OIT Day 1

 Today we started Beanie on Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) for cashew, pistachio an walnuts. It is the first day in a long and, we hope, successful journey.

We were both excited yet a bit nervous going in. I talked with Beanie about both our feelings as we embark on this process.

We were at the allergist's office at 9am. By 9:30 Beanie ingested about 1ml of liquid. It was a solution of 3g to 5ml of cashew, pistachio and walnut flour.

It went well initially, but about 20 min in she said her tummy was hurting. I was privately disappointed since she had only had such a small amount, but I was supportive of her and told her that we need to respect her body and only do what it can handle.

The Nurse came in and then the Dr to check her out.

We waited for about 40 min or so and she began to feel better. Her vitals were fine, so once she felt better they dosed her 1 ml again, rather than increasing it as was the plan.

The next dose went well. She felt fine, so 15 min later they gave her 2ml. Still doing fine (thank goodness), then they gave her 3.5 ml and we waited about 20 min.   Dr came in, she was doing fine so thay gave her the final dose of 5ml.

We waited about 45 min, they checked her vitals and sent us home with the solution. 

For the next 2 weeks, everyday we need to dose Beanie with 5ml of the liquid. If she tolerates it then in 2 weeks we go back and they will "up-dose". The dose needs to be taken with some food in the stomach and washed down with a lot of water so it does not linger in the mouth.

Today's appt was about 4 hours, but the next ones will be shorter,,,about an hour and a half since they will only give one dose.

We were very happy when we left and are staying positive. This is a start!!!