After a period of sickness 2 years ago I have become intolerant/allergic to loads of foods. Never had it before. Apparently this can just happen regardless of age and many things can trigger it. Anyway it started with nausea when I ate dairy (changed to plant/lactose free). As time went on it seemed like not only lactose intollerant but also intollerant to dairy protein so eating lactose free food didn't work. Change to plant milk only. Soya was fine for a while till I developed an itch and frequent sore ears. So I'm now on to oat milk. Gluten was another intolerance. However it would seem its not only gluten but wheat and other grains. Symptoms are all sort of digestive issues, itches, headaches, dreadful fatigue, insomnia. Gp is hopeless (when I can even get an appointment) in relation to tests for my allergies although she agrees i'm intollerant or allergic to something, possibly a few things. I've had loads of blood tests and am scheduled to get a colonoscopy. But I would like to know what my actual allergies/intolerance are. No sooner do I narrow it down another itch or symptom appears. I have periods of stability then suddenly eat something I've been ok with and the full cycle starts again. It's making me very down. Anyone else had similar and how have you dealt with it.
I also became intolerant of all sorts of foods and drinks in recent years. I could not eat chocolate without digestive issues and drinking alcohol would leave my itching and red. This progressed to feeling like I had constant digestive issues.
I then developed an allergy to the cold out of the blue. Hives and short of breath from cold weather, air conditioning, cold food etc. It seems random allergies can just happen.
Re the food, cutting out gluten and dairy has massively helped. I had the usual checks to make sure nothing sinister was going on, plus blood tests, and all normal.
I was then suggested to go on the low Fodmap diet. It seems onions and tomatoes were triggers and I have cut them out as far as possible.
I would say my digestion is now normal, I just know what not to eat, or know there will be implications for a few days if I “risk it for a biscuit”.
No resolution to the cold allergy though. Just avoidance.
Quote: Originally posted by Jim1977 on 16/11/2022
I also became intolerant of all sorts of foods and drinks in recent years. I could not eat chocolate without digestive issues and drinking alcohol would leave my itching and red. This progressed to feeling like I had constant digestive issues.
I then developed an allergy to the cold out of the blue. Hives and short of breath from cold weather, air conditioning, cold food etc. It seems random allergies can just happen.
Re the food, cutting out gluten and dairy has massively helped. I had the usual checks to make sure nothing sinister was going on, plus blood tests, and all normal.
I was then suggested to go on the low Fodmap diet. It seems onions and tomatoes were triggers and I have cut them out as far as possible.
I would say my digestion is now normal, I just know what not to eat, or know there will be implications for a few days if I “risk it for a biscuit”.
No resolution to the cold allergy though. Just avoidance.
Thanks. I've heard of the low fodmap diet but don't really know anything about it. The full thing is making me miserable, worst of all is the chronic fatigue. Ive been very careful to ensure I'm still get the proper nutritional value in what im eating. It seems to be if I like it I cant eat it. I just wish I could get to the bottom of it. Glad you seem to have it sussed. I'm still guddling about in the dark.
The low fod map diet eliminates a lot of foods associated with IBS. It is very restrictive and so can only be followed for a few weeks. This is as a test to see if your gut improves. If that is successful you then introduce back foods bit by bit to see if you can tolerate them. By process of elimination you can then see what is ok, and what sets you back. If things upset your system it may require a limit rather than total elimination. For example, apples are high fodmap, but a few slices are usually ok. Similarly, a single broccoli floret may be ok but not 3.
Onion and garlic are extremely high fodmap. I found I can eat garlic as long as I don’t put too much in.
It is expensive to do but one of my friends went to a private allergy specialist and had tests to confirm what she was allergic to.
However, these tests don’t always show intolerances which is usually what causes digestive issues. I am allergic to lots of non food stuffs but my only true food allergy is to honey and I have to avoid it completely or I’ll be wheezing and coughing and breathing funny. However, I am also intolerant to loads of other foods such as peppers (the vegetable), A1 milk protein from most cows milk (I can drink milk if it has come exclusively from purebred Jersey or Guernsey cows) and dark green leafy vegetables. These are intolerances and eating a little of them won’t do me any significant harm but give me unpleasant symptoms for a few days. I had to work these intolerances out for myself by a process of trial and error but my allergies were tested for at the allergy clinic at the hospital.
My grandaughter is intolerant to dairy so has oat milk, but also to soya, which is in lots of things containing flour as well as oils, soy sauce etc. She reacts with the gut.
There are more and more foods free from those nowadays, check out the shelves. And vegan food is often ok for her to eat, if not always very tasty.
My BIL kept to the fodmap list for decades to deal with IBS. It’s worth a try, reintroduce foods one by one & see if there’s a reaction.
My nephew has Ulcerative Colitis which has hospitalised him before it was diagnosed & now he has to be vegan & gluten free, no coffee tea or alcohol. Actually, he allows himself one really good cup of coffee a day as life is for living.
Hope you find a reason soon but I don’t expect the GP to be much help as they’re a generalist.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 17/11/2022
My BIL kept to the fodmap list for decades to deal with IBS. It’s worth a try, reintroduce foods one by one & see if there’s a reaction.
My nephew has Ulcerative Colitis which has hospitalised him before it was diagnosed & now he has to be vegan & gluten free, no coffee tea or alcohol. Actually, he allows himself one really good cup of coffee a day as life is for living.
Hope you find a reason soon but I don’t expect the GP to be much help as they’re a generalist.
Agree with the GP. She has been great doing the usual checks. Intolerance are low down the list of prioriries though so not been much help there.
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Topic: Allergies/intollerances
via mobile 16/11/2022 at 2:59pm
