Wisdom - Part 1

Wisdom is precious and not easily obtained. I have found true wisdom to be a rare commodity. For me, the source of wisdom that is worth pursuing comes from God. 

In the Bible, the purpose of the book of Proverbs is for "gaining wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight; receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair."
That is the kind of wisdom I desire. 

Below I have shared a passage worth reflecting upon. It is worth your your time. 

Moral Benefits of Wisdom - Proverbs 2:1-22 

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 
[2] turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 

[3]  and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 

[4]  and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 

[5]  then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

[6]  For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

[7]  He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 
[8] for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   [9]  Then you will understand what is right and just and fair---every good path.                               

[10]  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

[11]  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. 

[12]  Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are commodity

[13]  who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

[14]  who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
[15] whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
[16] It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words,
[17] who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
 [18] For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. 

[19]  None who go to her return or attain the paths of life. 

[20]  Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.

[21]  For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;
[22]  but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

Do you seek God's wisdom? or the wisdom of the world from your friends, family,
colleagues and acquaintances. 
Or perhaps from the internet or from sound bites and snippets from various sources?

I used to and if I am not careful,  I will seek wisdom from other sources before I seek what God has to say and reveal to me. 

What source is totally reliable and best for you? The wisdom of the world or the wisdom of God. 

You get to choose which path you will take. 

You can find God's wisdom and truth in the Bible. Have you read it?

Resources: How To Recieve Eternal Salvation

Click here to look at an Online Parallel BIBLE

Peanut Allergic Teen Officially DESENSITIZED to PEANUTS

On April 12,2011 my son Alexander, who is deathly allergic to peanuts, was officially declared "DESENSITIZED". 


The term sounds like a condition out of a science fiction movie void of feeling and sterile. 
It actually befits our situation as Alexander experienced No Reaction to the ingestion of peanuts during the entire OIT process.


So you may ask "how did we achieve this?" Dr. Wasserman and his staff, especially Angela Galucci,P.A. are the medical heroes making history with their Oral Immunotherapy program.
Our part was being a willing and dedicated participant in the Dallas Allergy Immunology oral immunotherapy program (OIT) for peanuts.


It is important to note that Dr.Wasserman also offers OIT for milk, wheat and egg allergies.
It is surprising the talk to other patients and discover that many peanut allergic people are also allergic to one or more of these other food allergies.


Alexander was not only brave to agree to ingest peanuts to which he is deathly allergic 
(you should read his testing results in a previous post)
but he followed all the rules and requirements with little complaint other than cringing at the mere thought of having to take his distasteful dose.
Yes he also mastered the art of delay when it came to taking his dose. I've heard many funny stories from other patients whose children have taken the slow-playing of dose taking to a new creative high.


As for our journey since April 12th with Alexander's " maintenance dose" of peanuts, I will write a future post on his progress.


I want to thank Dr.Wasserman and his staff for all of their encouragement, candor and support. 


This program is a real breakthrough for everyone who suffers from the dreaded peanut allergy.
I implore you to investigate this program for yourself.  
Read past posts and comments and do your own research. 
Helpful links are on the right side of my blog.


As an expression of our joy and excitement for becoming "desensitized to peanuts" we want to express our prayerful thanks to God our Father for his many blessings 
and
as we say in Texas "yeehaw".

Peanut Allergic TEEN to EAT 24 PEANUTS all at once - Big Day!

Today is the "BIG DAY" in our peanut allergy oral desensitization treatment.
There have been many such "vital days" and milestones along the ways.


Click on the names of the following posts to read them. There are many more.....
Peanut Allergy Treatment Day 1
Shucking Peanuts for Alexander's Big Day
Peanut Allergic Teenager Eat First Peanut

Yesterday I dutifully drove to Sprouts Grocery store to pick up a bag of "In-Shell RAW Peanuts" as our peanut supply was dwindling.  I arrived home and began my shelling regimen. These peanut smelled pretty good. 
The brown paper skins were easy to remove from the peanuts. This had not been the case before. Hmmmm?  I checked the package. UGH!
To my unhappy surprise I had purchased "Roasted" in-shell peanuts. 


