Were these reactions or not?

[Ciel]

I don't think it was because both times it was delayed and prolonged, but I don't know and question if maybe it could have been.

I also don't want to admit to this series of very bad decisions, so judge if you must, I know how stupid I was and I am angry with myself, but please be gentle because I would prefer not to be reminded 100 times how this was irresponsible on my part.

Scenario 1: went out for lunch with my mother and sister. I was okay while in the restaurant and during the meal. The restaurant does serve my allergens and I knew it was a risk and knew I should have declined the invitation, but I went anyway. The next three days my GI system was a disaster. It was so delayed that I didn't think it was a reaction and assumed it was a bug or something else.

Scenario 2: went out for dinner at the same place on Sunday. The dinner menu is very different and there wasn't really anything I could eat. I did eat three steamed pork buns (that I'd had the last time), and some rice noodles with some beef and vegetables. While eating my face got a little bit itchy and my stomach started hurting. I stopped eating and spent some time in the bathroom, iykwim. My face was not red, not flushed, no hives, just slightly itchy. I didn't think it was a reaction but now I'm wondering if it's possible that it was. My GI system is a disaster once again. Since Sunday evening I basically can't eat or drink anything without explosive consequences (literally, ugh). Not even water. Monday was severe diarrhea all day, and I threw up a shocking amount of mucus once in the evening. It was better yesterday morning as long as I didn't try to eat or drink, but the afternoon/evening was more severe diarrhea which continues today. I don't know where it is coming from since I'm not eating anything. It's just the liquid I'm trying to drink to stay hydrated, literally going in one end and out the other. I'm so sorry for these visuals! It sounds like a bug, but I have doubts, too. Both times it has been so severe that my skin ends up raw, burned and bleeding.

I need to figure out how to prevent these episodes or know to treat them if they are allergic in nature. At the moment I have no desire to eat in a restaurant ever again. This happens frequently, especially often if I try to eat out (which I almost always regret), and it happens when I am very careful too. It just seems bizarre that one person would have that many GI bugs in one month, every month. Especially when no one else gets sick.

[Macabre]

Ciel, I would interpret the last one as a reaction for sure and in light of that, likely the first was.

You get no judgement from me! I eat in restaurants where they serve my allergens. It's jist that I avoid the restaurant if they serve a ton of my allergens—if the balance of their menu could kill me OR the kitchen is so tiny and XC would be difficult to avoid OR they don't have practices that would keep me safe OR they don't get it.

My shrimp reactions are delayed two hours almost without fail. They are chiefly GI. And they last a while.

But even sesame reactions can be protracted for me.  My ana sesame reaction in 2012 gave me uterine contractions for days.

If I were you, I would probably just avoid this restaurant. It sounds like a difficult place for you to be safe.

Hugs, though. I'm sorry you experienced this! You okay now?

[Macabre]

Though I did have a really nasty stomach virus a few months ago. It didn't affect DH as bad. But for me, it was the first time I'd experienced vomiting in years and years. And the other end—well, it was a nightmare.

It's just that you had other symptoms that would make me think reaction.

[spacecanada]

The problem with GI stuff is that it can be caused by so many things, from stress and anxiety to rich/fatty/spicy food or anything else, not just allergies. I hate GI symptoms for this reason and sorry to hear you had such a terrible experience. I am glad you are ok now!. However, I agree with Mac that the second one sounds like a reaction because of the other symptoms - and good for you for recognizing it, even after the fact.

I have had delayed reactions before, but only 15-30 minutes or so, and there were likely earlier symptoms I missed or dismissed. Intolerance reactions (typically GI) are often delayed more, and maybe that could be compounding the issue.  Or, your body is just going haywire after a reaction and needs time to settle. It can take me a week for everything to return to normal after a reaction.  You may want to try very simple foods, probiotics and diluted electrolytes to help. But, if you have diarrhea for more than a day or two please see a doctor!

No judgement here either. We have to live our lives and, despite best efforts, things don't go as planned. Be kind to yourself.

[rebekahc]

I agree that there's a good chance it was reactions.  The second could have been worse because you were primed to react from the first exposure.

