One day in my life after Gardasil

One day in my life after Gardasil  Wow, and to think I thought my son had it tough after his anaphylactic reaction to the DTaP vaccine.  Over $40,000 has been spent on my son's health since, but that's a small price to pay to have his health back.  This poor girl has spent 6+ years trapped inside a broken down body that's leaves her in and out of consciousness at any given moment, which started after her 2nd dose of Gardasil.  My heart goes out to her, I hope she can find good health and peace.

Measles Vaccines Part I; Ineffectiveness of Vaccination and Unintended Consequences. ~ by Dr Viera Scheibner (PhD)

From the International Medical Council on Vaccination and summarized on Health Impact News:

Measles Vaccines Part I; Ineffectiveness of Vaccination and Unintended Consequences. ~ by Dr Viera Scheibner (PhD)

As the Swiss doctors wrote (Albonico et al. 1990), “we have lost the common sense and wisdom that used to prevail in the approach to childhood diseases. Too often, instead of reinforcing the organism’s defences, fever and symptoms are relentlessly suppressed. This is not always without consequences”.

The Peanut Allergy Epidemic: What’s causing it and How to Stop it by Heather Fraser

Here's a great summary on the above mentioned book that demonstrates the history of anaphylactic allergic reactions.  The term "serum sickness" was first used to describe these reactions at the turn of the 1900s.  This was shortly after the invention of hypodermic needles.  Penicillin was discovered in 1928, and originally cottonseed oil was used in the manufacturing process.  That is until mass allergies to cottonseed led to the use of peanut oil.  I've read numerous times that peanut oils is used as an adjuvant in vaccines, but I had no idea it dated back so far.  Prior to 1941 peanut allergies were non-existent but has steadily grown since.  I plan on getting the book to analyze the reference section.

Essential Oils for Eczema

Shortly after we entered the world of eczema we discovered the benefits of coconut oil for both inside and outside the body.  I found this recipe for making a homemade "miracle cream" for diaper rash and eczema taken from http://www.modern-wellness.com/the-miracle-cream-eczema-diaper-rash-dry-skin/:

1/2 C. Coconut Oil

15 drops Melaleuca Essential Oil

15 drops Lavender Essential Oil

15 drops Frankincense Essential Oil

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not really well versed in oils at all.  The most I've used is eucalyptus oil in the laundry to fend off dust mites and some lemon oil mixed with vinegar when cleaning.  I have done some reading up on the subject though and it's clear that there are different standards and processes when it comes to oils and the price can vary greatly.

Native American Nutritionals seems to have a good reputation, and they provided me with some additional resources and eczema remedies in the following link:

http://essentialhealth.com/2013/02/aromatherapy-skin-care-chronic-skin-conditions/

Let me know if you try any and how they worked!

Irish scientists uncover link between gut bacteria and autism

Irish scientists uncover link between gut bacteria and autism

Happy 7th Birthday!

What a fun filled birthday week we had loaded with all kinds of food!  My son turned 7 this past week, and we started the celebration with a Chuck E Cheese party complete with pizza, vanilla ice cream cups, and cake.  Round 2 of the party week was dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, where he had more ice cream along with chicken tenders and soda pop.  Then round 3 was pizza, lasagna, bread sticks, all topped off with a Dairy Queen Oreo ice cream cake.  A few years ago I could have only dreamed of him eating such enjoyable foods without allergic reactions.  Now, thankfully, it's our reality!  Life is good!!

We're still doing NAET and working on the peanut allergy.  He's had 4 treatments so far.  The last one was interesting as my son's nose became congested at the 12 minute mark, in which the doctor came back in and did another treatment on him.  Magically it cleared up shortly after.  The doctor explained that it was an energy blockage showing up.  Whatever it was, there's no denying that it stopped after she re-treated him.

Laundry

One of the first things one attempts to change when their little one has eczema is the laundry detergent.  I remember trying Dreft, which is made with babies in mind, then only to find out that it really isn't so gentle on the skin.  For many years we switched to a powdered plant based detergent from Trader Joes or 7th Generation.  Fortunately for us, my son did well with those.  The downside is that the clothes were dingy and the fresh laundry smell was non-existent.  I then started adding eucalyptus drops and white vinegar to the rise cycle.  The drops gave it a little better smell, and is said to kill dust mites, while the vinegar substituted for fabric softner.

Over the last 6 months or so I have gone back to the All Free & Clear detergent, and my son has done well.  Still there is none of that fresh laundry smell.  I notice when my son's friends come over, they smell so good, and their houses smell good.  The smell is clean laundry.  I'd really like to have some of that.

Well, on vacation the condo we were in had some good smelling Tide with Frebreeze.  I took a chance and used it, and lo- and -behold, no reaction!  It was awesome.  So when we got back in town I went to buy some, only to become distracted at Tartget by the Method brand plant based fabric softener.  I opted for this since it seemed to be more natural, and it was a little less expensive.  I did the laundry, and we too had great smelling clothes.  BUT...it did not agree with my son's skin.  Sadly, he started itching.  And I remember being at the store looking over the options with him, when he said he had to get out of that aisle as he could feel it bothering his eyes. 

It's not the end of the world, just another lesson.  So obviously he still does have an issue here and there, but look how far he's come!!!  I'm still going to try the Tide (even if it's just on my clothes.) 

All is good!

I was just reminded that it's been quite some time since I've updated.  All is good, just busy with life and haven't had much extra time to sit down and type.

My son has gained 4 pounds since my last post (10% of his body weight!)  He's eating SO much, and tolerating it all quite well.  I do think that adding more junk to his diet impacts his ability to focus a bit, so I'm considering adding a supplement called Kid's Liquid Attention.  My dental hygienist discovered this when her son was having a lot of issues at school, to the point that the teachers wanted her to medicate her son (I do think that it should be the doctors, not the teachers recommending when to medicate.)  She said it was like night and day, and the school couldn't believe how well he turned around.  It has a lot of B vitamins and magnesium that are good for the nervous system and the brain, and reduces anxiety.

We did get the uKnow Peanut test results back, and it was disappointing.  You may recall that this tests which peanut proteins one is allergic to, as certain protein allergies are more severe.  My son is showing extremely allergic to the most dangerous proteins.  The allergist expects a life long allergy.

We have had one NAET treatment for peanuts.  I had a long talk with the doctor about this, as she's putting herself in a very liable situation.  She has a lot of success with NAET and anaphylactic allergies, and has no concerns proceeding with the treatments.  It's going to take many, many treatments as it's baby stepped all the way.  The good news is that we don't have to pay for each visit while we go through the process.  There'll be times when he's treated through me, and then times when he's ready to be treated directly (those we pay for.)

Peanut IgE

Well, the latest peanut IgE blood test is in, and my son is still at >100, which is the maximum.  He has tested at ages 2, 5, and now almost 7 with the same result.  We have done no alternative treatment what-so-ever for peanuts, but hopepfully we can get to working on this soon.  The last two treatments for were his nervous system and anxiety.

New Epi Pen Technology

Sanofi has announce the new wave of Epi-Pens..."Auvi-Q is the first-and-only epinephrine auto-injector with audio and visual cues for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions in people who are at risk for or have a history of anaphylaxis. The size and shape of a credit card and the thickness of a smart phone, Auvi-Q is a breakthrough in epinephrine auto-injector device design that talks patients and caregivers step-by-step through the injection process."

I haven't seen or tried these yet, but I will be bringing it up with our allergist at our next appointment.  I've heard the cost is less than what one might expect, no more than the traditional epi (and possibly even less??)