The last bag of peanuts was "Raw" in-shell peanut but these had been the bane of Alexander's existence the past few weeks because the skins really stuck to these peanuts. 
The time it took Alexander to "ingest each dose",which was already painfully slow, doubled.  
I did not know why until I saw him laboring to remove the skins. 
He asked for more peanuts so I was happy to oblige. I had purchased the raw peanuts at another store so I decided I'd just return to the first place I purchased them. I thought "perhaps there is a difference in brands".

When I discovered I had purchased the wrong peanuts I sent an email Angela Galucci 
at Dr. Wasserman's office. It has been my understanding that roasting changes the peanut protein content slightly. Somehow I was wrong.
Here was her response- "Roasted peanuts are fine. They taste much better and are absolutely fine to dose with.  In fact, we usually recommend the roasted peanuts.  Maybe Alexander will like the taste a little better!"
Okie dokie! Problem solved.


Today Alexander will go to Dr. Wasserman's office for a "peanut challenge".
He will eat 24 Peanuts all at once. 
That is pretty amazing. 
A peanut allergic kid eating 24 peanuts at one sitting. 


This is the end of what I call Phase 1 of our peanut de-sensitization treatment.
The peanut oral desensitization treatment has been a HUGE SUCCESS for my son.
He has experienced NO allergic reactions.
Please pray for today to be another success.


More later....
If this blog has helped you in any way I would love for you to post a Comment below. 
It would be encouraging to us and to others. We have an international audience.
People from 48 countries are reading this blog.  And the list is growing.


Thank you for following Alexander's journey thus far. 

Peanut Allergy Treatment WORKS -Now 24 PEANUTS Per DAY for Alexander

My son's deadly Peanut Allergy is being successfully treated. This is an update on the treatment progress for my peanut allergic son. 
Click here to read "Peanut,Milk,Egg Allergy Treatment Explained."


My teenage son Alexander is being successfully treated for his life-threatening Peanut allergy.
This past Tuesday he received DOSE #18 of his oral immunotherapy treatment.
Since my last post on February 23 regarding this treatment my son's dose has increased 
to 24 PEANUTS PER DAY.
Click here to read "Precise Dose for Peanut Allergy Treatment- Oral Immunotherapy" and click here for "Two Peanuts and Super Bowl"
It is almost impossible to fathom but Alexander is now eating 24 Whole PEANUTS Per DAY.
The dose is divided into a morning dose of 12 peanuts and an evening dose of 12.
The dosing rules state that there must be a 9-15 hour time span between each dose.


When we began the peanut allergy treatment our does was 1/1000th of a whole peanut.
A few weeks ago he reached the milestone dose of 8 Peanuts which is is 2000 mg of peanut protein.  


The oral immunotherapy treatment has progressed very smoothly. Alexander's dose has increased each week barring one incident. 
Alexander has experienced NO ALLERGIC REACTIONS to his treatment!


The chart below outlines his recent progress.
Date Dose     Amount     Frequency     Total Peanuts per 24 Hours
Jan 27          1 Peanut    Twice per day          2
Feb  3           2 Peanuts    Twice per day        4
Feb 10          3 Peanuts    Twice per day        6
Feb 17          4 Peanuts    Twice per day        8


MILESTONE 1
Feb 24          5 Peanuts    Twice per day      10
At this point he was given the option to eat Peanut Butter. 
5 whole peanuts were equivalent to 1 teaspoon of Jif brand Peanut Butter or Santa Cruz brand Organic Peanut Butter. Different brands contain different protein amounts. Dr. Wasserman's staff researched this fact and listed the above mentioned brands as acceptable.
Formula- 
If the label reads: 2T - 8 grams protein, then 1 teaspoon of peanut butter = 5.33 peanuts
If the label reads: 2T - 7 grams protein, then 1 teaspoon of peanut butter = 4.67 peanuts


