Food Allergies

[lonewolf]

I am nervous about what's going to happen to me after I stop the steroids. I have been taking a high dose now (50 mg) for 9 days and tommorrow I stop solid.

Is it prednisone that you're going off of tomorrow? I've never heard of anyone going off of a 50mg dose. I've been on it before and I had to wean down from 70mg to 5 mg before I could get off. You might want to call your doctor to make sure he/she wants you to stop cold turkey.

[Carriefaith]

Oh no... I have none left and I have to work tommorrow at like 7:00 am! Maybe I'll call a pharmasist or a doctor and see what they say if I notice any problems tommorrow.

[jerseyangel]

Carrie--yes! If you haven't called about tapering off the dosage of the steriod, definately do so. Also, a regular doctor (like a GP) can prescribe an epi-pen. My husband's GP refills his Rx every year at his check up. Hope you are ok today--check in later if you have a chance, and let us know

[susiek]

Years ago I had to go to the ER for the epinephrine shot when I had an allergic reaction to meds. It was the one and only time it has happened. Knock on wood! What I do remember is that rush of coolness that came once I got that shot. Oh, relief! lol I was sick for the rest of the day, though.

I have done prednisone twice in the past 2 years for an intense skin rash. I had no side effects, no reaction. Just alleviation of the itching and pain. I have a sister who freaks out when I mention prednisone because she has such an intense, negative reaction.

Maybe your reaction wasn't to food, but something else. Probably best to get checked out!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Carriefaith, how are you today?

[Carriefaith]

I was ok today Yea! I am more tired than usual and sore for some reason, but other than that I am fine. Hopefully tomorrow will be the same or better.

I guess everyone reacts differently to prednisone. Some people I guess react badly to the drug, I'm assuming after long time use though.

I really do have to find out for sure what caused the reaction. My best guess right now is dairy contamination from the chips that I ate that day and 2 days before? Or maybe it was wheat since I know that I had gluten contamination. But, it could have been something totally different.

[azmom3]

I've been on pred numerous times. :-) It's a corticosteroid, and is very commonly used for significant inflammation (such as you get from serious allergy reactions or extended asthma exacerbations). Do NOT stop taking it early or other than prescribed - it affects the immune system, and taking it other than as prescribed can dangerously suppress the immune system. It can be a strong drug, particularly if they started you off at a high dose (say, staring you at 60-70mg and tapering you down over a number of days - a common approach, though for an allergic reaction, they may do a shorter burst), and it can cause mood swings as well as a very strong appetite (or nausea). But it is also a strong drug in that it should make a significant difference within a day or two.

Followup if you don't hear about that referral - call back and find out what's going on if you don't hear back in a few days!

I also have taken pred numerous times as have a couple of my kids for asthma. It works wonders AND quickly, too. Hopefully, you'll feel better soon!

I'm still very new here and learning a lot, but are celiacs in general more prone to severe allergies? Not just food ones, but to insect bites, medicine, etc.?

[evie]

I also have taken pred numerous times as have a couple of my kids for asthma. It works wonders AND quickly, too. Hopefully, you'll feel better soon!

I'm still very new here and learning a lot, but are celiacs in general more prone to severe allergies? Not just food ones, but to insect bites, medicine, etc.?

In my case the allergies came 1st, even when I was 8 yr. old I had A STRAWBERRY allergy but it has never bothered me since that age. In my 40's the allergies started rearing there heads, even working with several allergists over the years I just got worse until 2 yrs ago when I started shots against the inhalant allergies. seemed like when those were under control the Celiac problem seemed to rear its head. guess when you have allergies they are going to cause a problem 1 way or another ?? Some more learned heads will be on here and explain it better than I can. BUT Prednisone is dangerous for the bones!! Can cause osteoporosis, I have some damage from taking it for sinus infections a number of years ago (it was wonderful)

but I did not know the side effects then!!

Our oldest daughter has the bones of an 85 yr. old woman but she is 58. Dr. tells her to not have an accident, she does not take in her calcium into her body and is now taking bimonthly calcium by IV.

We hope it helps her, has not been long enough to tell yet . We hope and pray for the best. Also hope for the best for you and your family, prayers too. evie

[jerseyangel]

I was ok today Yea! I am more tired than usual and sore for some reason, but other than that I am fine. Hopefully tomorrow will be the same or better.

I guess everyone reacts differently to prednisone. Some people I guess react badly to the drug, I'm assuming after long time use though.

I really do have to find out for sure what caused the reaction. My best guess right now is dairy contamination from the chips that I ate that day and 2 days before? Or maybe it was wheat since I know that I had gluten contamination. But, it could have been something totally different.

