I called an environmental allergist today. Our Aunt and others I know have gone to him for testing and all love him. He is not a traditional allergist and uses the controversial IgG testing versus the traditional IgE testing done by allergists. The main problem with IgG is that it is unproven and not accepted by the medical community with open arms. Research into it has shown me that it does have benefits but that results can be left to interpretation. All that being said, I decided "what the hay" and called the office. Imagine my surprise to find out he is an actual doctor! MD and all. I pleaded my case and was only at year one of Curran's bowel issues when she told me that they could accept him (you need a referral and my ped will not do that). Maybe she was just grateful to get me to stop talking about puke and poop...

Anyway, I am going a tad untradtional here. I have time to further familiarize myself with it all as our appointment is in May, oddly within a week of our new GI appointment. May should be a great intestinal month!:laughing:

This is just something else to investigate. No freaky weird stuff seems to happen with these allergists but I am wary. Allergy testing is up to us to decide and also up to us to pay for. My issue with this is that many end up with all the same allergies regardless of background and exposure. I figured I may as well get the blurb for this from the expert and decide on my own.

Today I was told that I could pick up the questionaire prior to our appointment or arrive one hour early on our appointment date to fill it out. I asked "why so long" and the response is that the questionnaire is 40 pages :smt104 Egad.

Holy cow! 40 pages? And I thought the 17 page questionaire I sent to the endocrinologist last week was long. Geeeee.:smt043

Well, unconventional or off the beaten path or whatever... you're doing a great job!!! Every kid needs a mommy like you to keep searching out the answers when there's an issue that needs addressing.

I'm guessing that you are going to fill it out beforehand? 40 pages!! :shock:

I think you're being smart, Leigh. Think about Curran's first GI and how much time he has wasted. You have to do what you have to do.

**crossing fingers that the Allergist and/or the GI figure out how to help Curran**

YIKES!:smt087 They are going to have you writing a book. It should be an interesting appt. I hope that he can help you! (Crossing fingers, toes, etc!)

Hey, Leigh! Type that sucker up so we can all see it! :smt024

Hey, Leigh! Type that sucker up so we can all see it! :smt024

:smt036

I triple the type it up so we can see it:iconbigg:

I am exploring alternative testng and treatments as well but am aprehensive because of the out of pocket payments--we just have SO much money because you know we have a money tree in our backyard that loves to just drop money on our grass all day long:disgust: . So frustrating that the alternative things that may help more than the traditional are things that are not covered.

Hope it works and please pass on the wealth of knowledge you will gleam from this!!!!!!!!!!

Leigh--You know, sometimes you have to try the path less taken in order to get some answers...esp. when the traditional route seems to be a dead end. :banghead:

If you'd like, you could unload a few of those pages on us--I think we're all very familiar with the bowel/puke issues at your house and could tell very colorful stories on your behalf! :smt036

I agree, you gotta do what you gotta do! Should be interesting! Good luck w/that and I'll be waiting for my copy ;)

Thanks for the support, everyone! I am thinking I will go and get that questionnaire early, maybe this week so that I can get a head start on it. Wow. What on earth could they want to know for 40 pages on a 4 year old??? Geez.

Once I get it I will post it for sure, but I want extra credit for it.:smt047

I know this is a bit off the path and I am still trying to research this type of testing. Anyway I look at it he IS a doctor (will be checking his diploma for sure) and what can happen? All it is involves blood draw like RAST testing and I just have to decide if it is worth it. Maybe he will give me some clues into Curran's food issues as our last GI did not believe in gut allergies... I should have checked HIS diploma!

So right about the out of pocket costs, Carla. If I decide to do it I am certain the costs are around $300 to $400 and NO coverage is involved. Ack. At least our initial appointment IS covered.

Will keep you posted and I am so curious that I may go by Friday to get that information and questionnaire.

Oh, and thanks to Mary for volunteering to fill out part of the paperwork! Hee hee.

Oh, and thanks to Mary for volunteering to fill out part of the paperwork! Hee hee.

*lol* When asked to describe his bowel movements, do you think the office would accept "Chernobyl" as an accurate descriptor?

*lol* When asked to describe his bowel movements, do you think the office would accept "Chernobyl" as an accurate descriptor?

I could always give him a tiny bit of cheese and bring in the uh, proof that it IS an accurate descriptor!:smt047

OMG! MARY!
ROFL!

Leigh,
You HAVE to do it! You HAVE to use your word. It would make that doc's day, and everyone that works for him. Imagine all those medical people just a working away, and coming across that.


Wishing you all the Good Luck I can squeeze out. Oh, wait a minute that sounds gross.

O.K. just good luck (only I mean it so much bigger than what it sounds)
Leigh

I will definately use the descriptor!:smt043 I think that it would not leave much grey area for what we have dealt with here.

Today I got the questionnaire and it IS 40 pages! Wow. It does not all pertain to Curran though as he is not gainfully employed yet (much to my chagrin) nor is he currently in any meaningful relationship that I am aware of.:smt047 However, there is so much stuff to fill out. I will get started on it this weekend and ship it in to the office in case we do get a last minute cancellation.

The blurbs on the testing offered and his credentials were included in the package. I am still going over it all but he is very much of the "Is This Your Child" kind of doctor.:iconbigg: He states the pros and cons of the methods and I am familiar with the provocation and neutralization method having read the book. Now to see what he offers Curran.

Give me a bit (not tonight) and I will post some of it. It will be a long post. I know, I know. How "unusual":laughing:

I wish that I could be a fly on the wall when you go to the allergist. It will definetly be an interesting appt. Maybe we will make a trip to Canada and see what he can tell us! LOL Got room for us?>?? LOL
:smt043 :home:

The inside of the clinic upstairs has gorgeous flooring and the rooms seem to be big enough so sure we can fit you in!:iconbigg:

I am so very anxious now to meet this fellow. He has been practicising this for 23 years now. Just have to "check his credentials" that are cited and perhaps find and read some of his published papers.

:smt023 :thumblef: :thumblef: :thumbrig:

This could be a breakthrough, Leigh. Wait, "breakthrough" probably isn't an ideal word to use when referring to poop, is it? lol. I crack myself up. Anyways, I think you are exercising all options, and that's what we do, right? Mothers of GERDlings stop at nothing!

You are right Maggie! We seem to be a breed unlike any other! :smt036