I tried to make this funny, but unfortunately I am not in a ‘funny mood’ at all. In fact, I think I am still in state of complete shock...
You see, I went back to see my Allergy Specialist about two weeks ago because my hypersensitivity to food has gotten really far out of hand. Lately, even when I adhere to an ‘allergy-free’ diet I am still having terrible allergic reactions to food.
Therefore, my Allergy Specialist wanted a full and complete work up, which of course required blood testing for the most precise results.
The other reason for blood tests (rather than scratch testing) was to reveal the CLASS of an allergy. The higher the class, the stronger allergic reaction. The classes of an allergy range from 1-5:
1 = The Least Harmful.
5 = The Highest (most allergic) Class Possible.
The majority of my allergies are between Class 3 and 4, which is not good. My doctor was hoping to see some of the levels decrease from 4’s down to 2’s, but instead, when we got these results, we discovered what was a Class 2 a year ago, is now a Class 4. Clearly, I am moving in the wrong direction.
And if I eat something mixed with one or more of the ingredients listed below combining things I am allergic to, that’s when I face anaphylaxis shock.
[But now I know why I had an allergic reaction to eating SALAD. And just wait until you see why.]
*Drum roll*
The New “Complete List Of Foods I Am Allergic To” Include:
Broccoli-3
Corn-3
Orange-3
Chocolate-2
Tomato -4
Almond-5
Oat-3
Peanut-4
Pecan-4
Potato-3
Rye-4
Soy-3
*Wheat -4
*Gluten-4
Walnut-4
Malt-4
Hazelnut-4
Avocado-3
Cabbage-3
Cauliflower-3
Ginger-2
Kidney beans-2
Celery-3
Pinto bean-3
Grape-2
Grapefruit-3
Cashew-2
Barley-2
Buckwheat-3
Carrot-3
Coconut-1
Green beans-3
Banana-2
Apple-1
Cottonseed-3
Garlic-2
Cucumber-2
Watermelon-2
Paprika-1
Green Peppers-2
Raspberry-3
Mango-3
Parsley-3
Lentil-2
Lettuce-2
Mustard-3
Spinach-3
Peach-2
Lemon-2
Onion-3
Green Pea-2
Rice-2
Sesame-2
Strawberry-3
Oyster-3
Hops-2
Pumpkin-3
Pear-3
Pineapple-2
Millet-3
Asparagus-3
*Are due to the Celiac’s Disease.
Yeah. Um. What?
Celery? Lettuce? Grapes? (All of which were in my salad last night.)
So what is the “course of action” to correct my situation? To avoid any and everything on this list, and any and every product derived from any of these foods for at least 6 months. Then I will have to endure new blood tests to see where I stand as far as any of the class of allergy being lowered.
My doctor told me that even though Class 1 & Class 2 foods won’t necessarily send me into an allergic reaction RIGHT AWAY, they do activate the histamine inside of my body’s chemistry. That basically Class 1 & Class 2 foods “set me up” for having a reaction later on.
However, any food in Class 3, 4, or 5 will IMMEDIATELY cause an allergic reaction.
So, what CAN I EAT?
That’s a good question. I’ll let you know when I find out.
I am supposed to take my lists to a dietician and let him/her figure it out. I can’t even think straight right now…probably becasue I am STARVING.
I think I will go with “Bloody Hell”.
Thank goodness they found out all this
OH MY GOSH and I though my husband’s food allergies were bad. Honey I’m sooo sorry. Rice is #2 so should I send your recipes or not? Oats are on the list too. We use a lot of Oat flour. So are eggs on the list?
It seems you can do grilled chicken and boiled eggs for every meal huh? Let me know how you want me to proceed on the recipe hunt.
VODKA. Vodka is not on the list!!! Neither is sugar. You can eat… vodka jello!
Gah.
I’m sorry, that really is difficult. That SUCKS.
That is bizzard. I hope they can find something for you to eat. And that it tastes good. I didn’t see any meat on the list.
Oh no wait vodka is made from potatoes.
Okay I will also go with “Bloody Hell.”
Claire:
You said it.
WOW:
Um no I can NOT eat RICE and a big fat NO to OAT.
Eggs are OKAY
Amelia:
HA.
Too bad I cant drink Vodka. Its made from POTATO.
And Beer is out with the MALT and HOPS.
