Wanted Allergy specialist recommendation please

[Cora]

I am reacting to something and would like to find out what it is ASAP. The nhs referral could take months, could anyone recommend anyone privately and give me a feel for a rough cost? Any help much appreciated..thanks

[fl0wer]

The NHS should get off its backside and help you see a specialist ASAP.

Years ago it was difficult to persuade the GP to refer us....

Our 5 yr old D had a huge allergic reaction, it really made her suffer, no I didn't want to just spoon anthistamine into her, I wanted to find out what triggered it, of course.

Once we got to the specialist, she was working in a portacabin out at the back, as if it wasn't real medicine.

Astutely, she used a simple food-dye test to see what had brought on that acute reaction. It was very easy to do, and thereafter very easy to avoid.

The modern world puts additives in so many foods, and cosmetics, plus there are strong vapours in chemicals such as fire retardents and insecticides, present when you buy new furniture and carpets, for example.

I wouldn't recommend a private practitioner because there've been fashionable theories and profiteering, grandiose claims in diet books & things... worried patients easily persuaded to part with high fees, e.g. for hair analysis and I feel we deserve the serious attention an NHS specialist provides, we need to insist.

[Cora]

Thanks for the support Flower....it does seem crazy to have to have to wait so long, in the meantime I have no idea what might be putting my life at risk!

[pipsky2008]

Also try Health Matters on Lordship Lane. They have clinics for a number of therapists

[ianr]

Are you talking about a food allergy, or something environmental? My problems have always been with the latter, and with time and experiment, even those can be mainly identified. One strategy with food is to try an exclusion diet, and then gradually introduce individual foods one by one. Or even checking for pulse change after a particular food or exposure can be useful.

[Cora]

Thanks Ian, yes I am trying to go back to basics with the diet but have no idea if it is diet based or environmental or products...just knowing that would be a good start...

[kayla81]

Hello

I recently saw a specialist at Kings through NHS. I got the referral through Foresthill Group Practice and I had no problem getting the referral. Try explaining to the GP that you are afraid that you may get anaphylaxis. I personally had an episode of getting an anaphylaxis shock so that may have been why I got referred quickly but you definitely don't want to defer it. The Kings specialist was very good and the result was out very quickly too. Good luck!

[susyp]

with my daughter i got a private appointment to find out what it was and be tested and then went back into the nhs system from then on - i've done that in the past with a cancer check also (in the days before the 2 weeks deadline we have now). so it hasn't ended up costing a huge amount. my daughter is allergic and my mum has chronic intolerances so you have my absolute sympathy.

my daughter had a skin prick test but where i live now they do blood tests and screen you for a range of things i believe - i haven't taken her for years as we've had enough mistaken exposures for me to know she is still allergic!

susypx

[Cora]

Kayla, your post is reassuring...I've been prescribed an epi-pen so maybe my referral will go through quicker than I assumed...

[Smiler]

A friend whose son has multiple, severe allergies is under the Evelina Children's Hospital and says it's good.

[Samantha82]

When my baby was 2 months he also needed an allergy test asap and the referral from nhs took 2 months. I just called them to call me back if there are any cancellations and got an appointment within a week.