Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 > i'm glad you could follow what i said as well as you did > sometimes i think i'm about as clear as mud ... oh, stacey, i find you very clear but best of all i enjoy how you express yourself. to me you're the ee cummings of the group. (with punctuations, as appropriate). your point (made also by others) about nutrition and unrefined foods is well-taken, but must all food intake be solely about nutrition? most of it should be, of course, but can't the rest be for fun/convenience? marjorie marjorie lazoff md Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 << your point (made also by others) about nutrition and unrefined foods is well-taken, but must all food intake be solely about nutrition? most of it should be, of course, but can't the rest be for fun/convenience? >> oh absolutely! i mean, eating has a huge social component and a lot of us have to eat on the run and when having a nice meal out with people i will eat things i wouldn't normally eat and it's great fun tasting sharing socializing laughing (admittedly people think i'm crazy if i mention i'd rather eat something that tastes bad and is good for me than tastes good and is nutritionally bereft ... of course good taste and good nutrition is ideal) i personally find i function best on a natural diet (highstrung machine i suppose -- ferrari? ) that gives me the high octane fuel that i need for 17 hour work days ... i know not everyone notices a huge difference in how they feel if they eat well vs not so well on film sets where i work i notice people eating crap all day long they also need a zillion capuccinos to make it through the day ... then again they also probably smoke don't exercise blah blah blah ... moderation in all things including moderation? sounds like a good idea alot of weightloss systems (not the potion pill ones -- the ones where they actually train you to eat according to the food pyramid focussing on embarking on a healthier lifestyle instead of just losing weight .. suggest a 'reward' meal once a week where you can enjoy some of your old faves.) i recently heard that 60 %of americans and 50% of canadians are overweight ... which leads me to think that nutritious eating is the exception as opposed to the rule ... stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 It's hard to know if Stacey has a valid point about the peanuts. I've been unclear if more people have the allergy (a higher percentage of the population), or if it is more publicized. I knew one child, back in the 60s, who had the allergy... and I've only known a couple since then. That's not a measure, by any means, just my personal experience. What I've been told is that children under four years of age, who don't have a highly developed immune system, should avoid all peanut products. Based on this advice from his pediatrician, I didn't feed my son peanut butter, etc. until after his fourth birthday. One of my friends has a deadly allergy to tree nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.), which is the food his mother reportedly craved when pregnant. Another of my friends has twins. One of the twins has the peanut allergy, and I've always wondered if peanut butter was a staple in her pregnancy... Abou the NRS and food triggers -- I fully understand how hot beverages, spicey foods, etc. can trigger a flush, especially in sensitive people. This foods can trigger a flush in anyone, even non-rosaceans. Where I part ways with them, is when they start talking about " trigger " foods like tomatoes -- which are something to which people are frequently allergic, and don't cause flushig in the general population. It's here that I think the NRS is being self-serving -- attempting to lump all of these reactions into the category of food triggers, instead of addressing them as allergies, subacute allergies, sensitivities, etc. I operate under the assumption there is a political reason for this: The NRS doesn't want to lose funding and numbers to groups dealing with food allergies. Therefore they make the list of (what they call) " tripwires " much more inclusive, casting a larger net. As examples their website lists: cheese, sour cream, yogurt, citrus fruit, liver, chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract (though bread is OK), vinegar, eggplant, avocados, spinach, broad-leafed beans and pods, and foods high in histamine or niacin. Taking an antihistamine about two hours before a meal may counter the effects of histamine, while aspirin may reduce the effects of niacin-containing foods in sufferers affected by these substances. They address the topic of histamine and anti-histamines lightly, but don't mention the possibility of allergy, and to some degree, I find that irresponsible and misleading. It appears my rosacea diagnosis was caused by food allergy/sensitivity (and actually intolerance -- another issue again) and nothing else. Topicals, antibiotics... the common treatment protocols didn't work for me. Clartin helps a little. Modifying my diet has helped the most. Suzi __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 It's hard to know if Stacey has a valid point about the peanuts. I've been unclear if more people have the allergy (a higher percentage of the population), or if it is more publicized. I knew one child, back in the 60s, who had the allergy... and I've only known a couple since then. That's not a measure, by any means, just my personal experience. What I've been told is that children under four years of age, who don't have a highly developed immune system, should avoid all peanut