wiskband

Hi all, new here, new to the allergy as well.
Here goes............I am 33 yo f from NY. I have four kids and work as a waitress. I have never been a heavy drinker, I would say perhaps 4 -6 times a year! ( at least during child birth years ). Before that I drank as much as any other single party girl. This past summer I was at a bar and drank a diet coke then ordered a corona. I took a few sips and then it happened. My throat closed and I panicked! I was rushed to the ER were I was finally treated. I had giraffe like size hives, it was incredible! Once I calmed down, the doc said it may have had a reaction to something in the bar. Perhaps the something gross from the soda gun lines. Anyway, the next night, I was curious, I drank a small amount of vodka. It happened again, this time it wasn’t as bad. I did not have to go to the ER. about a month later while at work my customers insisted that I do a shot of So Co with them. Instinctively, I did it forgetting about the prior events. This was the worst yet. Every single organ in my body was affected. I mean I honestly thought I was going to die. Embarrassed by this ( I know that is dumb) I did not call for an ambulance, I quickly took a benadrine and found a quiet corner to calm myself down. Soon after that I went to an allergist. On my second visit, I brought in all the things that had given me this reaction. I was tested (skin *****) with everything I had brought as well as the other standard things. Everything except tree nuts came back negative. This doc was truly a jerk though. I felt he did not believe me and had the nerve to say that my shock was spontaneous! He also stated as well as many other docs that no one can be allergic to alcohol because the molecule is too small. Ok so they all say this but it doesn’t change the fact that when I drink alcohol I almost die!
A few nights later, while I couldn’t sleep, I decided to take some NYQIL! bad news............ although I realized after that this contains alcohol, I had forgotten because I periodically drink NYQUIL
Thankfully the reaction was minor.

Weeks passed and my frustration grew. One night I decided to see if wine ( made by grapes not grains ) would do the same thing! and...........

YUP! It does. SO this time, the reaction was bad and as my husband grabs for my epipen and tries to figure out how to use it, he pricks his own finger. So we both go the ER! YIKES.
I visited yet another allergist. This informed me of the molecule fact but seemed interested in me and my case. He tested me for al the standards as well as certain grains found in alcohol. Everything came back negative! He hasn’t given up on me yet, I am due back to see him next week.

So.......heres the thing. This did happen before. Once when I was about 12, I ate a chocolate bar that contain brazil nuts ( tree nuts were confirmed though). Once again when I was about 24 I drank a chocolate shake in a fancy gourmet shop. Both times, it was not too bad. I have always drank in moderation. Recently, ( in the past two years or so) the only things that have changed n my life are a huge weight gain and then a huge weigh loss, about 65 lbs. I did this by using the low carb method. This past summer, I sunbathed alot. Besides that, nothing is different about me except my age of course. I have been researching this via internet and although, it is confirmed that scientifically, no one can be allergic to alcohol there have been case.... very rare. And, it may not necessarily be the alcohol but the preservatives and/or sulfites that will give reactions. My last resort will be to make my own alcohol and test in the doc care, that is, if he is willing to do that.

My reactions are extreme! I can’t express the process, all I can say is that it feels deadly and I have read that indeed it is life threatening! So here I am, I am putting this out there hoping that someone, somewhere, knows someone that this has happened to or perhaps someone that can help me.


Any information is appreciated!

thanks
Renee