Medically Qualified for USMA and USAFA with severe peanut allergy

A

armymike7

USMA 2024
Joined
Mar 18, 2019
Messages
28
I am making this post as I recently had my waiver approved for USAFA and USMA and I wanted to share my story for those who may find it helpful.

I was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy during my freshman year of high school. My IGE levels on blood tests were off the charts and I would react to ingestion of a very small amount of peanut protein. I immediately started oral immunization therapy (OIT), eating a small but increasing amount of peanut protein each day under the direction of my allergist. I completed oral immunization therapy and took another blood test in September 2019 with my IgE levels still off the charts. One day, sometime after, I accidentally ate over my maintenance dose of peanuts and reacted severely. I went in to my DODMERB exam a month later, declared my allergy, and was medically disqualified. The admissions officer at USMA put in for a waiver and requested that I took a peanut challenge (eating a serving of peanuts in front of my allergist). My blood levels were still too high so my allergist would not allow for a challenge to be conducted until early January of 2020. A couple of weeks ago, my challenge was conducted and, by some miracle, I ate 43 peanuts in front of my allergist without reacting. I sent a letter from my allergist detailing the challenge and the results to DODMERB and to USMA and a few days later I was informed by the USAFA and USMA waiver authorities that my waiver was approved.

This long long process allowed me to garner the following advice for anyone in a similar situation:
  • Start oral immunization therapy as soon as possible. The longer you are on your maintenance dose, your probability of passing a challenge increases greatly
  • Maintain constant contact with your ALO/FFR and make your file stand out
Another thing that helped me, anecdotally, in addition to oral immunization therapy was a probiotic supplement containing the strain "Lactobacillus rhamnosus". While I started supplementing with it starting in December 2020, and there is some evidence that it may help resolve peanut allergies in addition to oral immunization therapy, I can't say for certain.
 
armymike7 said:
I am making this post as I recently had my waiver approved for USAFA and USMA and I wanted to share my story for those who may find it helpful.

I was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy during my freshman year of high school. My IGE levels on blood tests were off the charts and I would react to ingestion of a very small amount of peanut protein. I immediately started oral immunization therapy (OIT), eating a small but increasing amount of peanut protein each day under the direction of my allergist. I completed oral immunization therapy and took another blood test in September 2019 with my IgE levels still off the charts. One day, sometime after, I accidentally ate over my maintenance dose of peanuts and reacted severely. I went in to my DODMERB exam a month later, declared my allergy, and was medically disqualified. The admissions officer at USMA put in for a waiver and requested that I took a peanut challenge (eating a serving of peanuts in front of my allergist). My blood levels were still too high so my allergist would not allow for a challenge to be conducted until early January of 2020. A couple of weeks ago, my challenge was conducted and, by some miracle, I ate 43 peanuts in front of my allergist without reacting. I sent a letter from my allergist detailing the challenge and the results to DODMERB and to USMA and a few days later I was informed by the USAFA and USMA waiver authorities that my waiver was approved.

This long long process allowed me to garner the following advice for anyone in a similar situation:
  • Start oral immunization therapy as soon as possible. The longer you are on your maintenance dose, your probability of passing a challenge increases greatly
  • Maintain constant contact with your ALO/FFR and make your file stand out
Another thing that helped me, anecdotally, in addition to oral immunization therapy was a probiotic supplement containing the strain "Lactobacillus rhamnosus". While I started supplementing with it starting in December 2020, and there is some evidence that it may help resolve peanut allergies in addition to oral immunization therapy, I can't say for certain.
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That's fantastic!!! Congratulations! My DS has completed immunotherapy as well...hoping and praying for waivers from USNA and NROTC! You give us hope...he passed a 40 peanut challenge recently. All the best!
 
NEED2KNoMo said:
That's fantastic!!! Congratulations! My DS has completed immunotherapy as well...hoping and praying for waivers from USNA and NROTC! You give us hope...he passed a 40 peanut challenge recently. All the best!
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Hello again..would having an epi pen during the OIT treatment process be disqualifying for a waiver?
 
militarymom2020 said:
Hello again..would having an epi pen during the OIT treatment process be disqualifying for a waiver?
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I don't think you want to attempt OIT without an Epi...but in no way can I give medical advice...just my opinion. Furthermore, I don't think a Dr. would start one on OIT without an Epi available.
 
Last edited:
armymike7 said:
I am making this post as I recently had my waiver approved for USAFA and USMA and I wanted to share my story for those who may find it helpful.

I was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy during my freshman year of high school. My IGE levels on blood tests were off the charts and I would react to ingestion of a very small amount of peanut protein. I immediately started oral immunization therapy (OIT), eating a small but increasing amount of peanut protein each day under the direction of my allergist. I completed oral immunization therapy and took another blood test in September 2019 with my IgE levels still off the charts. One day, sometime after, I accidentally ate over my maintenance dose of peanuts and reacted severely. I went in to my DODMERB exam a month later, declared my allergy, and was medically disqualified. The admissions officer at USMA put in for a waiver and requested that I took a peanut challenge (eating a serving of peanuts in front of my allergist). My blood levels were still too high so my allergist would not allow for a challenge to be conducted until early January of 2020. A couple of weeks ago, my challenge was conducted and, by some miracle, I ate 43 peanuts in front of my allergist without reacting. I sent a letter from my allergist detailing the challenge and the results to DODMERB and to USMA and a few days later I was informed by the USAFA and USMA waiver authorities that my waiver was approved.

