I'll give you a brief background. I've had severe seasonal allergies since I was a small child. They run in my family. I've had all the testing and been on every medication known to man. I've always just dealt with it though.

I've also always had almost daily headaches, some bad, some not. And I also suffer from what was previously diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome where I could barely get through a meal without having to use the bathroom - including cramping, etc.

About a month ago, immediately after eating lunch, I had an allergic reaction that sent me to the ER - hives, sunburned looking skin, swelling of tongue and throat.

Just yesterday I had the lovely skin test done and came up positive for:

1. Blackberry
2. Blackeye Peas
3. Blueberry
4. Cantaloupe
5. Carrot
6. Celery
7. Corn
8. Cucumber
9. Garlic
10. Ginger
11. Green Peas
12. Lima Beans
13. Mushroom
14. Peanuts
15. Rice
16. Sesame Seeds
17. Soybeans
18. Squash
19. String Beans
20. Vanilla
21. Watermelon
22. White Potatoes

I also tested positive to grass & tree pollen, and cats. But that doesn't concern me as much.

My doctor has prescribed Zyrtec and asked me to not eat any of these foods strictly for 1 week. Then he will retest and see if the Zyrtec is working. Does this sound right? Does anyone here have experience with this type of treatment?

How do I avoid soy? Its in everything! Do I have to avoid every soy product? I am trying to contact the dr. to ask him this, but can't reach him. Any advice is appreciated. Also, if anyone has any good books, web sites, etc. that they can refer me to, I would appreciate it!

TIA!
Kelly

Wow, Kelly that stinks--I am sorry you have to go around avoiding the stuff--that is going to be tough--well, from what I've heard though once they find out what you are allergic to, they can give you a pill to help it all. Zyrtec worked great for me but I would say if your going to be on it for awhile, then maybe STAY on it if you can tolerate it b/c I got off of it and very soon after caught a cold that turned into a severe middle ear infection....I read that some of the side effects of long term use of something like Zyrtec can cause reactions like that, to where once your off it you catch things easier...but then again I've always been susceptable to catching things. So maybe for you Zyrtec will be the answer....I wish I had better advice for now, but hang in there! I know it sucks!

Hi,

I understand what you are going through. I have systemic allergic reactions in that not only do I have the traditional allergy symptoms- but I have skin redness, flushing of the face, a drop in blood pressure, and horrible diarrhea with stomach cramps.
I also developed gastritis due to food allergies in which I completely avoid these foods now. Before I could tolerate being off of the antihistamines long enough to be allergy tested 2 years ago- I went on a very strict elimination diet. I could only eat 5 foods (apples, green beans, lettuce, plain water-packed tuna and baked chicken). We slowly added back other foods to see what tolerance I had.
I see that you have been put on Zyrtec. I am on that and also was placed on Zantac (which is for the stomach- but it is also a histamine blocker). One blocks H1 and the other blocks H2. You might want to ask your allergist about this. Just hang in there- it does eventually work out. It is just time consuming to figure it all out.