⁠
Here is what is in our PracMedic Bag:⁠
✔️2 Epi Auto Injectors⁠
✔️Pulse-Oximeter⁠
✔️Action Plan w/ Allergist Info⁠
✔️Sanitizing Wipes⁠
✔️Medication Package Insert for Epi Injector- Being a Certified Pharmacy Technician since 2003, I always like to be overly prepared and that little packet of info can come in handy at times. ⁠
✔️2 doses of Pre-filled syringes of Benadryl with Dose, Lot# and Expiration Date⁠ written on a sticker tag.⁠
✔️1 dose of Pre-filled syringe of Tylenol with Dose, Lot# and Expiration Date written on a sticker tag.⁠
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Links to my "Must-Haves" are HERE

I've heard it more than I should! I also experienced it myself. The BAD Allergist. Now, I'm not here to bash Allergists with all professions - there are the great, good, bad and horrible. 

Lucas started with eczema within hours of being born. Took us 6 months to figure out he had food allergies. My mom gave him a little ice cream and he broke out in hives around his mouth. We just happened to have our 6 month appt at the pediatrician the next day. I took pictures to document the hives and the reaction to show the doctor (Always take pictures!!!!). Our pediatrician said we needed to see an Allergist, obviously, my mind was already there before we even stepped foot in the office. He gave me a recommendation for a 'great' Allergist, a doctor that used to work at that Pediatrician's office but then found his calling for being an Allergist and started his own practice. So, I took his card on the way out and immediately called to schedule an appointment. We got in a few days later. Between the Pediatrician appointment and the Allergist's appointment, it gave me some time to talk to people. I heard that if you have one allergy, it's likely you may have more, my research confirmed that. I also did some research on the skin tests and had a rough game plan in my head.

It was appointment day. We go to the Allergist, yes, he was noted to be a pediatric Allergist. The nurse was horrible. Now, I'm not any way "that mom" who's is overly over the top with being dramatic or they gotta be super-extra-soooooooo-careful. The nurses bedside manor was lacking and if I'm feeling it, then we have a problem here. The Allergist came in, we went over the dairy reaction, explained everything and how I was breastfeeding. He said he was only going to test for dairy and nothing else since dairy was the only thing he reacted to. I requested a Top 8 panel to be tested and he refused, said to just feed him foods and see if he reacts. ** Our current Allergist, won't skin test for everything either but more on that shortly. I said he's not really eating food yet, he's getting what I'm ingesting and it's going to be hard to figure out reactions. In fact, I haven't given him any table food yet. The ice cream was a one off and he reacted to it. You can't tell a new mom with a NEW proven diagnosis of food allergies to "just do" anything when it comes to food. I was just appalled between the nurse and him. The skin test came, she jabbed it in, he's crying. Then he hands us a prescription for Epi-Pens and sends us on our way. 

I left that appointment so frustrated and scared to eat anything. I immediately, texted my neighbor. Her son has food allergies. She gave me her Allergist's info and they love him. I called that office, the receptionist was amazing, so nice! They had a last minute cancelation two days later. I jumped on it. 

We walked into that office and the atmosphere was just better. I could feel it. The Allergist came into the room, immediately started to play games with Lucas. Lucas was laughing and giggling. He gained Lucas' trust and got on his level before he did anything. The nurse, equally was just a great! I spoke to the Allergist about our previous Allergist appointment. He said, he will definitely do a Top 8 panel, I was so relieved but other foods, we will have try and see if he reacts. There can be false positives with any test. I nodded my head in agreement. His panel came back positive for Dairy, Egg, mildly for Soy and Peanut. So I needed to cut that all out of my diet if I was going to continue to breastfeed. I wanted to call up the other Allergist and go off on him but I didn't. I'm happy we got a second opinion!!!!! The nurse came in, did the skin test. She was gentle, explained everything as she was doing it. Lucas didn't even cry. Not one tear! After the results, she rubbed on some hydrocortisone cream to this back to relieve the itching and reactions. The first office didn't do this. I just knew, this was going to be our Allergist! 

We Challenged Soy and Peanut before he was 11 months old because his reaction was mild. He can eat them no problem. He can have baked egg now- that was around 2 years old. We tried cooked egg a year later and he went into Anaphylaxis at the office, so we went back to baked egg. He grew out of dairy, as well, around 2 years old. But since then, he's now allergic to Tree Nuts and Peas. 

The moral of the story is. Go with your gut. A second opinion NEVER hurts! ALWAYS ask for referrals from friends and family, they know how the offices work and have had first hand experiences. I made the rookie mistake of asking a doctor for a referral for another doctor. Of course, they will always refer their friends or previous coworker. 

If you're local to Southeast PA or don't mind a drive - I HIGHLY recommend Allergy and Asthma Specialists they have 8 offices in the area. 

Remember, I'm here if you need an ear. 