Mar  7           6 Peanuts    Twice per day      12
Mar 14          7 Peanuts    Twice per day      14


MILESTONE 2
Mar 21         8 Peanuts    Twice per day       16    
This is an important amount about which I will write another post
Next there is a jump in the number of peanuts


Mar 28         10 Peanuts    Twice per day     20
Apr 5           12 Peanuts    Twice per day     24


How much Peanut Butter would 12 peanuts be equivalent to? 
12 peanuts = 1 T of Peanut Butter (give or take a little)


My son is being a very good sport although he does wish he could quit. 
The taste of peanuts is truly repugnant to Alexander. He takes a very very long time to eat his peanut dose. In the mornings he "hems and haws" so longs that we often barely make it to school before the tardy bell rings. Yikes!


You'd think he would get used to the routine or the taste;however, you would be sadly mistaken. It takes ever ounce of willpower for him to choke down these peanuts.
Just think of it this way. 
What food do you truly hate - cannot stand- loathe- choke when you eat?  
Imagine eating that dreaded and hated food twice per day.  Yep- now you get the idea of what it is like.
I am very proud of Alexander. 
I am ever thankful to God for protecting Alexander all these years from a serious peanut allergy reaction and providing a way for healing.


Later this week I will write a post on the next phase of treatment. A big day is upon us.
More later....

Lupine Allergy. A Danger for the Peanut Allergic traveling To Europe

Lupine allergy and peanut allergy- is there a link?
On my page "Where Is the Peanut Hiding?"   I list items that pose a hidden danger to people allergic to peanuts. A rather obscure food called Lupin is quickly becoming a more commonly used ingredient and food, especially in Europe and the Mediterranean region.  
(also Australia, USA, Canada, South America,)
WARNING- Unfortunately many peanut allergic individuals can have an allergic reaction to lupin.

What is Lupin?
Lupinus, commonly called lupine in the U.S. or lupin in Europe and Australia, is a common garden plant genus in the legume family, related to legumes such as peanuts,lentils,beans and peas. There are many different types of lupin. The majority of lupin is used for animal feed. "Sweet lupine" varieties are used in foods.

Some lupin varieties produce seeds which are used in foods.
Lupin seed are high in protein and have the full range of essential amino acids.

Lupin in Food
Lupin Flour 
In many mainland European countries, particularly Italy and France, lupin flour and /or peanut flour may be mixed with Wheat flour in baked goods and pasta. Common uses include bread, pizza, pasta, cookies, cereals, gluten-free products, biscuits, onion rings, tomato sauce, chicken bouillon cubes

Soy Alternative  

Lupin seeds are being recognized as a cheaper alternative to soy, becoming a more popular replacement for soy in recipes and other products. 

Fat Replacement in Food  

Lupine may be added to food as a fat replacement. (U.S. manufacturers will love this).  Researchers in Europe have found new uses for Lupin in low-fat products. 

Think low-fat sausage, low-fat ice cream, cream cheese and low-fat baked goods.

Lupini Beans

In the Mediterranean the yellow legume seed of lupins are called lupini beans.
Popular since Roman times, these beans are often soaked in brine and sold in jars like pickles. They are often eaten as a snack. Cento, an Italian manufacturer sells jars of Lupini Beans. You can find them right here in the United States.  Lupini Beans are very popular in Italy
- of course that is where we will be traveling with our peanut allergic son this summer. 
You can buy a paper cone of lupini beans from a street vendor in Rome.

Lupini Beans are popular as appetizers in many countries including Egypt, Syria. Called "altramuz" in Spain and Argentina and in Italy and Portugal called "tremoços"

Tremocos or Lupini Beans

Lebanon call "termos". Turkey and Egypt call "tirmis".

