Food Allergies?

loveangel

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 134

Posted 10/5/2007 6:58 PM (GMT -7)

Hi everyone!

I'm just wondering how you know if you have food allergies (other than being tested). I do have environmental allergies (was tested, and allergic to everything except dogs, cats & dust). I ask because I have horrible symptoms sometimes after I eat. I think I may have intolerance to gluten or lactose. For example, everyday at lunch I eat a sandwich - usually turkey or bologna or tuna - always on white bread. Within 15 minutes, I am shaking and in pain, and go into major panic attack. I'm starting to think maybe the bread brings this on?

Which foods should I eliminate to find out for sure? This will be hard for me since I'm an "eat on the run" kind of person, but I need to find out if foods are causing my problems.

Any advice?

Thanks!

stkitt

Elite Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 32602

Posted 10/5/2007 7:12 PM (GMT -7)

Hello loveangel,

A food allergy is an adverse reaction to a food or food component that involves the body’s immune system. A true allergic reaction to a food involves three primary components: 1) contact with a food allergen 2) immunoglobulin E (IgE-an antibody in the immune system that reacts with allergens); and 3) mast cells (tissue cells) and basophils (blood cells), which when connected to IgE antibodies release histamine or other substances causing allergic symptoms.

There are also some adverse reactions to foods that involve the body’s metabolism but not the immune system. These reactions are known as food intolerance. Examples of food intolerance are food poisoning or the inability to properly digest certain food components, such as lactose or milk sugar. This latter condition is commonly known as lactose intolerance.

You may want to try the elimination method, drop one thing at a time, I.E. lactulose products from your diet and see if the sx disappears.

Of course you may always return to an allergist specialist who has methods of identifying the foods you are allergic to or intolerant to. ^{Reference: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 9th Edition, Brunner-Sardath.}

Respectfully
Kitt

Moderator Anxiety ~ Panic Disorders

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andrew1948

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2007

Posts : 97

Posted 10/6/2007 8:58 AM (GMT -7)

Food allergies is the culprit for many people's problem.

My test was done by blood and that will show the reaction of the white blood cells to all kinds of food. I was sent a ten page report that listed the foods, spices and how my blood cells reacted.

Once I eliminated the food I was alergic to, i feel like a new person. In many instances the digestive system will not digest the food if there is an allergy and it is just stored as fat.

And many of the foods I had to eliminate were some considered health foods such as cabbage, celery, asparagus, brocholi and some fruits.

It was the best investment I have ever made in improving my health. I think everyone should have it done and can save themselves from a lot of misery.

successful with herbal, vitamins and minerals

SnowyLynne

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2004

Posts : 1539

Posted 10/6/2007 12:02 PM (GMT -7)

Get retested for food allergies.

SnowyLynne

Another Day

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 1055

Posted 10/7/2007 8:49 PM (GMT -7)

The RAST test is an excellent choice for testing for food allergies. It is done through blood test and is a little more expensive, but in my opinion, well worth it.

Good luck to you!

Carla

Epilepsy, asthma, GERD, depression, hypothyroidism

loveangel

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 134

Posted 10/8/2007 3:13 PM (GMT -7)

Thank you all. I really need this testing done.

What type of Dr do I go to for this test? Would I ask my ENT for the allergy testing (who dx'ed the other allergies) or do I see an allergist, or other specialist?

Is something like this generally covered by insurance?

Thanks fo much for replying.

Red_34

Forum Moderator

Joined : Apr 2004

Posts : 23575

Posted 10/8/2007 3:28 PM (GMT -7)

It depends on the insurance but most insurances will cover the tests. And it's best to see an allergist to have food allergies determined.

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Another Day

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 1055

Posted 10/8/2007 6:43 PM (GMT -7)

Definitely see an allergist for food allergy testing.

Good luck!

