environmental specialist or allergist

[Nan]

Hi everyone,

 

I am trying to decide whether to go to an environmental specialist or an allergist ? Whom do you all recommend and why ? One disadvantage with the environmental specialist is he does not accept any insurance and wants me to file for insurance on my own.

 

Please help me decide.

 

Thanks,

Nan.

[Calicat]

Hi Nan,

In my understanding of it, most environmental docs will be open to many kinds of testing as well as wholistic/alternative treatments, whereas an allergist is usually more mainstream. They test for "instant" allergies as opposed to delayed reactions, which likely affect many more children. I brought my daughter to an allergist, back when I didn't know her throat clearing was a tic and I thought it was simply allergies. She tested allergic to nothing at all. He didn't even suggest that the throat thing could be a tic. Basically, it didn't help me in any way. However, I am on a waiting list to see an environmental doc I have heard such good things about. Perhaps we'll get in around May. I will let you all know how it goes when the time comes... we've been waiting since LAST May!! She is so busy and there aren't enough like her around, and she likes to give her patients lots of individual attention so she tries not to accept too many at one time.

 

Good luck,

Calicat

[lurker]

Nan,

 

What state are you in? If you are near a major metropolitan city, you may be able to find a Naturopath. I found a great one, so I am biased. As a general rule -- and they are not all created equal -- they tend to look at the entire patient. Mine spent two and a half hours with us on intake, and when he says, "feel free to call if you have any questions," I think he means it.

I live in California. Here, he is able to prescribe and order tests. He is a doctor.

 

Having said that, I think the environmental doctor may be a better choice than the allergist.

 

Let us know what you decide.

 

Tami

[Nan]

Hi Tami,

 

I am in texas. I am kind of down today (please see my new post today). Maybe tomorrow, I will pick myself up and get ready for the battle of the day. Sorry to be such a downer. Thanks for your concern and your responses. I truly appreciate it.

 

-Nan