Epi Pen that you can also get from the allergist. Its a needle that she would have to have at all times in case of a reaction where she is having difficulty breathing, choking, throat closing, dizziness, and lossof consciousness. The school would have to have one as well and if there were a case where the Epi Pen was used on your daughter she along with the needle would have to go to the nearst ER. Sometimes benadryl does the trick where the Epi Pen doesn't have to be used. I wouldn't let your daughter try any new food until she goes to see the allergist. Listen everyone changes from year to year and they say with the chemicals they put in food and the enviroment we live in more and more people are developing such allergies. Do yourself a favor since she is young google for these foods on line find out all the known words that are connected with the foods she can't have so you know what to look for in the ingredients. The allergist will also give you paperwork if you ask. Your daughter should also wear an alert bracelet or necklace.

I am sorry to hear about your daughter's allergies. But you might be intested to hear about my allergy story and learn the alternatives to control your daughter's allergies.

I used Flonase and Allegra for 2 years at the direction of my doctor. It took a couple of years, but I was able to determine that the joint pain that I frequently felt was due to these drugs. I quit taking Flonase and Allegra, then tried anti-oxidant supplements, which an article in Self magazine said could relieve allergy symptoms. The anti-oxidants didn’t seem to help, so I went back to using Flonase and Allegra on those occassions when my allergies were really bad. Of course the joint pain returned too. Later, a friend said that my anti-oxidants were probably not a very good quality. I tried the ones she told me to use, and haven’t quit using them since! It’s been two years, and I feel great! I haven’t used the drugs anymore, and my joints are back to normal. I felt that this was really worth sharing, since I was frustrated by this for so long. Here’s where I get the anti-oxidants now:

http://wellnessandbeyond.*****.com

Look for the one called Proflavanol 90. If you have similar symptoms to mine, then I hope this helps you as much as it helped me.