Food Allergy Testing

[butterfl8]

So I went to the allergist to inquire about allergy testing for both foods and environmentals, and was told to think about what foods I wanted to be tested for. (uh, isn't that his job???)

Ok, so anyway, I have been avoiding soy, and just challenged it to be sure. Yep, heart racing, pounding, stomach hurting a bit.

Cumin is really evil.

I'd like to throw in corn, potatoes, rice.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Something makes me salivate, and get really hungry, and I haven't been able to pinpoint that yet. I'm just hoping the testing will narrow that down a bit.

Thank you for any input!

-Daisy

[missy'smom]

Do you mind sharing what cumin does to you? I'm curious because cumin is on my avoid list because I tested pos. to it but haven't reintroduced it yet. I know sometimes reactions are hard to describe.

Our first allergist was like yours and didn't believe in his own tests much. I just asked for the top 8 or 10. Wasn't helpful. They dismissed kiddo's reaction to wheat. 2nd allergist gave us a list of about 100 and asked us to check all foods that we routinely ate. We have a fairly vaeried diet so ended up checking about 80 each. Those are what we got tested for and I'm glad it was done that way. I had NO idea that I could be allergic to the 26 that I reacted to. I could not have come up with that list on my own. When I eliminated all of them I felt remarkably better. That's what convinced me that there was something to this and that I needed to take the journey. I've been reintroducing them one by one. Still got quite a few to go. Reaction to individual ones weren't so strong but at least the total sum was making a significant impact on how I felt on a daily basis.

[sa1937]

I'm curious to know just what type of test(s) your allergist ordered?

I'm still having problems and had a basic RAST test for food allergies (wheat, milk, soy, peanuts, etc) and everything came back negative. I just picked up the test results this week and notice it was for IgE allergies, which I suspect are "true" food allergies. I don't have an anaphylactic reaction or break out in hives, etc. from any of those basic foods. I am diagnosed as having celiac through a positive celiac blood panel followed by an EGD/biopsy (also positive).

Were your tests for IgG allergies or intolerances? I'd really like to know what types of foods are setting me off but honestly don't know where to start (yes, an elmination diet was discussed) but if there's an easier way, I'd sure like to know about it. Maybe I should ask for a referral to an allergist...

Looking forward to your responses.

[missy'smom]

I'm curious to know just what type of test(s) your allergist ordered?

I'm still having problems and had a basic RAST test for food allergies (wheat, milk, soy, peanuts, etc) and everything came back negative. I just picked up the test results this week and notice it was for IgE allergies, which I suspect are "true" food allergies. I don't have an anaphylactic reaction or break out in hives, etc. from any of those basic foods. I am diagnosed as having celiac through a positive celiac blood panel followed by an EGD/biopsy (also positive).

Were your tests for IgG allergies or intolerances? I'd really like to know what types of foods are setting me off but honestly don't know where to start (yes, an elmination diet was discussed) but if there's an easier way, I'd sure like to know about it. Maybe I should ask for a referral to an allergist...

Looking forward to your responses.

Both allergists did skin testing. One was not helpful and the other was very so I wonder if there was any difference in the tests or not. I haven't asked yet. The results of the first time I was allergy tested(skin) everything came back neg. too. With this new set and elimination/challenge my symptoms have been primarily GI but a little mouth or other with a couple. I am recognizing that many of them give me this feeling of pressure and inflamation in the GI tract that I didn't have when I was not comsuming them. All was blissfully and strangely calm for the 4 weeks without. It was SO strange to not feel anything after a meal!

Yes, I would find an allergist who believes in eliminating foods even if you don't have an anaphalactic reaction and one who routinely runs large food panels.

[StephanieL]

If you take any allergy/antihistamines prior to testing it can cause false negatives. Allergy testing is NOT 100% accurate. Skin or blood! The only true test is an allergy trial. Many Dr's don't do these. Testing can give you an idea. Food logs can be really helpful too! Listing foods, times eaten and any reaction you feel you may be having. Good luck in your search!

[GFinDC]

Nightshades, tomatoes, potato, peppers, carrots, turnips, soy, dairy, oats, garbanzo beans, fruits, all the top 8 food allergens, celery, corn.

[butterfl8]

Okay, now that I'm back!!

Missy's mom, cumin makes my stomach cramp up. Just feels like my stomach is turning inside out. My coworkers were telling me to go home all day! Not fun. The more I had, the worse. Just a little seemed to be less cramping, but still enough to avoid.

sa1937: I'm not too excited about this dr. I was checked in by the nurse that does the testing, and she said the best way to test for foods was to eliminate and then challenge them. Then the Dr. came in and said, "oh great, you want to be tested for food allergies? ok, which ones?" I mentioned I have Celiac, and am probably intolerant to soy and cumin, and his response is that "ok, so you're allergic to gluten, soy, and cumin." The sheet about the testing I got said they will send out for blood tests for food, but that doesn't seem to make sense if they are asking me which ones to test for????

StephanieL: Yep, I'm not looking forward to stopping my happy allegra, and flonase, and benedryl. It will be a miserable few days, but hopefully answer a few questions!

GFinDC Thanks! Those are great suggestions!

Any more?

-Daisy

[butterfl8]

GFinDC, did you find out you were uh, coffee intolerant (I love my coffee!!!) through testing or elimination? I wonder because I know if I avoid it for a few days it bothers me to go back to drinking it, but only for a day or two. Once I readjust to it, we get along again, and I can wake up in the morning. . . mostly. So if I were to eliminate coffee, then challenge it, I would seem to be reactive to it. I just wondered.

Thanks!

-Daisy

[sa1937]

sa1937: I'm not too excited about this dr. I was checked in by the nurse that does the testing, and she said the best way to test for foods was to eliminate and then challenge them. Then the Dr. came in and said, "oh great, you want to be tested for food allergies? ok, which ones?" I mentioned I have Celiac, and am probably intolerant to soy and cumin, and his response is that "ok, so you're allergic to gluten, soy, and cumin." The sheet about the testing I got said they will send out for blood tests for food, but that doesn't seem to make sense if they are asking me which ones to test for????

I'll admit that I don't have a clue about allergy testing. Obviously the RAST test I had was not the right one. I'll be anxious to hear how everything turns out for you.

Is the Dr. you're seeing an allergist?

[butterfl8]

The Dr. is an ENT, who was recommended by my GP. His office does allergy testing, which is handled by this one nurse. Unfortunately, I'm quiting work in three weeks to go back to school and get my master's, or I would look for a different Dr. Insurance coverage will run out at the end of August.

-Daisy