Other Allergies Common? A Bit Of A Vent...

[Canadiangirl]

Ok so I know that I have Celiac...I am so so so careful. I also know that I have a peanut allergy, also so so so careful. So last weekend I am with some freinds and we went clam digging on the coast ( very random, but fun!) we roast up the clams and loh and behold within minutes of having ONE BITE of this dreadful Razor Clam I break out on hives all over my hands and by ears swell and my tounge also strarts to swell. SO SCARY. I start freaking as i know that I must be having some sort of anaphilactic ( spelling?) reaction, luckily have some antihistimine, take several and suffer for several days with a sore tounge, feverish and hives galour. I went to my doctor as soon as possible and she prescribed an Epipen right away which is good as my peanut allergy can become worse in time too. great. so now I have a crazy allergy to shellfish?!?When will it ever end!?! I have an appiontment with an Allergist ( again) soon to clarify this new found allergy. Good greif! SO why have I not reacted like this before? I have eaten crab for ages...no problems, but this was a first with this evil Razor Clam.....

Has any one else had anything like this happen? Is my body trying to destroy me??! I gotta laugh, but its really not that funny. People around me are getting tired of hearing ' i cant have...i have this and such allergy etc' and now " heres a large needle with medicine in it, please shove it in my thigh if i start to swell'.....sigh....

-Canadiangirl

[Helena]

Hey, yes I can sympathise! I have a number of food allergies in additon to celiac disease. I sometimes find it awkward because I'm sure that some people think I'm kind of paranoid about my food. I have to be very careful because cross contamination could = anaphylaxis.

I'm not really sure about shellfish---I got some hives with shellfish with the skin prick test which means there is a likelihood that I could be allergic. clams were particularly bad--that hive lasted for a number of days. I've only had shellfish once----way back in 1989 I had clam chowder. I didn't react at all, but often it takes one exposure before you start reacting. I avoid shellfish to be on the safe side.

The reaction to clams sounds quite scary. Just to pass on one piece of advice that I learned the hard way---if you are prone to anaphylaxis (which you obviously are!) you are supposed to take the epipen right away and call 9-1-1 before the symptoms get any worse (i.e. at the first *sign* of a reaction). If the reaction progresses too far, it can be too late---the epinephrine might not kick in. Also, it is a good idea to carry two doses of epinephrine. The first dose doesn't always work for some people.

Also, a lot of people with shellfish allergies have difficulties with eating in restaurants unless they are certain that there is no cross contamination.

Good luck with all of this!

[tarnalberry]

That has got to be awfully frustrating! I'm sorry.