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Topic Summary

Posted by: lakeswimr
« on: December 21, 2012, 07:45:00 PM »

Hi There!   :bye:

Testing can not diagnose a food allergy by itself.  At best it is only 50% accurate but more recent studies have shown it is less than 20% accurate for positive results.  So, those may be false positives.  I recommend you see an allergist who specializes in food allergies.

What symptoms lead you to food allergy testing in the first place?  Typical IgE food allergy symptoms are things like hives, itchiness, swelling, breathing trouble, vomiting, chest tightness, dizziness, faintness (in more severe cases), drop in blood pressure (in more severe cases), etc.  These occur almost immediately to up to about 30 or 45 min of eating almost always and within 2 hours 99.9% of the time.  If you have not seen these types of symptoms then I'd think you are dealing with false positives or at least some false positives.  I'd see an allergist who knows food allergies. 
Posted by: twinturbo
« on: December 16, 2012, 02:58:04 PM »

Good, you have your meds.

Avoidance of peanuts and tree nuts is going to be based largely if you have any tolerance for cross-contamination or not, loosely called "may contains". It is perpetually frustrating because there is no law which requires manufacturers, suppliers, etc., to disclose manufacturing information including shared production lines and associated policies which include deciding for consumers whether their cleaning process eliminates all risk (hint: it does not).

To not overwhelm you yet provide a concise indoctrination, all items will be on a continuum of low risk to high risk based on your risk profile a.k.a. "comfort zone" which is affected by manufacturer products and practice.

Read every label every time.
Call the manufacturer if you are at all hesitant. Be prepared to hear a scripted and unhelpful response.
Ask here if others have tried it with success as a one data point of many.
You'll eventually find a semi-totating list of manufacturing practices you're willing to take risk to consume.

Gluten is tough, but probably tougher in a sense for me than you. If it's inly the gluten proteins and not the others you need worry about and it's an intolerance digestion issue the you could likely go by package claims to be gluten free. I have a child anaphylactic to wheat, barley and rye in the same manner my other is allergic to peanut so we must avoid all proteins not only gluten and it is not a digestive issue but involves the same IgE mechanism.

I'm still not super sure where you're at on "gluten free" as an intolerance because allergists don't diagnose intolerances and will forward that on to a reputable GI specialist for investigation of Celiac. Nonetheless, to play it safer for you I'll assume an actual allergy. Others here deal with Celiac and are going to be able to sort that out better.

ETA: Definitely look in the sesame subforum due to its status as an unregulated allergen in the US.
Posted by: AlwaysAngela
« on: December 16, 2012, 01:36:58 PM »

Thank you for your response!  Yes I was tested and am definitely allergic to the above listed foods.  Sorry for no clarifying that more in the post.  I do carry an EpiPen and have liquid benadryl with me and at my home at all times.  I have severe stomach issues with the gluten side of the allergies (ie- wheat, barley) but swelling, not able to breath, with the peanut, almond and sesame allergies. 

I am becoming a pro label reader and adjusting my diet accordingly.  I think the biggest problem is the cooking of breads, desserts, etc. and getting the gluten free flours to blend correctly, as well as what sauces contain. 

Again thank you for your response and look forward to regaining control of my life! :)
Posted by: twinturbo
« on: December 13, 2012, 01:45:17 PM »

If you are not familiar with IgE-mediated allergic reactions and anaphylaxis then that would be the best starting point for you because that's what we and our children have and will address in our inquiries and replies. Because you wrote intolerances and being diagnosed as "allergic" via testing to nuts most find out through adult onset anaphylaxis.

Closing that gap of medical diagnostic and reaction history would let others know how they can best help. Otherwise we may continually be out of synch.

And if you have a history of anaphylaxis to nuts make sure through your allergist or primary to get epinephrine auto-injectors, learn how to use, get medical ID, learn how to protect integrity of the epinephrine. Right now the only injector on the market is EpiPen but wihin the next three months the Auvi-Q should be available. You may want to look into keeping liquid or fast melt Benadryl on hand as well. No matter if you were diagnosed as intolerant, if you are experiencing symptoms like IgE-mediated get the epinephrine first immediately, then get to a board certified immunologist who understands food anaphylaxis specifically.
Posted by: AlwaysAngela
« on: December 13, 2012, 10:26:19 AM »

Hello all.  I am 43 and after years of being miserable with health issues, after many test, I have finally been told that I am allergic to peanuts, sesame seeds, almonds, wheat, barley, cantaloupe, and watermelon.  I have been placed on a gluten free and nut free diet.  Any advice or websites that will help me on this new journey are appreciated. 

Best of luck to you all!