severe food allergies out there???

[Anonymous]

My 3 yr old dd deals with severe life-threatening food allergies-

anybody else out there- would love to connect to share local info

we have had broad-spectrum amount of issues but now deal with nuts and shellfish-

[Anonymous]

I also have a child with numerous and severe food allergies. Have you visited Dr. Wood yet?

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but question for 20:03 poster. We have an appointment with Dr. Wood early 2009. Any advice/feedback would be welcomed.

[Anonymous]

OP here-

we actually see Dr Matsui at Hopkins-

we have been VERY happy with the care at Hopkins

to PP--I find having a timeline of medical history helped a lot-so you can go through all the reactions to foods etc.

[Anonymous]

To 16:28 poster. I was very satisfied with Dr. Wood and his staff. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to get there - it can be pretty confusing finding the building. I would also suggest taking a list of all your pressing questions (we took at least 15!!). Have copies of all your medical records (especially previous allergy tests) as well so they can give you the best evaluation possible. I felt Dr. Wood really took the time to answer questions in detail and did not seem rushed or pressed for time. Their check in process is pretty streamlined, which I was happy about. Their follow up is good as well. I hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

My 3 yr old DS has multiple severe food allergies. It sucks.

There are some local support groups in the area. Where do you live? I'm interested in connecting with families with preschoolers and MFA for playdates, etc., if anyone is interested. Would be nice to find someone that truly understands.

[Anonymous]

PP, where in NoVa do you live? We're near Tysons, and our DS, who will be 3 in the spring, has severe food allergies.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, PP again. I should have clarified that I'm a new poster, not one f the previous ones. For some reason I also assumed that you're in NoVa - I clearly need another coffee. If you're in the Tysons area, I'd be interested in connecting.

[Anonymous]

Hi, all. We're new in town, and my 9-year-old daughter is allergic to milk, peanuts, and tree nuts. She used to be allergic to eggs, as was her younger brother, but they both have outgrown those allergies.

My daughter was diagnosed with her milk allergy at about 9 months of age, so I've been dealing with this for a while. It sounds like you're a little overwhelmed, and I was, too - especially at the preschool age when it seemed that kids were eating all the time and smearing food everywhere. But it does get a lot easier, I promise. It's still a nuisance, but that's really all it is right now. We have to plan things in advance, and take food with us on outings, but we travel internationally and domestically (to apartments with kitchens, in cities with good medical care, where the ingredient labels are written in a language I understand), and so on. Our main challenge right now is playdates. Sometimes my daughter doesn't get invited when she otherwise might be, because the parents don't know how to deal with her allergies, or are afraid to be responsible for her well-being. That was ok when she was young enough for me to go along, but not anymore.

So, who is this Dr. Wood? We'll be looking for a good pediatric allergist who has experience with food allergies, and I'd love recommendations. (I'm in NoVA, too.)

[Anonymous]

Dr Wood is at John Hopkins in Baltimore and is widely recommended as a top pediatric allergist, esp. for more complex cases. Dr Sally Joo Bailey, whose offices are at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, is a very good local alternative. (She trained with Dr Wood and is said to be very good. We have an appointment to see her in a few months.)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the explanation! DD's allergies are very straightforward, so I think a local option would do just fine (though we certainly want someone well-trained and knowledgeable). I will check out Dr. Bailey; has anyone had experience with Dr. Richard Rosenthal?

[Anonymous]

Anyone know if Dr. Loria is good in McLean? Am I better off to take DS to a pediatric allergist?