With love and support,

Megan 

1/2 cup Coconut Oil (or Canola Oil)

1/2 cup Honey

1/2 teaspoonful Cinnamon

3 Cups of Rolled Oats

Ground Flax Seed

Brown Sugar (optional)

Chia Seeds

Dried Fruit (optional)

In a large bowl, add Coconut Oil, honey, cinnamon and stir together with fork. 

Then, add rolled oats and mix well. 

After that, add in the Chia seeds, Brown Sugar and Flax Seeds and mix well. You can add as much or as little as you want. Granola is very forgiving!

Transfer Granola to a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Stirring about half-way through. 

Granola is done when you see it getting slightly toasted on top. Granola will be moist when it first comes out of the oven but it will dry as it begins to cool. At this point, you can add dried fruit, if you want. Once cooled COMPLETELY, store in airtight container at room temperature. 

Serve with milk, yogurt, or over ice cream or eat plain as a crunchy snack! Remember to tag @the_alherrgy_mom or #thealherrgymom 

We live and breath these products! You WILL find these products in our house. I believe in sharing products we use and LOVE!

Lucas Takes His Food Allergies to Daycare -Board Book

Every mom looks forward to their child's First Birthday. The cake, the party. However, for me, being a new food allergy mom, it came with added stress. I breastfed for the first year, I adhered to his food allergies and kept them out of my diet.  I was in control. At the time of his first birthday, he was allergic to Dairy and Eggs. My biggest concern was, what was a good alternative for milk? I did lots of research on almond milk, oat milk, other non-dairy milks. I finally found Ripple, a pea protein based milk. It checked all the boxes and was the most identical with vitamins and protein to Whole Milk. It was perfect and I was so happy. Until...

Fast forward a few days after his first birthday. It was in the evening (Lesson learned-- Don't try new things in the evenings) I decided to give him a taste of the Ripple Milk. It was literally a fight, he DID NOT want to try it. After much fuss, he finally took the smallest of sips and then refused any more. I didn't push it, he took a sip and I was happy with that. 

About two hours later, it was bedtime. Probably 8pm. We did our nightly routine and put him to bed. Shortly, thereafter our dog started to bark at his bedroom door. I walked into his room to check on him and he was covered in vomit and had huge hive welts from head to toe but was awake and seemly normal, given his appearance. His ears were swollen, belly button was swollen, had hives the size of quarters around his groin and his body. 

I immediately called for my husband, he came running upstairs. My first instinct was to call the pediatrician. (Lesson learned-- NEVER call the pediatrician, if you're under the care of an Allergist. Call the ALLERGIST!!). The nurse who was on call, said to give Benadryl, which we did already and that she'd call back every hour until the symptoms started to go away. I asked her, if we should call 911 and give Epi, she said "No" because he wasn't showing signs of shortness of breath. Now I know, ya'll are probably screaming at your computers and cursing my name for listening to this advice. In my defense, I THOUGHT a pediatricians office would be up-to-date on Anaphylaxis...… after the fact, I learned, most aren't. Ours wasn't. This was our first anaphylaxis and everything our Allergist coached us on went out the door. I was in full panic mode and listened to what she told us. He was still acting completely fine, laughing, talking, no shortness of breath, had energy. If anything else developed, I was to give Epi and call 911. About an hour later, the hives went away and he started to look better. Vomiting stopped. I kept him in our bed that night, so I could be close to him and barely slept.

The next day he woke up fine, like everything 6 hours later never happened. So, I took him to daycare that morning. Explain to them what happened, so they could keep an extra eye on him. I called the Allergist to give them an update on the event. He immediately said, next time to call them and not the pediatrician. He reviewed the Anaphylaxis Action plan again with me. Giving Epi to me, was so scary, it's something that is very unnerving. He once again said "if in doubt, give Epi and call 911. You will NOT hurt him by giving Epi!"

Noon rolled around and I got a call from Daycare. Lucas started to vomit again but not showing any other signs of Anaphylaxis. I immediately left work and called my husband. Then called the Allergist. They said he could be having a Biphasic reaction and to take him to the ER for observation and treatment. We picked him up and drove to our hospital. They took his vitals, all were fine. I explained what happened the night before. They gave him a steroid and kept us for 2 hours for observation. We left the ER with a 5 day course of oral steroids. All was good after that. 

I was very grateful he only took a sip of the Ripple Milk. I felt bad for forcing him to take a sip after he put up such a fight. I almost think his body knew or he had some sixth sense not to drink it. Not many families get an Anaphylaxis do-over. I thank God every day that he gave Lucas another chance because I failed him that first time. 

Please please please-- learn the signs and symptoms of Anaphylaxis and a Biphasic reaction. Give Epi and call 911 Immediately, even in doubt. I learned so many lessons that night. Don't make my same mistakes. For more information on Anaphylaxis visit FARE

Now, he was allergic to Dairy, Eggs, Peas and Pea-Protein