[nippa&pippa]

:cool:
Thought do similar post to pregnancy and homebirth post. To save how much hassles I have been through in last few months to other people if I knew how the system is work

Yep I have three children with food and environmental allergies as well as eczema, also my OH also got food allergy, in Milk, Egg, Wheat, Soy, Peants, Tree nuts and Fish as well as Grass pollen and Tree pollen.

Anyone is free to fill in what you have learnt and new tip etc as well as ask us questions for you, like milk, what milk we got in NZ, what wheat free we got, How much for epipen (it is not FREE in NZ, unlike UK by the way!) etc.

Here are best websites helped me..
Allergy NZ (http://www.allergy.org.nz/) - full of informations about allergy in NZ, I have joined their membership and I get useful emails including product recalls warning.
List of allergy specialist in NZ (http://www.allergy.org.nz/shop/specialists+and+useful+websites.html) - As you see, there is lack of public system allergy specialist in christchurch, children tend to referral to Paediatrician dr with allergy background (IMHO Paed dr is not same as Paediatrician allergy specialists we saw in UK, not fully qualfied. It is ok if your child got 1 or 2 allergy, but not for multi-food allergies, I am currently waiting for permission transfer to Immunologist) while adult tend to see Immunologist. You can see private allergy specialist if you can afford $375 to see him!!
Manfactured Food Database (http://www.mfd.co.nz/) - a brilliant website, I wish I know this when I first arrived in NZ to save me spent hours, hours, hours reading every single labels in supermarket!!!!!!!!!
Food for you (http://www.foodforyou.co.nz/) - not every foods are available in supermarket, so these company import foods from other countries, special for people with allergy. I am waiting for my milk, egg, soy and nuts free chocolate chip from them :nice1
IEproduce (http://www.ieproduce.com/default.asp) - another good company, full of gluten and wheat free foods :nice1
Kiwi kids with allergies (http://www.kiwikidswithallergies.co.nz/) - fantastic website for allergy alert, ideal to put on food box so teachers/staffs remember!
Kumfy kids (http://www.kumfykids.co.nz/catalog/) - fantastic clothing for children with eczema, I found their clothing very soft :nice1
Allergy pharmacy (http://www.allergypharmacy.co.nz/) - where you can buy medications cheaper as well as allergy products like bedcover etc.

[SharpBlade]

Hi Sophia,
Just wanted to say it is good to see you back. Your posts are always well researched.
laura

[nippa&pippa]

To obtain hypoallergenic milk for baby from GP....

I have learnt it is not straight-forward to get hypoallergenic formula milk like UK where you just go to GP and ask for hypoallergenic formula milk, you get it on spot....
In NZ, you need special authority number from specialists like from Paediatrician Dr :wah GP will do the first step getting your baby to be referrel to Paediatrician Dr first..the waiting list is not too bad compare with UK's, just 2months waiting for our case because our baby was just 7months old when we found out about his severe milk allergy (turned out to be anaphylatic to milk :wah) and because he was fully breastfeeding baby, so no need for "urgent" appointment in their own opinion!!
Maybe you get seen quicker if formula milk is badly need for bottlefeeding baby, like same day?
Paediatrician then should referral you to dietician next (if that didn't happen, ASK! I made mistake and did ask GP for referral in the end), again you have choice of see private or public. I chosen public system and she done great job with our children :nice1

Once you obtain milk sample to try and once you know your baby is ok with these hypoallergnic milk first (they usually give you simple hypoallergenic formula milks first because they have been broke down in different way. If react to some of it like my toddler did, then they give you Neocate as last resort because it is very expensive tin at $100 per tin!!) then you need give special authority number to your GP to contact company who specialize in sending out formula milks to your OWN house!!!! You usually get 3months supply arrive to your house once you pay for it first, again it is not free like UK's...I just paid $208 - approx $3.50 per tin, as I haven't budget for it that month, ouch.
My toddler is on Neocate Advcanced hypoallergenic formula milk since 2 weeks ago after spent 14months breastfeeding. I did had lots of trouble getting it because Paed dr want him go onto soy milk at 12months old but I suspected he got soy allergy as well. I couldn't prove it to her because his skin prick show negative! so I gave in a month ago and gave him soy milk. He had worse eczema flare up we ever see...so hence he is now on Neocate and I can then finally weaned him off breastfeeding :raebanana (I have been on dairy-free diet for 14months)
HTH, just ask if any questions...

