Desensitization Programs in the US -- OIT SLIT SCIT

[SouptoNuts]

I'm a regular member--need some anonymity.  I will be moving soon and would like to consider moving near a place that does desensitization for peanut--and I am looking for OIT specifically.  It's just one factor among many.  But all things being equal, the ability to go through desensitization would make a difference for my child at my child's age.

I will create a list here--and keep modifying it as people post.  I will indicate whether something is a treatment or a study and whether insurance covers it (typically). A study assumes that it will be hard, if not impossible to get in.

Location  |	Type of Program  |	Insurance Covers?
Duke	Study	n/a
Dr. Wasserman Dallas	Treatment	Yes
Dr. Baker Portland, OR	Treatment	??
UVA	Study	n/a
New England	Treatment	No?
Little Rock	Study	n/a
Stanford	Study	n/a
Dr. Mary (Minnesota? Wisconsin?)	Treatment	??

~ ~ ~

Edited simply to add "OIT" in the subject line as it appears that is a typically searched acronym these days for some LTFA therapy.  ~e  

Also added on 1/6/2013 SLIT and SCIT for search purposes

[CMdeux]

Stanford, apparently, is starting a program as well-- HK just posted about it here.

(Going to look up details)

Stanford Multi or Single OIT Study

That's it, I think.

So-- add Stanford University to the list.   

That one seems to be a study, but hk could probably get details on eligibility, or, of course, you could contact the physician directly.  Dr. Kari Nadeu is the PI.

From hk's post-- eligibility:

Stanford Multi or Single OIT
5-55 years old

Blood Specific IgE > 7
OR
Skin Test>6mm+
DBPCFC (+)

Nice to see that there isn't a hard cut-off on RAST scores.  I know that has kept some people out of other study cohorts.  This one doesn't exclude on the basis of severe rxn Hx, either, which is good.

It'd be a hike, but do-able for anyone within about a four-five hour radius of S.F. 

[SouptoNuts]

Bumping with the fixed subject line. Odd how that can change.

[CMdeux]

The Portland reference above refers to this allergy practice:

Dr. Baker-- Lake Oswego, OR

[CMdeux]

Allergy Associates of LaCrosse (now in Onalaska, WI)  The doctor that I think our OP was recalling is Dr. Mary Morris, who is still very definitely with the clinic as a physician.

This particular clinic is using SLIT, which may or may not (more probably) be covered by major health insurance plans.

[CMdeux]

New England Food Allergy Treatment Center

I believe that one of our regular members has begun treatment with them, or is about to.   They are in West Hartford, CT.

[CMdeux]

I don't have time to look right now, but when I was investigating the Wasserman protocol and looking to see who else was adopting it, I found that there was a practice using their OIT rush-style protocol in SLC, UT and also one near Denver, CO (I think-- it was definitely in CO somewhere).


Ahhh-- now I remember.  The Salt Lake City research effort was an EPICUTANEOUS method of desensitization, so not really OIT.

Colorado: http://www.coloradoallergy.com/newsArchive/2008_spring_newsletter.pdf  The thing is, though, their current website doesn't mention it.  You might have to call and ask.  That reference was from 2008, and it specifically excluded persons with anaphylaxis Hx.


Other likely places to hunt out west:

UW Medical Center

UCLA Medical School

[CMdeux]

There's an office in Plano using the Wasserman protocol, too--

http://www.swallergy.com/food-dens-faq.html

[DrummersMom]

Mass General is recruiting for a clinical trial for peanut OIT.

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01324401?term=food+allergies&state1=NA%3AUS%3AMA&rank=2

[hedgehog]

New England Food Allergy Treatment Center

I believe that one of our regular members has begun treatment with them, or is about to.   They are in West Hartford, CT.

You beat me to it, CM.  Yes, my DS is going there, and doing well so far.  It is not covered by insurance and the cost is $5,000. 

If you want more info, feel free to ask here or pm me.

[aggiedog]

My understanding was that Wasserman trained with a guy in El Paso for OIT.  A google search is coming up a blank, though, as far as being able to confirm it's still going on out there.  I'm guessing Wasserman's clinic could confirm or deny it.

[CMdeux]

Hmmm... interesting, Aggie.  Our allergist (who knows Wasserman) was under the impression that Wasserman (and colleagues) had developed the protocol themselves, on the basis of some things happening back east and in Europe.

Maybe I'll ask him if I get a chance-- see if he knows anything more about it.

[Macabre]

Wasserman's office told me about this El Paso doctor too when we were looking at going down for it. But he changed it.

He protocol significantly if I remember right. I don't know if I kept my notes from all that.

I do know I have links to articles referencing his workr. Somewhere.

[GoingNuts]

I believe Mt. Sinai in NYC has one as well.

[twinturbo]

Quality of life in some mentioned areas.

California is going to be crazy expensive to live in.
Arkansas is pretty affordable and the level of development is insane. Housing was overbuilt and might still be cheap but you also have a glut of cheaply built houses--be careful there.
NYC and Boston are definitely hubs. If you live anywhere in the NE all roads are going to point there. We fly to Sinai and drive to Boston. Our choice is Sinai, even though I'm a patient at Brigham Women's. It's really hard to beat the facilities and support staff at Sinai. Mass General is good for a lot of things but Boston is harder to get around IMO than NYC. I'll drive NYC no problem but Boston, no way.

All things being equal if you could position yourself in Connecticut you'd have striking distance on about 3 places including Sinai and Boston if you're willing to drive.