This sounds stupid, yes.

But imagine you can't eat all the things you like anymore.

My thoughts and stomach go out to you... .

Wow this sucks I'm sorry that you're allergic to all those things. And yes, it does sound stupid.

James

That's sad

It would drive me insane.

Hi Edward,

getting such a diagnosis feels like you're floating in a nice little inflatable dinghy in the middle of a huge lake with not a single care in the world when you suddenly hear that dreaded "Pshhhhhh...."

Looks like we're in the same boat.

Figuratively speaking, that is.

I myself have amassed a rather "impressive" collection of allergies over the last two decades and learned that not all are as bad as they look on paper.

First of all, all my tests show a very strong allergic reaction to any kind of fish, fruit, milk, eggs and most vegetables. I once asked the doctor at the specialised clinic where I've been tested why I'm able to eat lots of things from that list without problems and others in moderation. He essentially told me that these tests are far from accurate in so far as they tend to show a lot of false or "unrealistic" positive results. By unrealistic I mean some like my fish allergy that would only become an issue if I had skin contact with raw fish (It's true, I need to scrub my hands very thoroughly after handling fish for cooking to avoid reactions, same with potatoes).

Since I have no trouble falling asleep without cuddling my pet salmon, I'm not affected by that one. :wacko:

Another one: I'm really extremely allergic to any kind of nut (peanuts being the worst, followed by hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, etc.) but I can eat Nutella (I don't know if you have itin the US) that's supposed to be made of 13% hazelnuts. My guess is that the intense heat during the manufacturing process destroys some or even all allergens. My GP knows lots of similar cases.

From what you've written, I'm guessing that you already suffer from allergies to pollen and some foods but now got that gargantuan list of new potential (!) threats that made you feel like your (culinary) life is over.

I'd say that if it was that severe, you'd already have noticed. I know some really extreme cases such as a little boy that can't eat anything that made of fruit, eggs or any kind of grain (including all breads and pastries!). I've personally witnessed him developing eczema and a full blown asthma attack just from being in the same room with a bowl of fresh fruit (that he couldn't even see, ruling out that the reaction was part of a learned pattern). That was beyond scary!

Believe it or not, he was still a happy child whose every smile was a lesson in humility for me.

So basically, if you've had no trouble with most of these foods before, there's no need to panic. Those cross allergies almost always show up in the tests along with the matching pollen (which I'm guessing were the first allergies to make themselves known to you). Your doctor has to inform you about the risks and make sure you know that you should be on the lookout for reactions. Like I said, don't panic but be cautious around the foods on that list.

Nevertheless, please be especially careful around fruit! The exotic ones are by far the riskiest! Mangoes and Kiwis are supposed to be the most extremes as far as allergens go - that comes from someone who almost died from tasting a tiny piece of mango... That's not an experience I'd like to repeat!

Pesticides and other chemicals seem to make reactions much worse, by the way. For example, I can enjoy strawberries from our garden in moderation but even a single store bought one makes my throat swell shut. The same goes for apples and many vegetables such as broccoli or bell peppers.

I hope you can make some sense of what I've written despite the long sentences and my overuse of parentheses. English is not my native language but reading your blog entry made me remember what I felt like when I was diagnosed with all these allergies so I felt I just had register at GA to share some of my experiences living with them for the past twenty-something years.

I'm only scratching the surface here, so if you've got any questions, please ask!

Take care,

Blackguard (a fellow cook)

PS: I've managed to lose some weight, too - despite the allergies.

I guess you can say that I'm half the man I used to be...

Hi Edward,

 

 

getting such a diagnosis feels like you're floating in a nice little inflatable dinghy in the middle of a huge lake with not a single care in the world when you suddenly hear that dreaded "Pshhhhhh...."

Looks like we're in the same boat.

Figuratively speaking, that is.

 

 

I myself have amassed a rather "impressive" collection of allergies over the last two decades and learned that not all are as bad as they look on paper.

