Must Read! Low Dose Allergen Therapy

[ElmoRules]

I have 6 year old identical twin girls who were diagnosed with food allergies at 3 months.  I used to be very active on Cafemom but haven't been on in a couple of years.  By the time the girls were two, they were allergic to bananas, squash, beef, dairy, soy, eggs and all gluten.  They have grown out of the banana and squash allergies.  We are at a very comfortable place with their allergies.  We understand them and have them all under control.  We are no longer overwhelmed.  This past October, we were at the pumpkin patch having lunch.  My sister tried to feed them cheese and as we were discussing how they can't eat it the gentleman sitting across from us started asking us about food allergies.  He introduced us to his grandson.  His grandson was allergic to 68 different foods but was receiving shots that allowed him to eat anything he was allergic to.

I researched the doctor and headed 3 hours south to have him check out my girls.  He looked over their records and examined them plus spent a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes with us.  I had never had a doctor spend that much time talking with us.  We came back a second time for environmental allergy testing.  He suggested Low Dose Allergen Therapy.  It changes the T-cells in the body so they no longer see foods as allergens.  It is two shots (one for foods and one for environmentals) that they get every two months.  It does have a "critical 3 days" (day before, day of and day after the shot) where the girls have to basically be quarantined and eat a limited diet.  The girls had their first shot in January.  We had to wait 21 days for the shots to fully absorb.  On the 22nd day we could start food challenges.  We started them February 5th.  They first tried beef and had no reactions.  They have since had beef five times with no reactions.  This past weekend they tried dairy.  We started with Rice Dream Rice Bites that state "May contain Milk".  They have always made the girls react.  They had no reaction this time.  The next night they each tried a spoonful of cow's milk yogurt.  They again had no reaction.  We have not tried anything since as we only like to try things on weekends.  Other symptoms have also gone away like stuffy noses, allergy rings and bags under the eyes.

One of our allergy support group members asked her allergist about it and was told that he has seen positive results and no negative side effects but the allergy association he belongs to doesn't allow them to recommend LDA if they want to remain members.

I had never heard of this treatment prior to meeting the mother at the pumpkin patch and had my sister not tried to feed the girls cheese, I may still not know about it.  I want to get the word out because our life is changing and I see it as unbelievable.  We have been able to add beef on a regular basis and will hopefully see dairy added in regularly soon.  If you want to read more about it, Dr. Shrader from New Mexico developed it for the United States.  His website is http://www.drshrader.com 

[starreyedcutie]

Wow

[hollinicole]

Want to read more on this when am on the computer

[ElmoRules]

Update:  They had more dairy Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and had no reactions.  We haven't given them very much each day.  I spoke with our doctor today and he said to give them bigger portions but only give it to them every 4 days so we are going to start that this week with the dairy and beef.  He would also like us to have them try soy before their next shot.  He would like use to hold off on the gluten (grains) for another shot or two.  Lucy and Zoey have been so excited and are asking to try so many things that it is hard to go slow!

[starreyedcutie]

I'm so glad its working for you