'allergic' To Nearly Everything...

[The-Truth]

I'm 17 years old (male in UK) and for the past few years have been suffering from a huge array of problems - tiredness, prostatitis, muscle pain, lack of energy, constipation/ bloating, skin problems, depression and probably more I can't think of right now. I have a stupid amount of food sensitivities. Basically everything I eat, I get some sort of a reaction to - usually in the form of strange muscle pains, burning skin or just a generally weird feeling. If I eat fruit I get INSTANT, fairly severe muscle pains in all kinds of places. I get the same reaction (to a far lesser extent) with raw vegetables. If I meat (of virtually any kind) I usually get mild muscle pains/ cramps (hard to describe), and burning skin. I get similar reactions to virtually all grains (burning/ tingling skin) , eggs, nuts/seeds, onions etc etc. It feels like I've developed a, virtually instant, reaction to virtually every food - each food gives it's own unique reaction, almost indescribable really.

I've had certain symptoms for as long as I can remember, but it started to get worse about 2/3 years ago. I've been dismissed by many a doctor as a "hypochondriac", but then I started to research about "alternative" health, candida/ leaky gut etc. I originally attributed my symptoms to Candida, but I learned that this is in itself a symptom, and the "feeding the yeast" stuff seemed a little illogical. I know I have leaky gut, evident by the fact that I have so many symptoms and am allergic (or at least slightly sensitive ?) to just about everything. I've learned that this can be caused by gluten intolerance, or maybe other intolerances, amongst other things. I've cut out gluten, dairy, refined sugar, all processed food, most grains (bar rice and potatoes which I think both bother me), and other things. I live off meat, frozen veg, raw eggs and fruit. I've been this way (with the odd, rare "cheat") for at least a year, probably longer, but I still feel like crap, poor digestion, painful prostatitis, tiredness, muscle pain etc. Where do I go from here? I feel I may need to cut out all grains and fruit, which would leave me on meat, veg and eggs. I don't have access to any testing/ specialist clinics etc (for now) - what do you suggest ?

[lisaemu]

I'm 17 years old (male in UK) and for the past few years have been suffering from a huge array of problems - tiredness, prostatitis, muscle pain, lack of energy, constipation/ bloating, skin problems, depression and probably more I can't think of right now. I have a stupid amount of food sensitivities. Basically everything I eat, I get some sort of a reaction to - usually in the form of strange muscle pains, burning skin or just a generally weird feeling. If I eat fruit I get INSTANT, fairly severe muscle pains in all kinds of places. I get the same reaction (to a far lesser extent) with raw vegetables. If I meat (of virtually any kind) I usually get mild muscle pains/ cramps (hard to describe), and burning skin. I get similar reactions to virtually all grains (burning/ tingling skin) , eggs, nuts/seeds, onions etc etc. It feels like I've developed a, virtually instant, reaction to virtually every food - each food gives it's own unique reaction, almost indescribable really.

I've had certain symptoms for as long as I can remember, but it started to get worse about 2/3 years ago. I've been dismissed by many a doctor as a "hypochondriac", but then I started to research about "alternative" health, candida/ leaky gut etc. I originally attributed my symptoms to Candida, but I learned that this is in itself a symptom, and the "feeding the yeast" stuff seemed a little illogical. I know I have leaky gut, evident by the fact that I have so many symptoms and am allergic (or at least slightly sensitive ?) to just about everything. I've learned that this can be caused by gluten intolerance, or maybe other intolerances, amongst other things. I've cut out gluten, dairy, refined sugar, all processed food, most grains (bar rice and potatoes which I think both bother me), and other things. I live off meat, frozen veg, raw eggs and fruit. I've been this way (with the odd, rare "cheat") for at least a year, probably longer, but I still feel like crap, poor digestion, painful prostatitis, tiredness, muscle pain etc. Where do I go from here? I feel I may need to cut out all grains and fruit, which would leave me on meat, veg and eggs. I don't have access to any testing/ specialist clinics etc (for now) - what do you suggest ?

Wow, Im sorry to hear about your situation! Im still very new to all of this, and Im not sure what to suggest but I hope you feel better. Are you sure theres no cross contaimination issues? Does eggs seem to give you problems- I know those are one of the top allergens. Hope someone has some help for you. Have you seen any doctors abotu these problems?

[Ursa Major]

Well, you sound like me! I believe you're intolerant to lectins and foods high in salicylates as well. Follow the links in my signature, and you'll find lots of information.

Foods high in lectins are: All grains (including rice and corn), eggs, all dairy, legumes (including soy and peanuts) and the nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant).

The nightshades are very high in both lectins and salicylates (a double whammy).

Unfortunately, you will probably have to stop eating rice and potatoes as well. But when you find out which foods are safe, you might start feeling better. I did.

My brother (in Germany) can't tolerate any commercial meat, because of all the hormones and antibiotics. He still can't eat pork, no matter what. But he is able to eat some game, and he buys his chicken (and sometimes beef) from an organic farmer, and is fine with that. He also eats some fish every week.

Let me know if I can be of more help.

I believe you would also really benefit from ordering The Salicylate Handbook (on celiac disease) from the lady with the salicylate website. It's an invaluable tool in figuring out what has a high salicylate content, and what is completely safe to eat. And by the way, Aspirin can cause anaphylactic shock in somebody with a severe salicylate intolerance. I have it on my medic alert bracelet now, so a medic won't kill me with Aspirin if I should ever have a heart attack!

