Food allergies can go f*ck themselves

[BeeMused]

One word summary: Damn!
Hopefully medical science will soon find ways to help severe allergy sufferers like you.

[mathnerd]

BeeMused, that's not an option, unfortunately. The last time I had allergy testing done (to see if there were any new allergies), I actually had an anaphylaxis reaction to the skin prick test for tomatoes. Why the doc did the tomato prick when we already knew an allergy existed, I have no idea, but he did.

Also, I react this badly to just cross-contamination. This last reaction could have been as simple as the cook was handling tomatoes before preparing my food and didn't change his gloves before he touched my food. It takes an extraordinarily small amount of tomato to cause a reaction in me. This is why I'm considering giving up on eating out entirely.

[BeeMused]

WOW, that really sucks! Have you looked into desensitization? You might be able to tolerate a small bit of tomato and not fear the attack of the killer tomatos.

[mathnerd]

Maybe a sternal rub? Not used much in the UK now for that exact reason.

It's possible. I plan on contacting the hospital and asking for my medical records to find out.

[crazylegs]

Did they have to do something that would have caused bruising between my boobs? I have no idea.

Maybe a sternal rub? Not used much in the UK now for that exact reason.

[mathnerd]

Or, I think I give up on eating out.

And that fucking sucks.

I have a severe allergy to tomatoes, and a less severe allergy to eggplant. The eggplant allergy still causes anaphylaxis, but it's not as severe of a reaction. Also, eggplant isn't as common as tomatoes. Tomatoes are EVERYWHERE.

I've had a few extremely severe reactions which required my ass being hauled out of restaurants and bars in ambulances. A few of my friends were joking around on my facebook last night about being in the "Watch mathnerd stab herself and call 911" club. Unfortunately, they had to welcome the newest member to the club.

Thursday I was at a bar I've eaten at several times before with no issues. The food is good and the kitchen staff is normally fantastic. I could try to analyze what happened, but I think I'll chalk this one up to "shit happens". Anyway, I realized I was having trouble breathing and gave myself my epipen. After 5 minutes, I was still having trouble (and it was actually getting a little worse), so I gave myself the second one and directed my companion to call 911.

The paramedic that assessed me took about 2.3 seconds to decide I was going to the hospital. Well no shit! I know a lot of people fight going to the hospital after a reaction, but my personal rule is that if I need the second shot, I go to the hospital. Period. I do have a history of rebound reactions, so it's a good idea to have actual doctors watching me while I recover. Anyway, my memory of the ambulance ride is kinda fuzzy. I remember the paramedic putting a couple different meds into the IV and switching out the straight oxygen mask to O2 plus albuterol. I sort of remember being handed off to the ER docs and having even more drugs shot into the IV. There's quite a bit of time in between those two things that I don't remember. I actually don't even remember getting into the ambulance. I remember the paramedic helping me out of my chair and I remember being in the ambulance, but I don't remember getting from point A to point B.

Anyway, they got everything under control, watched me for about an hour, and then sent me home. I was kinda surprised that they sent me home so soon (I was expecting closer to about two hours, considering all the drugs they'd injected into me). But, anyway, my friend came and got me and we went back home.

So, that was Thursday night. As late as last night (Saturday) I still felt like I had a truck sitting on my chest. I have no idea why, but my chest feels like it's bruised, and badly bruised at that. This morning it isn't as bad, but still sore. I've been sore in the past after a reaction, but nothing like this. I'm wondering what happened during those moments where I have no clear memory. Did they have to do something that would have caused bruising between my boobs? I have no idea.

Suffice it to say, this is one of the worst reactions I've ever had. It wasn't the worst, since I didn't have to be intubated, but it was pretty bad. I'm not even sure I should even try to eat out any more. And that will suck. Why? Because I freaking hate cooking. Plus, I like to eat out. I know I'll keep eating out at my regular bar near my own home, since they're one of the places I've been hauled out of (years ago), they take it very seriously. I've watched what they do if I order food, and I'm confident that I'm safe there. Everywhere else? I'm not so sure. And I'm not happy. This fucking sucks.

And now I'm done whining. Thanks for listening!