Recent Posts

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Achiness and chest pain?

My son was having all kinds of issures with his stomach and figured out that he wasn’t making enough digestive acid. He now takes digestive enzymes everytime he eats and is doing so much better. I would guess if your stomach is not breaking down the foods properly, it would cause all sorts of problems.

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Fructose Malabsorption

fructose free – oh, you poor dear!

I was going to wonder about quinoa’s fructose content, but just looked it up and realized you can’t have it.

so…have you tried alternative meats? I can’t have any of my normal meats anymore, but buffalo ended up on my ‘okay’ list. if you google an animal meat + price, I’ve found all sorts of meats available on-line: alligator, ostrich, deer, antelope. They might be unrelated enough to your normal allergies, intolerances to work?

Potatoes look okay, yes? Baked potatoes okay? You can add all sorts of stuff to them. Saute the spinach, add a little fish, or grate the cheese over it. It might be a good source of calories for you.

oh, it looks like you can have nuts – almonds okay? they make almond meal that you can use as a flour to make pancakes/waffles. I’ve seen a waffle recipe that was about half almond meal, half tapica starch (I didn’t see that on your list, either), a little water and oil and sea salt, and that was it. you had to cook it for 15-20 minutes on the waffle iron, but they turned out all right. just crispy and not too bready, but hey, at this point, you’re probably like me: thankful for anything different, yeah?

Hmmm…lots of different greens might work, I imagine. dandelion greens? Collard greens? Chard?
Yogurt is nice, too, added to other foods, like the potato.

Oh, soup! just put in veggies – I noticed you can have rutabega and turnips – and a meat, and salt, and cook it until the broth develops, the veggies’ll be a bit soft, but it still turns out okay. I think if you use fish, you might want to start the fish off in there, take ’em out while you cook the broth down, and then add them back in to finish off in the broth.

Sorry I don’t have more for you!

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Need help avoiding coffee!

Bluepebbles – oh, that is nice to hear – I’m heading into the 6-12 month stretch right now, so maybe I will be seeing the same effect. I hope! Thanks!

ladyfisher – I was taking benadryl originally, and now I’ve had to stop, eek! Corn will make my throat swell up, as well, and benadryl has corn derived ingredients, sigh. The last time I took it, my throat started swelling up worse. Very disheartening. I do have an epi-pen, thankfully, so in worse case scenario, i can take that. I haven’t had to use it yet, because before the corn thing, if my throat swelled up, it used to take a few minutes, and I could stop it with benadryl. It’s only recently that I haven’t been able to use it. We live out in the boonies, quite a ways from any hospitals, and without the benadryl now, it makes me really nervous. :-(

Midnight Rider – Goodness, yes, I could see how avoiding pepper would be impossible! I will have to ask about the inhaler – if that was something I could take, I would be so thankful. I swear, sometimes it feels like a research project just to double check something doesn’t have an ingredient I can’t have. So different from what I’m used to.

I’m fortunate to have a couple of good doctors to work with right now, but they’re just kind of stumped. The medications they might give me, like a pill form of steroid just for a bit to calm my body down, are ones i can’t take. All the pills have things that make my throat swell up, argh. So I’m trying to stay in safe areas for a couple weeks to see if that will help calm things down a bit. Thankfully, I’m a stay at home mommy, so I don’t have to go out everyday and deal with this!

Thanks for the responses, you guys!

Topic: New Allergy Requests / String beans

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Need help avoiding coffee!

I have that same problem with pepper. It’s everywhere! And certain aisles of the grocery store are a no-go, but lately it’s been getting worse for me too. I always carry my inhaler with me. Albuterol has an epinephrine-like effect so it will help open the throat if it’s closing down. When I’m only having a mild anaphylaxis I will use albuterol. I save the epinephrine for the really bad ones. And make no mistake about it, throat closing down is probably a mild anaphlaxys. You will want to talk to your doctor about that particular symptom.

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Achiness and chest pain?

You know I can’t tell you for sure that it’s only from allergies, but that stuff does happen to me. Espeically the acid reflux… it is horrible even with only one little bite of a certain type of food. And i would go back for more allergy test because at first i was only diagnosed with peanut, corn and wheat… so i started loading up on almonds and soy… then come to find out those two were added to my list too! I had no idea that there was so many people with similar problems like me. Most people that i tell that i have an allergy don’t take me seriously becausae i don’t stop breathing, they think that i’m making it all up! There are so many products that are filled with the things that we shouldn’t be eating, i can always tell with me becuase i get rashes in certian parts of my body whenever i eat those particular foods. Hope you figure it out soon!

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Need help avoiding coffee!

For any sudden reaction involving throat tightening, wheezing or shortness of breath: benedryl right away. My allergist told me to use Alka Seltzer Gold for any reaction when I try adding back foods. My strongest allergies are to molds, and I tried eating a peice of cheese, instant migraine. It is useful for that sort of reaction. I carry some with me in case I get “poisoned” at a restaurant. If you are having throat swelling and start having difficulty breathing that gets worse, you may be having anaphylaxis, and that requires emergency care, so don’t wait too long to seek help! And, talk to your allergist. Perhaps you should carry an Epi-Pen (epinephrine, for ahaphylaxis).