Tirmis sold by street vendor in Egypt

Restaurants
Lupini Beans are incorporated into foods served in restaurants in many countries.
They are used in Soups, Stews, Salads, and Entrees plus Hummus where lupine beans can replace chick peas.
Germany

Newly bred variants of "sweet lupins" are widely grown in Germany. The seeds are used in sausages, lupi-tofu and lupin flour. 

Gluten-Free Products

Although mostly unknown by American consumers, lupin is used in the U.S. in many gluten-free and high-protein products. It is not widely used in the U.K.

Lupin Fiber used in South America
Extracted from the grain shell of lupin and used in South American for cereal bars,sausages,bakery products, food supplements and extruded products

Lupin may cause an allergic reaction if you have a peanut allergy ranging from Hives to anaphylactic reactions.


TRAVELING TO EUROPE- 
We are traveling to Italy and France this summer. What should I do in order to protect my son? 
We do not know if he is allergic to lupin.  I feel I should have him tested, but "where o where" will I ever find the so far obscure lupini bean in the U.S. much less in Texas. Seriously!
I went into "protective parent" mode and did my research to find lupini beans locally.  I felt in had seen them somewhere....I had the picture of a jar in my head.
YES- success!  Central Market, to their surprise, carries them. I will hop in the car today to purchase them.
Food labeling rules in the EU require pre-packed food sold in the UK or the rest of the European Union (EU) to show clearly on the label if  a product contains lupin (or if one of its ingredients contains it). Lupin has been approved for use in bread flour in Europe since 1997.
Thus I think we will be able to avoid the danger of "packaged food" by reading the labels.

If Alexander proves to be allergic to lupin, the big problem for us will probably be restaurant food and their use of lupini beans or lupin containing foods such a bread and pasta.  Even tomato sauce can contain lupine flour. Ugh!

Plan of Action?
1) See if  our allergist can test our son for an allergy to lupine.
2) See if the jarred of lupini beans will work or if I have to source the raw beans.  I have read online about the difficulty in soaking and cooking these beans so I do hope I won't have to be "chef mom".
3) Order Select Wisely food allergy translation cards for use on our European holiday.

HELP -I have many Europeans who read this blog. I need your help. If you know of foods that contain lupine please tell me using the Comment box below.
Thank you so very much- Julie

Sources  http://www.lupins.org/lupins/
Food Standards Agency http://www.food.gov.uk/ , http://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2010-2011/13/low-fat-lupin-proteins.jsp, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.200900365/abstract
http://www.vilher.com.mx/en/productos.php?categoria_id=6&producto_id=53
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/lupine.html

Life Threatening Food Allergies-This video could save a life. Carry an EPIPEN

So many people do not take food allergies seriously. Although food labeling laws in the U.S. have improved accidental exposure and ingestion of life-threatening foods is common.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food manufacturers 
to list the 8 most common ingredients that trigger food allergies. Most other developed countries have similar rules.
The 8 foods, listed below, account for 90% of allergic reactions.
Milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Tree Nuts such as almonds,cashews,pecans, walnuts)
Fish
Shellfish (especially crustaceans)
Soy
Wheat


The deadliest food allergy is to PEANUTS. It is the most common cause of anaphylaxis death in the United States. 
(see my list Where is the Peanut Hiding)


What is anaphylaxis?

According to Web MD anaphylaxis refers to a rapidly developing and serious allergic reactions that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time.

It can occur after eating only a tiny amount of an allergic food.

The reaction could start with itchy gums or tingling lips, watery eyes, zoning out, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hives or it can be delayed, slower with the person experience the feeling of "impending doom". (not sure how to describe this one).

In the future I will write a more extensive post on experiencing anaphylaxis.

Severe anaphylactic reactions can be fatal.