[nippa&pippa]

Hi Sophia,
Just wanted to say it is good to see you back. Your posts are always well researched.
laura

Thanks

[JandM]

What a time you've been having! Glad to hear from you again.

[jeffanar]

Yep I have three children with food and environmental allergies as well as eczema, also my OH also got food allergy, in Milk, Egg, Wheat, Soy, Peants, Tree nuts and Fish as well as Grass pollen and Tree pollen.


Wow that sounds really difficult! I also have allergies and eczema, and have recently become asthmatic (after quitting smoking, not fair!). I had a hair allergy test done at the holistic medical centre (not sure yet if I think it's rubbish or actually worth it but I'm so itchy at the moment I'll try anything) so am about to try an elimination diet, the only big thing I have to stop really is dairy and I'm having enough trouble with the idea of not eating cheese for a month, I can't imagine what it would be like to try to cater for that many allergies :(

[TonnyTessa]

I can't imagine what it would be like to try to cater for that many allergies :(


You quickly get used to it! Having had to deal with severe allergies (no gluten, no nuts, no diary, no eggs, no yeast, no apples, no grapes and everything vegetarian on top) while trying to cook for large groups (10-170) and it is possible, just needs somewhat more planning in advance and enough gas rings for all the different pots and pans you have at a go at the same time. The worst thing I always find is when they changed the ingredients of your favourite biscuits. I tell you what, the words "New Improved Recipe" are the worst swearing words in the world!

[nippa&pippa]

The worst thing I always find is when they changed the ingredients of your favourite biscuits. I tell you what, the words "New Improved Recipe" are the worst swearing words in the world!

:clap

I learnt my lesson in hard way....my two children had allergy reactions after this stupid company decided to add egg into their favourite cereal bar without warning! :mad:
Now I tend to double-checked every packets....:uhoh

[nippa&pippa]

Medications

I only know children's medications better than adults. So anyone know more about adult's version, feel free to add for me...

There are two known-well anti-histamine for children, they are:
Phenergan (Promethazine) - It known to make babies and toddler drownsiness (did work wonder for my children at night when they had bad eczema attacks ;))
Lorapaed (Loratadine) - This is non-drownsy version
They don't have any Pirition (UK's anti-histamine) in NZ.
Both are available from pharmacy via GP's scripts with goverment's subsidy. Usually they don't prescribe both anti-histamines per child, but in my case, our GP did for some special reasons.

Epipen - I still not got it....not easy to obtain it for my daughter, who got peanuts and tree nuts allergy as well as many others, compare with UK. For my 14months old toddler who is an anaphylatic to milk, he has not reach 10kg yet as guideline for the epipen junior (last weight check, he just reach 9kg :o). Someone informed me that you only get it from specialist again for special authority number before you can get Epipen from company or pharmacy order in for you and they are usually around $138-$150 per Epipen :eek:
Anyone in this forum got Epipen in NZ? can you give us further details?

[KerryS]

I have allergies to lots of tree pollens here - Pohutakawa trees are a big problem for me especially.
I also have oral allergy syndrome, which means I cannot eat several varieties of fruit - banana and kiwi are the worst. I'm also allergic to latex. OAS stems from the body mistakenly identified fruit proteins as pollen proteins, and causing a reaction.

I saw an allergy specialist here, as I never suffered from this in the UK or Australia. I paid to see one privately, as I didn't want to wait in the public system, and I can't recall how much it was - not that much, as I was only working at the Uni at the time and didn't earn a great deal. In addition to the pollens and fruit allergies, I also indicated that I have an intolerance to dairy, but I just limit my intake as I love cheese to much to cut it out completely.

I have an epi-pen, which I think cost me about $75 on prescription from my Dr, as it's not a funded medication. This was 5 years ago though, and I've not had to use it yet thankfully.

[Debbie]

Medications



Epipen - I still not got it....not easy to obtain it for my daughter, who got peanuts and tree nuts allergy as well as many others, compare with UK. For my 14months old toddler who is an anaphylatic to milk, he has not reach 10kg yet as guideline for the epipen junior (last weight check, he just reach 9kg :o). Someone informed me that you only get it from specialist again for special authority number before you can get Epipen from company or pharmacy order in for you and they are usually around $138-$150 per Epipen :eek:
Anyone in this forum got Epipen in NZ? can you give us further details?

