"I can't begin my day without peanuts now that they nearly killed me"

A few years ago, I might have ended up in the ER or worse after eating just one peanut. These days, I eat peanut butter toast almost every morning without any fear. You're not the only one who wonders how that's even possible. Thanks to a ground-breaking treatment and a great deal of perseverance, my journey from a life-threatening allergy to a peanut lover has been nothing short of miraculous.

The Fear That Revolutionized Everything

When I was five years old, I received my first peanut allergy diagnosis. At a birthday celebration, it all began with a tiny bite of a peanut butter cookie. In a matter of minutes, I was having trouble breathing, my skin was breaking out in hives, and my throat tightened. I was taken to the hospital right away, where medical professionals verified what my parents had suspected: I had a serious peanut allergy. Peanuts became my worst adversary after that. I stayed away from them like the plague. Every label was read by me. Whole cuisines were omitted by me. I felt uneasy even when I smelled peanut butter. Just in case, I always had an epinephrine injector with me.

The Moment of Change

Oral immunotherapy (OIT), a treatment that progressively introduces minute amounts of the allergen into the body to help develop tolerance over time, was not something I had heard about until I was in my late teens. It sounded scary at first. The one thing that could kill me—why would I voluntarily eat it? However, I became aware of my vulnerability and lack of control after a near-miss in college when I inadvertently ate a peanut-based sauce. I made the decision to discuss OIT with an allergist at that point.

Taking One Crumb at a Time to Face My Fear

One of the most difficult things I have ever done was to begin OIT. I started taking a very small amount of peanut protein—less than one milligram—under close medical supervision. My body responded. I experienced nausea, hives, and occasional dyspnea. But I persisted. My body gradually adapted over the course of months of closely watched dosage increases. Hours of observation followed each dose. I had setbacks, scary moments, and moments when I wanted to give up. However, I eventually achieved what is referred to as a "maintenance dose"—enough peanut protein to shield me from unintentional exposure and, surprisingly, enough to permit me to regularly consume peanuts.

From Fear to Liberty

Peanuts are now a regular part of my diet. Almost every morning, I eat peanut butter toast or granola with peanuts. I no longer fear unintentional exposure. I still respect the allergy, of course, because I don't eat whole jars of peanut butter, but the freedom and peace of mind I've experienced are unfathomable.

Why I Tell My Story

I am aware that OIT is not a cure and is not risk-free, so not all people with peanut allergies can or should try it. However, I tell my story to demonstrate how life-changing new treatments are. For me, what was once unthinkable has become the norm. There is hope if you have dietary allergies. The possibilities are changing along with the science. I am a living example of how your worst fear can occasionally become a routine part of your morning routine.