This long long process allowed me to garner the following advice for anyone in a similar situation:
  • Start oral immunization therapy as soon as possible. The longer you are on your maintenance dose, your probability of passing a challenge increases greatly
  • Maintain constant contact with your ALO/FFR and make your file stand out
Another thing that helped me, anecdotally, in addition to oral immunization therapy was a probiotic supplement containing the strain "Lactobacillus rhamnosus". While I started supplementing with it starting in December 2020, and there is some evidence that it may help resolve peanut allergies in addition to oral immunization therapy, I can't say for certain.
Click to expand...
Hi which probiotic do you recommend?
 
Just as a standard advisory, supplements are best recommended by a persons Primary Care Manager vs folks on a public forum. What worked for ArmyMike7, may/may not be appropriate for other folks
 
militarymom2020 said:
Hi which probiotic do you recommend?
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I will echo what Mr. Mullen said, I'd listen to your allergist as to what you should be taking. My allergist uses the probiotic supplement as part of the course of treatment and there is some preliminary research suggesting it MAY be effective for helping to treat peanut allergies but only in conjunction with oral immunization therapy. The strain was Lactobasillicus Rhamnosus and the brand was Klaire labs.
 
armymike7 said:
I am making this post as I recently had my waiver approved for USAFA and USMA and I wanted to share my story for those who may find it helpful.

I was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy during my freshman year of high school. My IGE levels on blood tests were off the charts and I would react to ingestion of a very small amount of peanut protein. I immediately started oral immunization therapy (OIT), eating a small but increasing amount of peanut protein each day under the direction of my allergist. I completed oral immunization therapy and took another blood test in September 2019 with my IgE levels still off the charts. One day, sometime after, I accidentally ate over my maintenance dose of peanuts and reacted severely. I went in to my DODMERB exam a month later, declared my allergy, and was medically disqualified. The admissions officer at USMA put in for a waiver and requested that I took a peanut challenge (eating a serving of peanuts in front of my allergist). My blood levels were still too high so my allergist would not allow for a challenge to be conducted until early January of 2020. A couple of weeks ago, my challenge was conducted and, by some miracle, I ate 43 peanuts in front of my allergist without reacting. I sent a letter from my allergist detailing the challenge and the results to DODMERB and to USMA and a few days later I was informed by the USAFA and USMA waiver authorities that my waiver was approved.

This long long process allowed me to garner the following advice for anyone in a similar situation:
  • Start oral immunization therapy as soon as possible. The longer you are on your maintenance dose, your probability of passing a challenge increases greatly
  • Maintain constant contact with your ALO/FFR and make your file stand out
Another thing that helped me, anecdotally, in addition to oral immunization therapy was a probiotic supplement containing the strain "Lactobacillus rhamnosus". While I started supplementing with it starting in December 2020, and there is some evidence that it may help resolve peanut allergies in addition to oral immunization therapy, I can't say for certain.
Click to expand...
Hi where did you send the Dr. letter to? Directly to the SA or to your Admissions Counselor?
 
armymike7 said:
I am making this post as I recently had my waiver approved for USAFA and USMA and I wanted to share my story for those who may find it helpful.

I was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy during my freshman year of high school. My IGE levels on blood tests were off the charts and I would react to ingestion of a very small amount of peanut protein. I immediately started oral immunization therapy (OIT), eating a small but increasing amount of peanut protein each day under the direction of my allergist. I completed oral immunization therapy and took another blood test in September 2019 with my IgE levels still off the charts. One day, sometime after, I accidentally ate over my maintenance dose of peanuts and reacted severely. I went in to my DODMERB exam a month later, declared my allergy, and was medically disqualified. The admissions officer at USMA put in for a waiver and requested that I took a peanut challenge (eating a serving of peanuts in front of my allergist). My blood levels were still too high so my allergist would not allow for a challenge to be conducted until early January of 2020. A couple of weeks ago, my challenge was conducted and, by some miracle, I ate 43 peanuts in front of my allergist without reacting. I sent a letter from my allergist detailing the challenge and the results to DODMERB and to USMA and a few days later I was informed by the USAFA and USMA waiver authorities that my waiver was approved.

This long long process allowed me to garner the following advice for anyone in a similar situation:
  • Start oral immunization therapy as soon as possible. The longer you are on your maintenance dose, your probability of passing a challenge increases greatly
  • Maintain constant contact with your ALO/FFR and make your file stand out
Another thing that helped me, anecdotally, in addition to oral immunization therapy was a probiotic supplement containing the strain "Lactobacillus rhamnosus". While I started supplementing with it starting in December 2020, and there is some evidence that it may help resolve peanut allergies in addition to oral immunization therapy, I can't say for certain.
Click to expand...
QQ, now that immunotherapy is done, what does your maintenance look like? Is it daily? Did USMA have a problem with the maintenance phase?
 
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