posted 11-21-2001 01:49 AM            

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)

posted 12-28-2001 04:37 PM            

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

posted 01-03-2002 04:08 PM            

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.