When I was a kid, my cross-contact reactions were often delayed gut reactions.  The delay for me was usually 4-8 hours.  I can typically tell the difference between a GI reaction and a bug by the way I feel.  Usually with the GI reactions, I don't feel too bad other than the gut pain, etc. and once it's out of my system I feel pretty fine.  With a bug, I'll usually feel bad somewhere else, too - headache, fever, body aches, etc. and that lasts after the initial vomiting subsides.

TMI [spoiler]The most recent time I had a reaction like that was about 5 years ago.  I think it was from shellfish cc, but there's a slight possibility it was pn cc.  I ate about 6, started feeling nauseated around 9 and had violent expulsions from both ends simultaneously by 9:30.  Once it was all out of my system (after about 2 hours), I felt fine and was fine the next day.[/spoiler]

My guess would be that the second one for you was prolonged because you were hyper-sensitive from the first or it's possible you could have contracted a bug on top of the reaction since your GI system was already compromised.

I bet our members would be happy to help you brainstorm specific common denominators to your reactions and ways to eat more safely.

I hope you're feeling better. 

[Ciel]

Ugh...it's just so frustrating that I never recognize what is happening while it is happening. I doubt myself and convince myself that it's not a reaction. My confusing test results don't line up with my reaction history and that makes it even easier to question my sanity.

This restaurant was a seriously bad choice. Lots of shrimp and peanuts everywhere. I didn't do any research or ask any questions or look up the menu in advance. I'm finding it hard to care anymore.

I forgot that a long delay of up to 8 hours is possible. That fits here. This would have been cross contamination, I am 100% certain I did not eat anything overtly containing pn, tn or shellfish. I don't feel otherwise ill, nothing like when I had norovirus last year. It seems to be getting better this evening and hopefully things will continue to improve from here.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Ciel]

I'm still not 100% better. I get hungry and I'm not otherwise nauseas, but my tummy still hurts a lot and when I eat it's pretty much still instant liquid or mostly liquid diarrhea. My chest/esophageal (?) pain has been very bad as well. I'm wondering if I should try some Imodium. Or Benadryl? My doctor doesn't work on Fridays but I'm seeing a different doctor this morning and I'm going to try and get her opinion. My asthma has been bothering me a bit more this past week too, and it had been under good control for a long while until now, which may be a total coincidence, but I am wondering about that as well. 

[rebekahc]

Ugh, I'm sorry you're not feeling better, but I'm glad you were able to get in to see a doctor today.  Hopefully he'll have some suggestions for you.  I never take Immodium because it usually doesn't work for me or if it does work, it works way too well.  Are you perhaps continuing to have exposure to something you're allergic to?  Maybe even something you normally tolerate, but just can't right now?

Keep us posted on what the doctor says! 

[GoingNuts]

Yes, keep us posted. 

I'd say the asthma flare up is pretty suspicious. 

[Ciel]

I did seem to have a reaction this morning that was pretty obvious cause and effect... strong perfume in my face when I was already pretty tight and cigarette smoke in the general vicinity. I panicked for a minute because I felt like I was completely obstructed, but calming down, getting off the bus and ventolin helped pretty quickly. And then another lovely lady who bathed in perfume this morning sat down next to me in the waiting room. 

My doctor does think these were reactions. So far I have only been sick 3 times today. I ate once, this morning, but I am also managing to get a good amount of water in. Yay?

I'm going to skip the Imodium but I will try the benedryl before bed tonight.

It does seem reaction-y all things considered. Another unusual thing that happened while I was out that my sinus suddenly got very stuffy with the perfume, which is not unusual, but it was worse than usual. And when I went outside it got so much worse, it didn't feel like I was moving any air through there at all. They have cleared almost completely since I've been back inside and away from perfume, etc.. It was weird, I'm generally not very bothered by springtime pollen, but maybe compounded with everything else it got to me this time. I don't think it even very bad right now, most trees have leaves now and there wasn't any visible residue or anything. I have never experienced anything like this before. I'm so glad you guys are here to tell me I'm not completely insane!

...right?

[rebekahc]

You're definitely not insane!!  It sounds like you're just super reactive right now - probably from whatever triggered the initial reaction and now your body is having trouble getting back to normal.  That has happened to me before, but usually my doctor will give me steroids to help.  Since you don't have those, it may take a bit longer and you may need to be super vigilant about triggers (both food and environmental) for a little longer.  I hope you're back to normal soon!