hoped multiple allergies would resolve

[skbird]

but no luck so far. I have been GF for nearly 4 months and had hoped that some of my food allergies/intolerances would ease up. One that I just seemed to develop about a year ago (or at least figure out) is a mild allergy to shellfish, generally giving me symptoms of stomach discomfort and burning headache. Also irritation to my fingers and lips when I handle/eat them, especially crab, and to a lesser degree crab.

About two weeks ago I tried a shrimp dinner and didn't feel anything bad happen. Then this past weekend we decided to try crab again (I love shellfish!!!) and by the end of dinner I felt some irritation on my lips and in my mouth. I didn't get a stomach ache but the next morning I had the burning headache (feels like a layer is wrapped around my skull and down my neck and there is fire in it - not just my typical migraine - and surges of pain when I move my head too quickly). I also found that when I tried to eat a banana in the morning that my throat was really itchy.

It could be that because we are entering spring allergy season and I am feeling some of it already that I was already a little compromised, but I'm thinking that maybe I will not get over this allergy/intolerance. I have not gotten tested for it, BTW. Or maybe I need to wait a little while longer, like 6+ months and try again.

Anyway, bummer...
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Stephanie

[lynda]

stephanie
im 3 mos
GF
and still have episodes
not panic attacks but major headaches
that wont go away
and the occasional bathroom run.....

i can deal with that but these headache
i dont know:(


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LYNDA

[skbird]

Definitely not fun. I have resolved most of my gluten issues, just was hoping that some of the other ones would have improved. Well, I'll try again in another couple of months, may take a while.

Stephanie
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Stephanie

[ElaineT]

Hi, I'm new here. I've had shellfish and seafood allergy for years. My doctor told me that allergies that include an itchy throat or mouth as symptoms are dangerous to keep challenging. He said that if the allergy gets worse rather than better, you may end up having trouble breathing.

I have lost my sensitivity to nuts, beef, and soy since going gluten-free.

[skbird]

Hi Elaine -

I had never actually gotten a diagnosis for shellfish, just the burning stomach, migraine thing and the irritated skin on my fingers from handling. When I had the crab a couple of weeks back I also noticed my lips were irritated, not swollen but sort of felt chapped.

I decided this past weekend to indulge in eating some canned smoked oysters (in olive oil) and did notice that I felt a minor stomach sensation about 15 mins later. Forgot about it but the rest of the day I got more and more irritated, full blown angry by nighttime (really frustrated). I woke at 2am with a migraine that felt like burning acid was sloshing around in my head - much like the one I got with crab. I took some ibuprofin and then some Frova (migraine med) and went back to sleep. By morning it had subsided some but my stomach felt all irritated and I couldn't finish my breakfast smoothy. It wasn't until the end of the work day I started feeling much better.

So I guess this is really the end for me with shellfish. I've never gotten the itchy symptom. Hmmm. Maybe I'll get tested at some point, but baby steps - I'm only now getting the gluten test from Entero Lab done, as well as dairy (oh please god, no!!!)

Sigh.


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Stephanie

[skbird]

Oh, and Elaine - that's awesome about the losing sensitivites to other things. Thanks for reminding me, when I first cut out gluten (because of going low carb) I was suddenly able to eat nuts like walnuts again without getting mouth irritation/sores. I started having trouble again when I was eating more gluten but when I stopped all gluten, no problem again. I love all nuts, it's so great to be able to eat them with no negative reation!


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Stephanie

[Guest]

My guess from reading the allergy literature is that intestinal damage from CD allows allergens through to the bloodstream where IgG reacts with them. Go off gluten, and allergies that were based on abnormal intestinal permeability will disappear. IgE mediated allergies like shellfish or peanuts work differently and aren't changed by much of anything.

[skbird]

That's really interesting to read. I don't know anything about the different kinds of allergies, IgA or IgE or whatever, just that there are different ones. I was allergy tested (big giant rubber stamp on my back and pin pricks, then some shots in my arm for some questionable ones) when I was 14 and had allergy shots for a while. I was deemed allergic to various trees and pollens and grasses, green peas (have no idea what they do to me) and that's it, not dairy or wheat. Don't recall if they did shellfish or not - seems like they would have. Anyway, wasn't even sure if the shellfish thing is an allergy but maybe I will go get tested. Next year though, my insurance covers $500 a year then I am responsible for the next $2,000 and I have almost spent all my allotted amount so far this year (and yeah, it's only March... )

Thanks - I'll look more into that. Really helpful info.
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Stephanie

[Jeannine]

xxx

[skbird]

Jeannine -

Ooooooh, filet mignon and Canadian bacon. That sounds great! Yes, there are many things that will fill the void. But I do have to say shellfish was one of my favorite foods of all time...

I'm doing well. I am so happy that there are such good things out there I still can eat I can't believe it when people are genuinely horrified for me when they find I can't eat wheat. I don't understand their sorrow. Hey, I can eat filet, and bacon, and mushrooms, and cheese and....

Must be dinner time...
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Stephanie

[GFSarahSmiles]