Why we do what we do...

Over the years, we have taken Sydney to nearly every allergist in our area.  We don't live in a small town, but allergists are few and far from adequate.  

Her original allergist was interested in pumping her full of preventative meds for asthma which only showed up (mildly) while she was sick.  He was also fond of walking out of the room while I was still asking questions and leaving us trapped in an exam room to watch a dryyyyyy video on allergies containing everything I had already researched.  Did I mention she was 1?  Not a good idea to trap us in an exam room for 60 minutes.

The next doctor had the bedside manner of a block of wood.  He did NOT want to hear from you, nor your questions.  Arrogance is a very nice word for him.  We left when he refused to even come into the exam room, and his nurse put peanut on Sydney's back during a scratch test.  &%$#!!!!!!

Her most recent doctor is a mix of good and bad.  He takes the time to talk to her, answer questions, etc. But he is also fond of throwing meds at a problem and not caring to determine the root cause.  Why would you want to avoid a food if you can just use this steroid cream for the eczema?  

For the last 12 years we have operated under the assumption that Sydney's allergies may (and probably do) extend beyond just peanut.  After her reaction in February of 2002, she never had a tree nut or any shellfish.  Ever.  Blood testing had been done haphazardly over the years, with none of the allergists wanting or even caring to find the truth.  In fact, the arrogant doctor had an arrogant nurse who told me It's your choice not to keep walnuts in the house.  Just sit her down at the table and feed her one.  See what happens.  

In swoops Dr. Nash.  Sydney and I traveled to Raleigh to have our initial consultation with Dr. Nash regarding oral immunotherapy.  During our visit, I asked about determining the true extent of her allergies.  Where I had to beg, plead, wheedle, and whine with earlier doctors, I was met with Of course.  Here is a bloodwork order for over 20 allergens.  I admit it.  I teared up a little lot.

The bloodwork came back with some encouraging results.  It appeared that she may not be allergic to anything else.  Except hazelnuts.  Her dreams of feasting on Nutella were dashed!

Of course, with food allergies you can never be 100% certain you're in the clear unless you safely consume the food.  To do that, you have to undergo a food challenge.  Dr. Nash was immediately on board.  Finally.  FINALLY we were going to know exactly what we were dealing with.

Sydney and I traveled to Raleigh in December 2013 for 11 days in order for her to get challenged on 7 different foods.  (You can read about that adventure in Nut Watch 2013.)  For now, it serves to partially explain why she and I are willing to drive 1200 miles round trip to see Dr. Nash.  We finally found the doctor willing to do his damn job.  We finally found the doctor who, we hope, will eventually change her life forever.