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I've been meaning to get one of those bracelets for Tyler that states his allergy and what to do if the fit hits the shan.

Lightning Bolt wrote:I noticed where there's an app for the iPhone that has pretty detailed listings of food items and their potential for glutens.
When I saw it, I instantly thought of you and Victoria (or is she going by Torii now in all her thespian circles? )

She's definitely Victoria for the stage, for sure. Only good friends call her Tori and I usually call her Tori Jo.

sonofabeach wrote:I've been meaning to get one of those bracelets for Tyler that states his allergy and what to do if the fit hits the shan.

That is a really, really good idea. I know if Victoria's issue was anaphylactic, she would definitely have a bracelet.

The Lost Manatee wrote:Since we discovered my daughter's food allergies, we have discovered the joys of dining out and having to send food back, repeatedly to be sure that it is safe for her to eat. Her school was rather unresponsive to my concerns about her eating in the lunch room. And then we they refused to allow her to have her migraine medications with her at all time, that was it. I pulled her from that school. She is now attending a virtual school and we don't have to worry about either issue.

Wow, that's really frustrating. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Maybe one day the school will catch up with the times.

sonofabeach wrote:

Hockey Mon wrote:

sonofabeach wrote:

buffettbride wrote:

sonofabeach wrote:Just yesterday we got a real good scare when the school called telling us that Tyler's breathing was so bad that he could barely talk. They quickly gave him benedryl and it went away. I was actually gonna post about it.
It was frightening for a few minutes playing phone tag with the school and not knowing for sure what was going on. A few minutes before the school called I was working in the yard when I heard a siren go by so as soon as I heard the news I thought "oh no" and we're so close to the school that I thought they went there but thankfully that was not the case. The nurse told me when I picked him up that she was very close to calling 911 and sticking him with his epipen, which we've never had to do. The couple of times in the past that he had a reaction was never anywhere near this serious, more like just an itchy tongue and maybe a puffy eye. He is allergic to peanuts but I'm not sure what brought yesterday's episode on. I went to school and ate lunch with him outside. I'm not even sure if it was his peanut allergy. Tyler said that hey did a lot of exercising in P.E. and it happened right afterwards.

Food allergies and asthma are like first cousins. I'm glad Tyler is OK. How scary, especially after the bout with Vickie a while back!

Tell me about it. It sucketh. I thought about asthma for a second. A couple of weeks back the doc thought I may have it because I was weezing/coughing but I'm better now.

Wow, that's pretty scary. I'm glad he's okay too. Both my boys who have allergies have asthma. It's not too bad but we need to be careful about coughs and such (like the god damn flu, which one of them was diagnosed with TODAY ). Anything respitory can turn bad. Still, that's crazy it happened after PE. Then again, reactions don't have to be immediate; they can happen hours later.

Interesting about the benedryl/epipen. There is some prevaling wisdom (either by my kids school or our allergist- http://drrobertwood.com I don't remember which) that if the kid is having a possible allergic reaction, to epipen the kid; no f'n around. The thought process is that is if you give benedryl and the allergy gets worse and worse, you will need to use the epi anyway. It all depends on the severity of the reaction I guess and it's hard to know when it's going to be mild or when it's going to be full blown. I personally am not sold on it but if it was my ass on the line at school for someone's kid, I might think differently. I think it might be the school's policy; they don't want to take any chances.

His doctor has said to not mess around and just use the pen but when Tyler had a reaction last year we called and she said to try Benedryl first which worked.
The nurse in the clinic described a machine that said his lung capacity was good enough for Benedryl. I should have listened better but I was kinda shook up at the time.
I figured it would be something he breathed into but Tyler said she clipped a monitor type thing on his finger.

I'm not a doctor, nor did I sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night but I wonder if the machine monitored the amount of oxygen in his blood. Nonetheless, good thing the Benedryl worked. The epipen scares the crap out of me; don't know why. Maybe I watched Pulp Fiction too many times (John Travolta sticking Uma Thurman in the chest with the needle).