[The-Truth]

Well, you sound like me! I believe you're intolerant to lectins and foods high in salicylates as well. Follow the links in my signature, and you'll find lots of information.

Foods high in lectins are: All grains (including rice and corn), eggs, all dairy, legumes (including soy and peanuts) and the nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant).

The nightshades are very high in both lectins and salicylates (a double whammy).

Unfortunately, you will probably have to stop eating rice and potatoes as well. But when you find out which foods are safe, you might start feeling better. I did.

My brother (in Germany) can't tolerate any commercial meat, because of all the hormones and antibiotics. He still can't eat pork, no matter what. But he is able to eat some game, and he buys his chicken (and sometimes beef) from an organic farmer, and is fine with that. He also eats some fish every week.

Let me know if I can be of more help.

I believe you would also really benefit from ordering The Salicylate Handbook (on celiac disease) from the lady with the salicylate website. It's an invaluable tool in figuring out what has a high salicylate content, and what is completely safe to eat. And by the way, Aspirin can cause anaphylactic shock in somebody with a severe salicylate intolerance. I have it on my medic alert bracelet now, so a medic won't kill me with Aspirin if I should ever have a heart attack!

I see - many thanks. You may be right about the lectins/salicylates thing, looking at the lists. Bananas are supposedly salicylates free - but I react badly to those. It may be best for me to avoid all fruit, given that I react to it all, as unfortunate as that may be. Do you recommend avoiding eggs? I'd hesitate to do that, as it would leave me with nothing to eat bar meat and veg! What sort of food do you find well tolerable? You're probably right about the fact that I react to the antibiotics/ hormones in commercial meat, but seen as I don't have access to anything better, I guess it will have to suffice for now.

[The-Truth]

@ Lisaemu

Thank you for the reply my friend! Yes, I've been dismissed by many a ignorant doctor, but I'm well aware that these people are trained to ignore problems like this. After all, the drug industry is one of the most profitable industries in the world!

[kabowman]

I react to all fruit too but for me, that is a yeast intolerance. My sister has to avoid nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant).

I also cannot have any processed meats and ONLY meats low in fat. I know there are some on this board that can only have natural meats - meaning no hormones, etc and cost is much higher.

My system does not handle many raw veggies except for the occasional salad but for cooked veggies, I live on green beans, asparagus, and peas.

I can only have plain white rice - I don't know if there is a CC problem with the other rices or what but I stick to the plain stuff.

Can you have squashes?

Have you gotten a few, uncontaminated pots to cook in? I get sick if someone uses the wrong (meaning is used for stuff that makes me sick) pot and I am sick for several days. I have several dedicated pots and all the wooden cooking utensils are dedicated. Do you use your own, non contaminted to other foods, condiments?

[Ursa Major]

I see - many thanks. You may be right about the lectins/salicylates thing, looking at the lists. Bananas are supposedly salicylates free - but I react badly to those. It may be best for me to avoid all fruit, given that I react to it all, as unfortunate as that may be. Do you recommend avoiding eggs? I'd hesitate to do that, as it would leave me with nothing to eat bar meat and veg! What sort of food do you find well tolerable? You're probably right about the fact that I react to the antibiotics/ hormones in commercial meat, but seen as I don't have access to anything better, I guess it will have to suffice for now.

You're right about the bananas, I can't have those, either. The problem with bananas are that 1) they're too starchy, and 2) contain mold. That's also why (in addition to salicylates being a problem) I have an instant allergic reaction to most melons, with burning and itching in my mouth (with the exception of watermelon). I can eat only one banana a week, and most of the time I avoid them altogether.

The only fruit I eat is peeled pears, and rarely a peeled golden delicious apple (the salicylates in pears are only in the peel).

I find I react badly to eggs. You may need to eliminate eggs for a week, and then eat them to see if you have an obvious reaction. You won't know if you don't try it.

The foods that don't seem to ever cause any reaction at all are celery, rutabagas (I think you call them swedes in England) green/white cabbage, iceberg lettuce, kohlrabi. I also eat shallots, brussel sprouts, green peas, green beans (not every day, and in smaller amounts). And less frequently (and not too much at a time) asparagus, cauliflower, turnip. And just once in a long time some mushrooms and carrots. And maybe once a month I dare eat some potato (only white ones, and peeled thickly).

I eat mostly stirfry for breakfast, lunch and supper (it's easy and fast, and you can vary which meat you use), with pears in between. Or I use my slow cooker to cook a lot of vegetables with meat on top for the family for supper (and they have to add pepper and herbs themselves, if they want any). My treat is dark chocolate (even though I may have to give it up, because of soy lecithin and/or vanilla in a lot of them). Sometimes I eat some hazelnuts, and once in a while I make myself some pear crisp. I make crumbs out of buckwheat flour, arrowroot flour, ground hazelnuts, maple syrup, lard, some cold pressed sunflower oil, press some into a baking pan, put pieces of peeled pears on that, pour some freshly pressed lime juice over the pears, cover with the remaining crumbs and bake it for about 45 minutes. It's not as good as your regular apple crisp (especially since I can't eat it with ice cream or whipped cream), but good enough that my family likes it, too.

I don't eat starchy things very often (including the pear crips) because it makes me bloated, and I start gaining weight instantly. It is really just a treat, when I absolutely have to have something nice, and get close to cheating otherwise.

[jerseyangel]

I have also become intolerant to bananas. They were always my go-to food when my stomach was acting up. Since I've been gluten-free, the other intolerances have cropped up and bananas right along with them!