Food Allergies or Inflammation?

I've been testing myself latley, which sounds absolutely ridiculous, but because I've been doing so well on SCD and off prednisone, I thought what they heck, a few ice creams here, a few sandwiches here... well this stops now.

I just got home from SweetFrogz frozen yogurt to support my friend's Relay For Life fundraiser and had a frozen yogurt. Almost immediately after eating it I couldn't even focus on our conversation feeling ill to my stomach. I got home and went to the bathroom a few times, resulting in mostly d.

But what i'm focusing on are these painful stomach aches that stagger for 2-4 hours at a time. All i can do is sit and just close my eyes. I get these a few times a week now, ever since tapering off prednisone. Accompanied with these stomach aches is fatigue, lightheadedness, facial and back acne/bumps, even on my rump, and this is probably the first time i've had d because of this type of stomach ache.

I already tested negative for alot of foods, including dairy, now i'm wondering if its sugars... my question, do you think its likely inflammation or a food allergy that I have?

Most of us can't handle dairy or large amounts of sugar. Just because you tested negative doesn't mean anything.

Have you ever done a hydrogen breath test for fructose malabsorption? Cramping is one of the side effects of FM. I recently tested positive and cannot eat frozen yogurt either because of the HFCS in it. I immediately get lightheaded, have to take an inhaler (in my case I have asthma) and get a headache then bad D.

You cannot eat fruits with a greater amount of fructose to glucose ratio, some vegetables, no HFCS (plus some other sugars), and no wheat (not because of glutan because it contains fructans). Google fructose malabsorption. Good luck!

Thanks for the responses, Madpotter I'll have to look into that breath test... I really want to get this under control and I just can't help but think its serious food intolerances. No more taking chances, sticking to a gluten free diet right now and will hopefully remain okay.

I would be curious in finding out what component of that frozen yogurt gave me hard time. Is it dairy/fructose/gum or anything else. Agreed, it will be really tough, still that would help pinpointing the culprit.

The point behind this painful task is, like this case you may end up in a situation where you don't know what the stuff contains and 'should' eat it, so if you are specific enough, you can skip the stuff gracefully (and without hurting other's feelings).

Frozen yogurt often has much more lactose and sugar in it than ice cream. I really avoid it these days.

Stereo - I'm concerned about the bumps you are experiencing "on your rump." I know your DRs are considering a Crohn's diagnosis and I'd suggest you tell your DR about these bumps. Sometimes Crohn's can cause painful abscesses around your bottom - they may even be signs of fistulas.

From my point of view, Stereo, what you're experiencing sounds like inflammation in the bowel and not a specific food intolerance. When your bowel is inflamed, all food causes pain. So yeah, you've got a FOOD intolerance. Not an intolerance to sugar or honey or dairy or gluten or ... whatever. An elemental diet (by prescription) is one way to get calories without pain if this is truly what's going on.

You can read about fistulas on the web - I don't think I could give you a good scientific description of them. But some people with Crohn's (or other abdominal injuries) develop connections between the bowel and other organs, including the skin, probably due to inflammation. When a fistula connects to the skin it leaves a wound, sometimes an abscess and not an open wound, where bowel fluids collect and cause infection. They can be very painful and hard to reduce and resolve. Perianal abscesses are pretty common in Crohn's patients, not always related to fistulas but sometimes they are.

I've never had bumps on my rump so I don't know what you're describing. If they're very painful you might try a warm bath with epsom salts to help relieve some of the swelling you've got there.

I think the 23rd isn't too far off in the future, but you can also ask for a phone consult with your DR, or explain to the nurse how you're feeling and perhaps your DR can suggest something to get you some relief between now and next week.

Your stomach pains sound like a possible stomach ulcer, especially because you feel better after you eat.

I agree with much of what people are telling you about not trusting allergy tests, trust your body's reaction instead.
But because you are having pains unrelated to a specific food (if I'm reading correctly) that seems like a different condition.

My friend (non-UC) just spent 2 weeks in the hospital due to an undiagnosed stomach ulcer with massive H. pylori. She's been out for 2 weeks and going back in tomorrow because she's not better and they had trouble getting her bleeding stopped (finding the source).
No family history for her.
23rd is too far away. Please take care. Go to ER if necessary.

stereofidelic89,

I agree with the others, you certainly need to be looked at by a GI.

I think when you cut out the veggie juices, you should also (but separately) cut out the oatmeal - I believe oatmeal contains gluten, no?

Hopefully elimination of those foods will result in enough of symptomatic change that it will be an easy causal relationship to make.