So we return from Little Rock. After some very traumatic blood work, Austin steps up to the plate. Our boy consumed 1200mg of peanut protein- or 100 times the dose he began at on September 12, 2006. He showed no ill effects. This is now the dose he will take for the next 4 months.
He also had a skin prick test. Here, they scrape the surface of the skin and apply various concentrations of his allergen and see what happens. When we originally did the test in 2006, he got a hive (positive result) on every concentration. This time, he only had one hive- on the 100% peanut concentration. This hive was very small. All the other concentrations produced essentially a negative result.
While the results of the RAST blood work are not yet in, it is clear to us that this regimen is “working”- or it is at least doing SOMETHING. Back when we started, Austin – on just 12mg- was having bouts of vomiting. Today- at 100 times that- he has no reaction at all.
The update from the Dr. Stacie Jones- UAMS’ doctor heading up the Arkansas leg of the study- is that 5 children in total have ‘finished’. This means they’ve reached the max dose of 1800mg & remained on it for a year. On that anniversary, they are removed from all peanut protein for a month, then blood work, skin tests, and a food challenge occurs. Of the 5 that have finished, 4 have NEGATIVE results on their blood work- meaning they test negative for peanut allergy. One showed a score of 33- which is a positive (anything higher than a 2 is positive). ALL FIVE of those kids had a food challenge- they were fed actual peanuts- and ALL FIVE PASSED that food challenge.
The new protocol is that once a subject is ‘finished’, they are to be sure to eat a tablespoon and a half of peanut butter every day to be sure their immune system doesn’t forget and become re-sensitized. Nobody knows if the results will hold on their own and nobody wants to find out the hard way if it doesn’t.
While the research is still very young and nobody knows what the future holds, there is hope. It’s incredible to be a part of this study. It’s incredible the progress that we’ve made. We are truly blessed.
Austin is a superhero.
2 comments:
That's so amazing guys...I am so happy for all of you. I think I probably told you this already, but I remember several years ago(!) when you sent that picture of Austin before his first day of school and he was wearing that shirt that said "Don't feed me peanuts...I'm allergic," it broke my heart. What a relief it could be to not have this burden anymore. Tell him I said we are ALL proud of him.
We sure are proud of you Austin, AND Mommy and Daddy for making such a time consuming effort to help the little guy. Nothing would be a greater gift than to have Austin allergy free. GO OZ!!!
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