Is it possible to crave what you're allergic to?- Page 3

Posted: 4/14/05 at 1:12pm

With the muffin, I had no clue I was allergic to it. Yes, I should have stopped when I felt the symptoms, but I denied it b/c I didn't think that it could possibly make me sick.

I'm glad to read that about Bush- it really is so important. I found out some sad news recently about someone I went to college with. He was doing very well, working in NYC (I think in investment banking, but I'm not sure) and went out to eat one night. Apparently, he had a peanut allergy and was not aware that it was in his meal. He tragically died that night. I don't know about all of the circumstances, but this was definitely a tragedy.

I had an experience where I told the waiter I was allergic to ginger and soy (I always begin my ordering with that spiel) and he assured me there was nothing in the salad. This was the same restaurant where we had our engagement party and knew the chefs, waiters, managers, chefs, etc. very well. As I began to eat, I started feeling very sick. Fortunately, I had a benadryl and took it immediately (stopped eating too). My husband and I left and the manager and chef ran over to inform my parents there was ginger in the salad. The waiter seriously f-ed up. They were very lucky that I didn't have to go to a hospital (fortunately, my reaction is not that severe yet, but continual exposure will make it worse). Gotta love incompentence!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 1:48pm

In response to what you said, cam, maybe my differing point of view has something to do with the fact that I have no idea what I'm missing. For you, you know you like it, so maybe the insentive you get from eating something you enjoy is good enough to make being a sick okay. I don't know what I'd do if I knew I was in love with ice cream or something, but I just can't justify doing that.

A lot of people ARE totally incompetent, bme, but it's becoming something that people are tons more aware of. It completely depends where you are, but many chefs are becoming much more well-trained to deal with this. It's great to see.

[camerangel]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:13pm

That's what kills me Em.. Cheese and Ice cream.. there are days that I want them so badly.. I was driving home yesterday wanting Cold stone Ice cream so badly that I nearly couldn't stand it.. I didn't wind up getting any, but I did indulge and had some cheese and made myself so very sick.. Still feeling it today as a matter of fact.. It's my own stupidity.. I know better, but sometimes I just have no will power..

In part you are very lucky that you dont know what you are missing..

As for the incompetence bit, I hate that. I constently ask whats in stuff.. Even when I eat home made food. I ate some soup a whiel back that my grandmother made and got violently ill.. She forgot to tell me that she had put cream in it.

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:15pm

Chloe - I think the name of the disease in which you crave/eat non-edible things like chalk, etc is called pica if I remember correctly. WebMD anyone? :)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:16pm

*shrug* I just can't see being okay with making yourself so sick. I mean, there's more than one kind of substitute for almost anything you can think of. I suppose it just depends on what kind of reaction you have. If I did that, I'd wind up in the hospital for like a week. If I were to just get sick to my stomach, I guess that'd be another story.

Updated On: 4/14/05 at 02:16 PM

[camerangel]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:20pm

I rarely do it conciously.. usually when it happens with me it's because I didn't know. Fortunately I dont wind up in the hospital but I do get violently ill and break out in hives.. It's never fun. Like I said before I can't rationalize it. Stupidity abounds.. and yes I'm guilty of it too..

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:28pm

But you're not afraid of being sick, or having it be really dangerous? What you're doing doesn't bug you at all until you feel guilty after it? I can understand that people do things they regret on the spur of the moment, but... it just doesn't make any sense to me why anyone would *ever* do that to themselves consciously. I kind of equate that to cutting your wrists or something; you know it's going to hurt you, but you do it anyway. At least here there's something inherently good that comes out of it, but still... that's a lot of suffering to deal with just for something that tastes good. I have so much trouble buying that it can't be rationalized - of course it *can* be rationalized - there's something you want, so you eat it, putting desires over general well-being and vigilance. I suppose it's hard to know WHY you make the decision you do - maybe just because of totally masochistic tendencies, or maybe ice cream is just THAT good, but I don't understand how the excuse can just be brushed off as "oh, I'm stupid, I'm guilty, everyone does stupid things." To each his own, but why anyone could justify doing that, and be so lax about it just because they want to eat something makes my head spin.

Updated On: 4/14/05 at 02:28 PM

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:53pm

Just to add on to what you said Emcee, with food allergies (from my understanding), the effects tend to be cumulative based upon exposure. I'm pretty sure this is why I can barely tolerate soy anymore. At first, it was a small reaction that I ignored (I didn't even realize it was a reaction- thought I was leaning on my arm, had a sinus headache, etc.), but with each exposure, it has gotten increasingly worse to the point where I now get violently ill. It's just so important for food allergy sufferers to be extremely viligant to avoid this... as well as chefs and other individuals who sell the products to be equally sensitive.

