Peanut Allergy Answers and Some More Tests

Good news!  Greyson DOES NOT have a peanut allergy!  His bloodwork and skin test were both negative so it is simply an intolerance.  Of course, we are still avoiding giving him peanut products because we don't him to throw up but it's not dangerous as an allergy would be. We are so glad to have answers about this and are praising God it is not an allergy! 

Also on Monday, I took Greyson to the Neurologist. I hadn't told anybody about this because I wanted to see how the appointment went first. For months (basically since Greyson was born) we have wondered if Greyson had Cerebal Palsey. When he was a baby he was so low toned that he felt as if he would slip right through your fingers. We only let a couple of people hold him besides us and when I did hold him I would usually wear him (if I was moving around anyways) because it kept him secure in the proper position and there was no risk of dropping him. His therapists agreed that he was more low toned than any other baby with Down syndrome they had worked with so we took him to the Neurologist in Jacksonville when he was a couple months old.  He agreed that CP was a possibility but the test required anesthesia and Greyson was so young and newly off of O2 so he wanted to wait.  He told us to bring him back in 6 or so months of he wasn't making strides in therapy. 

We moved to Savannah right around that mark so I just got him into a local neurologist.  I went in saying that I didn't want to leave without getting orders for a MRI to test for CP.  Several people (not doctors) have acted like I was crazy so I was half expecting this doctor to act the same way but she didn't at all! She agreed with my concerns and promptly ordered a MRI, a blood test for a muscle disease, and a DNA test to look for a depletion.  I do know what a depletion is, but I don't know exactly what she is looking for and why but I will let you guys know when I learn more.  

At this point, Greyson is receiving all the early intervention he would if he did have Cerebral Palsey so it is more for our piece of mind. We are nervous about the tests (just because who wouldn't be?!) but we are excited that the doctor took us seriously and is moving forward for answers.  

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have! 

Allergist Update

Shortly after I posted about Greyson's possible peanut allergy yesterday, I received a call from the allergist about his referral.  They had a couple openings THIS WEEK. So I scheduled the appointment for this morning at 10 o'clock. 

The appointment went smoothly and I really liked the doctor we saw. He took me (and my concerns) seriously. He explained that the way Greyson is reacting *sounds* like a peanut intolerance not allergy, but it is definitely possible he is allergic. He gave me an order for bloodwork and told me to continue avoiding peanuts until we get some answers.  The bloodwork will tell him if Greyson is allergic though it's negatives are not always correct.  We scheduled a skin test, and if the bloodwork is negative we will go forward with a skin test.

After we left we headed to our church for their Wednesday Noon Service.  We are not usually in town on Wednesdays so it was a blessing to be able to go. Also, Greyson makes some really cute faces when Daddy tickles him. 

After church, we headed to the labs for Greyson's bloodwork. Thankfully, the boys were very refreshed! While we were there, Nana took her lunch break so she could meet us there since she works at the hospital. It was a huge help having her there to watch the older boys (thank you, Nana!). Greyson did as well as expected with his bloodwork, though he only cried for a couple of seconds afterwards, opting instead to cuddle with the person who had just taken his blood. We will have results for this bloodwork in about a week.  Thank you guys for your prayers! 

Possible Peanut Allergy

Back in May or June, I was making baby food for Greyson.  I was stuffing it with calories to make him gain weight and  after we saw the GI, we started adding pediasure and PB2 (which is powdered peanut butter) for extra calories and protein.  Since we do not have a history of peanut allergies, I did not think twice about this.  

This same week, a stomach bug plagued the Corbitt's, going through each and every one of us. But then there was Greyson. It seemed odd that he was continuing to vomit when everyone else was well.  His nutritionist said it was probably the pediasure as some children cannot handle the calories. We stopped adding pediasure but he continued to vomit.  At this point, I knew that the only thing new in that food was the PB2. I was told not to jump to conclusions of an allergy but to hold off on peanut products for a little while until we could test it again.  I waited a few months and then gave him a simple breakfast of peanut butter toast.  After about two hours, he vomited again. After speaking with the pediatrician, we have decided to avoid all peanut products as a family until we can see the allergist and get more clear answers. We have the referral but we are waiting to hear about an appointment. So, at this time Greyson officially, unofficially is allergic to peanuts.

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