Those who have a severe peanut allergy are at risk of having a life-threatening reaction and should strictly avoid peanuts and carry an EpiPen epinephrine auto injector at all times according to multiple web sources as well as allergists. 
My teenage son is allergic to peanuts. Our family policy is to carry 2 EpiPen's. 
Those are the instructions for my son to adhere to although he loathes carrying an EpiPen and has forgotten to carry one more often than I can remember.
Why carry 2?
You may need a 2nd dose,often after 20 minutes or less. (Video link @ end of post)

Thank goodness there is hope for those with Peanut, Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies.

A new TREATMENT is now available. 
My son, Alexander is currently being treated successfully. 
As of the date of this post he is EATING 12 Peanut Per Day. This is his dosing amount as part of his peanut allergy Treatment Program.


So many precious children and adults have died from a severe allergic reaction to food. It breaks my heart. That is why I am writing this blog. 
I want to get the word out about this new treatment program to everyone, along with all this other food allergy information I can post.

Please send a link to our blog Just A Little Peanut. Pass along to as many people as you can think of 

because 

you don't know who your friends may know with life-threatening food allergies. Think outside the box. The information is useful to people worldwide.
I know of one family planning to move from India to Dallas so their daughter can be treated for her peanut allergy.

Alexander's story and Treatment program is detailed in my blog. 
Click here to go to my Home page where you can perform a search using the word Alexander or click on the titles below for a few of the posts.
Countdown to the BIg Day , Treatment Day 1, Peanut Allergy Treatment #3 and #4, Countdown to 1 Whole Peanut,  Dose Delayed, Allergic Teen EATS a PEANUT 

Remember you could save a life. Please pass this post via FB, Twitter
Too many people have died due to food allergy to peanuts, tree nuts and other life-threatening food allergies. 


Click here to watch a VIDEO on HOW TO USE AN EPIPEN .


Sources- Mayo Clinic , EpiPen, AllergicChild

Food Allergies Can Be DEADLY- Make A DIFFERENCE During Food Allergy Awareness Week

Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) is coming May 8-14, 2011. There are many things each of us can do to promote awareness of food allergies. Click on the link above to read all about it. 
You can also follow us on twitter http://www.twitter.com/PeanutBlog 


You can have an impact. Request a proclamation from your state governor. Texas is the only state so far to formally recognize FAAW this year. You can "Like" FAAN on Facebook. 
You could contact local media with this press release from FAAN.
There are lots of ideas on their website.  Below is their cute new video for FAAW.
Why is this important to me?
My son has a severe peanut allergy. The good news is he is being TREATED with success using oral immunotherapy. We began treatment in December 2010 and as of this week he is eating 12 peanuts a day. Click here to read an explanation. Also treated are Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies.

MILK ALLERGY TREATMENT NOW AVAILABLE

Milk Allergy Treatment is now Available. Read one mother's story.
On December 2,2010 Ann Pask and her son Eric began a new treatment, oral immunotherapy, for Eric's severe MILK Allergy. My son Alexander began treatment for his life threatening PEANUT Allergy at the same time. Click here to view my post regarding Treatment Day 1. You van follow us on twitter
www.twitter.com/PeanutBlog

Ann is my first guest contributor. Here is her story, thus far.

Julie:
Well, the sleet is pelting down on the skylight in our master bathroom, and I can’t sleep.  So, thought I’d spend a few minutes thinking about milk allergies!  So, here goes!
-Ann

MILK ALLERGIES

My 10-year-old son, Eric, has life-threatening food allergies to milk, eggs, fish and shellfish.  Prior to his birth, I was blissfully unaware of the impact food allergies could have on a child and the family.  My daughter Rachel, now 13, thankfully does not have any food allergies.  I remember cautiously giving her peanut butter as a toddler, and asking her Mother’s Day Out teacher if any child had a peanut allergy before packing a PB&J.  I also remember the joy of eating ice cream and pizza with her (now forbidden foods), and even the first time she ate mussels when she was about 18 months old.  Then along came my son.

