I am SO frustrated...

[jayhawkmom]

I am just about at my wits end. I am just so tired of dealing with food allergies and other issues surrounding foods and intolerances. I am starting to feel like everything in my life revolves around food, and I hate it.

My daughter has been doing very well since starting on her GF diet. VERY well. In fact, she's now grown and inch and a half - and gone up a clothing size since going GF. That's very exciting.

She loves watermelon. Yesterday I took her to the Farmer's Market and purchased a home grown half watermelon for her. She wanted it for breakfast, so I gave her a nice sized piece.

30 minutes later, hives were starting to erupt all over her body. Her face started to swell, her eyes were itching, she was scratching the hives...and I loaded her down with benedryl.

Right now, she's lying in a chair near me, watching the Fairy Odd Parents movie. She's half asleep, and I'm sure within minutes, she'll be sound asleep - and she'll stay that way for the remainder of the day.

I know there are worse things in the world than food allergies, but gosh... I need a break. I just need a few minutes to feel sorry for myself and my child....and then I'll move on.

Did I mention... I HATE food allergies???

[mrsppmrxky]

(((((Kris & Brenna))))) I hope that she gets to feeling better quickly!!!
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[Eeyorific]

(((((HUGE HUGS!!!)))) I hate to use the phrase, "I Know how you're feeling" but when it comes to the allergies and intolerances... I really do
sympathize and understand your frustration. More (((hugs))))
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Kristie M.

"The truth of God's love is not that he allows bad things to happen....
it's his promise that he will be there with us when they do!"

[Fidissimus]

Poor kid - man that just breaks my heart. I hope she's feeling better soon.
Have you taken her to an allergist to have the skin prick test done to see what else she's allergic to? Maybe you could avoid other moments like those.

(((Hugs to you both)))
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Cheers!
Jenn

GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/

[jayhawkmom]

She's had more than one RAST test done.

With the RAST - every single thing came back negative. However, her total IgE was extremely elevated. Her pediatrician and allergist are working together, along with her GI. The pediatrician did the "full panel" rast, and with the negative reactions, her allergist went on to do the spt. The SPT was positive for peanuts, eggs, milk, wheat, cedar, dustmites, other pollens, feathers... etc. We knew most of those already, minus the wheat and cedar.

It's just SO frustrating.

The watermelon was grown in a garden near our home. The people said that they can't be considered "organic" because of the gardens close proximity to the road. (I don't know the rules and regulations of certified organic status) But, she did say that they don't use pesticides. So... I dunno.

[Fidissimus]

My sis went through the same thing with her oldest daughter... She was really frustrated and upset because she thought she did everything she could, but they would still run into reactions to even the simplest foods. I don't know how many times she rang me with stories of frustration and heartache. I wish I had answers for you (as I wish I could better help my sister and niece) but I can only offer my support. We will help you get though this. And one day when it's all figured out and she's a healthy young girl these times won't have seemed so bad.

I don't know if this will help you or not, but when my daughter had brain surgery at six months old it helped me to remember that we are there for our children to support them and help them and comfort them, but this is their journey. They are the one's who have to live with their condition, we cannot do it for them as much as we wish we could. We are not them, we cannot take away their pain or their challenges, but we can love them with our whole heart, soul and being.



My niece Eva
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Cheers!
Jenn

GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/

[Fidissimus]

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."
-Washington Irving
_________________
Cheers!
Jenn

GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/

[gfgini]

Hang in there mom---And prayers for your daughter--

Pollen allergies often are accompanied by food reactions that may not be "classified" as allergies - but they still make you sick. (I don't get the big deal on the vocabulary - allergy, intolerance, sensitivity---it all makes you sick)

Melons are bad for people allergic to birch trees (in the spring) or ragweed (in the fall). You can find info by 'google"ing Cross reactivity to pollen. I can't do melons, can eat carrots except in the sppring, honey except in summer,...and a few other foods that make me sick...due to some pollen that's in the air. A month later and they're fine. Get an Epi-pen, because while some doctors have told me it's not serious, others have said my throat could swell shut and I wouldn't be able to breathe.
(I've seen 5 allergists and they have all said something different--it's almost comical)

gfgini
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celiac since 2000, diagnosed 2002, gf since 2002
multiple food allergies, IBS
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD , and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise.

[WestWalker]

Jayhawkmom,
Sorry these food allergens are so frustrating and the kids still have to suffer with them in one way or another. It's not fair. But I am thinking of you and sending good thoughts and prayers.