products. Based on this advice from his pediatrician, I didn't feed my son peanut butter, etc. until after his fourth birthday. One of my friends has a deadly allergy to tree nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.), which is the food his mother reportedly craved when pregnant. Another of my friends has twins. One of the twins has the peanut allergy, and I've always wondered if peanut butter was a staple in her pregnancy... Abou the NRS and food triggers -- I fully understand how hot beverages, spicey foods, etc. can trigger a flush, especially in sensitive people. This foods can trigger a flush in anyone, even non-rosaceans. Where I part ways with them, is when they start talking about " trigger " foods like tomatoes -- which are something to which people are frequently allergic, and don't cause flushig in the general population. It's here that I think the NRS is being self-serving -- attempting to lump all of these reactions into the category of food triggers, instead of addressing them as allergies, subacute allergies, sensitivities, etc. I operate under the assumption there is a political reason for this: The NRS doesn't want to lose funding and numbers to groups dealing with food allergies. Therefore they make the list of (what they call) " tripwires " much more inclusive, casting a larger net. As examples their website lists: cheese, sour cream, yogurt, citrus fruit, liver, chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract (though bread is OK), vinegar, eggplant, avocados, spinach, broad-leafed beans and pods, and foods high in histamine or niacin. Taking an antihistamine about two hours before a meal may counter the effects of histamine, while aspirin may reduce the effects of niacin-containing foods in sufferers affected by these substances. They address the topic of histamine and anti-histamines lightly, but don't mention the possibility of allergy, and to some degree, I find that irresponsible and misleading. It appears my rosacea diagnosis was caused by food allergy/sensitivity (and actually intolerance -- another issue again) and nothing else. Topicals, antibiotics... the common treatment protocols didn't work for me. Clartin helps a little. Modifying my diet has helped the most. Suzi __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 and go on and on in their book Advanced Dermatologic Therapy II about peanuts and other nuts causing outbreaks of acne. > It's hard to know if Stacey has a valid point about > the peanuts. I've been unclear if more people have the > allergy (a higher percentage of the population), or if > it is more publicized. I knew one child, back in the > 60s, who had the allergy... and I've only known a > couple since then. That's not a measure, by any means, > just my personal experience. > > What I've been told is that children under four years > of age, who don't have a highly developed immune > system, should avoid all peanut products. Based on > this advice from his pediatrician, I didn't feed my > son peanut butter, etc. until after his fourth > birthday. > > One of my friends has a deadly allergy to tree nuts > (almonds, cashews, etc.), which is the food his mother > reportedly craved when pregnant. Another of my friends > has twins. One of the twins has the peanut allergy, > and I've always wondered if peanut butter was a staple > in her pregnancy... > > Abou the NRS and food triggers -- I fully understand > how hot beverages, spicey foods, etc. can trigger a > flush, especially in sensitive people. This foods can > trigger a flush in anyone, even non-rosaceans. > > Where I part ways with them, is when they start > talking about " trigger " foods like tomatoes -- which > are something to which people are frequently allergic, > and don't cause flushig in the general population. > It's here that I think the NRS is being self-serving > -- attempting to lump all of these reactions into the > category of food triggers, instead of addressing them > as allergies, subacute allergies, sensitivities, etc. > > I operate under the assumption there is a political > reason for this: The NRS doesn't want to lose funding > and numbers to groups dealing with food allergies. > Therefore they make the list of (what they call) > " tripwires " much more inclusive, casting a larger net. > > As examples their website lists: > cheese, sour cream, yogurt, citrus fruit, liver, > chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract (though > bread is OK), vinegar, eggplant, avocados, spinach, > broad-leafed beans and pods, and foods high in > histamine or niacin. > Taking an antihistamine about two hours before a meal > may counter the effects of histamine, while aspirin > may reduce the effects of niacin-containing foods in > sufferers affected by these substances. > > They address the topic of histamine and > anti-histamines lightly, but don't mention the > possibility of allergy, and to some degree, I find > that irresponsible and misleading. > > It appears my rosacea diagnosis was caused by food > allergy/sensitivity (and actually intolerance -- > another issue again) and nothing else. > > Topicals, antibiotics... the common treatment > protocols didn't work for me. Clartin helps a little. > Modifying my diet has helped the most. > > Suzi > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 and go on and on in their book Advanced Dermatologic Therapy II about peanuts and other nuts causing outbreaks of acne. > It's hard to know if Stacey has a valid point about > the peanuts. I've been unclear if more people have the > allergy (a higher percentage of the population), or