Ursula-allergy testing

[Guest guest]

HI Ursula,

I hope that I can adequately answer your questions.

I personally feel that allergy testing can be extremely important in

susceptible people. presented very much like an immune deficient

patient (still does) prior to our confirmation of his allergies. After

tested positive, he was started on immunotherapy. As you are well aware,

immunotherapy takes time and each case is different. We have had set-backs

in 's dose increases due to reactions. He is presently at 1/300th

strength and he needs to get to 1/3000th....so he has a way to go before

seeing benefits. Still, we are told that this may be one of the only things

that may help him in the long run and immunotherapy can be VERY beneficial

to some patients. 's meds have stayed relatively the same, but they have

modified them from time to time. did have to come off of all allergy

meds (including Zantac) prior to testing, it was not easy but we managed.

We were able to still do breathing treatments etc., as needed during that

week. It is quite common to be very allergic and test negative to allergy

testing, if you decide to go ahead, I would also do intradermals. 's

prick testing was negative and it was the intradermals that showed positive.

Also, as I have indicated previously, IgE is not a solid marker at

all....'s is well within the normal range and he has severe, relentless

allergies. One way to *help* determine if Macey has allergies, is to do a

series of nasal smears when she is congested. One test will not do the

trick, you would need several over a period of time as congestion can be

allergy, infection or virus. If she showed eosinophils then I would say

that she has strong chance of allergies even if she is testing negative.

Eosoinophils are highly indicative of allergy. I hope that this has helped

to answer your questions. Given the strong family history (Les and ) I

would consider it if it were my child. Allergies can wreck havoc on the

immune system and lungs and sinuses....if treated properly, there is a

chance perhaps, for less infections and less asthma over time. One of the

things that is a " red flag " is Macey's persistent Eczema. Eczema can be a

strong indicator of allergies sometimes. It would be beneficial to know

with certainty and may help in her medical management in the long run.

Given her SI issues, only you can decide what is best, I would certainly

discuss it in detail with those involved, however as it just might make a

big difference in how she is treated.

Autumn (Mom to Mark Cd5-Cd19 PID and )