Back from the allergist

[panicked]

And I'm allergic to way more than I expected. This is just the food allergies, I go back for environmental ones in October. No more soy, peanut, fish, dairy, egg, Brazil nut (wtf, body?), cherry, lettuce, celery, grapes, tomato, cinnamon, vanilla, potato, or yeast for me. Oh and I'm celiac, so I'm already gluten free. Oh and Im vegetarian, and just started eating fish again which I now have to take back out. I'm also reacting to turkey and chicken, so even if I did start eating meat again, I'd have to go back to beef or pork only.

Guys. Wtf.

[beefjerky]

Holy moly! Can I ask what made you decide to get tested for all of those foods? I'm Celiac as well and am wondering lately if there are other things I'm allergic to due to some continued GI distress/rashes. ETA - I'm sorry for all of that as well, it's a hell of a time trying to figure out what foods actually are safe, never mind all the added allergies on top of it 

[panicked]

Aug 11, 2015 20:47:08 GMT -5 beefjerky said:

Holy moly! Can I ask what made you decide to get tested for all of those foods? I'm Celiac as well and am wondering lately if there are other things I'm allergic to due to some continued GI distress/rashes. ETA - I'm sorry for all of that as well, it's a hell of a time trying to figure out what foods actually are safe, never mind all the added allergies on top of it 

I have refractory celiacs disease (yay me) and on my last endoscopy, my gi doc told me that I was really inflamed. He suggested I go get tested for food allergies.

[panicked]

Aug 12, 2015 9:40:19 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

ok seriously. Did the allergist say "you're allergic to these things, good luck?" or did they set you up with a nutritionist or something to help you maneuver this. Because WTF. You need help!

If they didn't do (b) then take charge.

My sister is celiac and a chosen vegetarian. I don't know how she does it. This is way worse. OMG.

But the good news is that you have some answers, right?

Because of my insurance, thre allergist can't refer me to nutrition. My PCM does, so I called her. She referred me but they have no openings until September so I'm going to end up paying out of pocket.

[katespade]

Did they do a blood test or the skin testing for your food allergies?

[nursewife]

Aug 11, 2015 13:29:50 GMT -5 panicked said:

And I'm allergic to way more than I expected. This is just the food allergies, I go back for environmental ones in October. No more soy, peanut, fish, dairy, egg, Brazil nut (wtf, body?), cherry, lettuce, celery, grapes, tomato, cinnamon, vanilla, potato, or yeast for me. Oh and I'm celiac, so I'm already gluten free. Oh and Im vegetarian, and just started eating fish again which I now have to take back out. I'm also reacting to turkey and chicken, so even if I did start eating meat again, I'd have to go back to beef or pork only.

Guys. Wtf.

I'm interested to know how they did testing? I see an allergist in October. I saw one has a kid, and had the skin test all over my back. I'm not showing signs of allergies that don't just consist of my season and animal allergies. I'm looking forward to the appointment, and getting some answers. Though my constant searching for answers when it come to allergies, I realized I have dermatographic urticaria. I always thought 'skin writing' was normal!

[panicked]

Sept 28, 2015 1:10:49 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Aug 11, 2015 13:29:50 GMT -5 panicked said:

And I'm allergic to way more than I expected. This is just the food allergies, I go back for environmental ones in October. No more soy, peanut, fish, dairy, egg, Brazil nut (wtf, body?), cherry, lettuce, celery, grapes, tomato, cinnamon, vanilla, potato, or yeast for me. Oh and I'm celiac, so I'm already gluten free. Oh and Im vegetarian, and just started eating fish again which I now have to take back out. I'm also reacting to turkey and chicken, so even if I did start eating meat again, I'd have to go back to beef or pork only.

Guys. Wtf.

I'm interested to know how they did testing? I see an allergist in October. I saw one has a kid, and had the skin test all over my back. I'm not showing signs of allergies that don't just consist of my season and animal allergies. I'm looking forward to the appointment, and getting some answers. Though my constant searching for answers when it come to allergies, I realized I have dermatographic urticaria. I always thought 'skin writing' was normal!

I have skin writing too! I used to cheat on tests that way. I had skin and blood tests.

[nursewife]

Sept 28, 2015 6:18:22 GMT -5 panicked said:

Sept 28, 2015 1:10:49 GMT -5 nursewife said:

I'm interested to know how they did testing? I see an allergist in October. I saw one has a kid, and had the skin test all over my back. I'm not showing signs of allergies that don't just consist of my season and animal allergies. I'm looking forward to the appointment, and getting some answers. Though my constant searching for answers when it come to allergies, I realized I have dermatographic urticaria. I always thought 'skin writing' was normal!

I have skin writing too! I used to cheat on tests that way. I had skin and blood tests.

That's hilarious! Until I started reading more about allergies I totally thought it was completely normal to be able to write on your skin.

[nursewife]

Sept 28, 2015 6:18:22 GMT -5 panicked said:

Sept 28, 2015 1:10:49 GMT -5 nursewife said:

I'm interested to know how they did testing? I see an allergist in October. I saw one has a kid, and had the skin test all over my back. I'm not showing signs of allergies that don't just consist of my season and animal allergies. I'm looking forward to the appointment, and getting some answers. Though my constant searching for answers when it come to allergies, I realized I have dermatographic urticaria. I always thought 'skin writing' was normal!

I have skin writing too! I used to cheat on tests that way. I had skin and blood tests.

