Diagnosed with Wheat/Corn/Egg White/Peanut/Soy Allergies.. HELP please?

[leeaax]

Im a 22 year old female, and i've been having severe health issues for years. Daily Migranes or headaches, Back and neck pain, Digestion problems (cramping, Irritable Bowel like symptoms), Lipomas on lower back, Psoriasis on scalp, Ovarian cysts, along with other endless problems. From Jan 2012-March 2012 i went from 180lbs to my current weight, 138lbs. Every time i ate i felt like crap, and was in the bathroom or cramping all day.. so I just started eating as little as possible to prevent discomfort. I've been sent from doctor to doctor, each saying they could find nothing wrong. I finally got some answers today, My new General Practitioner did blood work and ran multiple tests, for lupus, celiac disease, thyroid, and apparently food allergies/intolerance. They called and said I am allergic to Wheat/Corn/Peanuts/Walnuts/Soy/ and Egg Whites. I'm aware that every symptom I have is probably not related to the allergies, but I think many of them might be. After doing a lot of research online, i'm extremely overwhelmed. With all the bi-products used in food now days, i'm starting to wonder what I am able to eat/drink? Also, was wondering if anyone has some or all of the same allergies as me, and if they've had some of the same symptoms. I'm eliminating all these foods from my diet, but am discouraged by numerous websites saying in many cases it can take up to 6 months to a year to start feeling "normal" again. I'm in constant pain every day, and am hoping it will not take that long to relieve some of the discomfort by eliminating these foods. I'm scheduled to see a gastroenterologist, Allergist, and nutritionist, but not for a few weeks. Any Thoughts, Similar experiences, or advice would be greatly appreciated !!

Lea

[rebekahc]

I'm so sorry you've been going through so much physically.  A few thoughts...

Most of your symptoms don't sound like typical IgE mediated allergy symptoms.  Do you know what kind of test your GP ran to diagnose your allergies?  Also, testing alone is never indicative of an allergy.  In fact, allergy testing has a very high rate of false positives, so avoiding major food groups based on testing alone isn't usually recommended.  Although, since you have so many non-specific symptoms, I can see where a short food elimination trial would be a good idea. 

BUT, if you're seeing a GI in a few weeks, you probably don't want to avoid wheat until after you see him.  The definitive test for celiac is a biopsy to look for the damage wheat (gluten) does to the intestines.  By avoiding wheat, the damage will heal and could make the test results inaccurate. 

If you want to avoid the other foods you tested positive for until you see an allergist it might give you some idea of whether avoiding those things improved the way you feel.  The allergist will be able to help you add foods back in one at a time.  We had to do that with my son when he was little.  He was continuing to have so many symptoms and was positive to so many things (including all on your list) that it was nearly impossible to tell what he was really reacting to without an elimination trial and adding things back one at a time to look for reaction.  We only had to eliminate for two weeks before starting to add things back.  Even after a short elimination, the response to the foods he was allergic to was obvious.

To successfully avoid all the things on your list, you're pretty much going to have to stick with non-processed foods.  Fresh fruits and veggies, plain meats, rice, etc. - only things that come from the store with ONE ingredient.  Basically, if it comes in a package, it will have some form of corn in it.  On the off chance you can find something corn-free, it will have wheat and/or soy - you get the idea... 

Good luck and keep us posted! 

[CMdeux]

What she said!   

Keep a notebook with EVERYTHING that goes into your mouth (or near it)-- include amounts, brands, and times. 

You can also add any symptoms or general health information to that information.  A food journal is a very useful tool when evaluating the results of elimination (and reintroduction).

Do you have--

an epinephrine autoinjector?  It's possible that you don't actually have IgE-mediated food allergies to peanuts or walnuts, but if you do... you certainly seem to have symptoms that could support GI anaphylaxis, and therefore you're at risk of anaphylaxis in the future.

a medic-alert bracelet?  If you don't yet, I'd hold off until you know for certain what you are truly allergic to, whether or not you have celiac, or if there is another condition (like RA or something) under all of this.

an allergist?  If you don't-- it is time to find one.  You need someone who is: a) knowledgeable about food allergy in particular (not just "allergies"), and b) is willing to conduct in-office-food-challenges, probably pretty assertively.  It is likely that you are NOT allergic to everything on that list, and trust me, you'll notice very shortly that it really impacts your quality of life to avoid corn, soy, wheat, eggs, or any combination of them.  If you don't have to avoid one of those allergens, you shouldn't. 

There is no validity to "rotation" diets in true food allergy.  Not really.  If you're allergic, you need to practice avoidance-- period.  There are some exceptions, but those should ONLY be undertaken with the advice of an expert allergist. 

Oh, and "spelt" = wheat.  Don't listen to people who would have you believe other crazy things, either-- such as that "organic" foods are not allergenic. 

[lakeswimr]

Testing can not diagnose a food allergy.  There was a study done and found over 80% of people who were diagnosed as having food allergies via test results were NOT allergic.  The accuracy rate for positive results is less than 20%.  What you describe does not sound like IgE food allergies to me.   I agree with others about keeping a food and symptoms journal and trying to figure out what is the cause. 

