I finally have the strength to talk about this. Because while finding out about my allergies was fantastic for me?? It’s been a bit depressing. Or at least, it is beginning to be. I went to the doctor last Thursday for the crappy prick test on my back. Sixty little uncomfortable pricking needles on my back. It was so horrible. It itched, and I wasn’t allowed to even attempt to find relief, having to lay there for 20 minutes…I had to lay still. I’m so happy Dan was there with me. He is the most supportive man EVER, I swear. EVER.
Anyway, after that hell, I found out that I’m allergic to the following:
- Mold
- Grass (pretty much all of them)
- Tress (same as grass…most of them)
- Ragweed
- Shellfish (this is new to me, to be honest!)
- Sunflower (this caused the largest hive I had ever seen to form on my back. it is my only food allergy).
Sunflower oil is in a lot of products. A LOT. So, goodbye yummy chips…even if they’re baked. There are a few brands that are cooked in other types of oil, but it would be better to avoid it all together. That won’t really be so bad. I should eat that crap anyway. But the oil is also in some crackers and some processed breaded foods.
Thanks to the mold allergy, for awhile I need to avoid (this comes from MANY sources, even WebMD):
- Cheese
- Mushroom
- Vinegar (and foods containing it)
- Sour cream
- Beer and wine (*SOB* I will LIMIT my wine intake, but will NOT stop having a glass once in awhile!!!)
- Sour breads (sour dough or other breads with a lot of yeast — dinner rolls, for instance)
- Dried fruits, such as dates, prunes, figs, raisins (which I don’t like anyway, so it’s ALL GOOD)
- Soy sauce
- Hot dogs & sausages
- Meat or fish (24 hours after they are cooked)
The one thing I’m not allergic to? Cats and dogs! Which makes me happy! But all this time, I thought I was…But I never thought about the fact that our dogs love spending time outside. In the grass! Frolicking among the trees! Then they bring all of that allergen in. Aha!
I understand that some people are completely skeptical about allergies. A lot of people are allergic to a lot of things, but they are able to live and breathe normally. But everyone is different and allergies affect every single person differently. I believe more than anything that the food allergy and mold issues have caused my problems. For instance…
I have been very careful since finding out Friday about my allergies. But wasn’t as careful last night when I consumed a large bowl of mac & cheese (it was a Smart One’s meal)…And a glass of wine…And soy sauce on my sushi that I ate at lunch. Now mind you, since starting antibiotics last week and eating better, my sinus symptoms had diminished a bit recently. But I woke up with a sinus headache and a massive amount of drainage and congestion happening. I’m not going to attempt to test that all out again to find out what happens, but it was certainly a wake up call. Yesterday, I wasn’t careful and was eating “normally” for me. Stupid stupid stupid.
Hopefully, in a few months, things will get better. I am starting allergy shots. UGH. But I am doing it because I want to get better. I want my life to be more livable. Yes, shots can be inconvenient. But what’s so inconvenient about it? Ok, sure, I might have to go once or twice a week and spend 20-40 minutes each week doing it. I can work around my own schedule.
I think that’s a lot more convenient than putting my whole life on hold because I have yet ANOTHER sinus infection or terrible sinus headache. I’m tired of putting my life on hold. NO MORE. Sacrificing a lot of my favorite foods is also going to be hard, but if I don’t do it, my life will constantly be on hold. I refuse to purposefully let myself feel like crap — purposefully because I now KNOW (and know in my heart) that these certain things are causing me to feel like CRAP.
Now..if only I could feel a little less crazy…and less depressed (because while I know I have to do it?? Doesn’t mean its going to be easy…)