From what I've read, it's related to a certain allergy. Did the doctor give you any tips on how to manage it? I've read that taking a regular antihistamine and Zantac can often help. My allergies have been brutal since my sinus surgery and I'm desperate for help.

[panicked]

Sept 28, 2015 10:12:22 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Sept 28, 2015 6:18:22 GMT -5 panicked said:

I have skin writing too! I used to cheat on tests that way. I had skin and blood tests.

From what I've read, it's related to a certain allergy. Did the doctor give you any tips on how to manage it? I've read that taking a regular antihistamine and Zantac can often help. My allergies have been brutal since my sinus surgery and I'm desperate for help.

Claritin, Flonase, Zyrtec in the am; singular and Flonase at bedtime.

[nursewife]

Sept 28, 2015 20:21:17 GMT -5 panicked said:

Sept 28, 2015 10:12:22 GMT -5 nursewife said:

From what I've read, it's related to a certain allergy. Did the doctor give you any tips on how to manage it? I've read that taking a regular antihistamine and Zantac can often help. My allergies have been brutal since my sinus surgery and I'm desperate for help.

Claritin, Flonase, Zyrtec in the am; singular and Flonase at bedtime.

Sounds like a good start! Let me know how to goes for you. We unfortunately don't have zyrtec up here. I'm currently taking reactine and benedryl. I can't wait for a better answer!

[kirra]

Sept 28, 2015 20:21:17 GMT -5 panicked said:

Sept 28, 2015 10:12:22 GMT -5 nursewife said:

From what I've read, it's related to a certain allergy. Did the doctor give you any tips on how to manage it? I've read that taking a regular antihistamine and Zantac can often help. My allergies have been brutal since my sinus surgery and I'm desperate for help.

Claritin, Flonase, Zyrtec in the am; singular and Flonase at bedtime.

Have you tried Zantac? I take Zyrtec and Zantac. They're both histamine blockers. One blocks H1, and one blocks H2. I don't remember which is which.

[panicked]

Oct 6, 2015 10:20:02 GMT -5 kirra said:

Sept 28, 2015 20:21:17 GMT -5 panicked said:

Claritin, Flonase, Zyrtec in the am; singular and Flonase at bedtime.

Have you tried Zantac? I take Zyrtec and Zantac. They're both histamine blockers. One blocks H1, and one blocks H2. I don't remember which is which.

Yep. Zantac didn't do anything. :-(

[kirra]

Oct 6, 2015 10:48:18 GMT -5 panicked said:

Oct 6, 2015 10:20:02 GMT -5 kirra said:

Have you tried Zantac? I take Zyrtec and Zantac. They're both histamine blockers. One blocks H1, and one blocks H2. I don't remember which is which.

Yep. Zantac didn't do anything.

I'm sorry Zyrtec alone doesn't help me, but a combination of Zyrtec, Zantac, and cromolyn sodium does.

Eta: most of mine aren't true allergies, though. They're mast cell activation issues.

[nursewife]

Oct 6, 2015 10:48:18 GMT -5 panicked said:

Oct 6, 2015 10:20:02 GMT -5 kirra said:

Have you tried Zantac? I take Zyrtec and Zantac. They're both histamine blockers. One blocks H1, and one blocks H2. I don't remember which is which.

Yep. Zantac didn't do anything.

Have you had the testing done for environmental yet? My appointment is Friday, and I'm scarred! I just got my service dog (I adore her, she makes me happy, less anxious) and I'm terrified they'll say I have an allergy to here. I'm wondering if they can test for fabric or specific ingredients in detergent. I react my worse in bed. It doesn't matter what bed (hotel, home, family) I wake up wheezy, dry eyes and itchy puffy eyes. Of course this week I'm dying since I had to give up allergy meds 1 week prior. I've had an ongoing migraine from what I think might be sinus issues, itchy skin, plus the usual stuff x100. Allergies are the suck. On an added note, I wish Zyrtec was available in Canada. I see so many post about it, and I'd love to try it. 

[nursewife]

Also make sure you see a registered dietician panicked. They are excellent, and far better than a nutritionist. I feel awful for you. It's so hard having to give things up. I remember crying after testing as a kid since I was allergic to horses, hay and ragweed, which all made riding my horse outside challenging at times. I can't imagine the food restrictions. I'd love to hear an update.

[nursewife]

panicked, have you had your environmental testing yet? I had mine today, and it was pretty much what I suspected. Cats, dogs, weeds, trees, ragweed, dustmites, guinea pigs, horses and cockroaches (WTF?! I don't think I've ever even seen one in Ontario). He prescribed 20mg of reactine, symbicort, and a nasal spray. He also said I have chronic rhinitis, which likely means seeing the ENT some more even though I've already had a septum repair and turbinate reduction. I'm going to try allergy shots, and likely start when I see him again in 3 months. Next appointment I will likely have a patch test for chemicals, mainly to look for what I'm reacting to in detergents. I knew what to expect, but I'm pretty bummed about the dog allergy. I've never tested positive for it before. There is absolutely no way we would ever get rid of our dogs, especially my service dog. I'm really hoping the medications will help. Anyway, I'd love to get an update from you!

[panicked]

I haven't! I was supposed to have it on the 19th, but I had a meeting I couldn't get out of. Hopefully your meds help! I'm still reacting to something, even though I'm on a ton of meds.