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Boy Opera is going to the allergist early next month. He knows it involves needles, and at 9 (almost 10) years old, he accepts that and I think is actually looking forward to figuring out what the problem is. He's had four rounds of really really bad hives and vomiting since January.
Friday evening we had friends over for dinner. The lady had just had allergy testing done, and described it as a really horrible, painful experience. She actually worried me the way she talked about it. Her suggestion was the Mr. Opera take the day off work and go with us because it was bound to be so bad.
So, is it really that bad? (Keep in mind we're speaking of a child) Should I have Mr. Opera come with us?
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My reaction to it aside and speaking just about the needles actually going in part. It was a very sharp double pinch. It hurt more than getting blood drawn, but less than getting one of the more painful shots. The bad part was that they did it so many times.... once would have been okay, by the time she was halfway through my eyes were tearing up. I am, admittedly, a wuss.
If she was suggesting Mr. Opera come along to hold Boy Opera down, I doubt that would be necessary. I would not have minded having someone there to hold my hand, but if you will be there you can fill that role.
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posted
I didn't think it was bad at all. I had the traditional scratch test. They basically made a grid on my back and then put a drop of stuff on where they'd made a little scratch (it just felt like when you scratch an itch on your back). Then they set a timer and you lay there (on your stomach) while they come in periodically to check on the reactions. I think the whole wait time was around 10 mins. At the end they put a lotion/cream on to treat the itching from the allergic reactions. For me, the itching was obnoxious, but not anything I couldn't deal with. Most of my reactions were 1-2 (on a scale of 1-5, 5 being most severe), but I did have some 3s and a couple 4s (I have a lot of allergies).
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There are different sorts of tests, depending on what you want to know. The blood test that Joldo describes has a lot of false positives -- i.e., many people have some level of antibodies to allergens for which they exhibit no symptoms. Depending on what you want to use the information for (is a definitive "yes" more important than a definitive "no," or vice versa?), this may or may not be a problem.
I've never had an allergy scratch test myself, so I can't comment. I've only seen it done on adults (our allergy clinic was adult-focused). [They seemed to have about the same experience as ludosti. It was the itching that got to them, not really the pricks. It might be an operator-dependent thing, though.]
[ February 21, 2005, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: Glaphyra the Corruptor ]
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posted
I had a scratch test, then one where you're injected with small amounts of different substances. The scratch test was not very horrible. The other one is the one I had anesthetic for.
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I did not get a topical anesthetic, no. And I believe that what they did was different from what you describe, ludosti. I think that they had needles with a little bit of the allergen on each (There was a stand with 39 different hypodermics on it) and they stuck the needle in my back (on a marked grid) and then moved it in such a way to leave the allergen under my skin. It was that second part that hurt.
My reaction was very severe as well, but I think it was also pretty unusual, so I won't go into that again. However, as I'm sure SO remembers it, I will reiterate that they were watching for possible bad reactions very closely and reacted immediately when it became apparent I was having one. While it was scary, I never felt in serious danger for my life.
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posted
On the other hand, when Patty said that ElJay might be reacting to the henna with raised bumps, I started reviewing my basic CPR and congratulating myself for always carrying an EpiPen. *rueful look
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Oh, the mention of epi-pen reminds me of another question I had. We have a prescription for one, but I haven't filled it yet. Should I? Boy Opera has *never* had any type of trouble breathing during his reactions. I've gotten mixed signals from my doc (who wrote the 'scrip) on this one. When Boy Opera had hives a few weeks ago followed by a fainting episode, the doc asked if I'd given him an epi shot. I said, "No. He wasn't having any trouble breathing. Should I have?" He said he guessed not.
Thanks for all the answers about the testing; it's making me feel better. My friend just kinda freaked me out.
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If you have a prescription for one, I can't see how it would hurt to have it filled and have it around. You live pretty far out, don't you? As long as you don't use it just because you have it... keep it for if he IS having trouble breathing or whatever else the recommendations say.
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Space Opera, I'd always have one around, just to be on the safe side. It isn't necessary for some cases, but if you need it, it saves lives. [Exactly what ElJay said. Don't use it if you don't need to.] I carry one because I've anaphylaxed before myself.
[ February 21, 2005, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: Glaphyra the Corruptor ]
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Ok, I just went and found the prescription; I think I'll go have it filled later this evening. I probably should have filled it when the doc first wrote it, but at that time we weren't sure (even the doc) that Boy Opera would ever have another reaction.
Thanks to all. I really do feel better about the testing now.
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And in other news, after the conversation this weekend about me never going back for my shots since the clinic hadn't called me and the extra reminder from this thread, I am currently on hold with the allergy clinic finidng out what's going on. dkw, you better be right about the difference this will make in my life. And it better not suck.
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Apparently I was supposed to call and set up an appointment. I don't remember them saying I was supposed to call and set up an appointment. In fact, I remember them saying it would take a couple of weeks to mix up the stuff and they would call me when it was ready. That's what my mom remembers them saying, too, after they called her to come collect me since I couldn't drive home.
Also, they were completely incompetant at trying to schedule the appointment. For instance, I would have a much easier time deciding which location I want to go to if you'd tell me what locations you have. And when you're asking when I'd like to come in, it's helpful to know that you are only there 4 days a week, at different hours each day.
Regardless, it is done. I am going in Thursday for my first shot. I am, if you couldn't tell, scared, which makes me exceedingly grumpy. I know it will be fine. I don't care. So there.
(SO, I bet you're glad you only have to deal with a rational 9 year old, instead of me, hmmmm?)
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It is a risk. But note that you are doing the exposure in a controlled circumstance, where there are trained people to observe and help. In the outside world, there can (and likely, will) be exposure under uncontrolled circumstances, and that is scary, too.
Still, it does give one pause, to say the least. I know. Hard, hard stuff.
[ February 21, 2005, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: Glaphyra the Corruptor ]
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posted
I had the tests. I had the shots. It works.
The pain isn't so bad, but I would agree that a kid would be better off with parent or parents around, and probably go home and rest afterwards.
They usually don't let you leave the doctor's office until they are sure you aren't going to have a bad reaction to the tests or later, the shots. Once you've got some treatments under your belt, they probably don't worry too much about it, but they'll want you to have an epi-pen around just in case, and know how to use it.
If your child gets hives, you really should have an epi-pen around all the time anyway.
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However, as I'm sure SO remembers it, I will reiterate that they were watching for possible bad reactions very closely and reacted immediately when it became apparent I was having one. While it was scary, I never felt in serious danger for my life.
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I had your back. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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dkw, you better be right about the difference this will make in my life. And it better not suck.![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
I know it will be fine. I don't care. ![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
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The last paragraph of the WebMD article isn't what I'd call comforting!