if > it is more publicized. I knew one child, back in the > 60s, who had the allergy... and I've only known a > couple since then. That's not a measure, by any means, > just my personal experience. > > What I've been told is that children under four years > of age, who don't have a highly developed immune > system, should avoid all peanut products. Based on > this advice from his pediatrician, I didn't feed my > son peanut butter, etc. until after his fourth > birthday. > > One of my friends has a deadly allergy to tree nuts > (almonds, cashews, etc.), which is the food his mother > reportedly craved when pregnant. Another of my friends > has twins. One of the twins has the peanut allergy, > and I've always wondered if peanut butter was a staple > in her pregnancy... > > Abou the NRS and food triggers -- I fully understand > how hot beverages, spicey foods, etc. can trigger a > flush, especially in sensitive people. This foods can > trigger a flush in anyone, even non-rosaceans. > > Where I part ways with them, is when they start > talking about " trigger " foods like tomatoes -- which > are something to which people are frequently allergic, > and don't cause flushig in the general population. > It's here that I think the NRS is being self-serving > -- attempting to lump all of these reactions into the > category of food triggers, instead of addressing them > as allergies, subacute allergies, sensitivities, etc. > > I operate under the assumption there is a political > reason for this: The NRS doesn't want to lose funding > and numbers to groups dealing with food allergies. > Therefore they make the list of (what they call) > " tripwires " much more inclusive, casting a larger net. > > As examples their website lists: > cheese, sour cream, yogurt, citrus fruit, liver, > chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract (though > bread is OK), vinegar, eggplant, avocados, spinach, > broad-leafed beans and pods, and foods high in > histamine or niacin. > Taking an antihistamine about two hours before a meal > may counter the effects of histamine, while aspirin > may reduce the effects of niacin-containing foods in > sufferers affected by these substances. > > They address the topic of histamine and > anti-histamines lightly, but don't mention the > possibility of allergy, and to some degree, I find > that irresponsible and misleading. > > It appears my rosacea diagnosis was caused by food > allergy/sensitivity (and actually intolerance -- > another issue again) and nothing else. > > Topicals, antibiotics... the common treatment > protocols didn't work for me. Clartin helps a little. > Modifying my diet has helped the most. > > Suzi > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 and go on and on in their book Advanced Dermatologic Therapy II about peanuts and other nuts causing outbreaks of acne. > It's hard to know if Stacey has a valid point about > the peanuts. I've been unclear if more people have the > allergy (a higher percentage of the population), or if > it is more publicized. I knew one child, back in the > 60s, who had the allergy... and I've only known a > couple since then. That's not a measure, by any means, > just my personal experience. > > What I've been told is that children under four years > of age, who don't have a highly developed immune > system, should avoid all peanut products. Based on > this advice from his pediatrician, I didn't feed my > son peanut butter, etc. until after his fourth > birthday. > > One of my friends has a deadly allergy to tree nuts > (almonds, cashews, etc.), which is the food his mother > reportedly craved when pregnant. Another of my friends > has twins. One of the twins has the peanut allergy, > and I've always wondered if peanut butter was a staple > in her pregnancy... > > Abou the NRS and food triggers -- I fully understand > how hot beverages, spicey foods, etc. can trigger a > flush, especially in sensitive people. This foods can > trigger a flush in anyone, even non-rosaceans. > > Where I part ways with them, is when they start > talking about " trigger " foods like tomatoes -- which > are something to which people are frequently allergic, > and don't cause flushig in the general population. > It's here that I think the NRS is being self-serving > -- attempting to lump all of these reactions into the > category of food triggers, instead of addressing them > as allergies, subacute allergies, sensitivities, etc. > > I operate under the assumption there is a political > reason for this: The NRS doesn't want to lose funding > and numbers to groups dealing with food allergies. > Therefore they make the list of (what they call) > " tripwires " much more inclusive, casting a larger net. > > As examples their website lists: > cheese, sour cream, yogurt, citrus fruit, liver, > chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract (though > bread is OK), vinegar, eggplant, avocados, spinach, > broad-leafed beans and pods, and foods high in > histamine or niacin. > Taking an antihistamine about two hours before a meal > may counter the effects of histamine, while aspirin > may reduce the effects of niacin-containing foods in > sufferers affected by these substances. > > They address the topic of histamine and > anti-histamines lightly, but don't mention the > possibility of allergy, and to some degree, I find > that irresponsible and misleading. > > It appears my rosacea diagnosis was caused by food > allergy/sensitivity (and actually intolerance -- > another issue again) and nothing else. > > Topicals, antibiotics... the common treatment > protocols