Wheat Allergy? - Allergies Message Board

xemcats · 11-20-2001, 11:49 PM

Hi, allergy board. =o)

Around the beginning of September, I began a healthy diet, consisting of mainly whole grains, vegetables, and the like. I never even considered that whole grains can be so common of an allergy, affecting 1 out of 200 people. Nowhere in the articles and literature I read did it say anything about the frequency of wheat allergy.

About a month ago I began having breathing problems, and went to the emergency room. They did a chest x-ray, and checked my arterial blood gas levels. My chest x-ray was the best they'd seen all week, the nurse said, but my oxygen level was at 126, instead of the normal 100. They told me I was just hyperventilating, and sent me home. However, the breathing problem never went away, and now, a month later, it still occurs. My breathing pattern mimics the way I breathe when I am very full. It's shallow breathing, not particularly rapid, that is very unsatisfying. I breathe like this until I'm able to yawn, and then I feel comfortable again for a few minutes.

Could this be a symtom of a wheat allergy? I haven't had any other lifestyle changes that I can think of, and no other foods have ever given me allergies. The breathing trouble is sometimes accompanied by heartbeat irregularities, as well.

Thank you so much for your help,
Emily (xemcats)

jenster15 · 12-28-2001, 02:37 PM

Hi Emily! I also have a wheat allergy (as well as dairy). But I don't know about the breathing thing. Have you looked into alternative medicine and a holistic doctor? I would be really scared if I kept having trouble breathing. Are you under any extra stress? Getting enough fruits and vegies (and nuts...)?

Respond to my post, I hope that you are ok and on your way to feeling better!

Jen

RayRob · 01-03-2002, 02:08 PM

Xemcats,

If it is a malabsorption problem you are having,you may want to try taking enzymes. I use papaya enzymes and a brand called omnigest. Look for something in your health food store which has the enzymes that aid in breaking down gluten. The good health foods store staff should be able to help you as well (I personally avoid the big commerical stores).

Food allergies can be difficult to detect. The best way is by doing a process of elimination and gradually introduce foods back into your diet to see if there is a change.

It's virtually impossible to eliminate certains foods, like wheat, not to mention expensive. However, if the allergy isn't that bad the enzymes may work.