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Advice?

I know what you mean. I have been making my own BBQ sauce, dips using goat yogurt, salad dressings, and just came up with a tomatillo sauce. Yes, my grocery bill has tripled, and I, too have tried making things that flop. It’s a little depressing. But so is the rash, so I try to focus on what I can have, and try to think of things I like and how to make them differently. I think I have had better success adapting “regular” recipes than using some of the “allergy” recipes that I have found. Except for baking, I suck at that no matter what! And hubby is eating what I make for dinner and whatever he fixes for himself otherwise. I do make regular pancakes for him occasonally. Too much work to make two meals every time. GOod luck!

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Fructose Malabsorption

I too am 22 and was diagnose with the same thing in 2009. It is a horrible thing to have to adjust to, but there are much worse things out there! I myself am struggling terribly. I am not doing to lie, I have been living off spinach, cheese, fish, and mushrooms. Thats …. about it. I also have gluten and fructose free waffles i eat in the morning. But that is the other struggle, becareful with wheat!!! I actually have to eat gluten-free and fructose -free because I am SOOOO senstivie to fructose that when the body breaks the wheat down (into fructose and glucose) i get terribly ill. Hang in there!! Your not alone in this struggle! My biggest fear will be when its time to have babies! I feel i will not be able to give that fetus all the nutrients it will need to flourish.
Best Wishes
Samantha T

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Fructose Free since 2009

Hello-
I have been fructose intolerant since 2007 (work injury destroyed a large protion of my intestines that used to digest fructose beautifully). I was diagnose in February 2009. I am UBER depressed. I am OVER the rice foods!! AHH I can not have wheat due to the severity of my fructose malabsorption, (body breaks wheat into fructose and glucose). I was given a 9 page sheet of what NOT to eat from my GI speciailist and a list of wheat and similar products to avoid. I am getting so fed-up with being hungry and not being able to eat ANYTHING! I can eat dairy with minor resrtictions (no chocolate, flavored, or sweetened) but I have very few yogurts and ice creams I can eat, they are basically out. I am just wondering if anyone else has any good tips on books, grocery stores, ect.. that I could try out. I am desperate! thank you

FructoseFree and sad :(

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Are there nightshades in red curry paste?

you could google a recipe for thai curry paste and sub in horseradish or mustard powder in place of the chilis in the recipe. It might not taste the same but that’a all I could think of to spice things up. All peppers and paprika are in the night shade family. :(

Topic: New Allergy Requests / String beans

Such as green beans, wax beans etc. I am allergic, so it would be nice to have that listed. Thanks!

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Are there nightshades in red curry paste?

Hey all. I’m a big curry fan, but I just recently started avoiding nightshades. I looked on my jar of red curry paste (which I use A LOT) and noticed the first ingredient is “red chili peppers”. Are these nightshades? If so, does anybody have any recommendations for nightshade-free curry pastes or curry spices? There must be SOME asian sources of spiciness other than nightshades, right?

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Advice?

Oh my, you do have a lot of allergies. My advice is to eat simple and concentrate on what you can have. Cook the meat that you can have, then vegetables. I’ve had to do that with my family and we all eat the same thing. It’s healthier for everyone and less stress for me. If you want to add a few special things to make your family’s diet more interesting, that’s fine, but don’t stress over making 2 different meals all the time.

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Advice?

I have so many food allergies. I have such a hard time with cooking. It seems like everytime I finally find a recipe that avoids ALL the things I cant eat it comes out so terrible. And I follow the directions. I cook (normal food for the family) very well. But it seems like when I try to make something for myself it doesnt work out. There are simple things that I can make. But most things I cant find at any store and its getting expensive ordering all things online. Its so frustrating that lately I havent been following my allergy diet and my skin breaks out all over with a rash and I get very irritable.

I have found some recipes on this website that are really helpful and I have the ingredients too :)

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Need help avoiding coffee!

Hi TH! I had the same problem when my husband opened a bag of popcorn in our car (I’m allergic to corn). However, after more than a year of allergy avoidance my reactions are no longer as severe. Last night he cooked popcorn in our caravan and my body barely noticed. The Sydney allergy clinic (Australia) timeline estimates were pretty accurate for me – 3-6 months of over-reactions from the date I went off the allergen food, then from 6 to 12 months the reactions settled down. I’m still allergic but but not over-reacting any more. I hope you find the same relief soon.

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Vaccines vs poor immune system

Thank you TRD for replying. I like the ‘bucket theory’. I looked at the mercola.com site then branched out to other news reports on vaccines. I didn’t realise that some governments were trying so hard to make some vaccines mandatory (eg: the H1N1 case in Hawaii). Australian authorities have focused on heavy encouragement rather than rule of law for the swine flu vaccine. I’ll have to think about it a bit more.

