Allergies to fish oil supplements?

alfers

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2005

Posts : 2671

Posted 4/26/2007 10:37 PM (GMT -6)

Hi everyone,

I'm from the lyme forum, and I've posted on here once or twice before. I have joint pain from my lyme disease, so my doctor recommended fish oil supplements and MSM. I started taking them both about a week ago and have felt worse ever since. I'm wondering if this could be a manifestation of an allergy to fish. I had the skin test done and it showed up positive to fish and many other foods, but my allergist said the skin test isn't reliable for food allergies. I've also felt a bit fatigued, headachy, and generally sore the past week or so.

The only other strange thing that I've had for the past 2 years or so is a very slight raised rash on my stomach that looks kind of like small hives. It doesn't itch or hurt at all, and the different bumps come and go sometimes. I assumed it was a lyme rash, but I'm beginning to wonder if it has to do with food allergies (it is on my stomach, after all)... Any thoughts?

Lyme Disease since fall 2001; on antibiotics since spring of 2005 (since diagnosis), treating lyme, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis

Moderator for Lyme Disease forum

Red_34

Elite Member

Joined : Apr 2004

Posts : 23551

Posted 4/27/2007 6:13 AM (GMT -6)

Hi Alfers! :) If your allergy tests said you were allergic to fish and your body says your allergic to fish, then you're allergic to fish! :) Yes, even though allergy tests are not 100% reliable, your body is trying to tell you something. Try and stop the fish oil and see how your body behaves. As for the rash on your stomach, I'm not sure how Lyme operates but a rash can be a sign of many things and you should bring it up to your doc. Usually with allergic reactions there is a histamine reaction which causes intense itching if the allergy is on the surface. Does it ever feel warm to the touch?

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alfers

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2005

Posts : 2671

Posted 4/28/2007 12:49 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Red_34! The rash on my stomach doesn't feel like a histamine reaction - it's never warm or itchy or anything (I've had hives in the past, and this is not like them). Lyme can cause all sorts of weird rashes, but my lyme doc has never seen one like this before, so he's perplexed as well. And I could go to a dermatologist, but many of them are unaware of the ways lyme can manifest, so I've been hesitant on that front...
Anyway, I stopped the fish oil supplements on Thursday and I DO feel a lot better! And I also got the name of a really good allergist and am trying to make an appointment there. I want to get tested for food allergies in a more definitive way. I mean, they could be responsible for a lot of my fatigue and stiffness that I've assumed are lingering lyme symptoms.
Thanks for the reply!

Lyme Disease since fall 2001; on antibiotics since spring of 2005 (since diagnosis), treating lyme, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis

Moderator for Lyme Disease forum

strawb

New Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 13

Posted 5/1/2007 8:59 PM (GMT -6)

Hello, Sorry you have been having such a strong reaction to the fish oil. I, too cannot have it. I wondered if he has you taking it for the omega 3's, that is why I used to take it. Now I take flax seed oil for omega 3's and it is vegetarian, so I have no reaction to it. May want to ask your doctor about that. good luck

catd

New Member

Joined : Jan 2009

Posts : 1

Posted 1/2/2009 10:40 AM (GMT -6)

I'm allergic to fish and I would like to know what I can substitute for fish oil. I would like to get the same benefits. Thank you!

Red_34

Elite Member

Joined : Apr 2004

Posts : 23551

Posted 1/2/2009 11:02 AM (GMT -6)

Hi Catd :) As strawb state above, you can try flaxseed oil as an alternative. It has the same benefit as fish oil and it doesn't cause the fishy burps like some fish oil supplements can cause.

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