Glad to see you're doing ok!

[Carriefaith]

I'm still very new here and learning a lot, but are celiacs in general more prone to severe allergies? Not just food ones, but to insect bites, medicine, etc.?

I'm not sure about that. I do know that people with celiac disease who are not eating gluten free or who just started a gluten-free diet are more prone to lactose intolerance. I also think that people with celiac disease are more prone to casein intolerance as well.

[Carriefaith]

Just an update... I got an appoitment with the allergist Yay! My appoitment is September 23! That was quick... and I'm hoping to find out for sure what caused that reaction.

[jerseyangel]

Just an update... I got an appoitment with the allergist Yay! My appoitment is September 15! That was quick... and I'm hoping to find out for sure what caused that reaction.

Great news, Carrie

Now you can relax (for now) and get on with the wedding plans!

[Carriefaith]

Just wondering if anyone has heard of this before. Since I was exposed to wheat and dairy within a few days of each other, do you think that the combination of the two could cause that reaction? As far as I know I have never been exposed to both wheat and dairy like that since I went 100% casein free about 1 year ago.

[Carriefaith]

I just got my food allergy results today:

I am allergic to cabbage, turkey, peanuts, tea, potatoes, strawberries, blueberries, lamb, spice mix, and metabisulphite.

They said that wheat wouldn't show up because I'm not eating it and that I could still be allergic. I now have a presciption for an epipen, but I am still unsure what caused that reaction. I am going on a elimiation diet to see which foods cause the most problems. I have been adviced not to re-introduce peanuts.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Spice mix? What's that?

[marciab]

Carrie,

My daughter is going through this too. Her face and neck swell and her chest gets tight if she comes into contact with something she is severely allergic to. We've been to the ER 4 times over the last 8 years, but only had to call 911 once.

Once for hives and trouble breathing - unknown origin. The next time for a man of war sting, but this was not for sure either. She was stung, but not affected until 18 hours later. We had to back to the ER 3 hours after that visit for another breathing treatment. And once for what we suspected was peanuts. She did not eat them, but was exposed to them at work.

I wanted to let you know that it does get better, but not great. She still reacts to a lot of foods, animals, trees, etc. but has learned to use an inhaler and take her Zyrtec. And she keeps an epipen with her. She was prescribed singular too, but doesn't need it all the time.

It's a good idea to keep benadryl on hand too. Her latest to reaction to trees was unexpected and happened while she was out camping. She had to find some benadryl fast. I like the benadryl quick melts for this.

She is at college now and working part time so this is not holding her back. She has found that she can eat reeses pb cups, but not plain peanuts. She is killing me with this one.

BTW, AETNA prescription drug plan covers epipens completely. They are free !!! Your insurance company might do the same.

Can you tell me the name of the allergy test you had done ? She had the skin prick test and then she was only tested specifically for peanuts, bananas and something else. Yours makes so much more sense.

I hope this helps ... This can all be very scary. Marcia

[Carriefaith]

Spice mix? What's that?

They say spice mix is allspice, cinnamon, colves, ginger, and nutmeg.

Marcia, thanks for your reply. Does your daughter know for sure what causes her reactions? This is all very confusing for me as I am not 100% sure what caused the reaction. I wish my epipen were free, I had to pay $140! And I don't have insurance! Ah!

I had a skin prick test and they tested for a lot of different foods. I'm not too concerned about the foods I'm allergic to since most of them are easy to avoid except potatoes. I'm not really sure what peanuts do to me since I eat peanut butter all the time! And peanut allergy was very high on the test

[num1habsfan]

For those who have had seroius reactions, how long does it take for symptoms to dissapear? I am having trouble breathing off and on and my throat feels tight.

I went into a walk in clinic today and got a prescription for prednisone. Has anyone had that drug? The doctor said that he was going to refer me to an allergist. I hope he remembers

*big hugs* I'm so sorry this happened to you, and I'm glad you're alright!

I've never had such a reaction to food itself, but I had similar issues when I first had an asthma attack (before I even knew I had asthma), because of my SUPER bad smoke allergies (i felt like my throat had closed and like I was going to pass out, I couldnt even BREATHE thru nose or mouth)..except I didnt go to the hosp. because my parents wouldnt take me

Um I've been on Prednisone a few times this year, for my stomach pains, actually. That stuff is pretty powerful Its so strong you gotta slowly reduce your intake and you MUST take it when you need it

I dont really trust my allergic tests, when I had them done just about every gave some sort of allergic reaction...if I followed that, I'd seriously be living on water! So instead I just avoid my worst allergies--gluten obviously, dairy, tomatoes(i only eat acid-free ones), and thats about it...