As for the braclet, yeah, you should probably get one. My kids don't wear it at school because they've been going there for a few years and the nurse/teachers know them but for things like summer camp or situations where we aren't around, we make them wear it. They have cool ones out there with different bands like sports and such.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42212235/ ... ay_health/

School parents want girl with peanut allergy sent home
First-graders in Florida school required to wash hands, rinse out their mouths before entering classroom

I see it from both sides. I wouldn't want my child with allergies excluded from school, but on the other hand, I might strongly consider homeschooling until my child was older and had a better grasp on managing and communicating their own condition.

I can see how this is a lot of effort taking away classroom time. But, until you've walked a mile as the parent of an allergic kid, it's very hard to grasp (I was p*** when Victoria couldn't bring PB sammiches to school in Kindergarten due to a kid with peanut allergies, but now I see the world of food and school MUCH differently).

I doubt the child could be excluded from school because of ADA regulations.

If anything, these kids will have excellent hygiene.

buffettbride wrote:I see it from both sides. I wouldn't want my child with allergies excluded from school, but on the other hand, I might strongly consider homeschooling until my child was older and had a better grasp on managing and communicating their own condition.

I can see how this is a lot of effort taking away classroom time. But, until you've walked a mile as the parent of an allergic kid, it's very hard to grasp (I was p*** when Victoria couldn't bring PB sammiches to school in Kindergarten due to a kid with peanut allergies, but now I see the world of food and school MUCH differently).

I doubt the child could be excluded from school because of ADA regulations.

If anything, these kids will have excellent hygiene.

Yup---and I don't see any problem with that

springparrot wrote:

buffettbride wrote:I see it from both sides. I wouldn't want my child with allergies excluded from school, but on the other hand, I might strongly consider homeschooling until my child was older and had a better grasp on managing and communicating their own condition.

I can see how this is a lot of effort taking away classroom time. But, until you've walked a mile as the parent of an allergic kid, it's very hard to grasp (I was p*** when Victoria couldn't bring PB sammiches to school in Kindergarten due to a kid with peanut allergies, but now I see the world of food and school MUCH differently).

I doubt the child could be excluded from school because of ADA regulations.

If anything, these kids will have excellent hygiene.

Yup---and I don't see any problem with that

If anything, I would think the responsibility should have to be reversed.
Tough as it is, the little girl should be wearing a surgical mask and gloves in order to protect herself.

How else is the situation going to be handled in future years beyond school?

buffettbride wrote:I see it from both sides. I wouldn't want my child with allergies excluded from school, but on the other hand, I might strongly consider homeschooling until my child was older and had a better grasp on managing and communicating their own condition.

I can see how this is a lot of effort taking away classroom time. But, until you've walked a mile as the parent of an allergic kid, it's very hard to grasp (I was p*** when Victoria couldn't bring PB sammiches to school in Kindergarten due to a kid with peanut allergies, but now I see the world of food and school MUCH differently).

I doubt the child could be excluded from school because of ADA regulations.

If anything, these kids will have excellent hygiene.

I see it from both sides as well, Mal, and had the same thoughts. I think I'd be inclined to homeschool until the child was a little older...but I also know the know the effects of excluding kids. But I also worry about the "social exclusion" factor that keeping her enrolled could cause. Kids will hear their parents b!tching that time is being taken away from *their* kids' education and may in turn transfer that angst to the girl and start avoiding her. In my experience, the best way to handle these situations that are "different" is through education. Invite the parents and the kids to a meeting with the student, her parents, the school nurse and someone from the child's doctor's office if possible...and then explain the problem, answer questions, brainstorm solutions. There's far more acceptance and compassion when people really know what is going on, rather than relying on notes and directives from the school (the whole proactive vs reactive thing). Create partners, not opponents. I had my share of difficult situations as a teacher, and the best results came when I educated the class about the plan, answered their questions, role played situations and gave them the tools for dealing with these kids. The student with the issues dealt with things better, and often the classmates could connect with the kid when an adult couldn't. And it's an invaluable tool for the classmates as they go through life. They're much better prepared to deal with folks that are different, they're quick to intervene and they're much more compassionate and understanding. And that's a win-win.

The grime factor didn't escape me either. Kids get really grimy playing on the playground, I think most teachers would rejoice at the opportunity to have clean hands in the classroom! But unless this school doesn't have a snack recess, they're missing the boat by not following those same procedures after recess. Lots of supposed "healthy" snacks have peanuts in them, or peanut oil.