Topic: New Allergy Requests / Tragacanth Gum

Thank you. I will check that out.

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Need help avoiding coffee!

Thanks for your response! Actually, it really helps to know that your son can react to the drinking of a beverage – I kept wondering if coffee allergies could really be that sensitive, and after your response and went and hunted the information down. Seems like they can, sigh.

I actually have been reacting to nuts and peanuts as well, and at first, they were definitely giving me the same reaction. I had to get rid of any of them that we had in the house. But my reactions to them seem to have ebbed. We’ve been able to have them in the house again without a problem as long as I don’t eat them. But my poor hubby tries to make coffee and I bite the dust.

I hadn’t thought of peanuts and tree nuts in starbucks and coffee shops, though. I shouldn’t wonder if having both of those would make a reaction worse, once it starts.

Thanks again for the reply. :-)

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Need help avoiding coffee!

I was reading your response and can help but wonder if you are not allergic to peanuts and/or treenuts. My son has both a tree nut and peanut allergy and like you has a reaction just from having it in the air around him, especially if someone drinking hazelnut coffee. I know dounut shops have a lot of peanut allergins in the air and we avoid. We also try to ask people politely not eat things with his allergens to close by or sometimes unfortuately we just have to leave. I hope you are able to figure this thing out soon.

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Fructose Malabsorption

Have you found the fructose malabsorption yahoo group? It’s been very helpful for me trying to track down my family’s problem. They’re Australia based, but they accept members from anywhere.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/fructose_malabsorption_australia/

They have some good links, some good resources, and a lot of people who’ve been through this so have a lot of great advice! :-)

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Need help avoiding coffee!

I could really use some help from anyone who’s sensitive enough that they are experienced in avoiding airborne food allergens.

This time last year, I thought I had no food allergies. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease last August, and within days of going gluten free, my body freaked on me! Whatever allergies I had before (and they were many, it turns out) my body suddenly reacted to them with life threatening severity.

One of the worst is coffee. It’s not a problem that I can’t drink it – I’ve never liked the stuff. But at the moment, if I go into a coffee shop for a few minutes, my throat starts to swell shut. And if I go into a bookstore with a coffee shop attached and stay for a while, my throat starts to swell up – not usually as severe, though. If I stand NEAR people drinking coffee, it’s starting to have an effect.

At first, a little paper mask over my mouth and nose seemed to block whatever was causing the reaction. Now though, twice I’ve worn a paper face mask and gone into a bookstore with attached coffee store, and within an hour, I still started reacting. Sore and swollen throat, felt like I had the flu for the next few days, the usual.

I don’t know what to do if even my little mask won’t help me anymore. EVERYONE drinks coffee here in the States! I can’t go out without running into it at the grocery store, the mall, walking down the sidewalks, everywhere.

Does anyone have a way they deal with this type of allergic response? A type of mask, or inhaler, or a pattern of behavior…anything? Anyone else with a coffee allergy have some advice on places to go to avoid the stuff?

Thanks in advance for any replies. I really appreciate ’em!

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Help Desperate Mum

Oh, the Turtle Mountain added in a soy free product line…last year, I think? It’s coconut milk based instead. We had to go off soy, too, so we’ve used that and it’s very tasty. :-)

Topic: Chef Central / How often did you cook before you had allergies?

Before I had kids, I did a lot more cooking. I used to LOVE baking. After I had kids, I realized that I only liked cooking…
1. When I could focus on it rather than trying to cook and watch kids at the same time.
2. When I wasn’t hungry while trying to cook.

So I didn’t cook as much. I ‘tried’ to, but we had a lot more pre-made foods and ate out a lot more.

Now, myself and my daughter have celiac, my son is gluten intolerant, and there’s a host of other allergies and issues. The limits of my diet are significantly more than my family’s, but for all of us, I’ve had to start cooking everything from scratch. At the moment, I make 3 meals for the family, 3 meals for me, and it takes about 1/3 -1/2 of my day to do it. I must admit, I don’t enjoy that. At all. I miss the convenience of being able to do other things with my time, and getting tasty food to eat while I did it.

I do find, however, that I’m curiously drawn to new ideas on HOW to cook and good recipes to make. I think the part that I find frustrating is that making things from scratch takes so much time, but the food I’m making is just not that GOOD. For me, I’m not surprised. I’m down to 7 foods at the moment (working towards getting more added). There’s just only so much you can do with that.

For the family, though, it’s really upsetting to spend a long time on something that the kids don’t even want to eat. ‘It doesn’t have to taste good to make you not hungry’ has become my family’s mantra, I swear. If I had to take this much time and could make tasty food, I think I’d be less frustrated and more happy to do the work. I think…could be, I’d still miss being lazy, LOL.

Topic: Allergy Support Group / Help Desperate Mum

Hi thanks for the replies have tried some of the orgran products foound them great – pancake mix was a great success!

Must have a look at Turtle Mountain – I forgot to put in the he is also allergic to soya so that may limit us there.

Thanx again :0)