So- I put this in the support section because I don't think there's actually a damn thing I can do now.
D2- is actually 2.5 yrs old. She was referred to a treatment course by her regular allergist she's been seeing since she was 7 months old- for her severe dairy allergy. She's anaphylaxed once to dairy- and it was to baked milk product. The reaction was so severe that she needed an additional dose of epinephrine when we were at the hospital.
The treatment is called Oral Immuno Therapy (OIT)- it's commonly known for peanuts- whereby you build up a child's resistance to the allergen over a long period of time- by introducing a minuscule amount of the allergen and then "updosing" over a period of 8-24 months.
It is not covered by health coverage in Ontario because the only real "cure" for food allergies is avoidance. However, it is recognized and covered up to a certain amount by private health insurance as long as: 1) it's prescribed by a physician- and usually has to be an allergist and immunology doctor and 2) it's done at a clinic by doctors.
It is currently done by the Allergy Clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences and a pediatric allergy clinic in Halton Region.
D2 has been identified by the Pediatric Allergists there as being a good candidate for Dairy OIT because her allergies are not hugely wide-ranging- and doesn't include nuts of any kind.
D2 is set to go to Kindergarten next year, and her allergist said if we can do it before she starts public school that would be ideal- as most severe reactions for kids unfortunately usually happen at school. (sharing of lunches, etc). She's in a Montessori school now and they're amazing about managing her allergies (they have the co-op placement student sit near her at lunch to make sure her food is not shared with the other kids).
So- ex and I both attended the intake session with the Allergy Clinic doing the OIT. She had bloodwork done- and the allergist followed up with us and said if we're interested, we need to get on the waiting list for the program. There's a package of information they require the parents to review before you get scheduled for the follow up. They send out an email asking for confirmation.
Guess who's not responding? Yep- soon to be ex. We've had this discussion in co-parent counselling. He said he's on board with the OIT- he thinks it's a good idea. But he said he wanted to do his own follow up on the information out there (there's medical studies, lots of articles, etc). Which, of course that's a valid position. This is a huge decision- not one to take lightly. And if he has concerns, he has every right to follow up and do the research into whether this is the right course of action for D2. BUT- This was months ago- back in December or January.
Since then the Allergy clinic has followed up with us- and he just straight up refuses to confirm with the clinic that he's read the information. I sent him an OFW message asking if he has concerns with the information he's reviewed. Could we discuss this asap with our co-parent therapist? Does he want to ask or follow up with D2s regular allergist, etc etc etc..he said "Let's touch base. Let's talk".
I just don't want to deal with him any more than I need to- but for this, I will. Timinig is important here. OIT takes usually about a 1- 1.5 yrs to complete. I would like D2 to complete it before she starts JK.
Oh yeah- it costs a bucket of money too. $8-15K. My insurance will cover up to 3K, and exes should be about the same. We can easily absorb the additional cost. I would be willing to go it alone if that's what it takes.
But I think we BOTH need to be on board with the course of action since it includes daily dosing- and it's very particular. I would want both of us to know how to do it. And what to watch for, etc.
I don't know what to do. I feel incredibly frustrated. Ex seemed on board with it when suggested by D2's allergist. And after the intake at the clinic. He has not given a reason why he's dragging his heels now. If he has concerns about the treatment or it's efficacy- ok. Say that. You've been given almost 5 months to go do your own research. The only thing I can think of is that it's a control thing. But for fucks sake- this could mean the difference of your kid not dying if they accidentally ingest dairy.
D2- is actually 2.5 yrs old. She was referred to a treatment course by her regular allergist she's been seeing since she was 7 months old- for her severe dairy allergy. She's anaphylaxed once to dairy- and it was to baked milk product. The reaction was so severe that she needed an additional dose of epinephrine when we were at the hospital.
The treatment is called Oral Immuno Therapy (OIT)- it's commonly known for peanuts- whereby you build up a child's resistance to the allergen over a long period of time- by introducing a minuscule amount of the allergen and then "updosing" over a period of 8-24 months.
It is not covered by health coverage in Ontario because the only real "cure" for food allergies is avoidance. However, it is recognized and covered up to a certain amount by private health insurance as long as: 1) it's prescribed by a physician- and usually has to be an allergist and immunology doctor and 2) it's done at a clinic by doctors.
It is currently done by the Allergy Clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences and a pediatric allergy clinic in Halton Region.
D2 has been identified by the Pediatric Allergists there as being a good candidate for Dairy OIT because her allergies are not hugely wide-ranging- and doesn't include nuts of any kind.
D2 is set to go to Kindergarten next year, and her allergist said if we can do it before she starts public school that would be ideal- as most severe reactions for kids unfortunately usually happen at school. (sharing of lunches, etc). She's in a Montessori school now and they're amazing about managing her allergies (they have the co-op placement student sit near her at lunch to make sure her food is not shared with the other kids).
So- ex and I both attended the intake session with the Allergy Clinic doing the OIT. She had bloodwork done- and the allergist followed up with us and said if we're interested, we need to get on the waiting list for the program. There's a package of information they require the parents to review before you get scheduled for the follow up. They send out an email asking for confirmation.
Guess who's not responding? Yep- soon to be ex. We've had this discussion in co-parent counselling. He said he's on board with the OIT- he thinks it's a good idea. But he said he wanted to do his own follow up on the information out there (there's medical studies, lots of articles, etc). Which, of course that's a valid position. This is a huge decision- not one to take lightly. And if he has concerns, he has every right to follow up and do the research into whether this is the right course of action for D2. BUT- This was months ago- back in December or January.
Since then the Allergy clinic has followed up with us- and he just straight up refuses to confirm with the clinic that he's read the information. I sent him an OFW message asking if he has concerns with the information he's reviewed. Could we discuss this asap with our co-parent therapist? Does he want to ask or follow up with D2s regular allergist, etc etc etc..he said "Let's touch base. Let's talk".
I just don't want to deal with him any more than I need to- but for this, I will. Timinig is important here. OIT takes usually about a 1- 1.5 yrs to complete. I would like D2 to complete it before she starts JK.
Oh yeah- it costs a bucket of money too. $8-15K. My insurance will cover up to 3K, and exes should be about the same. We can easily absorb the additional cost. I would be willing to go it alone if that's what it takes.
But I think we BOTH need to be on board with the course of action since it includes daily dosing- and it's very particular. I would want both of us to know how to do it. And what to watch for, etc.
I don't know what to do. I feel incredibly frustrated. Ex seemed on board with it when suggested by D2's allergist. And after the intake at the clinic. He has not given a reason why he's dragging his heels now. If he has concerns about the treatment or it's efficacy- ok. Say that. You've been given almost 5 months to go do your own research. The only thing I can think of is that it's a control thing. But for fucks sake- this could mean the difference of your kid not dying if they accidentally ingest dairy.
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