Fibromyalgia and Allergic Reactions

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 4 years ago. After the initial start of the symptoms things have been relatively calm for the last 4 years. about 9 months ago I stopped taking meds for the pain/anxiety and was doing fine without them. Two months ago I had an anaphylactic allergic reaction to either Cipro or Flagyl, we're not sure which one. I'm considered allergic to both now. Anyway, since I had such a severe reaction I am now more likely to be an "allergic person". This scares me of course because who needs more problems! I was never really an allergic person before. Does anyone else have an increase in allergies since getting Fibromyalgia? I never considered this before, but could it all be a part of the package?

Since my reaction two months ago EVERYTHING has continued to spiral out of control. I was on Prednisone and loads of antihistamines every day to keep the reaction under control. I supposedly had viral pharyngitis at the same time of the allergic reaction (I was on the antibiotics for what they thought was diverticulitis) and as a result of either the pharyngitis or allergic reaction (or both) I am now stuck with a raspy hoarse voice and have vocal cord paresis that requires voice therapy. My pain has been horrible throughout the ordeal, I have had 3 terrible bouts of costochondritis (which I never had before) since stopping the Prednisone. I have had ups and downs in energy and weeks of absolutely no energy - my Dr. even tested for mono which was negative! I haven't been eating much since before the reaction because my stomach has been crazy (I was scheduled for a colonoscopy last month and had to postpone to later this month due to all the craziness with the reaction). A few weeks ago I lost my appetite and as a result of that got extremely dehydrated without noticing because I was sleeping all the time. I have been having palpitations and PVCs/bigeminy (currently waiting for the results of the 24 hour holter and echo) and have an appointment with a cardiologist in 2 weeks. I basically feel like I'm back to where I was with my original symptoms creeping in one by one and needing to go through ALL of the tests again! Waiting on the results of the autoimmune panel too. I think a lot of the problems had to do with coming off the Prednisone and that messing things up, but things just continue to keep coming up! I'm just so frustrated at this point.

Anyone else out there suffer from any allergies that might be able to shed some light on how they effect Fibromyalgia or vice versa?

Hi...I have developed allergies to many things over the years, the lastest being nuts and legumes, even coconut.  I was 55 years old and the doctor seemed amazed that this would happen at such a late stage in life.  Had anyaphylaxsis from a shot of morphine after surgery and then demerol...then codeine.  Also many anti-biotics now give me a rash.  I cannot get a flu shot because of the sulfites...allergic.  MSG...allergic.  OTC cold medications make my heart pound out of my chest...even those without ephederine.  You should see me try to eat in a restaurant or at someone's house...have to ask if they cook with peanut oil...if they use MSG...it's a pain.  Some of these allergies can be life threatening so I have to be very careful and read labels...especially the nut allergy.  I don't know if this is fibro related but I do know that fibromites are very sensative to many chemicals, odors, preservatives etc.

Donna

I either have incredible tolerance to medications after taking them twice, or I react violently to them (ex. tripled my heart rate.) I even have negative reactions to alcohol, and not just the reactions some people have to tannins. At this point, I can't imagine that there's anything to blame but the fibromyalgia. I also had to be on high doses of prednisone, plus a corticosteroid cream, and still had to get an injection of additional prednisone to get over poison ivy and a couple dozen bug bites on my feet. I don't know why, but I'm with you that our bodies tend to over- or under-react to things.

Post Edited (hermia01) : 11/5/2010 10:31:19 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Frankey...the only anaphylaxsis reaction I had was to morphine and demerol.  The nut allergy was not as severe...I was eating cashews like I had done a million times before and I started to sweat and my heart started pounding...got a ridge of welts on my stomach.  I didn't even think about the nuts causing it at the time as I always thought of that as a 'child allergy'.  The second time it happened I figured it out and went to the allergist.  I don't carry and epi-pen and would probably lose it even if I did, but I do keep benadryl in my purse. 

Coping with it isn't easy but I just read labels and ask questions when I eat out.  Many restaurants use peanut oil to fry food in as it is so cheap so I check it out every time.  I have a list of the medications I am allergic to in my wallet.  I don't think about developing any more...what I do think about is that I have not taken anything stronger than Advil/Tylenol for pain for at least 25 years due to my reactions to drugs and what would happen if I needed a narcotic. 

It's very difficult to stay clear of the things we are allergic to when the wording on labels is disguised...'Natural Flavorings...autolylized Yeast/Corn Protein' are just MSG...meat tenderizer is MSG.  Last Thanksgiving we went to my sons house and they had a Butterball Turkey...it is injected with a broth solution that is loaded with nitrates, salt/ MSG so I had to pass on the bird...it is embarrassing and makes me seem like a picky eater.  Oh well!