I've had pretty good experiences with Whole Foods and Wild Oats. Not sure if there are any in your areas, but they are great w/ detailing every possible ingredient on their fresh foods (not sure about packaged food items).

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:55pm

the effects tend to be cumulative based upon exposure.

It's true, but not universally, since you can outgrow food allergy, too.

I really like Whole Foods.

Posted: 4/14/05 at 2:59pm

You are right re: outgrowing allergies... I keep hoping that one day I'll be able to eat sushi again! Oh.... I'm also very allergic to shellfish (forgot about that). Shrimp are OK, but lobster, stone crabs... .

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 3:02pm

I've never had shellfish, just because I don't like eating seafood. Actually, that's a lie. I don't know if I like it, because I literally have never done it. I just have this irrational fear of fish and other seafood... for some unknown reason, I don't eat it. Shellfish allergies are REALLY dangerous, too. Because you can go on eating it and be perfectly fine for years, then suddenly the allergy will manifest itself. Or, you can have a reaction several hours later, even if you think you're fine right then.

Usually the "optimum" times for outgrowing allergies are around when you first start school (so five-ish), puberty/pre-teen, early teenage years, or right around when you start college. So, I've essentially given up hope.

Posted: 4/14/05 at 3:09pm

You are absoultely right re: shellfish allergies. I was fine... eating stone crabs and a seafood soup and before I knew it, my face started swelling up. Before that, I used to go to Joe's (a famous Miami restaurant) and enjoy them without a problem. I miss a lot of different foods, but on the positive side, I'm thinner b/c I have to be so careful.

It's weird b/c my food allergies really began when I was 26. I've met others who suddenly developed similar allergies around that time. It may be my own fault b/c basically everything I used to live on (soy milk, edamame, Japanese food, ginger dressing) I am very allergic to. Perhaps a greater variety in my diet would have prevented this. Oh well..

They are building a Whole Foods down the street from us- can't wait!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 3:11pm

Joe's Crab Shack?! They have the COOLEST t-shirts.

Actually, there's some kind of theory that says if a pregnant woman eats too much of something, her child is at greater risk of developing an allergy to it. So, maybe you're right... I guess it could work on a self-induced basis, too.

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 3:23pm

Has anyone ever had to do an allergy chalenge, where they feed you small amouts of stuff you are allergic to to test the severity of it? they did that when i was in the hospital and i got really sick. I never let them do that to me again

i also think i have other allergies than the ones i know about, particularly soy, but i think it;s a very milds allergy... i have this test coming soon called a cap-rass (i think) from an allergist so maybe it will help...
what other kinds if milk is there besides regualar milk and soy milk?

we have Wild Oats, and they're building a Whole Foods near me :) Wild Oats rules. They have awsome kettle chips LOL

Updated On: 4/14/05 at 03:23 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 3:41pm

When I was younger, I met a doctor who has been heavily involved in some really great allergy research, but I thought he was out of his f*cking mind. He wanted me to do one of those challenge tests, and I though it was the most absurd thing in the world. I wouldn't do it, and I still won't. I think the only time I'd consider doing it is if the blood test shows the allergy to have gone down enough in severity that the challenge would show us something useful. Right now, I know that the allergy is strong enough for me to still react very severely, and not be able to eat or touch that stuff. It's not worth it.

There's also goat's milk, Abba, but most people who are allergic to "regular" milk (cow's milk) are allergic to that, too. The proteins are very similar. There's something really obscure called potato milk, that's used a lot as a baking substitute, and then there's rice milk, which is becoming pretty common as a soy alternative.

[camerangel]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 4:38pm

In answer to your question Em about why would anyone do it, knowing the results.. Honestly for me it's one of those things of I dont generally enjoy food.. If I could just NOT eat and still live that would be great.. Unfortunately I need it to survive. I'm not one of those people that gets enjoyment out of food.. and once in a while I cave and give into say for example cheese or ice cream because it's a one of those very few things that I enjoy.. Maybe it's the whole thing that those are taboo and I'm not supposed to have them that makes them "enjoyable" I honestly dont know. And usually it's not worth the result. And in my supreme stupidity I cave and eat it once in a while. I never claimed to be rational. You would think that logically I wouldn't be so stupid considering when I was very young my parents almost lost me several times.. I really can't explain it..