MILK DESENSITIZATION

According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, about 80 percent of children outgrow milk allergy by age 16.  But my son’s blood test scores increased every year, and we feared he might be in the minority that didn’t outgrow the allergy.  I would have dreams (nightmares really) that I had to bake his milk-free, egg-free wedding cake!  That’s why we chose to try milk desensitization.  Eric has been the only child in school who can’t eat pizza for so long, and I want him to at least be able to eat pizza in high school or college!

We began his milk desensitization on December 2, 2010.  It started with an 8-hour day at the allergist’s office.  There were 3 boys starting desensitization that day.  Eric was starting milk, a 15-year-old boy was starting peanut, and a 17-year-old boy was starting egg.  They had name tags that read “milk,” “egg,” and “peanut,” which I found humorous!
Over the course of the day, Eric ingested minute amounts of cow’s milk in a solution of 1 part milk and 29 parts water.  They boys received their “dose” every 15 minutes, until 26 total doses were given.  I’m not sure how much milk he actually got by the end of the day, but I know it wasn’t much.  But thankfully, he did not have a reaction.  At one point, he got nervous so we slowed down a little bit, but overall it went very smoothly.

Since that initial day, we have gone back to the allergist once a week to increase the dose.  The first several weeks, he drank the water/milk solution.  But by the 6th week, I was asked to purchase straight whole organic cow’s milk — something I thought I would never do for my son!  He was given 1 milliliter of cow’s milk, and all went smoothly.  The dose increases have gone as follows:  1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml, 4 ml, 6 ml, and we just started 8 ml (about 1 1/2 teaspoon).  We have had a couple of incidents, but not too serious.  The first reaction occurred just a couple of weeks into the desensitization.  I gave him the cow’s milk, and about 2 minutes later he started sneezing uncontrollably.  I told the doctor he looked like I would in a room full of cats!  He never had trouble breathing, but he was miserable with constant sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, etc.  I watched him very closely, and after about 1 1/2 hours I could tell he was starting to get better.  Thankfully, that has not happened again.  And recently about 30 minutes after his morning milk dose, he felt nauseous.  I had to take him to school, so I asked the nurse to check on him, and after an hour he was fine.  Apparently, nausea is not uncommon.
We are thankful to be proceeding so smoothly.  If all goes well, he will be up to 240 (about 8 ounces) of milk by June.
I have asked the school principal if we could have a pizza and ice cream party for his grade, and of course she said yes!
I’m saying a prayer it works, and keeping my fingers crossed too!
-Author, Ann Pask

Read more about this new Milk Allergy Treatment below.
Our son Alexander and Eric Pask continue to be successfully treated for their respective food allergies at Dallas Allergy Immunology (DAI).
Alexander is now eating 12 Peanuts per day as part of the treatment.
Eric Pask is ingesting 9 teaspoons of milk.

UPDATE-December 2012.
Both Alexander (for peanut Alletgy) and Eric (for Milk Allergy) have successfully completed treatment and are "desensitized" to their allergies. Check out
the rest of my Blog for more information.

Many more patients have now been successfully treated for their Milk Allergy since the original publishing if this post.
The treatment is WORKING!!

DAI also treats Egg,Wheat,Soy and other Nut allergies (2012).
The following except printed in green is from the original post of this story.
As per DAI website the DAI website.


DallasAllergyImmunology is pleased to announce a new oral immunotherapy program that provides a long-term solution for wheat, egg, peanut and milk allergic patients. At the end of this 5-6 month program patients with wheat, egg, peanut or milk allergy will be able to consume these foods with no allergic reactions. The program introduces minute doses of wheat, egg, peanut or milk in solution over a period of three to four months. The program then progresses to small doses of the whole food for an additional two to three months, resulting in tolerance to these foods allowing the children to consume wheat, eggs, peanuts and/or milk without any adverse reactions.
We have a number of children who have graduated from the program and are now eating eggs, and peanuts or drinking milk without reactions. This program is designed for a child of school age or older who will be old enough to understand the reasons for participating and be actively engaged in the process.