“Bloody Hell” is about right!
Blondie:
All I can eat is meat & fish!
Gosh, I have never heard of such a heavy allergic reaction to so many foods. You have a battle ahead of you, but YOU will get through it on day at a time, one meal at a time. Keep you chin up dear. 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about your food allergies. A year and a half ago, my hands started swelling up when I was preparing shrimp for my wife for mothers day. A few weeks later, I had my annual physical scheduled with my general practitioner. She ran a complete set of blood tests and the blood tests came back with me being listed as allergic to all kinds of food.
She recommended that I speak with an allergist, and the allergist several series of scratch tests. When I asked the allergist about how I showed positive on blood tests, but not on scratch tests, she had a very different take on things. Her view was that blood tests didn’t mean anything if there wasn’t a corresponding response on the scratch test. I don’t recall the exact details, but she spoke about false positives in blood tests, since blood tests only show the antibodies to an allergen, which doesn’t not necessarily mean an allergic reaction to the allergen.
So, while on the blood tests I should significant allergies to wheat and corn, they didn’t show up in the scratch tests, and she said I shouldn’t worry about them. However, in my case, the various seafood allergies showed up in both tests and she strongly advised me to avoid them.
I was particularly concerned initially about corn allergy, because corn is used in just about everything. Juices and sodas often have corn syrups. It was amazing the list of products with corn products.
Fortunately, I didn’t have any reaction to peanuts, because they are also used in just about everything these days. Several of the kids at my daughter’s school have bad peanut allergies, so nothing that even has the slightest chance of cross-contamination with peanuts is allowed in the school.
All of that said, with just the wheat, corn and nut allergies, let alone everything else, you’ve got a rough task ahead. I hope your dietician can come up with some good food options for you.
Worse than my son for sure. Most of his allergies are to microscopic molds & fungi. Food allergies are basic wheat, dairy, blah, blah, blah.
But I’m scanning this and don’t see spinach..apricots..limes…quinoa…jicama…avocado…dairy, fish, and MEAT. w00t! Send for the bacon girl. Party on.
Actually, it sucks. Want I should make you some recipes? I know of a killer avocado soup. It’s amazing.
Debho:
I am freaking STARVING. And ANGRY about this.
Aldo:
Besides the fact that I have an allergic reaction EVERY OTHER DAY OF THE WEEK, my scratch tests and my blood tests proved that I am in fact allergic to all of these items listed. There is no way around it.
And, I AM allergic to CORN & PEANUT. Big. Time.
Which are in ALMOST everything.
I am screwed.
*I am really sorry if my tone seems abrupt. I am just really beside myself right now*
KellyPea:
AVOCADO & SPINACH are on the list.
I CRIED when I saw that.
🙁
Yes. I CAN have dairy, fish & meat.
But how terrible are they going to be with no lemon and no garlic…not even PARSLEY.
What The Hell?
Maybe I will eat a block of cheddar cheese for dinner.
Gee Mel, I don’t know what to say. What do you eat, seriously? We easily take things for granted and just stuff things in our mouths…I’ve never heard or read any thing like this. Just be careful as I’m sure you are…when you get the results back of what you can eat, lemme know. I’m curious.
How about chicken breasts wrapped in bacon with a cheese topping? 🙂
What I really want to say isn’t suitable for your nice blog. So I’ll just say “Darn” instead. I’m so sorry you got that long list, but yes, I agree a dietitian will be able to help. My sister-in-law is an RD and can come up with some amazing combinations for recipes for people with special dietary needs. Find one soon and things won’t look so bleak. Rooting for you!!!
Valerie:
I dont even know what to do with myself.
I am pacing around my house chain smoking cigarettes.
LETTUCE?
CELERY?
I mean gimme a break!
Claire:
Yes. YES. Yes.
I think I CAN eat that….
My girlfriends are trying to drag me out of the house tonight to get my mind off of this.
Maybe I will go out & special order that in the restaurant?
I might be too mad to go anywhere….
Kathy:
Thank you sooo much.
I appreciate your support and the HOPE that a PROFESSIONAL will be able to assist me.
I am just really trying to take this all in.