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 4:49pm

But saying that you can't explain it and just blaming it on overt stupidity doesn't make any sense. I know it's really circular to keep saying this, but I just can't see how that's anywhere even remotely near logical. I mean, you enjoy the food, but do you enjoy being sick? If you regret doing it after, which I assume you would after getting so ill, why would you just do it again? I guess it's just frustrating that people can take it so lightly when this is literally something that I could die from, and I know every case is different, but you make yours sound pretty severe. I don't think it's something that you need to be able to explain, or to find rationale for it. I mean, it seems so simple - something makes you as sick as what you say makes it sound like it does, you should just avoid it, no? I don't mean to make it sound like I'm telling you what to do or anything, because I'm not, but I just don't understand. And I don't understand how it can be brushed off with a simple "I do it, and I don't understand why so... ok!" That seems like such a cop-out and I can't figure out why it would be an okay thing to do that to yourself, unless you just like... get a stomach ache. It just confuses me, is all.

Updated On: 4/14/05 at 04:49 PM

[camerangel]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 4:56pm

I know where you are coming from.. and I understand what you are saying.. I'm not trying to frustrate you.. Truely I'm not.. And I understand why you are frustrated. I wish I could explain it, but since I dont understand it myself I really can't.. I know that's stupid and sort of a cop out. but I honestly have no idea why I have chosen to eat things knowing just how sick they will make me..

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:00pm

I think there is a Joe's Crab Shack somewhere around here, but this place is called Joe's Stone Crabs. It's an institution in Miami- no reservations and you have to either arrive at 5pm, know someone or be prepared to wait and wait and wait....

I know of the RAST test (I think) and the blood one, although they may be the same thing. Once my new insurance kicks in, I'm going to find an allergist in Miami who specializes in food allergies. The one I went to (who was recommended) was so clueless. She made me take the scratch tests (I can tolerate a lot of pain, but just the thought of it still sends shivers down my spine..... horrible! It didn't hurt, it's just the whole principle of it that bothers me) and of course, nothing showed since food allergies don't generally appear w/ the scratch tests.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:07pm

RAST tests are skin tests. They make a little chart on your arm and ****you with tiny needles for each thing they're testing. I had a lot of scratch-tests when I was a kid, with big white thingies that looked like spiders.

cam, I guess it doesn't matter. I know you're not *trying* to frustrate me, I just feel like if you're going to consciously do something so masochistic, it's kind of strange to just not be able to explain it, so therefore figure it's just as well. Basic responsibility for action says that you should have SOME inkling of why you do things, whether it be that you don't care about getting sick, or that you just have some sort of death wish. Not my place, really, and it doesn't matter.

[camerangel]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:15pm

Well if it wasn't your place then I wouldn't have said anything to begin with.. I mean I opened the can of worms not you. You are just attempting to figure out why I do it as well as make me figure out why I do it..

"Basic responsibility for action says that you should have SOME inkling of why you do things, whether it be that you don't care about getting sick, or that you just have some sort of death wish."

it's entirely possible that it's a subconcious masochism. As I'm sitting here thinking about it, because I seriously am trying to figure out why I do it. I'm realizing that I only tend to do it when everything else in the world seems to be going wrong for me. and thats more than a bit frightening..

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:19pm

I think what Em's trying to get at here is that her allergy isn't just the difference between a stomach ache or not, it's the difference between life and death, and she's upset that you would take your health so lightly because it seemed to diminish the seriousness of your, and to a greater extent, her problem.

[camerangel]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:28pm

Em and Abba had both asked why people do it, and since I myself did it just last night and really have no clue as to why. I thought well maybe I'm not the only one that is like that. Maybe these individuals truely do not conciously know why they do it. It was never an intention to downplay or dimish the severity of her allergy.

[insomniak]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:48pm

This is a really interesting thread. I heard today that there's a theory that says keeping your kids around certain things like animals or whatever when they're young will reduce their risk of allergy to that particular thing. Interesting. What's really wierd is the thing someone (can't remember who, sorry) posted about the pencil. How did the woman's body know there was iron in it?

I think I sort of get why cam might eat things she's allergic too. I crave cheese constantly like her, and I would probably flip if I couldn't eat it. Even now, though I just had cheese, it sounds good to me. It's a constant craving and I'd probably climb the walls, or even eat it, if it were risky but not bad enough to kill me.

Posted: 4/14/05 at 5:54pm

There are studies that prove exactly what you said insomniak. Children exposed to animals at a young age do have a decreased risk of developing allergies. However, I think those are more to animals than to food.. but with my genes, I'm willing to help them get whatever immunity to allergens they can get!

When we do decide to have children (probably in a year or two), I will have conduct extensive research about the best ways to not pass on my allergies or at least decrease the chances of them developing food allergies like I have.

[by the way, I looked up RAST on Medline and it says that it is the blood test. I think the scratch test is just known as the "scratch test," but I could be wrong.]