didn't work for me. Clartin helps a little. > Modifying my diet has helped the most. > > Suzi > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 > It appears my rosacea diagnosis was caused by food > allergy/sensitivity (and actually intolerance -- > another issue again) and nothing else. I can understand how a food allergy can cause skin inflammation, vasodilation, itching and/or swelling on the face. I can also understand how a person with rosacea can independently have a food allergy/sensitivity which manifests on the face; just as a person can have both acne vulgaris and rosacea existing independently on a face. But I don't understand how a food allergy/sensitivity can cause rosacea. Can you explain? Marjorie Marjorie Lazoff, MD > Topicals, antibiotics... the common treatment > protocols didn't work for me. Clartin helps a little. > Modifying my diet has helped the most. > > Suzi > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 > which leads me to think that nutritious eating > is the exception > as opposed to the rule ... agreed, stacey, you make cogent points supporting an unrefined diet. and suzi makes a good point about the role of unrefined foods in an elimination diet for those struggling with poorly defined food allergies or intolerances. though for most people, i would think the food pyramid is tuff enough, and would make a solid enough impact on health without overtaxing one's culinary skills, or those of one's spouse, parent, or... private chef. marjorie marjorie lazoff, md Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 > which leads me to think that nutritious eating > is the exception > as opposed to the rule ... agreed, stacey, you make cogent points supporting an unrefined diet. and suzi makes a good point about the role of unrefined foods in an elimination diet for those struggling with poorly defined food allergies or intolerances. though for most people, i would think the food pyramid is tuff enough, and would make a solid enough impact on health without overtaxing one's culinary skills, or those of one's spouse, parent, or... private chef. marjorie marjorie lazoff, md Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 > which leads me to think that nutritious eating > is the exception > as opposed to the rule ... agreed, stacey, you make cogent points supporting an unrefined diet. and suzi makes a good point about the role of unrefined foods in an elimination diet for those struggling with poorly defined food allergies or intolerances. though for most people, i would think the food pyramid is tuff enough, and would make a solid enough impact on health without overtaxing one's culinary skills, or those of one's spouse, parent, or... private chef. marjorie marjorie lazoff, md Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Marjorie, I've got to nail you on perpetuating the concept that whole food eating is much more difficult than eating convience foods. Kraft Macaroni and cheese requires boiling the noodles, adding butter, milk, and a rather scary orange powder. Eating a nice rice, or whole grain pasta with olive oil and real parmesean cheese doesn't require any more labor. Sautee a chicken breast, some prawns, and/or mushrooms and you have a veritable feast compared to the Kraft version. Believe me, I couldn't pull it off it were much more time consuming than that. I'm a full-time working person with a career that demands lots of evening and weekend hours, and I'm the mom to a kindergartender (plus I try to have a life of my own!). I've learned to rely on staples and brands that I trust. I might be a little more lenient than Stacey because there are a few brands of soup and one brand of frozen food we buy for home. Feeding myself at lunchtime is a little more tricky, but I've scoped out the restaurants near where I work where I feel I can get relatively clean food. I also stock up on lunch supplies and keep them in my drawer, or the office refrigerator. I don't think everyone needs to do things my way, but I DO want to turn everyone into label readers. I consider reading labels to be a really basic shopping skill, and vital to making choices in what to purchase and what to support with our hard-earned dollars. A frozen " lean " meal called pasta primavera can be absolutely loaded with nasty-sounding ingredients, when all it should contain is pasta, vegetables, and a little sauce of some sort. Fast food isn't even an option for me. All of the fast food restaurants have web sites where they list their nutritional information and ingredients. A good read-through is really all it takes to get someone looking elsewhere for food. Nothing in a fast food restaurant contains what it appears to! (And, just think, they only list what they're required to...) Living in Northern California makes this easier. We have great access to seasonal fruit, fresh seafood, meat without hormones, and exotic vegetables. Suzi __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 But I don't understand how a food > allergy/sensitivity can cause > rosacea. Can you explain? > > Marjorie > That's easy, and I wasn't being clear. I'm 95 percent sure I don't have rosacea. I have the symptoms of an allergy and I was misdiagnosed because it looked like rosacea -- including occular symptoms. I've been around on the board for a about a year and a half, and I make this clear from time to time. So why do I stick around? Because, from what I read here, I believe this is a relatively common misdiagnosis. I hope to encourage people to look beyond their skin for clues to what is going on. Over the years, I've seen several