Anaphylaxis

I am 28 years old and have never had any allergic reactions except for hives when I was around 10 years old.  This was determined to have been due to grass or something on the grass.

 

about a week and a half ago I had an unknown anaphylaxis attack.  I ate a small meal of peanut butter on a rice cake, under 10 almonds and a nectarine. about 15 minutes later my sister and I went for a walk.  After maybe a mile, I bent down, petted a cat and 2 dogs (who had recently been treated with something on their fur which I found out about later) and then became dizzy.  A loud buzzing sensation filled my head, my palms and feet began itching, I started getting hives on my throat and neck, my tongue became thick and I had difficulty swallowing.  Following this my face became frozen in a strange position and blew up. 

 

Luckily my sister was able to run home and take me to the ER.  Once I was calm and somewhat better (after vomiting, bowel movement/ and dosages of adrenaline, and benadryl) the doctors told me I probably had a nut allergy.  They sent me home 6 hours later with prednisone.  Early the next week I saw an allergist.  She was very helpful but could not run blood or skin tests because the histamine was still in my system.  So I am waiting.  She told me to take Claritin (even though it can react with other meds I am on) because I could have another reaction.  And to take benardrl if I started experiencing symptoms. 

 

I have been feeling strange ever since the event and have been noticing small reoccurring symptoms of less intensity on and off at seemingly random times. 

 

Last night I ate shrimp and lobster and then experienced a very intense attack flashback.  I had every symptom (on a slightly lesser level) except facial swelling.  Apparently shellfish and berries can aggravate it. 

 

Then again, this morning I had to take another benadryl because the symptoms started up.  I called my doctor and she told me to begin prednisone again and take Claritin in the AM and zyrtec in the PM.

 

I am really concerned because I don’t know what to eat or what to do.  Even now my head is a little buzzy.  I am not eating anything with or manufactured with nuts, nectarines/peaches, and peanut butter- wheat does not seem to bother me.  But I’m really not sure. 

 

Are these recurring symptoms normal after an attack?

 

Sorry this is so long.  If anyone has insight please write.

 

Hello! Nice to meet you and sorry your having a hard time of it.
from what I understand, anaplylaxis is that it can occur at any time and the meds the doctor gave you are only supposed to last til you get to the ER for further treatment.
For allergy testing you'll have to be off certain medications for up to a week before being tested as to have a accurate testing.
Nut allergies are very common but so are cat and dog allergy. You could have been allergic to the cat or dog you touched and not just to the peanuts.
A allergic reaction can happen at any time to any number of things.
It could be the the medications from the ER that are giving you the buzzy feeling as they can stay in your system for awhile yet. Hopefully you'll feel better soon and I send you well wishes in that.
You can do a google search on anaphylaxis, for further infomation,
Hope this information helps.
Keeping a journal as to what you come in contact with will help determine what you can be allergic to.
many well wishes and keep us posted as to how your doing!
The chatrooms here are good if you need to talk to someone.

Thanks for all the good advice;  I am doing much better now.  I still do not know what I am allergic to but will find out in about 2 weeks.  I wish i had know about shellfish- even though it was not what caused the reaction-i had it for dinner one night and almost took a trip back to the hospital! Thank goodness I didn't have to.  i will be glad when i find out what exactly I need to stay away from.

Be Well

OMG I can so relate. It is very frightening and disheartening. You will need to be tested on each of those items and become educated on the "families" each of those food items belong too. Example: I am allgergic to Onions, they are in the Lilly family. included are chives, garlic, leeks, scallions, asparagus. So I can not eat any of those foods either. Also, You do not have to only be concerned with the raw version, they are in many hidden ingredients that are not listed on food labels. I too have become allergic to MANY other things Latex, avocado, white potatoes, wheat, bananas , to list a few. Look for cross bearing foods. I have experienced anaphalaxis at least 5 times in the last 2 years and each time it gets worse. I do not mind the angelina Jolie lips, but the Rocky face has to go, and Breathing would be nice. Get an EPI-Pen!!!!! Good luck 

Hello change,

I have a child who has a severe nut allergy. I found this out when she consumed two pistachio nuts. She swelled up all around her eyes and lips, her throat, she began to feel itchy around her eyes. She was all limp and had bad stomach cramps. She has had three incidences in the past, so I have to be vaery careful of what I give her. I have to check every food label to see if there are any traces of nuts, if there are I do not give it to her. I also have to look at non-food substances e.g. cosmetics, bath fragances etc. If you have a severe allergy, the smell of nuts can also aggravate your symptoms. Even if someone else has eaten nuts this can flare your symptoms, if you have severe nut allergy. Nut allergy can be life threatening, therefore you need to be very careful. Your symptoms do sound like nut allergy, but you need to contact a physician to get a correct diagnosis. 

Take care

change said...

I am 28 years old and have never had any allergic reactions except for hives when I was around 10 years old.  This was determined to have been due to grass or something on the grass.

 

about a week and a half ago I had an unknown anaphylaxis attack.  I ate a small meal of peanut butter on a rice cake, under 10 almonds and a nectarine. about 15 minutes later my sister and I went for a walk.  After maybe a mile, I bent down, petted a cat and 2 dogs (who had recently been treated with something on their fur which I found out about later) and then became dizzy.  A loud buzzing sensation filled my head, my palms and feet began itching, I started getting hives on my throat and neck, my tongue became thick and I had difficulty swallowing.  Following this my face became frozen in a strange position and blew up. 

 

Luckily my sister was able to run home and take me to the ER.  Once I was calm and somewhat better (after vomiting, bowel movement/ and dosages of adrenaline, and benadryl) the doctors told me I probably had a nut allergy.  They sent me home 6 hours later with prednisone.  Early the next week I saw an allergist.  She was very helpful but could not run blood or skin tests because the histamine was still in my system.  So I am waiting.  She told me to take Claritin (even though it can react with other meds I am on) because I could have another reaction.  And to take benardrl if I started experiencing symptoms. 

 

I have been feeling strange ever since the event and have been noticing small reoccurring symptoms of less intensity on and off at seemingly random times. 

 

Last night I ate shrimp and lobster and then experienced a very intense attack flashback.  I had every symptom (on a slightly lesser level) except facial swelling.  Apparently shellfish and berries can aggravate it. 

 

Then again, this morning I had to take another benadryl because the symptoms started up.  I called my doctor and she told me to begin prednisone again and take Claritin in the AM and zyrtec in the PM.

 

I am really concerned because I don’t know what to eat or what to do.  Even now my head is a little buzzy.  I am not eating anything with or manufactured with nuts, nectarines/peaches, and peanut butter- wheat does not seem to bother me.  But I’m really not sure. 

 

Are these recurring symptoms normal after an attack?

 

Sorry this is so long.  If anyone has insight please write.

 

Hi, I don't have any allergies to food, but my son is allergic to shrimp.  You need to avoid any foods with nuts - read all labels, anything manufactured in a plant with nuts must state so on the package. That means keep away from it.  It could be a product you would never think had nuts but if made in the same plant it can be harmful.  Also, avoid any fruits such as strawberries and melon.  Don't eat any shell fish -that means shrimp, crab, lobster.  You probably need an epi pen and you can get a prescription from your dr.  If you get anaphylaxis this will save you. Hope you are doing better and learning what you can and can't eat.  Take care.

Aurora