Allergist needed

HI,

I'm not sure where to post htis exactly, but thought it would get a look in here...

I'm really unhappy with the Dr we see for DD's allergies and as he is technically a paed that does skin pr*ck testing and not a proper allergist, i'm really hoping to find someone that is more geared up to help,be supportive and informative in regard to dealing with allergies...

Currently, I'm getting no assistance as to how to intro new foods, how to deal with my fears re intro of new foods and also how to ensure she's getting enough of the right things to eat etc.

my GP is ok.... but after talking to a friend in Perth who has recently switched to a proper allergist.... the support she is getting is fantastic and I really need someone like that to help me out.

I'm in the north west city fringe area... but pretty much willing to travel anywhere for a great allergist.

in fact, i'm really close to flying to Perth to see the woman my friend found!! THAT is how keen i am to find someone great!!

TIA

xxx
Laura

Hi Laura!

Sorry to hear you're having so much trouble... But I have a great immunologist/allergist in Sydney!! He's fantastic, been doing it for 30 years and his father was also an allergist too...

Maybe you could call his clinic to find someone he recommends in Melbourne? PM me and I can give you his details if you want!

I had 3 sessions with my Dr (all the skin pr*ck tests) and then i went on his special drops which i put under my tongue everyday, and for 6 months i've had no symptoms at all, and can eat anything i want! It's awesome! (It took 2 weeks for the drops to work initially)

HTH and good luck!

Keira :D

Laura - Marley sees a wonderful paediatric allergist in Clayton. Dr Ian Humphrey. He is extremely busy but one of the only paed allergists in Melb. They also have a dietician/nutricionist there too who can go over all your DD's dietary needs. The first appointment including skin pr!ck test is about $270. But follow up appointments are cheaper, my last one was only $160. I was told I would have to wait up to 4mths to see him but when I rang the receptionist I told her how desperate I was and would drop everything if she had a cancellation that I could take. She rang me the next day and I got in within 2 weeks! It pays to be really nice and sound really desperate (I was!). Let me know if you need anymore information. Good luck :)

If either of the allergists in Perth or NSW could recommend someone in Vic that would be good.
You can also try googling ASCIA, there is a list of allergist/immunologists there, that indicates whether they treat children/adults etc and their qualifications/location etc.

If you are open to things less traditional, maybe have a look at Advanced Allergy Elimination. I think someone on BB has used them but I can't remember who it was :(

,.../

I've been to Advanced Allergy Elimination (AAE) and after forking out lots of $$$ it was a waste of time and money... i was told i was allergic to things that i'm not allergic to, and that i needed to avoid those certain foods and i still had all of my symptoms after months of seeing them, and then to top it all off the manager yelled at me for being 2 minutes late and i burst into tears in front of all the other patients, so i guess you could say i'm not their biggest fan at all.

I would take those skin pr*ck tests anyday than go to Advanced Allergy Elimination... IMO!!!

oh wow Keira, that sounds like an awful experience! I can see why you'd not be in a hurry to go back or recommend them after that! I'm glad you have found a specialist who's been able to help you :)

Thanks rayray :)

HI there I don't know of any allergists in Melb, but I have one here in Perth too and if your bub has had skin Pr*ck testing it really is the better test than the RAST blood test on a little one. Basically for them to get a reaction to either the skin pr*ck or the RAST they have to have quite a bit in their system generally, that is why these ways are unreliable in the first 4 or 5 years.

The other thing that it could be is intolerences, we too went to advanced allergy elimination and it did do something for Parkers intolerences, but didn't cure them like they said they would, he used to react to everything and I could never pinpoint them, and once we finished AAE the rashes on his face etc... seemed to clear up.

If you are dealing with intolerences, it is hard because reactions may take up to 3 days to show, which makes it really hard to pinpoint them, Sue Dengate, does fed up with food additives and has a special diet for kids with intolerences that is really well received.

Good luck finding an allergist, it is definately worth talking to someone who is knowledgeable on the subject and will point you in the right direction.

hey laura, i am seeing an allergist at footscray hospital TODAY! lol

I have a list of a few here with phone numbers if you would like them. Two are in footscray, one on victoria st east melb, and the other in chapel st.

Let me know :)