[Kate]

Hi!! Might make you feel better knowing you aren't the only one! I'm a 23 yr old female that also suffers from daily chronic migraines since I was 10 years old; that's just one of my many health issues lol. I also have IBS and always in chronic pain. I went to the doctor last month and insisted on some new blood work and found out that I'm allergic to wheat, soy, egg whites, milk, salmon, shrimp, peanuts, walnuts, beans, legumes and pea protein! Just like you, I've been doing some research and have been so overwhelmed! I've always been a foodie and love eating so cutting these items out has been so difficult! I just went to see a homeopathic nutritionist this week, but I also have a few appointments with an allergy specialist, nutritionist and dietician later this month. Hope things get better for you! It's so nice knowing there are other people out there my age dealing with the same things I am! I will let you know if I get any information that may be helpful to you and your symptoms

[Kate]

Also, not sure if you know this or not but, I just found out that most chicken, even if it's organic or free range, are still fed soy based meal or feed- so if you're like me and eat a lot of chicken (it's the only food that I thought was safe from all of my allergies lol), you are still probably consuming soy. Hope this helps

[Aguzman5693]

I also have experienced very similar symptoms as you for the past couple months. Every time I would eat I'd feel extremely nauseous..I recently found out I am allergic to wheat, soy, pork, corn & peanuts! It's almost impossible to avoid all of these common ingredients so it is difficult for me. 

[aprilulliott]

Friday I was diagnosed with the exact same allergies as you I'm glad I've actually found someone who is suffering the same!what have you been eating? In finding it very hard too

[aprilulliott]

P.s I'm 21 years old, this is my email address apriljulliott@hotmail.co.uk

[howtocure.co]

Hello everyone!

i have a situation simillar to yours.

lea, do you have any news after so long time? Did something really help you, and were the symptoms finally fade out as you changed your diet?

Also, i would like to ask you if you take any medication for (link removed by Administrator for violation of Terms of Service)

Thanks!

[Allergynewbie]

I haven't read through all the comments, but my son is allergic to everything on your list and then some. I have literally cried multiple times in whole foods shopping for food for him. There is a product line called Enjoy Life. They make cookies, chocolate chips, fruit bars, candy bars. I'm sure there are other items. Almost all of their products are free of all of those allergens. He's 8, so snacks are a big deal. He can have Breyers All Natural chocolate ice cream and Heinz makes a ketchup called simply heinz that does not have Corn Syrup in it. The rest of his diet is meat and vegetable/fruit related. I think the key to making food work for you is figuring out what to use in place of things like eggs. We used an egg replacer until he tested positive for potato. I often use applesauce. Also, look into Namaste products. I do shop a lot online as it's very hard to find these products in stores.

[mackenzie]

Im a 26 year old female and over the last 6-8 months i have been struggling with incredible burning in my stomach and feet cramping. I have had a colonoscopy / endoscopy and both looked fine. then  I had an ultrasound and a HIDA scan done. It showed that my ejection fraction and only functioning at 13% which means that my gallbladder isnt releasing any where near the correct amount of bile to coat my food.  The thing that i have found strange is that with the gallbladder it should be flaring up with fatty foods and for me thats not the case. I went a saw a different doc today and she told me to take a more holistic approach and try avoiding wheat, soy and corn. Im willing to try this out because i would like to avoid surgery. just wondering if anyone else has has stomach burning and cramping in the feet.

thanks

[CMdeux]

Mackenzie, I'm sorry that you are struggling with feeling unwell, and that you are struggling so much to find out WHY, in addition.  That's a horrible double-whammy to deal with.

I'm wondering if your doctor that advocated a more "holistic" approach had any reason why s/he was giving you that particular advice.  It does seem strange in light of the possible gall bladder issues.  What did your previous internist say re: your testing results?  Is there a reason why you're reluctant to do surgery-- assuming that this is what your internist recommended?

Believe it or not, gall bladder issues can come in a wide array of possible symptoms-- and of course it's not necessarily the case that your foot cramping is related (sorry-- that could be a separate matter).

[passn4hrt]

I am 45 yrs old and I too have allergies to food and much  more. I have allergies to corn, soy, milk, eggs, oranges, cumin, and curry. My allergist gave me a blood test and that is the ones I am moderately allergic to. There is more that I am sure will become moderate over time. I already  get allergy shots for trees, grasses, mold, mildews, and dust. I am unsure what my allergist will suggest that I do about the food ones but seems as I get older I become allergic to more things. We have a few places around my area that sell stuff that is gluten free and milk and egg free but I have not been there yet. I  am trying to learn more about my allergies first.

[lakeswimr]

passn4hrt--have you had some reactions?  What brought you to the allergist?

A positive test doesn't mean a person is allergic.  Food allergy testing has a very high false positive rate.  It is possible to develop an allergy at any age but extremely uncommon to develop more than one suddenly.  I hope you seek a 2nd opinion allergist to see if you are actually allergic to all those foods.

Tests can't diagnose an allergy by themselves and have to be used in combination with reaction history.  They can't tell how severe an allergy is, either.  A person can test high and not be allergic and a person can test low and be allergic.