Last Thursday, the last day of school before spring break I got a call at work telling me that Tyler has a real bad cough and I should come get him. When I got to the clinic at school he told me he thought there was peanuts in the classroom. I walked with him to his classroom to get his bags and the whole room smelled like peanut butter. It turns out his class had a party and someone brought a jar of peanut butter in. The teacher knew of his allergy but forgot. The nurse had given him Benadryl about 20 minutes before I got there and about 30 minutes later he was pretty much back to normal but I had the Epipen on standby just in case.

sonofabeach wrote:Last Thursday, the last day of school before spring break I got a call at work telling me that Tyler has a real bad cough and I should come get him. When I got to the clinic at school he told me he thought there was peanuts in the classroom. I walked with him to his classroom to get his bags and the whole room smelled like peanut butter. It turns out his class had a party and someone brought a jar of peanut butter in. The teacher knew of his allergy but forgot. The nurse had given him Benadryl about 20 minutes before I got there and about 30 minutes later he was pretty much back to normal but I had the Epipen on standby just in case.

FORGOT

sonofabeach wrote:Last Thursday, the last day of school before spring break I got a call at work telling me that Tyler has a real bad cough and I should come get him. When I got to the clinic at school he told me he thought there was peanuts in the classroom. I walked with him to his classroom to get his bags and the whole room smelled like peanut butter. It turns out his class had a party and someone brought a jar of peanut butter in. The teacher knew of his allergy but forgot. The nurse had given him Benadryl about 20 minutes before I got there and about 30 minutes later he was pretty much back to normal but I had the Epipen on standby just in case.

Glad he's okay...and why would someone bring a jar of peanut butter to a class party?

I'm curious...when he thought he smelled peanuts did he say anything to his teacher? While there is no excuse for the teacher *forgetting* about an allergy, it is up to Tyler to speak up as well. I'd suggest meeting with the teacher, admins and the nurse and ask them what their protocol is for IDing and remembering kids with allergies. Sounds like whatever it is, it isn't working too well. I believe we had our severe allergies posted in the classroom or certainly right with the attendance/grade books, so subs would be aware as well. The cafeteria and main office had that info as well.

sonofabeach wrote:Last Thursday, the last day of school before spring break I got a call at work telling me that Tyler has a real bad cough and I should come get him. When I got to the clinic at school he told me he thought there was peanuts in the classroom. I walked with him to his classroom to get his bags and the whole room smelled like peanut butter. It turns out his class had a party and someone brought a jar of peanut butter in. The teacher knew of his allergy but forgot. The nurse had given him Benadryl about 20 minutes before I got there and about 30 minutes later he was pretty much back to normal but I had the Epipen on standby just in case.

It's days like this that give me gray hair........

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:

sonofabeach wrote:Last Thursday, the last day of school before spring break I got a call at work telling me that Tyler has a real bad cough and I should come get him. When I got to the clinic at school he told me he thought there was peanuts in the classroom. I walked with him to his classroom to get his bags and the whole room smelled like peanut butter. It turns out his class had a party and someone brought a jar of peanut butter in. The teacher knew of his allergy but forgot. The nurse had given him Benadryl about 20 minutes before I got there and about 30 minutes later he was pretty much back to normal but I had the Epipen on standby just in case.

Glad he's okay...and why would someone bring a jar of peanut butter to a class party?

I'm curious...when he thought he smelled peanuts did he say anything to his teacher? While there is no excuse for the teacher *forgetting* about an allergy, it is up to Tyler to speak up as well. I'd suggest meeting with the teacher, admins and the nurse and ask them what their protocol is for IDing and remembering kids with allergies. Sounds like whatever it is, it isn't working too well. I believe we had our severe allergies posted in the classroom or certainly right with the attendance/grade books, so subs would be aware as well. The cafeteria and main office had that info as well.

I've had a sophomore randomly stick a chocolate cookie in his mouth only to find out it contained nuts when his tongue went numb. Thank God the Benadryl worked or I would have had to use his Epi-Pen and he would have earned a trip to the ER. You would think a 15 yr old would have the sense to not do this..........well......maybe not.