Food Allergies, Clinical Trials & Peanut Allergy Treatment. Video of Interview on NBC New York Nightly News with Dr. Scott Sicherer

1 in 25 children in the United States have a food allergy according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).


Watch an interview below by Chuck Scarborough NBC news anchor, of Dr. Scott Sicherer and Judy Slotkin. Dr. Sicherer is the Chief of the Division on Allergy and Immunology in the Department of Pediatrics at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute which is part of Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is  also a clinician and clinical researcher in the Jaffe Institute. Judy Slotkin is amother of 2 food allergic children and wife of FAI Chairman, Todd Slotkin.

Dr. Sicherer talks about food allergies and clinical trials. The Jaffe Food Allergy Institute e was established in 1997. Their pioneering work in every area of food-allergic disorders is cutting-edge. The Institute is directed by Hugh A. Sampson,M.D., who is recognized internationally for his work in the field of food allergy.


Mrs. Slotkin discusses her experiences with food allergies and the work of FAI (The Food Allergy Initiative). Her twins are participating in a food allergy clinical trial at Mount Sinai.

Peanut Allergy- Life Threatening- My son,Alexander,is receiving full Treatment for his peanut allergy as opposed to a clinical trial. Clinical trials are vital and lead to the types of advances in care and treatment such as the new treatment my son is receiving.

As part of his treatment my son is currently EATING 10 peanuts a day with no adverse reaction.
His initial dose was 1/1000 of a peanut. Click here to read about the first day then click here to read Peanut Allergic Teen Easts A Whole Peanut.

FAI is a fantastic organization that raises funds for research into food allergies. 
To learn about FAI's efforts to find a cure, visit Helpful LInks section on the right side of my blog Just A Little Peanut.
Look for Food Allergy Initiative.  


I hope my post is helpful to you- Julie Brice Beiersdorf

Breakthrough Treatment for Peanut Allergies. Oral desensitization. Interview with Dr.Wasserman.

My son is being treated by Dr. Wasserman for his severe peanut allergy. This is not a clinical trial or study. It is real treatment using oral immunotherapy (oral desensitization.)
The treatment began Dec 2,2010. To read about the full day treatment on Day 1 click here.
This breakthrough Treatment is also offered for Milk, Egg & Wheat allergies.

The treatment has been a great success thus far. After only 13 weeks my teenage son Alexander is eating 10 peanuts per day as his current dose under this program. He has had no adverse reactions.
Can you imagine. A peanut allergic child eating this many peanuts!
It is a miracle.

After Alexander completes the initial desensitizing phase and passes a "peanut challenge" he will be on a "maintenance" dose for 3 years (under the current protocol which may change).
My husband has asked me if our sons peanut allergy will be "cured" as a result of this treatment.
Dr.Wasserman does not yet know if the treatment will result in a total "cure".
Until science proves otherwise, I suspect Alexander will be on some form of a "peanut maintenance dose" beyond the required 3 years. This s OK with me. Our family is so thankful Alexander will have a high level of protection from a serious allergic reaction to peanuts.
Why don't we just avoid peanuts?
Peanuts allergies are often serious and accidental ingestion due to cross-contamination with others foods is a constant danger. Peanuts hide, undetected in all sorts of foods.
For a list click here.

Per Dr. Wasserman in a recent interview
"The goal of desensitization is a more normal life, markedly decreasing the risk of a reaction and enhancing normal social development and family life."

When asked if patients can be considered "cured" with the treatment offered by his practice Dallas Allergy Immunology he stated,
"No. I would consider desensitization an ongoing treatment. We don't yet know if this will result in a remission (i.e., that would be when we stop maintenance doses and allow occasional, random exposure to the food)."

Click here to read the full interview. http://www.allergymoms.com is a wonderful website to explore.
Gina Clowes performs a great service in this area.

I want to thank all the researchers,doctors,medical staff snd hospitals who have worked for a cure and treatment for food allergies. Above all I wanted to thank God Almighty.