Update on Ben's peanut allergy
So yesterday was Ben's scheduled appointment for the oral challenge for peanut at Sick Kids Hospital. They start the appointment by checking his vitals and then by administering a skin prick test for the allergen using an extract (as well as positive and negative controls).
Unfortunately we didn't get past the skin prick test as he had a strong positive response to the peanut extract. This is following a previous negative test to both the peanut extract and peanut butter in August. We don't know what to think. I've left a message with Ben's allergist's office to find out what we should do next: go into the office for a repeat test, wait 6 months (for what would be Ben's usual annual appointment), or wait 12 months.
To say we're disappointed, I suppose, would be an understatement. Despite knowing the test could go either way it's difficult to not hold out hope that this could be it and Ben wouldn't have to consider this allergy long-term. But, on a positive note, I would much rather find out without him having a terrible reaction. Not getting past the skin prick test, however, just feels like a step backwards, especially after months of waiting for the challenge date.
We were a bit blindsided by the allergist performing the skin test. I'd discussed the best way to mentally prepare Ben for the challenge with his allergist (the supervising allergist on duty at the Sick Kids allergy clinic the day of the challenge) at a previous appointment and he'd suggested to not get into detail until the result of the SPT at the challenge appointment - sounded like a great plan to me. If the result had been negative then we'd proceed and explain to Ben that he would eat a little bit of peanut. BUT the allergist performing the test had a different plan and told Ben while he was administering the scratch test that he would be eating peanuts. Ben immediately got upset and said he didn't want to, and so Nic and I were left trying to explain the situation to him -- and in the end all for nothing because he had a positive skin test anyway. Grr. (On a side note I will say that I am very impressed with my boy's adamant stance on not eating peanut. Such a smart boy.)
Unfortunately we didn't get past the skin prick test as he had a strong positive response to the peanut extract. This is following a previous negative test to both the peanut extract and peanut butter in August. We don't know what to think. I've left a message with Ben's allergist's office to find out what we should do next: go into the office for a repeat test, wait 6 months (for what would be Ben's usual annual appointment), or wait 12 months.
To say we're disappointed, I suppose, would be an understatement. Despite knowing the test could go either way it's difficult to not hold out hope that this could be it and Ben wouldn't have to consider this allergy long-term. But, on a positive note, I would much rather find out without him having a terrible reaction. Not getting past the skin prick test, however, just feels like a step backwards, especially after months of waiting for the challenge date.
We were a bit blindsided by the allergist performing the skin test. I'd discussed the best way to mentally prepare Ben for the challenge with his allergist (the supervising allergist on duty at the Sick Kids allergy clinic the day of the challenge) at a previous appointment and he'd suggested to not get into detail until the result of the SPT at the challenge appointment - sounded like a great plan to me. If the result had been negative then we'd proceed and explain to Ben that he would eat a little bit of peanut. BUT the allergist performing the test had a different plan and told Ben while he was administering the scratch test that he would be eating peanuts. Ben immediately got upset and said he didn't want to, and so Nic and I were left trying to explain the situation to him -- and in the end all for nothing because he had a positive skin test anyway. Grr. (On a side note I will say that I am very impressed with my boy's adamant stance on not eating peanut. Such a smart boy.)
posted by Leanne at
12:49 pm
