Today is Rylee's appointment for the allergist. I am kind of scared, and I don't know why. I am just ready to get this over with. Her appointment isn't until 2pm, and it's supposed to last an hour, so I will let you know how it goes when we get home.

By Kaye on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 10:18 am:

We had that done on my oldest when she was 9 months old. It reallly wasn't a huge deal. They took these plastic things (look like a toy that needed taken apart, like game pieces) they put the stuff on those and pressed them to her back. She didn't seem uncomfy at all. Then you have to wait. The key was she couldn't touch her back to anything, so no laying down or holding her on my lap. It was the best thing I have ever done as a parent, we didn't have to do shots, we were able to just elimate foods from her diet. It made her a whole new healty girl and we were able to avoid surgery for tubes.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 10:45 am:

Rayanne, take a deep breath! I think it's a normal *mommy thing* to feel anxious about this, but consider this: if you are nervous/afraid, Rylee is going to pick up on that, and react accordingly, so please, try to relax.

The positive side of this is, if she does have specific allergies, you will know and can plan accordingly. It's always scary when you think there is something wrong healthwise with your child. But it's better to be armed with information.

Hang in there, and let us know how it goes.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Trina~moderator on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 11:26 am:

Ditto Kaye and Karen. {{{HUGS}}} I've BTDT with both kids and know exactly how you feel. It's very scary and overwhelming at first, but it helps a great deal to pinpoint allergens and go from there.

By Rayanne on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 04:04 pm:

Well, we are back, and that is the worst thing that I have ever had to put my daughter through. She wouldn't be still for the little scratches on her back, so she had to get 5 shots in her left arm. She screamed and cried and I also cried. The results were that she is bascicly allergic to the world. Her biggest things that she is allergic to are dogs, dust, and mold. We have to get an air purifier for her room, and we also need a new vaccume. Ours doesn't work worth a darn. Can anyone reccomend one?

By Karen~moderator on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 04:31 pm:

Rayanne, I understand completely how gut wrenching it feels to watch your child go through something that is frightening and even painful for her. But please, for your own sake and for Rylee's, realize that sometimes stuff like that is necessary, and you are NOT being the *bad guy*. It just sounds like you are feeling badly *for putting her through it*.

I know how it feels, but you did the right thing.

Now that you know a bit about what she's allergic too, you can take steps to deal with it. I know it probably feels very overwhelming too right now, and there are moms here with kids who have a lot more allergies than my own kids do/did, so they can give you better advice than I can.

Don't feel bad.....OK??

{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 06:13 pm:

Check Consumer Reports for vacuum cleaners.

By Debbie on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 06:20 pm:

{{{hugs}}} My ds has bad allergies and asthma. You may want to check into having the vents in your house cleaned. We did this and it has really helped with the dust. The company that we used also has a treatment that they spray in the vents after they are cleaned. It is suppose to help keep dust from forming and staying in the vents. As far as vacuums, I have heard that the Dysons are very good. Ginny has a great idea about checking Consumer Reports.

By Marcia on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 10:56 pm:

The best move we made was getting rid of all carpets. Our whole home now has hardwood, laminate and ceramic.

By Tripletmom on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 12:43 pm:

Ditto Marcia

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 01:09 pm:

{{{HUGS}}} Ditto Karen. Sometimes it's necessary to put our children through unpleasant things for the sake of their health. Not fun, I know! Be forewarned Rylee will need to go through testing again in the future. The good news is they handle it better as they get older. Despite the testing experience, you now know what Rylee is allergic to and can take precautions to prevent and/or alleviate reactions.

DS has a HEPA air cleaner in his room. It has made a big difference. We need to get one for DD's room also, but since they're sharing the same room for now, there is no rush. I also put allergy covers on their mattresses and pillows.

We have central vac. The unit is in the basement and all exhaust is vented outdoors. If you don't have central vac, any vacuum cleaner with a HEPA air cleaner should do the trick.

As far as vent cleaning, do your research. Our heating/AC/oil company told us it's a crock. We haven't bothered, but we did get an electrostatic air cleaner hooked up to our central heat/AC. It has significantly cut down on dust in the house! Woo hoo!

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 10:27 pm:

She got 5 shots or they took 5 vials of blood? We did the same thing with Connor last week and it was horrific. Although, Johns Hopkins has a wonderful program and we are VERY happy with our doctors now.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 08:08 am:

She maybe got 5 shots, if she was having allergy testing done. I'm allergic to dust mites and mold, too. Fortunately, our bedroom doesn't have carpeting in it, just a hardwood floor. For Gary and me, it's probably a good thing.

Poor guy, he is way more allergic to pollen-type things, than I am and can be pretty miserable. Although, if we have a lot of rain in the fall, leaf mold can really get to me.