wheat allergy related to symptoms - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

hollymbk · 12-29-2006, 11:22 PM

I am the moderator at a brain allergy list and one of the members has MS. She said that she heard that MS might be related to wheat allergy, so she avoided wheat for 6 months. She claimed her symptoms went away. Then she accidentally ate some wheat pasta and the next day, her legs felt like lead and she could barely walk. So she was convinced it worked.

Recently I found out an aquaintance of mine has MS so I mentioned the story to her. She was intrigued and went for food allergy tests. I was really surprised when she told me that her test was so "highly" allergic that the doctor sent it back, thinking it was wrong. She is allergic to many foods, including wheat and gluten, dairy, soy, and more. I asked her if she had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and she said yes. I wasn't surprised with all those allergies. After 2 weeks on the diet she claimed to feel better already, noting she has been sick and in pain for so long and had no idea it could be what she was eating.

I have food allergies too, 30 of them. I was thinking, if MS is related to food allergies then why don't I have MS? (never been tested) I do have a relative with it. I read the messages here and I see so many things that I relate to my food allergies that are happening to people here. I wonder how many of you have food allergies causing your MS, if any? I see many posts about allergic reactions to meds, and people breaking out in hives, but, none directly linking those sensitivities/immune reactions to your MS. Allergic reactions cause inflammation and tissue destruction....Very curious....

SRSuper · 12-30-2006, 12:45 AM

holly-
take a look at Celiac's disease. its basically a gluten intolerance that wrecks your intestines, preventing the body from absorbing all sorts of vitamins and minerals, which can lead to auto-immunity as well as major inflammation disorders as well as permanent neurological affects.

Barbbelle · 12-30-2006, 02:04 PM

Hi!! That is so interesting! Thanks for the info. Could you please tell me what the best allergy test is for wheat, etc. allergies? I had a very basic one that was normal, but I had very bad environmental allergies before I was dx with MS and was on allergy shots. Thanks again and Happy New Year~Barb

hollymbk · 12-30-2006, 08:30 PM

If you go to an allergy/immunologist they usually do scratch tests(ELISA). Most of them will claim they are more accurate. Naturopathic doctors can order a blood test and can test up to 300 foods. I know [removed] does these tests, as well as I can remember. The tests are about 300 dollars + the office visits. I tend to believe both tests have worth and should have similar results. I have had the scratch tests 3X. I would recommend anyone and everyone should get these tests done, just so they know if some offending substance is making them feel bad.

SRSuper · 12-31-2006, 12:49 AM

for something like a food allergy, try a solid month with NO WHEAT.
its actually not that hard, unless youre a carb addict.
but instead of needles and a doctors visit and pricey tests that arent always covered by insurance, just tlak to you doctor and...dont eat wheat. and see what happens.