Peanuts

[Clover]

As some of you know my GS has a peanut allergy. For the last 8 months he has been going through immunotherapy at St Mary’s hospital in London. When he started half a boiled peanut ( boiled for 4 hours to reduce the allergenic effect) necessitated him having to use an Epipen. Gradually over the months he has been introduced to more and more peanuts gradually going from half to one to two etc.boiled for 4 hours to the same regime with peanuts boiled for a decreasing amount of time. At his visit last week he was able to tolerate 4 normal, salted roast peanuts without any significant reaction! It’s been a long and at times stressful journey for all concerned. F will never be allergy free and his therapy continues but at last DD can have peanuts in the house! If F accidentally ingests a peanut at least now his reaction won’t be as life threatening.

[Oma]

Oh Clover that is amazing , I carry epipens as I have a shell fish allergy but at least I am able to check for shell fish in most things ,
A peanut allergy is so much worse as they or peanut oil can be in so many unseen things ,
My GSs friend can’t even be in the same room as peanuts never mind eating them ,

Your GS is very brave going through the therapy as having a reaction is very very scary ,I have been there I thought I was dying it was awful .
fingers crossed the immunotherapy keeps working for him and he and your DD can relax a little .
I imagine he will still have to check things though .

[Gemini]

That is such a good thing Clover.
As you say, the aim is not for your GS to be able to eat peanuts, but for him to not have a life threatening reaction to accidently coming into contact with one.
I'm very happy for him.

MY DD1 has allergy to other nuts (but not peanuts) and has an epipen.

[Nanto2girls]

Wow Clover, thats brilliant.
Thats got to make things a bit better for him and the family.
So pleased for him.

[Daisy]

Clover - that's wonderful progress, and your whole family must be relieved that he has developed so much tolerance. I've always thought parents must worry all the time a child with severe allergies is out of their sight.

My GD1's friend also has a severe peanut allergy and when she visited GD recently all peanuts, other nuts, oil, peanut butter etc were put into sealed bags and moved to the garage the day before and everything they could think of, were moved to the garage, just in case.

[Plantaholic]

That is good news Clover, lots of progress there.

[Clover]

Thank you everyone. It has been a tough time but so worth it. F had to sit for an hour every day after taking his allotted nut and DD had to keep a record and immediately report any reaction.(24 hour phone access if needed) for appropriate advice.DD was always on tenterhooks especially on the dreaded “up dosing” days.
When DD and F were offered the opportunity to take part in this programme they at first hesitated as it would be such a commitment but are obviously now pleased they did.

[WeeGranny]

Such good news Clover! Must have been a bit scary doing the testing and waiting to see if there was a reaction though, but worth it in the end.

[Daisy]

Clover - they were both very brave to do the testing. You must have been anxious about it as well. Thank goodness it's turned out so well for F.