Sophia, great post I miss it until now.
Epi-pens

My son has adult epi-pens (because of this body weight). We came from the UK with 2 epi-pens but they only have a very limited life on them, normally 10-14 months if they are stored well. In the UK we had 2 pens at the local health authority assistance as the ambulance wouldn't guarantee to get to us in 10 mins. In NZ we have 2 pens because the risk of him leaving it at school or at home is too great.

I have had no trouble getting them in NZ but you have to pay for them. In fact I was lead to believe that you can buy them over the counter from the local chemist in NZ.

I don't have a script for my sons pens but I buy them from the GP. That tends to be the best option as most G.Ps don't mark up their medication. They can get them in their usual medical delivery so I've never had to wait more than 24hrs and the life of the pens is always good as they haven't been sat on a chemist shelf for months.

KerryS please check the expiry date on your pen if it's 5 yrs old. Pens go out of date as I've said but also can cloud (you need to visually cheek them every few weeks) and then not work effectively if they get exposed to extremes of temperature. If you ever need to fly your pen should not go in the hold as the conditions there will more than likely make it less effective/ not effective.

Allergy NZ sent me $20 discount voucher for the first epi-pen and the new ones have always come with a similar voucher. I think we were about $120-$135 per pen. It's a lot of money but not something I'm ever going to be able to budget on.

I keep meaning to go and fill in the WINS forms to get some money back but it's on my to do list!!

Sophia, where do you get the forms from.

For those with allergy kids; my son's first school didn't apply for any additional funding for him but this current school did and got it. This helps the school financially and they use the money for an adult helper to supervise food times. It also means that I have no hesitation in saying to the school that they need to make suitable arrangements for him when it comes to school trips.

If I can be of any further help ask and I'ee see the post eventually!

Debbie

[nippa&pippa]

I keep meaning to go and fill in the WINS forms to get some money back but it's on my to do list!!

Sophia, where do you get the forms from.



That is my next job!....see below

[nippa&pippa]

Benefit for child and adult with allergies, eczema and/or asthma

Via Work and Income, you can claims child disability allowance (http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/a-z-benefits/child-disability-allowance.html) to get extra money to help with medications, foods and hospital visits. Child disability allowance is NOT income-tested, so anyone got child with disbaility can apply for it BUT they need to meet requirement to qualify for it. Only person will fill the questionaire is Doctor or Specialist (so you need very supportive Dr to fill in to get it rather than fussy dr who will incorrect fill the form so you can't get it!!) You only need to fill in your child details and details about yourself as caregiver as well as bank details. The form also ask if you are NZ-born, PR or got citizenship...
Once you got the form back from Dr or Specialist, you need take the form to WINS office with all paperwork they need like ID, passport, birth certificate etc. You got 21 days from the day you rang the WINS for form to get the completed form back to WINS office!

You get the form from WINS by ring them on 0800 559 009 and ask for child disability allowance form. Remember if you got more than 1 child with allergies etc, you can apply another one for another child ie one form per one child

Also there is adult disability allowance (http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/a-z-benefits/disability-allowance.html) which it harder to get because it is income-tested (even my OH and I can qualify for it but we earn too much money per week to get it !!! even we are on low wage level :laugh)
Again contact WINS for further advice to see if you can qualify for it. You need details about how much do you earn per week before/after tax before you ring up, otherwise they won't post form out.

[nippa&pippa]

Warning...for anyone with tree nuts allergy like my daughter!

FOOD RECALL
ALLERGEN WARNING

MALOUF’S SPICE MEZZA
100g jar Jordanian Za'atar and
100g jar Cumin Za'atar
Best Before: September 2010

Country Cuisine Pty Ltd is recalling the above products due to the presence of undeclared tree nuts. People who are allergic to tree nuts should not consume the above products.

Consumers without an allergy to tree nuts can safely consume these products. Consumers concerned about their health should consult their doctor.

Only the above products with the nominated best before date are affected by this recall. No other Country Cuisine Malouf Spice products are affected.

Customers are asked to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Country Cuisine Pty Ltd apologises for any inconvenience caused.
For further information please contact
Country Cuisine Pty Ltd
4/4400Midland Highway
Daylesford Victoria 3460
Ph: (03) 5348 4141

[nippa&pippa]

Today (29 November) the 'Your Weekend' insert in the Dominion Post, The Press and Waikato Times will be featuring food allergy and issues in relation to schools etc.

Anyone has read it? and what do you think?