Welcome to my blog! I am hoping to have a place to express frustration and discovery as I walk through what it's like to live day to day allergic to mammalian meats. I found out about a month ago that a tick bite caused me to be allergic to a sugar called alpha-gal, which apparently is only in the meat of mammals such as cows, pigs and sheep. I had 7 anyphalactic reactions before I decided that it might be time to go to the allergist (two of those reactions sent me to the ER, and I honestly thought one of them would kill me). My allergist performed a blood test, and told me that I had this allergy. I have also been advised to avoid dairy, which honestly has been harder than meat (I love Ice Cream)!
So, what was it like to have these reactions? Maybe you're in the same boat, and need to talk to a doctor to perform the tests I had done to see if you share a similar malady. It always started after I had gone to bed (this allergy can take as long as 6 hours to react after eating beef.). I would wake up in the middle of the night with the upset stomach feeling, both nausea and diarrhea. After that, the itching started. I always have this one place in the back of my leg that became swollen and started itching. Then the insides of my ears, my waistline, and along my spine developed welts and itched beyond belief. After that, my lips went numb, my blood pressure dropped, and I became almost incoherent. This all takes place within 5 to 15 minutes of the start of symptoms. I would take two or three times the recommended dosage of liquid Benadryl, at the ER I would get an i v, and things would begin to subside, sometimes within ten minutes, sometimes up to an hour later. The final things was a total body exhaustion; I would just be completely spent.
These are all symptoms of allergic reactions, what was difference is how much time there is between food consumption and shock in our cases. Ultimately, if I were to continue eating mammalian meat, I could have an episode that kills me. So I decided it was time for a change (obviously). Part of that is creating a group where we can share ideas and learn from each other. Tomorrow, or later today if I get the time, I will post some links to articles to help you learn more about what's going on, there is more and more out there about this allergy. I hope to share tips, ideas, and maybe even recipes that help make this more pleasant than it is. I'm looking forward to it!
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Hi, i have just also found out i have this allergy. My blood test come back positive to it on a "moderate" level. (whatever that means). My reactions are different though. I get face swellings which include lips and side of face up to my eyes. Followed by my throat swelling and not being able to breathe properly and rushing to hospital. :( Most often in the mornings also.
ReplyDeleteBut i have also developed other allergies to go with it. A dustmite allergy which makes me swell also (but not as bad it seems) and i cant tolerate High salicylate Foods. Very mind boggling at present! It started 3 months ago now. The diet i'm on is depressing and i'm over it! But, the reactions are horrible so i'll do it hehe. I'm 34!