Carla

Epilepsy, asthma, GERD, depression, hypothyroidism

CATH

New Member

Joined : Oct 2007

Posts : 3

Posted 10/13/2007 7:56 PM (GMT -7)

You can be tested (blood and skin). You mentioned cold cuts which are loaded with preservatives and also the bread. My daughter has food allergies, myself only shellfish. If you don't suspect dairy, try yogurt, fruit, salad for lunch. Feel good.

allergychick2992

New Member

Joined : Oct 2007

Posts : 8

Posted 10/20/2007 4:00 PM (GMT -7)

Try cutting out lactose for a week and see what that does. If that yields no results then cut out gluten for a week, if neither of those do anything then it must be something else. good luck!

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Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 10/21/2007 5:39:19 AM (GMT-6)

groovey

Regular Member

Joined : Nov 2007

Posts : 127

Posted 11/11/2007 6:28 AM (GMT -7)

I HAD ALLERGY TESTS AND IT WASNT THE USUAL LACTOSE,GLUTEN PROBLEMS..I WAS ALLERGIC TO PORK ANYTHING CONTAINING PORK, APRICOTS,NECTARINES,PEACHES[I LOVE EM ALL] AND PEPPERS...STRANGE ALLERGIES BUT I CUT EM OUT AND SEEN A GREAT DIFFERENCE....I DID QUESTION WHAT WAS SPRAYED ON THE FRUIT TO PROTECT IT BEFORE IT GETS TO UK AND WHAT WAS PUMPED INTO THE PIGS TO GET THEM FAT..NO ANSWERS BUT I SUSPECT ITS THE UNKNOWN CHEMICALS THAT AFFECT ME..GO FOR IT AND GET A TEST..ASK WHAT HAS BEEN USED TO GROW AND PRESERVE FOODS ...LET ME KNOW YOUR RESULTS LUV GROOVEY

Razzle

Veteran Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 4415

Posted 11/11/2007 5:16 PM (GMT -7)

Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) and Gluten Sensitivity involve immune system reactions to food that are autoimmune in nature, not type 1 classic IgE mediated allergies. Therefore food "intolerance" can be more than just an enzyme deficiency.

There can be other immune reactions to foods that do not make use of IgE antibodies also. For example, Sulfite Preservatives can trigger histamine release and mast cell degranulation without going through IgE antibodies to do that - and the reaction can be every bit as dangerous as "true" food allergies. I know, because I've had Anaphylaxis from Sulfites. Sulfites are in a lot of processed and packed foods (such as canned foods, wine, foods with vinegar such as salad dressings, bottled lemon juice, etc.). And I personally believe that a lot of other things such as food colorings, etc., can trigger allergy or allergy-like reactivity as well.

Please see an Allergist, and if that turns up nothing (many allergy tests can have false negatives), go see a Naturopathic Physician for help doing an elimination diet.

Also, 1 week may not be enough time to see if a particular substance is causing trouble. The minimum recommended time I've seen is 2 weeks, but in the case of gluten or casein (can take 3 weeks just to get the reaction, not to mention how long after that it would take for the symptoms of the reaction to subside), it takes at least 6 weeks for the protein to leave the gastrointestinal tract and up to 1 year for it to leave the brain.

Anxiety as a reaction strongly suggests gluten, but could be something else. Ask for the gluten antibody test (Celiac Panel), and make sure they test Total IgA, anti-Gliadin IgA, anti-Gliadin IgG, and anti-Tissue Transglutaminase IgA. Prometheus has a pretty good Celiac Panel, so do some other labs.

Good luck,

-Razzle

Gluten & Sulfite Sensitivity, Multiple Food & Inhalant & Medication Allergies, Asthma, Gut issues (dysmotility, non-specific inflammation), UCTD (Lupus?), Osteoporosis, Anemia, Very Low Lymphocyte Counts (T-Cells & B-Cells), malabsorption/malnutrition, etc.

Meds: Pulmicort, Injectable Vitamin B12, Herbs, Nutritional Supplements, Essential Oils, Homeopathy.

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