So, I've discovered a most interesting byproduct of having to eat well and read labels carefully (actually, more than one, but I have to save stuff to right about later): I'm losing weight. I'm generally a pretty fit guy, but as I have gotten older, I found it harder and harder to keep the pounds off. Now, since most everything I used to really love (and probably still would if given the chance) has a chance to send me into allergic shock, I have found lower calorie substitutes. Very quietly, and without making any other changes, I have lost 7 pounds. That is the light at the end of the tunnel!
The truth is that there are some really good tasting things out there that serve as great alternatives to the other really good tasting things I can't have. It's becoming less miserable every day (though Krispy Kreme doughnuts still break my heart), which is also a good thing. But my energy level and overall health are through the roof!
Still, a well cooked Porterhouse would be really awesome. . .
Showing posts with label how do you know if you're allergic to mammalian meat/red meat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how do you know if you're allergic to mammalian meat/red meat. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
what a crazy allergy
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!
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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