Hi Roz,

It is fascinating reading this thread - and interesting too that the
Dr is reluctant to do the skin test in case it re-ignites the
situation.

Really chuffed that you are getting the best looking after Joe.

:)

Maggie

--- In insectstings@yahoogroups.com, Roz Hannan <rozhannan@...>
wrote:
>
> Thanks David for your informative and detailed reply. I find the
whole issue fascinating!
>
> At the time of the sting it was established that it was
anaphylaxis, and not a panic attack. Joe is not a
particularly 'panicky' child and the start of the attack (breathing
difficulties) came about half an hour after the sting. On admission
the medics said that his " vital signs were failing".
>
> Joe has had a skin test...about 2 months after the sting. It
showed that he is (was?) reacting to the wasp venom. Dr. Deacock did
not want to repeat the test as she didn't want to re-introduce venom
into Joe IF he is growing out of the allergy.
>
> We have wasp sightings here in Sussex too, the first being a very
large and noisy specimen trapped between the window and the blind in
Joe's room. I have never seen Joe jump out of bed so quickly!!!!!
Where it came from I do not know as the windows were closed!
Hibernating all winter in his bedroom maybe!!
>
> Thanks again for the info.
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Insect Stings <david@...>
> To: insectstings@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, 29 March, 2008 6:45:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [insectstings] RAST results
>
> 
> These RAST tests are accurate insofar as they do measure the
specific IgE in the blood - it is either there or it is not but
sometimes for some reason the blood does not give the result you
expect.
>
> The main reasons the consultants use them is to specify the type
of insect venom to which someone is allergic - if there is a
response to a particular venom then there is indication of a past
allergic reaction to that type of insect. If the case history of
the anaphylactic reaction is taken into account together with the
positive RAST test then the probability is that the individual was
anaphylactic to that particular venom. Note the past tense too -
the reaction may well not be the same in the future. Like
investments, the past performance of an allergy is not a guide to
the future!
>
> For Joe a negative RAST result could be a false negative but it
could be a true negative too.
>
> I don't know very much about the event that gives you grounds for
thinking Joe is anaphylactic to wasps - but wasp allergy can often
be mistaken for panic attack and it really is worthwhile thinking
yet again about that event and asking if there were definite,
absolutely certain grounds for anaphylaxis eg , skin rash or hives,
drop in blood pressure, swelling away from the sting site, previous
minor allergic response to a sting etc. You said in an earlier
email that Joe was not an allergic child - no asthma etc - and this
is also an indication that insect sting allergy is less likely in a
child. I am sure you have thought about this lots of times but it
is well worth being challenged again! Case history is by far the
most important diagnostic tool which is why it is important to be
certain that it was anaphylaxis and not, for example, a panic attack
induced by the event. Doctors do give IVs, adrenalin, steroids and
the full caboodle to people who
> are having panic attacks "just in case".
>
> Assuming Joe's reaction was definitely anaphylactic then the RAST
result was not a complete waste of time as it may well have
confirmed the allergy venom.
> You are right however, allergy is a very grey area indeed, not
least because the majority of insect allergic children cure
themsleves spontaneously when they get stung later in life - which
might be the case with Joe too. It could also be assumed that some
of those children were not allergic in the first place but just
misdiagnosed. There was an excellent medical paper written about
this subject some years ago - I shall see if I can find it and post
it in the group.
>
> John Warner is the top children's allergist in London - possibly
the UK - and it will be great to get to the top man and see what he
has to say.
>
> Lets hope the NHS doesnt keep you waiting too long as the wasps
have arrived here in Surrey!
>
> All best wishes
>
> David
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Roz Hannan
> To: insectstings@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2008 3:32 PM
> Subject: [insectstings] RAST results
>
>
> I had a letter from Dr. Deacock today, basically summing up the
consultation but also referring Joe to Professor Warner at St
Mary's. The letter also contains the results of the RAST test.
>
> The result for wasp venom IgE is negative (and also for bee
venom). Dr Deacock goes on the say that this result does not
exclude the possibility of clinical symptoms.
>
> I have looked at your website and you do indeed back this up by
talking about false positives and negatives etc.
>
> I know that you are not a medic, and I will contact my GP on
Monday, but does this mean that this 'negative'can be discounted? If
it actually means nothing....then why is the test done in the first
place?
>
> It's a very 'grey' area indeed!
>
>
>
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>
>
>
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