Hang in there and try not to think too much about it.  There was a point where I wouldn't eat at anyone else's house because I hated to ask what they cooked with...life became very tense and confining.

Donna

My existing allergies have gotten much worse the last couple of years. I was just officially diagnosed w/Fibro this Spring. I had a slight cold and mowed the yard on a riding lawn mower. The grass flew in my face. Two or three days later I was in the doctors office having a breathing treatment and high dosages of prednisone and inhalers. My asthma reared its ugly head in a big way. Now I have to take Advair every day, along with Zyrtec and I have a rescue inhaler. I was also taking Prevacid, a proton pump inhibitor, and found out I am allergic to all of those, too. I broke out in hives and was miserable. Yuck! My doctor told me she didn't have any other patients who were allergic to that type medication. Sigh. Some medications work the opposite on me. For instance, if the med is supposed to make you sleepy, it makes me hyper. If it has a side effect of making a person hyper, it makes me sleepy. I am also allergic to many, many antibiotics. I can take them five or six times and then the reaction starts. Tetracylcine gives me a high fever and turns my skin red all over. That was a scary one. The proton pump inhibitors made my throat swell and it was hard to swallow/breathe. That was the scariest of all. So, I guess it would seem that a lot of fibro patients have significant allergies. I haven't seen any literature to that effect, but the antedotal evidence is there. Peace, V

Thank you all for your comments!  It is really helpful to be able to come here and pick everyone's brains.  I think I'll ask my Dr. about allergy testing (preferably the blood test and not skin test).  Then we can see what's going on - at least right now.  I understand that our bodies change and more allergies may begin to come on over time.  I am trying to not think about it too much and just live my life. 

I have been told to be careful with medications in the future as I'm going to probably face a few more intolerances and allergies.  Of course this makes me a little nervous for the next antibotic I'll need, but hopefully the reactions in the future won't be as bad as this past one.

I have also noticed since being diagnosed that my tolerance to alcohol is much much lower!  I truly believe that as they learn more and more about Fibro there will be many connections that we can all make

Thank you all again!

I have multiple environmental and medication allergies along with asthma. I don't have any food allergies at this time. I've had allergies all of my life, and I've had fibro (diagnosed) for about 12 years. I take two antihistamines daily along with other allergy/asthma meds, and I have taken allergy injections for several years.

I'm pretty sensitive to other medications (ones I've not actually had an allergic reaction to), scents, smoke, adhesives (bandaids), etc. I also break out in hives easily and have dermatographic urticaria, which means that I get hives just from something rubbing against or scratching my skin. No jewelry for me.

Frankey, some people with Fibromyalgia have been misdiagnosed and really have a mast cell disorder such as mastocytosis.
Few doctors know about it and even fewer can diagnose it.
Go to the mastocytosis web site for more info.
This sounds like what you have.
(Could have both Fibromyalgia AND mastocytosis, but since symptoms overlap, it might only be the masto, too.)

http://www.tmsforacure.org/welcome.php

I have developed a kazillion sensitivities, but I do not go into shock.
Shock and the need for epi pen points to mastocytosis, especially since you have so many triggers.

I am new to this site, but looking everywhere for some helpful advice! I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 6 years ago. I have tried every antidepressant known to man and am allergic to all of them, causing suicidal tendencies as well as a whole list of other bad side effects. Doctor has told me that I am in the 1% of the population that cannot have them. I am also allergic to lyrica, neurontin and fentanyl. Currently I am taking 10/325 Norco and half of a 5 mg valium. They don't help much but seems as I am allergic to almost EVERY medication my doctor and I are at a loss as to what else to do for me! I have also tried a vegan diet with no helpful effects. It only made my exhaustion worse. If anyone out there has some helpful advice of where to go from here I would be eternally grateful!!!

I seem to be allergic to forced air heat. I am sick from the time the furnace comes on in the fall til it goes off in the spring. I am also allergic to air conditioning. This seems to be mostly at home and I have lived several places to try to find a better environment. All houses are clean and most haven't shown visible mold. This is very frustrating and exhausting. Allergy meds and immunotherapy do not help. I feel that this is a major contributor to my issues but what came first? The allergies or the condition? Think I'm allergic to MSG also. Just ate some Eden chips that are a high quality food product and my stomach cramped up bad. I ended up in the bathroom 2x. I looked at the bag and "natural flavors" were listed. I wonder if this term always refers to MSG. The list goes on. I'm in the midst of a flare now also.