recommended dermatologists, and none of them ever suggested that my diet might play a role in my skin's condition. None of them even asked about diet, habits, etc. None ever asked if I had any unusual symptoms in other parts of my body. I was handed a bunch of topicals and oral antibiotics and told to schedule another appointment. When a friend, who is a well-respected nutritionist, and works for many of the local physicians, suggested it might be a food allergy, I began to explore further with reading, etc. Coincidentally, at the time this began, I had been plagued with other body symptoms besides the skin on my face. Although I consider myself a strong, healthy person, I was plagued with heartburn, trouble swallowing certain foods (mostly breads, pasta, etc.), headaches, itching on my scalp and legs, occasional nosebleeds, menstrual irregularity, and bowel complaints that encompassed occasional diarrhea and also constipation. In a month's time, I was given birth control pills for my skin and the headaches. The derm gave me Metrogel and oral antibiotics. After a very scary incident in a restaurant where I couldn't full swallow a small piece of French toast, and almost drowned myself trying to wash it down, I had an upper GI. The GI doc gave me Zantac (the fourth prescription in a month!) and the radiologist said I probably didn't chew my food well (that was really insulting), but he noted that I didn't have reflux and couldn't explain the burning and lumpy sensation in my throat. When I asked if I could be allergic to bread, he said " no " and suggested I really try to slow down and chew. Finally, my husband, who is a behaviorist (and will eat anything ) suggested that wheat might be the problem. He noticed that beer almost always gave me a headache and I sneezed when he made toast. Most of my swallowing difficulties involved wheat-based foods. And during my pregnancy, I experienced a racing heart whenever I ate pasta (nothing else seemed to cause this, although I should point out that I've known for years I'm allergic to raw tomatoes and onions, and they'll cause this feeling too). So I talked it over with my nutritionist friend and decided to try eliminating wheat for three weeks as an experiment. Not only did my skin clear up considerably, but to my surprise, so did my other symptoms. My MD was delighted with the results. Since that time I've stayed on a gluten-free diet. We've decided I probably won't be tested for celiac because the " gold standard " test requires me to be eating gluten for a considerable period of time and it's just not worth the risks to my health. I was referred to an allergy group who are reputed to be the local hotshots and they refused to see me because I'm not having a " life-threatening " allergy. (This is in Sonoma County where insurance may be at the root of all things medical...) I kid you not, when I say I rarely have headaches (maybe every two months) and they're never debilitating. My menstrual cycle regulated and my bowels calmed down. All of my heartburn went away. The psoriasis I'd had since the sixth grade cleared up entirely on one knee and elbow and never came back. I don't have to wash my food down with tons of water and the nagging " lump " in my throat is gone. I rarely flush and my occular symptoms are gone. The only problem -- my symptoms are much more extreme when I'm inadvertently exposed to gluten. My face will breakout quickly and I often get bowel upsets that last two or three days. I flush quickly and my eyes get slightly swollen and itchy and dry feeling. Also, despite the fact I eat a super-clean diet, I'm still plagued by itching on the back of my calves in the evening, and sometimes hives there as well. One elbow still has the psoriasis-like rash (which may, in fact, be psoriasis, and not going away), and I sometimes breakout without provocation. I don't know if something else is setting me off, or if my general histamine response is somehow fired up. When I followed up with the derm, I told him it didn't appear to be rosacea but some sort of food allergy and he simply said something like " hmmm. Yep, that could do it too... " Meanwhile, there is a derm in Sebastopol who is supposed to be brilliant. She's the one who traced my friend's " rosacea " to a toxic reaction to medication she'd been taking for years. Several people have recommended her. I'm hoping she'll help me get to the bottom of my residual complaints (especially the evening itching on my legs, which can drive me nuts!). Funny thing though, her reputation's so good, she can't see me until August! Hope this clarifys, Suzi __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Suzi, I eat very much like you do and I can't believe the stuff they put in food! I eat a lot of rice, stir frys made with olive oil, garlic, and fresh vegies, and it is all very easy and quick. Also use lots of tuna, salmon and even sardines. Recently found some spelt pasta ( which I can tolerate), and also rice pasta. I am convinced that the many additives in our food do us no good. I enjoy your posts. One thought, regarding the back of your legs itching. Have you considered what you might be sitting on, the back of chair, car seat, or sofa as a possible trigger? Regards, Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Suzi, I eat very much like you do and I can't believe the stuff they put in food! I eat a lot of rice, stir frys made with olive oil, garlic, and fresh vegies, and it is all very easy and quick. Also use lots of tuna, salmon and even sardines. Recently found some spelt pasta ( which I can tolerate), and also