Re: xolair and food testing...

December 12, 2005

Xoalir is in the 3rd phase of clinical trials for peanut allergies. Food

allergies are different from environmental allergies in that our body sqirrels

away the food protein in our fat cells when we have a food allergy. When the

concentration of the food protein gets high enough in your system, then you

start to have reactions. Every one is different. There is no " set "

concentration. The reactions are typically facial swelling, throat swelling &

body hives. Since we have so much of that allergen in our bodies the Xolair

dose in the peanut allergy trials is higher than for environmental allergies.

So, the simple truth is probably that the dose of your Xolair is good for your

environmental allergies but not high enough for your food allergies. When the

study is complete & published (they say summertime) then our physicians will

have some place to go with our dosing. Right now it would be considered

experimental and the insurance companies won't cover it. So, his/her advice

to avoid corn is a very good one. You will have to read labels as many things

are preapred with corn oil etc... I personally can't wait to have a Xolair dose

high enoughthat I can sit in a room with friends who are having strawberries. I

can't even walk down the aisle in the grocery store when strawberries (any

berry) are in season, I get hives just from being in clsoe proximetry. Then I

cough & wheeze. This is not fun at all. I live in Florida, strawberries,

raspberries, blueberries & cranberries are always in the store & used as garnish

in all kinds of restaurants. Thank God for epi-pens!

Keep your chin up. Xolair is a great drug. When we finally " see " all its

uses, the world will be amazed.

Pat

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December 12, 2005

! Excellent questions. I am wondering something

similar...

The head of resp and the head of allergy (both

somewhat higher than necessary on the obnoxious doctor

scale) want me to do repeated allergy testing as part

of an informal study. I was like well isn't that

pointless? They just want to see.

But, for example, I used to get totally swollen if I

was scratched by a cat at the site of the scratch.

Last time, no swelling. Soooo I took that as an

indicator that Xolair was working.

About sinuses too...I still have drippy nose so I was

wondering if/when that will stop or if I am just a

drippy person by nature...does your ENT have any

insight into your schnoz trouble???

Avoiding corn will be tough.....gah

C

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December 12, 2005

Regarding your epi pen remark... thank god for epi pens... do you rush

to the ER everytime you use it? I have some bad food allergies so far

zyrtec and benadril have helped fast enough that i don't feel the need

to have to use my pen. But i'm almost affraid to use it because i was

told to get the the nearest er or my dr's office. I don't get hives,

my throat gets a little itchy then it starts to swell up. Because i've

had asthma my whole life, i guess the little bit of breathing

dificulty i get from a food allergy for maybe 5 min doesn't bother me?

I was told that if the benadryl or zyrtec doesn't work to use my pen.

So far i havent had a problem, but i guess i'm kinda affraid to use

it. Thanks! Nicki and Tena (SD)

December 13, 2005

hi pat,

i can't thank you enough for your reply. i never really understood food

allergies i guess. i thought they were the same as enviromental allergies.

i printed your email, and i'm going to show my husband. he's been begging me

to try seafood again, feeling htat the xolair " cured " me - last time i was NEAR

seafood (which was nearly 10 years ago, eating chicken, but in a seafood

resturant) i was in the ER right after dinner. fun fun!

thank you again!!! we're so lucky to have you here!

heather

MommaA <mommaa@...> wrote: