Fears, questions, rambles...

[Duchessa]

There are few things that really worry me, but B1 & B2's diary protein allergy sometimes really frightens me. The other day while we were in the park B1 picked up a used Prima box and started sucking on it (I didn't notice straight away as I was busy on the slide with B2). It totally freaked me out, if it had been a BigM she would have had a very severe reaction as it only takes a smear of yoghurt and within five minutes her breathing is constricted, she is covered in hives etc...

We always carry 2 Epipens and also Zyrtec and Phenergan syrups for any accidents that happen (they require antihistamines for even topical contact fairly often :(), but prepared as we always are, it still frightens the living daylights out of me.

It is one of the reasons why they will never go to daycare (it is one thing to ban peanuts from a centre but another thing altogether to ban dairy, formula, cakes, biscuits etc etc). I even find it difficult to leave them with sitters as even experienced agency sitters seem to find it hard to grasp that they can't have ANYTHING with even a waft of milk protein - everyone always seems to confuse it with lactose intolerance :confused: ummm.... No. You don't die from that.

How do you guys manage to get it across that your children's condition is LIFE THREATENING and that under no circumstances can they come into contact with the substance...? How do you deal with the sometimes abject terror associated with their allergies?

Most of the time I don't even think about it but then I go through phases where it keeps me awake at night...

[ChubStar]

Hi Duchessa

My DS is anaphylaxtic to dairy and egg. We found out after he had a very severe reaction and ended up in hospital. I was thinking about his reaction the other day and I don't really remember freaking out. I think I just switched on auto-pilot and did what I had to to keep him calm/reassured while the docs worked on him.

It is very hard to trust anyone with DS, even our parents. He has no need to go to daycare as I am a SAHM, but he goes to playgroup with other kids who carry food around. Apart from keeping my eye on him when other kids have food, there isn't much else I can do.

When we do leave DS with someone, it is only someone we trust (really REALLY trust). They normally know the story of his initial reaction and we emphasise that DS "could die" if they feed him anything other than the set menu. We always supply DS food and drink, which is clearly labelled and not shared with any other kids (so he doesn't run out). We make sure we teach them how to use his epi-pen and leave his "reaction checklist" for them to reference. We also remind them that we have ambulance cover if anything was to happen. This normally scares the heck out of them, but at least it keeps them on their toes.

I have dealt with DS allergies better than my DH, he is constantly paranoid. Every red mark, every vomit, every sneezing episode DH thinks is the onset of a reaction. I think I have just made his allergies a part of our life, and made them a part of our family and friend's lives too. They all know how serious his allergies are and very careful around DS. Once I was in a routine with his allergies, it became a lot easier. I have control over what he eats and where he is, so I can minimise any risk.

I hope it gets easier for you and don't forget that dairy allergies are most commonly grown out of in time. Fingers crossed this happens for you. I'm not really sure what to suggest, except try to teach your kids not to pick up things unless it has been given to them by you or another trusted adult. DS is only 2, but he now knows not to pick things up unless they are his (it took a while to teach him, but it eventually sank in).

Good luck!! :hugs:

[WeThree]

Oh Duchessa, it is so frightening isnt it :(
My DS has anyphylaxis to peanuts and walnuts, with varying severe reactions to other nuts, particulary pine nuts, he also has lots of other allergies as well :(
In a way though it seems that severe nut allergies are more understood and accepted than ones to milk products, people seem to be quicker to realise the severity somehow.
We had a scary experience on Sunday after church, DS ate some watermelon from the kids morning tea cart and within minutes he started having a terrible reaction, luckily our church is a few steps away from the local major hospital!!
But that is one thing people dont think of or understand, is that the thing they are allergic to does not even have to be there, it could have been on the plate the day before, or the day before that, and seeing as I was off busy :ecomcity: to someone, I did not notice that he was helping himself to something. He is usually very good though, and thankfully, his school canteen is a completely nut free zone.
Its just so hard, noone at church could have possibly foreseen what would happen, you cant go around not serving nuts on the off chance some kid with an allergy will eat off the same plate ate a seperate function a week later :rolleyes: and that is what is so scary.