Carolinadreamin' wrote: I've had a sophomore randomly stick a chocolate cookie in his mouth only to find out it contained nuts when his tongue went numb. Thank God the Benadryl worked or I would have had to use his Epi-Pen and he would have earned a trip to the ER. You would think a 15 yr old would have the sense to not do this..........well......maybe not.

You'd think....but then again....15 year old boys... I think that's where the early training comes in. If it is so drilled into you to question any and every thing that could potentially kill you, you might be less apt to forget to check. But maybe not...we all forget important things at one time or another.

I got a lesson in severe peanut allergies in college. Remember when frozen yogurt was the big thing? I was visiting an RA in my dorm and someone had picked up a froyo for her, with yogurt covered raisins. She took one bite and immediately spit it out, but that was enough. I watched her face swell up on the spot. Luckily she had an epipen right there and immediately jabbed herself with it. Seems the yogurt shop put the yogurt covered raisins right next to the yogurt covered peanuts, and one of the peanuts had migrated over. I'm still appalled by it, and to this day if I see yogurt or chocolate covered raisins and peanuts right next to each other, I'll say something. My friend got lucky, someone else might not have the same outcome.

I have a severe citrus intolerance. Citrus causes rapid, explosive vomiting. I can't be in the room of someone peeling an orange or grapefruit, as the smell alone also induces vomiting. I can't have lemons in water, have to ask if lemon or limes are spritzed on the foods I eat, etc. It is common practice to let the bartender/waitress know about the citrus allergy. Oranges, Grapefruits, Lemons & Limes - all no, nos. Thankfully, the doctor highly suggested an allergy medical bracelet (to also include the Sulfa allergy).

pojo wrote:I have a severe citrus intolerance. Citrus causes rapid, explosive vomiting. I can't be in the room of someone peeling an orange or grapefruit, as the smell alone also induces vomiting. I can't have lemons in water, have to ask if lemon or limes are spritzed on the foods I eat, etc. It is common practice to let the bartender/waitress know about the citrus allergy. Oranges, Grapefruits, Lemons & Limes - all no, nos. Thankfully, the doctor highly suggested an allergy medical bracelet (to also include the Sulfa allergy).

((((Shannon))))
I've never heard of a citrus allergy before
I'm sure it is hard to avoid citrus...kinda like avoiding onions

springparrot wrote:

pojo wrote:I have a severe citrus intolerance. Citrus causes rapid, explosive vomiting. I can't be in the room of someone peeling an orange or grapefruit, as the smell alone also induces vomiting. I can't have lemons in water, have to ask if lemon or limes are spritzed on the foods I eat, etc. It is common practice to let the bartender/waitress know about the citrus allergy. Oranges, Grapefruits, Lemons & Limes - all no, nos. Thankfully, the doctor highly suggested an allergy medical bracelet (to also include the Sulfa allergy).

((((Shannon))))
I've never heard of a citrus allergy before
I'm sure it is hard to avoid citrus...kinda like avoiding onions

Its out there, just not as popular as peanuts, dairy, etc.
It is extremely hard to avoid citrus. The art of reading labels, menu ingredients makes going out a pain in the butt. Just about everything healthy nowadays has citric acid or some sort of citrus ingredients.

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:

sonofabeach wrote:I'm curious...when he thought he smelled peanuts did he say anything to his teacher? While there is no excuse for the teacher *forgetting* about an allergy, it is up to Tyler to speak up as well. I'd suggest meeting with the teacher, admins and the nurse and ask them what their protocol is for IDing and remembering kids with allergies.

Tyler said that the jar was in the back of the class and he did not know about it until a student mentioned it after he was coughing for a few minutes. At that point the teacher panicked and quickly sent him to the clinic. I'm not sure he knows the smell of peanut butter and I agree he should have known something was up when he was coughing for no apparent reason.
This serves as a wake up call for him to be better informed. We've been on him about it ever since this happened.
You have some good ideas about meeting with the teacher.
I have not spoken to his teacher because she was not in the classroom when I went to get him, just a parent/helper was there who acted like she knew nothing. I still can't believe that with so many people with peanut allergies nowadays that someone would bring some into a classroom. At Tyler's on site YMCA aftercare there is a student whose dad told me that his son's allergy is severe and he's definitely getting the epipen and a 911 call. Luckily so far, Benadryl has done the trick.