After a few years of debating, we decided to bring Ashley and Mitchell to the Allergist/Asthma specialist that Allison has been going to since 1st grade. Ashley has been diagnosed with asthma (no surprise there), and we also found that she is allergic to cats and dogs. :( She was also diagnosed as having Sinusitis and Rhinitis--which basically is inflamed sinuses and nasal cavities. She is on a two week dose of antibiotics, and a 6 day dose of prednisone (a steriod). Hopefully we will get the inflamation down so we can take the next step in her treatment. If it doesn't help, we will have to return and have a CT done just to make sure she doesn't have a structural problem.
Mitchell was such a brave boy, and didn't even flinch as they poked his back 50 times or so. The doctor picked out the basic things that usually trigger allergies, and tested him on those. They actually put a poke on his back to make sure he is ABLE to react to certain allergens--basically, everybody swells up from this certain poke (A dud one) . Well, he ended up not swelling up for any of the known allergens--except the dud one! He, not only swelled up, (which is expected) but he produced hives all along his side and onto his chest. His eyes started watering up, too. So, obviously, he's allergic to something...just not anything they tested him on! UGH!-----Sooooooo, she put him on zyrtec and nasal spray. They both get checked in 6 weeks, or sooner if they don't get better.
Whew!! LOTS of information thrown at me today! Hope I give them all the right medicine. Anyone have a good homeopathic book to learn how I can get them off all these meds???
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Allergy/Asthma testing....
Posted by Chris at 5:16 PM
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11 comments:
It doesn't surprise me to hear that Ashley has asthma, but now you are on a path of wellness. Now about Mitch....?
Wow, what a day for you! And holy crap on the meds--that's some harsh stuff. Ashley must be pretty inflamed-poor girl. If you'd like, I could ask our Naturopathic Doctor on some good resources for complementary therapies that could possibly make the medicine work better or reduce/eliminate it. Just let me know. I'll be seeing her on Saturday.
I hope you get some answers for Mitch-poor guy.
Don't you hate not having an actual diagnosis for Mitch? At least they are now aware of some type of allergy. Hopefully you will figure out an answer to get them off some of the meds! (:
I am so glad you had them tested! Poor Ashley! Dog allergies are hard...what does that mean for Ruby?
Poor Mitchell-to go through all go that and still have no answers! Are they going to retest him later? We have to get Mara retested in February -not looking forward to it as I think it will be the skin test this time.
Anyway-yes, definitely take Danielle up on her offer!
I will definitely take you up on that offer, Danielle! ANYTHING will help. My sis-in-law is taking classes on becoming a asthma/allergy specialist, and she called me yesterday with some new info on Allison and all her high-dosage meds she's been on since 1st. grade. We've been concerned for her growth, and there is definitely a correlation between her height and her meds. We are trying to reduce her dosages, but this is such a hard time of year for her! Any help will be GREATLY appreciated.
Oh yeah---the school nurse called yesterday to tell me that she has been testing Mitchell (3 times actually) and he has failed the colorblind test all three times. She is sending a letter to his eye doc to do some more testing. Sigh.....at home, we did some tests that I found on the internet, and he did struggle with it, but he said that he can see that there are two different colors, and he does name the right color, but he just can't figure out what shape or number is on the screen. Of course, Chuck doesn't see a problem at all! :) Interesting, though, don't ya think?
Yes, it will be interesting to see what the eye doctor comes up with.
You know your Uncle Dennis is color-blinded.
I'll ask her tomorrow and let you know what resources she would recommend. There is a Naturopathic Doctor in Alexandria...first name Josh-no clue what the last name is. I would look him up. Ours could give me resources for your own use, but to really figure out some concrete solutions and individualized plans, you'd almost have to have some visits with one. Or, you could make a trip to Duluth!! I love ours. She was also our Midwife.
Thanks Danielle. I'll check if there is a doctor closer to us.
Mom...I didn't realize that Dennis was color blind. They say it's hereditary, and that in all cases it's the mother that passes it onto their sons. To be female and color blind is VERY rare, I guess.
Here's what Monica recommended: "Childhood Illness and the Allergy Connection: A Nutritional Approach to Overcoming and Preventing Childhood Illness" by Zoltan Ronda MD.
"Allergies (Natural Way Series)" Moira Crawford. Gives a good chapter on choosing a practitioner.
"Winning the war against asthma & allergies: a drug-free cure for asthma and allergy sufferers" by Ellen Cutlar.
She strongly suggests making an initial consultation with a Naturopathic Physician (usually free). Most of the work is done to heal the body and build it up to resist allergies...and not on masking them with drugs.
Hope this helps! You are also welcomed to give her a call--let me know and I can email you her number.
Thanks, Danielle. I did find an alternative medicine clinic here, and I may make an appointment with them soon for a consultation. Thanks for all your help. I'm really interested in Ellen Cutlar's book. I think I'll purchase that right now!
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