Reply Part 1 again (list serv cut me off as I was over 120 lines....!)

We have never done a blood test as the skin prick test is still positive and
I know he still is as he had two reactions this summer.  No where near to
outgrowing this yet.  Blood tests are supposed to be more accurate.  Soy
milk can be expensive; rice milk can also be used as well as almond milk
(and hemp milk!) but watch out for the calcium contents.  Not all brands are
fortified.  There are so so so many varieties of soy/rice milk out there. My
local larger grocery store has at least six varieties of soy milk in
tetra paks and even more in refrigerated cartons and at least four rice
milks; we've tried them all when on sale.

Shop around and compare prices.  Check out their websites and sign up for
their newsletters; they may have coupons there.  You could even try writing
them a letter stating how much you love their product and they might reply
with a coupon (this strategy I have seen online many times to get coupons
but I have never tried it). Have you checked out Costco or Sam's Club?
Often, you can buy it there cheaper too (here in Canada, a six pack of
Natur-A soy milk (a particularly tasty one) works out to $1.50 per tetra
pack, where it could cost $1.99 to $2.50 in the store).  Find a local health
food store.  You can also check out your local Asian grocery.  You should be
able to find soy milks there (I did in Michigan, ultra sweet but good) but
again, watch out for the calcium content.  And don't hesitate to buy it when
it's close to expiry and it's marked down, if in tetra paks; if still
sealed, it should still be good.  I have
purchased milk within two weeks of expiry and it was fine.  Don't be afraid
to find such pacakges and bring them to the customer service desk and
outright (but nicely) ask for a discount for taking it off their hands
before throwing it away for no money.

On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 2:07 PM, Megan Homan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Thanks! I have ruled out LI, and I am trying to live dairy-free, as my son,
> my daughter and myself(daughter still nursing) can't have it. My husband is
> not fond of substitutes, although tolerant and thinks it is more expensive.
> I could use some advice on how to simply and affordably live milkless! Right
> now we do soymilk, for example, and this is pretty expensive. I can't buy
> the cheap store brand of many items because they contain milk, and often I
> make allowances for the sake of a low bill and peace in the home. I will
> start saving for the blood test, I was just afraid of a negative result! How
> accurate are they?> Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:53:49 -0400> From:
> [log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Allergy testing> To:
> [log in to unmask]> > Save up your pennies and tell your husband
> that it would give you great> peace of mind and possibly, further harmony in
> the house if you knew for> certain that there was a problem. Then get the
> test done.> > I am assuming that you have ruled out a lactose intolerance at
> this point.> That would not test positive on a prick test. (is there a test
> for lactose> intolerance?)> > Are you avoiding milk now? It is easily done
> once you know what to cut out> and substitute. Let me know if you want
> advice there. I actually find it> easier in Canada than when we were in the
> US to be dairy free. But, in> either country, a dairy-free margarine is hard
> to find and you will be> limited to a select few brands (many members here
> can tell you which ones> they prefer).> > Support from the family, even when
> there's ample evidence of an allergy, can> be slow in coming. But, after six
> years, I have now "trained" (LOL!) both> sets of grandparents and my
> in-laws, who we see often, now go out of their> way to make sure that food
> they prepare is safe or advise us if it isn't> (mashed potatoes made with
> coconut milk, very yummy!). Until you get the> support, keep bringing your
> own food to family events.> > I have met a child so severely allergic to
> milk that, yes, he had to avoid> beef and even products containing gelatin
> were suspect as you don't know> what kind of bones they used to make the
> gelatin (you can use beef, pork or> fish to make gelatin). They were big on
> pork. This is rare, from my> understanding.> > Good luck and hang in there.>
> > On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 12:31 PM, Megan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:> >
> > New to the group, hoping to find a place where everyone doesn't think I'm>
> > crazy. My 4 year old son and 1.5 year old daughter have UNDIAGNOSED dairy>
> > allergy. When my son was almost 2, he had the skin[prick test, which was,>
> > of> > course, negative. But I know, whatever the doctors say, that dairy
> causes> > all> > kinds of problems for him. His reactions are delayed, not
> life-threatening> > or> > immediate, and I have heard that for this type the
> skin test is of no use.> > I> > know there is a blood test, but our
> insurance doesn't cover it and it would> > take a lot to convince my husband
> to do it. Any suggestions? I want a> > definitive answer, especially for
> more support in family. Unfortunately,> > the> > medical community has thus
> far not helped, telling me he has no allergy or> > that if I just continue
> to give him dairy he will grow out of it. Also,> > lately I am> > wondering
> if i should cut out beef, too, and of course everyone thinks I am> > crazier
> than before. Please help!!> >
> _________________________________________________________________
> Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn "10 hidden secrets" from Jamie.
>
> http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008<http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns%21550F681DAD532637%215295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008>