 

First of all, all my tests show a very strong allergic reaction to any kind of fish, fruit, milk, eggs and most vegetables. I once asked the doctor at the specialised clinic where I've been tested why I'm able to eat lots of things from that list without problems and others in moderation. He essentially told me that these tests are far from accurate in so far as they tend to show a lot of false or "unrealistic" positive results. By unrealistic I mean some like my fish allergy that would only become an issue if I had skin contact with raw fish (It's true, I need to scrub my hands very thoroughly after handling fish for cooking to avoid reactions, same with potatoes).

 

Since I have no trouble falling asleep without cuddling my pet salmon, I'm not affected by that one. :wacko:

 

Another one: I'm really extremely allergic to any kind of nut (peanuts being the worst, followed by hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, etc.) but I can eat Nutella (I don't know if you have itin the US) that's supposed to be made of 13% hazelnuts. My guess is that the intense heat during the manufacturing process destroys some or even all allergens. My GP knows lots of similar cases.

 

From what you've written, I'm guessing that you already suffer from allergies to pollen and some foods but now got that gargantuan list of new potential (!) threats that made you feel like your (culinary) life is over.

 

I'd say that if it was that severe, you'd already have noticed. I know some really extreme cases such as a little boy that can't eat anything that made of fruit, eggs or any kind of grain (including all breads and pastries!). I've personally witnessed him developing eczema and a full blown asthma attack just from being in the same room with a bowl of fresh fruit (that he couldn't even see, ruling out that the reaction was part of a learned pattern). That was beyond scary!

 

Believe it or not, he was still a happy child whose every smile was a lesson in humility for me.

 

So basically, if you've had no trouble with most of these foods before, there's no need to panic. Those cross allergies almost always show up in the tests along with the matching pollen (which I'm guessing were the first allergies to make themselves known to you). Your doctor has to inform you about the risks and make sure you know that you should be on the lookout for reactions. Like I said, don't panic but be cautious around the foods on that list.

 

Nevertheless, please be especially careful around fruit! The exotic ones are by far the riskiest! Mangoes and Kiwis are supposed to be the most extremes as far as allergens go - that comes from someone who almost died from tasting a tiny piece of mango... That's not an experience I'd like to repeat!

 

Pesticides and other chemicals seem to make reactions much worse, by the way. For example, I can enjoy strawberries from our garden in moderation but even a single store bought one makes my throat swell shut. The same goes for apples and many vegetables such as broccoli or bell peppers.

 

 

I hope you can make some sense of what I've written despite the long sentences and my overuse of parentheses. English is not my native language but reading your blog entry made me remember what I felt like when I was diagnosed with all these allergies so I felt I just had register at GA to share some of my experiences living with them for the past twenty-something years.

 

I'm only scratching the surface here, so if you've got any questions, please ask!

 

 

Take care,

 

Blackguard (a fellow cook)

 

 

 

PS: I've managed to lose some weight, too - despite the allergies.

I guess you can say that I'm half the man I used to be...

Good to know I am not the only one with this problem.

All my test only showed major reactions to grasses, pollens, dust and mold. Nothing else.... all these cross reactions is a pain. I

The doctor said that if I eat the food and itch that it's not a good sign and to avoid the food because I run the risk of having a serious reaction because they can get worse as they go along. They aren't bad enough that I need an eppi pen.... yet. But I make sure to keep track of what I eat in case I need a trip to the ER.

The food reactions came after I had a severe allergic reaction to a medication, a muscle relaxer. The hospital said it wasn't the meds, but food. The Allergist said my symptoms fit a medication reaction and not food.

I admit being a cook and loving to eat has made it difficult, but since I just started working after long unemployment I can't afford any missed days... since I work in call center for a US based Cell phone carrier.

But imagine you can't eat all the things you like anymore.

I love to make Italian food which has lots of Tomato Sauce... Lasagna, Spaghetti, Pizza and other things.

One of my other favorite foods Stuffed cabbage is cooked in Tomato soup.....

So I have been majorly bummed.

My co-workers think I am strange since I don't eat much....

Thanks Everyone for your comments.... makes me feel a whole lot better.