Another Food Symptom Or...

[Fairy Dancer]

I have been getting a strange set of symptoms recently, however, I have been weaning off of some antidepressants so don't know what is due to what at the moment.

The symptom that concerns me is intermittent and seems to come and go randomly. It's not every day but seems to happen a few times each week. It is also getting more intense feeling each time it happens (or seems to be). Basically it starts out as itching in one or two locations and then turns into itching everywhere. I then start having breathing problems where my breathing is slow and laboured and it is hard to breath in deeply. This can be accompanied by wheezing but as I am a smoker I usually put any wheezing down to that. However the wheezing is worse than it normally is during these itching attacks. I will also feel very light headed, dizzy and my hands and feet will feel ice cold. If I wait for long enough the itching will morph into an itching, pin pricking/pain/stinging sensation all over my skin.

Now I can stop the attack by taking a quarter of a tablet of the antidepressant I am weaning off, which makes me think withdrawal symptom. On the other hand, my brand of antidepressant can be used as an antihistamine (although it is not often used as such as there are other antihistamines that make you less drowsy on the market) so that makes me think possible allergy....

If it is an allergy, the itching starts a few hours after eating so it is not an immediate reaction...is it possible for a reaction be delayed?

Also, the only common ingredient I could find in the foods I had eaten at the time was soya and soya lecithin. For foods with soya directly in the ingredients the reaction was stronger and for the foods that may contain soya due to cross contamination (warning on label) the reaction was milder. Also, some contained only soya lecithin which I read people with allergies can tolerate (although it does depend on how much of the food I have consumed in those instances).

Could it be an allergic reaction to soya and soya Lecithin? Or is it likely to be some strange medication withdrawal symptom?

Any opinions?

I will run it past my dr if it gets any worse or continues, for now though I am managing it by taking a small dose of the antidepressant when it occurs as 30 minutes after taking just 7.5 mg the itching and breathing problems will stop .

[IrishHeart]

It is ironic you should post this right now---because I have been reading about this very topic as I have burning skin sensations and sometimes am very itchy (and have shortness of breath )and this BURNING is very intense at times (since Feb. 2008) which I had hoped would resolve by now (a year since DX and being gluten-free). Very painful and I am tired of it. It is random and delayed and I cannot pin it on any food.

My doc is stumped and can only say it is a histamine response. But, I have no allergies detected via testing whatsoever.

I do NOT consume soy products or dairy products, either. BUT, like you, I do sometimes use foods with soy lecithin and wonder if it is a problem when used in higher doses?

Recently, while talking with another member who has bizarre reactions to some foods as well, she and I discussed food additives, such as MSG (which KILLS me) etc. as being the culprits when we veer off a plain whole foods diet and eat anything packaged or processed.

Then, I read this post, written by Skylark (whom I have quoted twice today already ) and it rang true--and validated the many articles I had read on what could be keeping me from healing entirely.

Skylark posted:

"I also think a lot of our reactions have nothing to do with antibodies and are to food chemicals, lectins, and alkaloids. Grains and beans contain lectins that can give us give us trouble. Nightshades contain alkaloids and lectins. Aged cheeses, red wine, chocolate, hung meat, and fermented foods tend to contain amino acids that are neurotransmitter precursors. MSG (natural or manufactured) and Aspartame give some people trouble because they contain neurotransmitters. Salicylates are another problem chemical, particularly for folks with damaged intestines. Again, gut dysbiosis plays a role because of both increased permeability to food chemicals and lack of symbiotic bacteria that can digest problem food chemicals. Have a look at this website. It's fascinating."

Open Original Shared Link

Soybean is on the list of foods that causes these reactions.

This is me. Ever since I added back in cheeses, wine, chocolate, etc....The burning skin, some shortness of breath, occasional tachycardia, insomnia, flushing, swollen eyes, skin eruptions, anxiety, mood dips, fatigue, continuing muscle joint pain became MORE noticeable again. Am I better since DX? Yes...but it still happens.

I get very ill from MSG. Ditto for methol, mint, etc. Topical or teas. Can't "do" perfume or be near colognes.

Just a thought for you. Maybe it will help?

Also, this goes without saying, but hon, please quit smoking. It does you no good. (I am an ex--20 years now)

Best wishes!

[ravenwoodglass]

Since you noticed it seems to happen after having something with soy you could try dropping soy from you diet and see if it stops happening.

[IrishHeart]

Since you noticed it seems to happen after having something with soy you could try dropping soy from you diet and see if it stops happening.

Gosh, Yes, I should have just said this FIRST. Take out soy!

We should always go with the obvious first. Thanks, Raven.

The additional info is just FYI

Disregard if it does not apply to you.

[kareng]

Here's another thought. Could it be something you do after you eat? Like wash dishes? Lotion? Cleaning solution? Some of the dishwasher packets make me itch and not always where I touch them. I touch them with my fingers but the top part (not palm) itches and burns. Fortunately, its not a big deal right now for me. I don't run the dishwasher everyday or someone else starts it, so it wouldn't happen every day.

[Takala]

Delayed reaction possible ? Yup!

Every once in a great while, randomly, I get something similar if I have eaten a non organic, processed dairy product.

I am suspicious of the chemicals and antibiotics they must pump into those poor cows, I suspect it's residue.

I don't know if you have one yet, but you ought to get a "rescue" inhaler for emergencies, because what you are describing is the same sensations of the beginnings of a mini- asthma attack. Taking something that acts as an antihistamine is the right thing to do, as it can knock it down before it really takes off. Drinking coffee in an emergency can do the same thing as it acts to expand the airways, as does chocolate. (see link: Open Original Shared Link ) Get a few doses of otc antihistamine into your purse or wallet, like right now, and carry it with you.