That’s on HECK of a long list.
sending hugs (((()))) That is a crazy long list – but there has to be some good food out there-right???
well… take care mate… the doctors scare us too much… jus eat the least allergic ones… atleast now you know the ones to avoid…
I thought it was shock seeing your list of foods you listed on Twitter last night – but this bigger list has me stunned now.
I don’t know what I’d do except go Bloody Hell !
(((Hugs)))
Darn ! Why do I forget to change my e-mail addy ?
Hugs, we’ll find you food and I will create recipes you can eat!
On the upshot, you’ll lose any weight you want…
I do not see Vodka on the list!? {{{{{{{{{LOVE & HUGS}}}}}}}}
Holy Hell girl. My hubby has Celiac….and I know how difficult just that can be.
I hope this doctor can do SOMETHING to help you.
Hugs and best wishes!
HUH???!!!
I re-read the list a few times. Honey, what are you going to do?!
Wait, I don’t see alligator, beetles, and monkeys on the list. Perhaps you are destined to be the first person in NJ eating monkey meat?!
Oh, this is so daunting. There is a good Aussie expression that pretty much means the same as ‘Bloody Hell’. It is STREWTH. I am shaking my head while thinking how unfair it is that one person should have to put up with so much. I’m sure a dietitian can help you, but it’s the hidden ingredients in things that are the problem, isn’t it? As well as suddenly developing an allergy to something you weren’t allergic to before.
Sending you all my love. I am praying your allergic reactions to things eases off soon. Lots of HUGS XXXXOOOOOXXXXX
HOLY CRAP. I would die. End of story. I’m so sorry!!
No freaking way. I am totally in shock. Seriously, what is left? I can NOT WAIT to hear what the dietician says. You need to make that appointment STAT! This is just the most insane thing I’ve ever seen! You poor thing! My turn to pray for YOU.
Darn, that sucks Meleah! I’m at a loss for words!
Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. This bites!
I know I can’t even imagine what you’re going through, but if it helps, I actually work with two people who have this and although it was tough figuring things out, they have found a way to eat safely and even enjoy it much of the time. I hope that ends up being true for you too.
Skipper:
I love you….
Play with your NEW MAC for me?
Arv:
Thanks Dood.
Jaffer:
Bloody Hell is the word(s)!
Courtney:
Oh Ill loose weight.
I can sell this as a miracle diet.
I look like …. a holocaust survivor already!
Olga:
Vodka = Made From Potatoes = DEATH.
boooooooooo
Mrs Schmitty:
THANK YOU.
RMH:
Maybe I will. Maybe I will!
xxoo
Selma:
Bloody Hell seems to be the theme of this post.
I love you
xxoo
Mike:
Thanks Dood.
Can I borrow your sense of humor for a day?
Momo Fali:
Ive been too busy praying for you to even pay attention to my ‘issues’…
But….I am taking a lesson from YOU.
I will find a way to make this FUNNY.
Somehow.
Nick:
Me too.
Terri:
I need all the HOPE I can get my hands on.
xxoo
Horrible! I can’t even think of what you could eat you poor girl! I could go crazy without chocolate and salad and cereal. Eggs — you can eat eggs…ugh! I’m so sorry!
WATER — you can drink water. But I can’t drink water without lemon…oh crap!
On the bright side, barley and millet aren’t that exciting anyway.
I feel for you. I’ll be interested to see what you CAN eat. Looks like you could have a grilled cheese sandwich without the bread. So, fish, meat and dairy are okay? Can you have cheese-encrusted fish? Fish broiled in milk? Milkshakes? I didn’t see black pepper on the list–can you have pepper steak? Bacon and eggs?
What about seasonings like rosemary and thyme?
Gin, then!
rjlight:
People in PRISON will eat better than me over the next few months….
DCR:
Bacon & Eggs is a GO…
and the fastest way to Congestive Heart Failure!
Olga:
If that’s my only choice….
Oh hon I am so sorry. Wow! My poor friend. I would be so hungry as well. I freaked when we found out our son was allergic to peanuts but WOW! I feel so bad, I can’t even suggest a food or dish to you. I will keep you in my prayers. Everything will work out. Hang in there, easier said then done I know hun.
*Hugs*
‘Bloody Hell’ I agree with Selma on that!
It never rains, but it pours. I’m sorry that this old adage has come true in your life.
I think that a Registered Dietitian (RD) can help. They are better to have then a nutritionist. An RD needs to have a bachelor’s degree, complete an exam like an RN does. A nutritionist doesn’t.
