Talking Allergies

Hi,

I have a 10 year old son with asthma, and food, latex, environmental and pet allergies and he has been in worse control over the past 8 months than ever before. Our allergist says he has run out of options and the ENT surgeon doesn't feel that he's a candidate for adenoid removal. He functions okay, but gets up at least once during the night, is a restless sleeper, and sneezes, snorts and rubs his nose all day! He has a nasal polyp as well, which is likely from the constant irritation. We're considering taking him to National Jewish Health in Denver for their two week day program to see if there is something that we're missing, and to get some new advice. But the cost is significant of course, both for the program and the travel itself. I've heard great things about it but I'm wondering if any of you, as Canadians, would do it? I'm really not sure; part of me feels like I'm betraying our doctors here but maybe they would be fully supportive, I'm not sure. It takes so long to get in to see them that it's hard to ask!

Thanks!
Amy

I wouldn't consider seeking another opinion betraying or 'cheating' on our doctors. Your son's health team has come up empty handed. You are simply looking at another avenue.

I fully believe that if my allergist or pediatrician could not help our daughter control her asthma, they would be fine with my seeking assistance from another doctor. It's not like they're going to run out of patients!Of course I would keep them in the loop regarding progress.

If you can afford to go ...go! Good luck!

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Moderator
Daughter: asthma, allergies to egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, most legumes (not soy) & penicillin. Developing hayfever type allergies.
Husband: no allergies
Me: allergies to some tree that flowers in May
Cat: allergic to beef, pork and lamb

We found out the cost today - it's over $20,000 US so we won't be going after all. That's just the medical costs, it doesn't include any travel/accommodation/food expenses. Not that my son isn't worth it, but I'll push harder here instead.

Yikes! I don't know how Americans do it.
I know he's been seen by an allergist and an ENT but, has he seen a pediatric respirologist?

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Moderator
Daughter: asthma, allergies to egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, most legumes (not soy) & penicillin. Developing hayfever type allergies.
Husband: no allergies
Me: allergies to some tree that flowers in May
Cat: allergic to beef, pork and lamb

What meds is he using for his symptoms? Sometimes switching up the nasal steroid works wonders. Our allergist always recommends using the sinus rinse right before using the nasal steroids when the symptoms are worsening. The regimen could take some extra time - especially if it's done the recommended twice a day, but it really works for lots of people.

Not sure what you've tried, but our allergist is also a pediatrician and respirologist (triple threat!), so he really covers the bases with kids that present with asthma / allergies.

Toadette, what prov. are you in?
Maybe that way, people can help with good local suggestions.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Thanks everyone!

My son goes to an asthma and allergist specialist, he's quite good I think, and he does the PFTs right in his office which is great. Our ENT is at the Alberta Children's and he's apparently the best in Western Canada. So when these guys tell me they've run out of options, it's a bummer!

We do the sinus rinses once or twice a day depending on the season, followed by the steroid nose spray. We've done three different steroid sprays and currently he's using Avamys, while his brother uses Nasonex. It's great to hear that others are doing the same thing with success - I don't feel like I'm missing something! He's taking Advair for his asthma which thankfully seems to be working. The saline spray and rinses have eliminated his sinus infections which is great.

I wish his doctors would check and/or treat his possible reflux. When asked at the allergist, my son said that he throws up in his mouth frequently which apparently is a big sign for reflux. But the doctor won't treat it until we deal with the sinuses. The allergist really wants his adenoids out but the ENT doesn't feel that removing the adenoids will improve symptoms. So we're kinda stuck.

We're doing the sleep oximetry test in a couple weeks and going back to the ENT in July to see if maybe the adenoids are causing obstructive sleep apnea. So we'll see how that goes.