But maybe you have developed some new food allergies along the way, it wouldnt surprise me at all..Hope this helps you somehow

~lisa~

[Carriefaith]

Thanks Lisa,

That's crazy that your parents wouldn't take you to the hospital

I'm also thinking the same thing about my allergies some of the foods really affect me and other don't seem to at all. I guess an elimination diet will tell for sure.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

So with the spice mix--are you allergic to all those spices, or only the combination? (Did they test for individual spices?) It just seems kind of odd to me, because those spices aren't necessarily related, are they? Ginger is a rhizome, but cloves aren't.

[eKatherine]

So with the spice mix--are you allergic to all those spices, or only the combination? (Did they test for individual spices?) It just seems kind of odd to me, because those spices aren't necessarily related, are they? Ginger is a rhizome, but cloves aren't.

None of those things are related, and they are rarely used in that exact combination. That's like running a single allergy test to cover the top 8 allergens as a combination, and if it comes up positive, telling you to give up all eight.

[jerseyangel]

Come to think of it, I was tested for "spice mix" also during my allergy testing last spring. It was negative, so I didn't ask any questions about it.

[marciab]

Carrie,

She hasn't figured it out yet. And from what I heard, it is common not to know what does it.

When she was 10 and had her first reaction, we were told at the hospital that we may never figure out what caused it. The only new thing she had eaten that day, actually just prior to breaking out in hives, was chocolate chip cookie dough. Only that brand was new, she had eaten C C C dough before.

The doctor at the ER would not commit on her having a severe anaphylactic reaction to the man of war sting either. She had obviously been stunk and it was so bad that she had to go lie down for awhile, but she didn't stop breathing until 18 hours later. She did not stop breathing abruptly. She was getting ready for school and I was still in bed. She came in my room and woke me up to tell me she was having trouble breathing. I was sound asleep so I told her to get ready for school. And the next thing I knew, I could hear her wheezing from the kitchen. I called 911 and they brought oxygen and a breathing treatment. Talk about scarey. I felt soooo guilty !!!

We do have a family history of delayed allergic reactions in my family too.

I would highly recommend backing off the peanut butter if you had a positive reaction to it. Like I said earlier though, my daughter has figured out that she can have some things that are made with pb, but she was warned not to .... We were told that you never know when it will kill you !!!

Obviously, based on what I have seen, I think her doctor is being overly cautious. Just like any doctors office has to send you to the ER if you complain of chest pains.

I can't believe you paid $140 for an epipen. Isn't there some place that gives them to people with severe reactions ??

Also, I've noticed that my allergies are less severe if I keep an handle on them. But, if I get into contact with things I am allergic too regularly then I react more to every little thing.

Hope this helps ... Marcia

[shai76]

Food allergies suck. Mine are fatal too. Yes, keep an epipen. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Keep the beadryl handy as well. I swear I should buy stock in the stuff. I suffer from asthma, hives, eczema, and reflux from my food allergies. I've been hoping that going gluten free would eventually make it better, but I don't know anymore. It's very depressing.

[Carriefaith]

So with the spice mix--are you allergic to all those spices, or only the combination? (Did they test for individual spices?) It just seems kind of odd to me, because those spices aren't necessarily related, are they? Ginger is a rhizome, but cloves aren't.

Since I reacted to spice mix, than I could be allergic to only one spice or more, so I have to eliminate them all for a week and then slowly introduce them to see which one causes the problems. Could be interesting that's for sure...

Marcia, thanks for sharing your story. So delayed reactions are common in your family? What has been the most delayed reaction that you have seen? Things are finally starting to make sense now. I really thought about the things that happened around the time I got sick and I really think now that I reacted to wheat. I also don't want to fool around with a peanut allergy either. I don't think there is a place where I'm from that gives free epi-pens, but maybe I just don't know about it.

lso, I've noticed that my allergies are less severe if I keep an handle on them. But, if I get into contact with things I am allergic too regularly then I react more to every little thing.

This also makes a lot of sense to me because I was in contact with wheat and milk around when I got sick.

Food allergies suck. Mine are fatal too. Yes, keep an epipen. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Keep the beadryl handy as well. I swear I should buy stock in the stuff. I suffer from asthma, hives, eczema, and reflux from my food allergies. I've been hoping that going gluten free would eventually make it better, but I don't know anymore. It's very depressing.

shai76, if you don't mind me asking, which foods cause your severe reactions?