New developments in medicine

[Tinker]

I had just opened into the FOG a few minutes ago when I discovered that Peter H. is (or was) headed for surgery.  What I am writing about is connected with medical research but not anything to do with Peter's problem.

Hey Pete, I said i had no story for you. Well, I lied.  And it is even off topic. :

A week ago, I was listening to my truck radio as I was heading for work.  The broadcaster I was listening to (A local talk radio show)was interviewing a doc or researcher.  I did not hear the beginning of the interview; but they were talking about peanut allergy research.  I know a lot of people are allergic to peanuts altho I am not one of them.  I have had my life threatening problems with bees over the years, but with the development of venom research and immunity development, I am no longer in any danger.  I do, however, have sympathy for others who have life threatening allergies of any kind.

It seems that scientists are closing in on the cause of peanut allergy.  They feel it is very close to the time when such sufferers can, with proper meds (I did not get whether oral or injection) rid themselves of worry. 

I do not know anybody personally who has peanut allergy. I do, however, know several people who have celiac disease.  Some FOG'ers I know have the problem.  When it was mentioned that the research on peanut immunity has been leading to the possibility the same method (or meds) of immunity for celiacs, specifically to gluten, as well.  You who do have the problem might have hope closer than ever realized.  I did not catch the researcher's name or organization, but you might want to look into this.  Good luck
Tinker

 

[Sparktrician]

While not the same thing, I had the opportunity earlier this week to see and manipulate the Da Vinci Si surgical robot.  It was in a demo setting, not an OR, but all of us that were there had the opportunity to sit at the surgeon's console and manipulate the wristed arms to move some tiny o-rings over a sine-wave-shaped jig.  Those of us that wanted to could watch a video of a radical prostatectomy that my surgeon had saved earlier that day.  There's now a newer version that has four arms (as opposed to three) so that the surgeon can use one to hold something, then set the clutch on that arm to not move, then go back to one of the other arms to complete a procedure.  Quite fascinating, if I do say so. 

 

[GreenGA]

I have no allergies of any kind, but my granddaughter is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and seeds.  This is news I intend to pass along.

Thank you for posting.

 

[tbellemare]

I grew up around, among, and immersed in all sorts of things that we now know are toxic/carcinogenic substances. My Dad and I used to wash our hands/arms in used PCB transformer oil because it was free and worked well as a solvent. Later, it was Varsol, which I also washed parts in all day long while overhauling an automatic trans' or an engine. It was pretty bad. It would make my skin dry out, even as an oily youth, to the point of stinging.

I have no allergies or strange reactions to anything that I know of. I live in a place where there are a LOT of people that are allergic to the trees and weeds. I'm not. There are suddenly a LOT of people who are allergic to legumes/nuts/gluten. Who knew?

Maybe my early exposure to the most toxic???

Perhaps Peter, you'll have to move over for me to occupy the next bed??? I'd be happy to keep you company but I'd rather do it from a chair next to your bed.

My offer is always open to chat...

I hope for a fast recovery and I offer you the Kindest of Regards,

Tom

EDIT:
I got your double entendre in the trailer... Very clever! At least they didn't remove your wit.

 

[Sparktrician]

I grew up around, among, and immersed in all sorts of things that we now know are toxic/carcinogenic substances. My Dad and I used to wash our hands/arms in used PCB transformer oil because it was free and worked well as a solvent. Later, it was Varsol, which I also washed parts in all day long while overhauling an automatic trans' or an engine. It was pretty bad. It would make my skin dry out, even as an oily youth, to the point of stinging.

When I was in the Navy, we regularly used trichlorethylene for cleaning anything that needed it.  It was easy to get and did a great job, aside from being highly toxic.  On the other hand, grain alcohol did as good a job, but it took an act of Congress and ten signatures to get an ounce to clean fire alarm sensors and we had to document usage and turn in that which was not used.  Go figure... 

 

[Tinker]

I have no allergies of any kind, but my granddaughter is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and seeds.  This is news I intend to pass along.

Thank you for posting.

GG, That is exactly why I started this thread.  If it is a help to even one person, the time has been well spent.
Tinker

 

[Bob Marino]

  Thanks Wayne for starting this post. About 12 - 13 years ago, when our daughter was 2 - 3 years old, my wife gave her an apple with a smidgeon of peanut butter on top. After one small bite, our daughter immediately broke out into hives. We immediately gave her Benadryl and rushed out to her pediatrician. If she had started to have any type of respiratory distress it would have been a 911 call. We found out (obviously by experience) that she is allergic to peanuts and some legumes.
Since then, she's had a couple of exposures and symptoms present as a gastro (stomach) reaction rather than hives. She has never gotten to the point of have respiratory difficulty. She carries Benadryl and an Epi-pen (epinephrin) with her - just in case.
Having said all that, I have spoken with a few Allergists and done some web searching and no one has come up with a definitive answer as to why peanuts (peanut butter was a stable in every home in this country when I was growing up) now cause a (potentially fatal) reaction in so many younger people.
I look forward to reading any type of updates and hopefully a "solution"  that mediates this issue.

B

 

[Tinker]

As I was listening to that program, I was looking for a spot to pull off of the road and wait tip the enterviewee's name would be mentioned.  By the time i found a spot, the interview was finished. 

When I was in mason biz, I always checked on Dr.'S hours local to where I was working.  Also knew quickest route to Emergency room or any emergency med  office.  I never got to point of respiratory difficulty, but my BP would go out of sight. 

The way I handled it whenever I got stung by a bee, I took my time and forced my self to not get excited.  A few times i was 20 or 30 feet in the air on scaffold and got into a nest.  I took it very slow getting down.  took my time getting to the truck and drove very carefully (with every light on my truck blinking and lots of horn practice) to nearest MD.  A couple of times, i ran face first into hornets nests.  I did run tip they stopped hitting my head and neck but took my time once out of range.  There were a few times when I felt I was going to pass out by time i got to MD.  My regular doc always stopped whatever he was doing to take care of me.  I know he had had a couple of experiences where people died in his office because they did not tell the receptionist their problem.  Me, I just ran, er, ah, walked in the door shouting bee sting allergic.
All meds knew they had to work fast. 

When our own son showed he was allergic, I did not move slow.  I just grabbed him and put him in the car, yelled at THE BOSS to call hospital.  My daughter piled into the back seat with son and cold wet towels to keep him cooled down and away we sped. @ Emergency room, two MD's and a nurse were waiting at the door for us.  Yes, it can get scary when it is known a life threatening allergy in involved. 

The trick to staying alive is to do as I explained above.  You don't want to hasten transmitting that venom all thru your body.  If possible, call for emergency help and just sit still and hopefully calm until help arrives.

Tinker