I have been dealing with unpredictable reactions for about 3 years now. Lately they have been getting more frequent. At first my doctor said it was stress related, however the reactions do not occur at any particular stressful moments. They are very unpredictable. I experience cramping, diarrhea, hives, itchy throat, extreme itching. Sometimes I can take atarax and it works, however when the breakout is severe I end up having to go get a steriod shot at the hospital. Since it's obviously not a food allergy, and I'm not being stung or bit by an insect, and it happens at different times and in different locations, I'm at a loss as to what is causing these "episodes". It's very uncomfortable, and inconvenient because both the atarax and the shot put me to sleep. One thing I did think of is I had an angiogram around the time all this started and I was allergic to the dye....but should I still be reacting to it? PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Unpredictable reactions
11/ 6/07 2:49pm
1/27/08 10:49pm
Hi Allergy sufferer,
I am sorry you are having difficulties. Here are a few links you can check out and these will help you ask your doctor the right questions so you can manage your care. It is possible you should see a specialist if you haven't already, but here is some information to help.
First of all, you can check your symptoms in the symptoms database located here. You might be having symptoms that are related to allergies that you had overlooked. Or could be experiencing something you didn't consider to be related to allergies.
Secondly, here is a database about the various treatments for allergy outbreaks. You might find something here you hadn't tried yet.
Also, you might want to look at your lifestyle. Has anything changed recently? Something as mundane as a change in laundry detergent or cleaning products, to ingredients in something you have eaten forever that may have been changed by the manufacturer.
I hope things start looking up for you!
Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing!
Vicki M
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Hi there,
Identifying allergy triggers is sometimes a difficult process. But I have a couple of suggestions. First of all, you don't say if the doc who suggests your reactions are stress-related is an allergy specialist (allergist or immunologist), but I suspect not. The inference that it's "all in your head" strikes me as a dismissal of your concerns, rather than a sincere desire to get to the bottom of things.
So, either way, I'd seek out a second opinion. You have a right to a doctor who will truly listen to your concerns and who will try and help you get to the bottom of things.
Second, one of the best ways to ID triggers is to keep a diary. If you can, write down everything you were doing in the hour or 2 before your reactions... including what you ate/drank and where you were. Over time, you may see patterns emerge. Perhaps you've already done this, but if not, it can be very illuminating.
Allergy testing may also tell you what you are allergic to, even if you're not yet aware of it.