An RD can give you a list of food that you CAN eat, plus recipes, and other tips.
I tried to come up with some better words than what’s become the standard in this thread but I just cannot.
Bloody Hell, Meleah – I’m really sorry you’re dealing with all this.
If it gets bad enough, I know the Chinese make Vodka out of rice and that’s only a Category 2 for you, vs a Cat 3 (spuds). I’m almost to a million frequent flyer miles now so I’d happily help sponsor a trip to Hong Kong for you. 🙂
Damn Meleah, that couldn’t suck ass anymore than it already does. Look at it this way, your not gonna get fat anytime soon. I’m so sorry sweetie, I hope things start to look up for you. Thinking of you…….XXXXOOO
🙁 that IS a big list… little can be said Meleah except make echo to the voices of all who have expressed their concern and provided whatever support can be.
Looking at the list, is there something that could be determined to be the common culprit element within in all those foods?…
I haven’t time to read all the responses, so forgive me if I repeat what someone else has said.
Firstly, you need to go on an elimination diet. A friend of mine had to do this, and was on literally one or two items for weeks, but is now back at the point where she can eat a more varied diet. You may need to start with something like millet. And millet. 🙁
Celery is a famous allergen, and I believe it’s not unknown to have a grape allergy. Never heard of lettuce, I must admit! Is this common or garden ‘lettuce’ lettuce, or one of the fancy ones like radicchio?
Good luck – I’m sure your allergist will be giving you some pretty clear guidelines and helping you through this. Many hugs to you. *HUGS*
OOps. Just noticed millet is on the list too! Well, different things work for different people. My friend was on mostly fish at one point – and that would have sent me straight to the emergency department!
Malibu Rum! Lol…seriously, sorry to hear this. Crossing my fingers for you.
Sorry to hear about your predicament. I love your sense of humor!
Betty:
I am TOTALLY freaked out.
xxoo
A I R:
“I think that a Registered Dietitian (RD) can help. They are better to have then a nutritionist. An RD needs to have a bachelor’s degree, complete an exam like an RN does. A nutritionist doesn’t.”
Yep. That’s my game plan for today.
(Wednesday)
After the crappy IOP classes.
🙂
SoLow:
I’m way toooooo scared of airplanes!
The Girl I Will Bring Home to Momma:
Thanks pumpkin.
xxoo
Rog:
No common characters. just a whole lotta things I cant eat for at LEAST 6 months…
🙁
Jay:
Yep I have to eat really limited foods for the next 6 months to calm down whatever is going on in this broken body of mine.
*sigh*
Noemi:
Thanks for the support
Shamelle:
Too bad I didnt say anything funny.
Millet?
Are you a friggin’ parrot?
Good thing ‘penis’ wasn’t on the list.
Would suck for you to have to go find another job with all this going on.
Shit. I wish I had something clever or encouraging to say. I am stumped.
Many, many, many hugs, Meleah. It’s unfair you have this cross to bear.
Also – that was my sly attempt at lightening the situation.
If it worked, you’re welcome. I accept checks, money orders and PayPal.
If not…sorry about that.
My god, yeah, what CAN you eat. Well I didn’t see steaks. So one day soon I’ll buy you a steak for lunch maybe a side o’ asparagus. Hang in there honey, I’m sure the nutritionist will come up with something for you.
i wouldn’t even begin to know how to comfort you on this topic meleah… i can only hope you can find a dietitian that can help you make sense of this… and i have to wonder about aldo’s comment… would it be worth it to try the skin test match up in an effort to perhaps narrow down the list??
Can I send you a sympathy Gluten Free cuppie cake???
Boo hoo…I know this sucks.
I have GERD (not the same I know, but the thought of FOOD RESTRICTIONS for a FOODIE is AWFUL) – anyhow, when they gave me my list of things I can no longer/should no longer eat, if I wanted to stop the acid from burning gaping holes in my esophagus (sorry for being graphic) – I laughed and asked the gastrointologist if he expected me to eat BOILED CHICKEN FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!??!!???
So I understand your frustration…hang in their girl! 🙂
I’m sorry. Would you mind telling me what you can eat? I think it may be a shorter list that way. OK… Let me stop. But wow… It must be hard going out to eat.