rice pasta. I am convinced that the many additives in our food do us no good. I enjoy your posts. One thought, regarding the back of your legs itching. Have you considered what you might be sitting on, the back of chair, car seat, or sofa as a possible trigger? Regards, Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Suzi, I eat very much like you do and I can't believe the stuff they put in food! I eat a lot of rice, stir frys made with olive oil, garlic, and fresh vegies, and it is all very easy and quick. Also use lots of tuna, salmon and even sardines. Recently found some spelt pasta ( which I can tolerate), and also rice pasta. I am convinced that the many additives in our food do us no good. I enjoy your posts. One thought, regarding the back of your legs itching. Have you considered what you might be sitting on, the back of chair, car seat, or sofa as a possible trigger? Regards, Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 < > in this month's issue of ALIVE magazine (available in healthfood stores in canada) there was an article on the difference between food allergy and food intolerance food allergy generally involving a reaction that was immediate especially anaphylaxis reaction and intolerance being the inability to digest properly causing physical reaction some hours after eating and inhibiting the absorption of nutrients ... stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 < > in this month's issue of ALIVE magazine (available in healthfood stores in canada) there was an article on the difference between food allergy and food intolerance food allergy generally involving a reaction that was immediate especially anaphylaxis reaction and intolerance being the inability to digest properly causing physical reaction some hours after eating and inhibiting the absorption of nutrients ... stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 < > in this month's issue of ALIVE magazine (available in healthfood stores in canada) there was an article on the difference between food allergy and food intolerance food allergy generally involving a reaction that was immediate especially anaphylaxis reaction and intolerance being the inability to digest properly causing physical reaction some hours after eating and inhibiting the absorption of nutrients ... stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 > That's easy, and I wasn't being clear. I'm 95 percent > sure I don't have rosacea. I have the symptoms of an > allergy and I was misdiagnosed because it looked like > rosacea -- including occular symptoms. Thank you, Suzi, that clarifies everything! You once made a comment about the possibility that what seems like recalcitrant rosacea may in fact be an undiagnosed food allergy. I thought that was a good observation, but I couldn't fit that in the rest of what I thought you were saying. Now I understand. > I've been around on the board for a about a year and a > half, and I make this clear from time to time. Or I may well have misread/misunderstood what you were saying. I just assumed that you felt rosacea was your primary diagnosis, and you thought everything stemmed from that. > So why do I stick around? Because, from what I read > here, I believe this is a relatively common > misdiagnosis. I hope to encourage people to look > beyond their skin for clues to what is going on. I agree, you're providing a thoughtful service to others by sticking around. Food allergies/intolerances are certainly something to consider for those with recalcitrant symptoms. Not only a misdiagnosis, but I wonder if some with correctly diagnosed but difficult-to-manage rosacea have more than one disorder going on in their face. Pure forms of rosacea, both its vascular and inflammatory aspects, as usually more successfully managed than described here by some. Thanks for sharing your story with me. Two things struck me. First, when allergists say life-threatening, they usually mean a layperson's definition for the classic diagnosis of an allergy, one that is mediated by the immune system and potentially causes a life- threatening condition called anaphylaxis. That's literally all an allergist specializes in. It could sound like other conditions just aren't serious enough, but that's not what they mean. One would think allergists should deal with intolerances too, but intolerances -- although they may feel like allergies and share many of the same symptoms -- is caused by a whole different set of problems. I believe that a gastroenterologist that specializes in digestive disorders -- not just a regular gastroenterologist -- would be the specialist for food intolerances to consult, but I'm not sure. Second, I am not making a cyberdiagnose -- my eyes are on the wrong side of your monitor for me to be able to do that -- but what you describe with the toast and water ( " trouble swallowing " ) sounds exactly like achalasia, which is a relatively uncommon conditon where there's a loss of the normal muscle movements (peristalsis) and loss of relaxation in the lower part of the esophagus. There are structural causes for achalsia like tumors, which apparently the UGI ruled out; there are other rarer causes, but usually it's a malfunction in a complex of nerves that innervates that part of the esophagus. The hallmark of achalsia is that the person can't swallow liquids as well as solids; there's almost nothing else that causes that problem. It is often associated with heartburn and reflux (that's where the Zantac and the comment about the UGI showing no reflux fits in), and it can also cause throat sensations ( " lump in the throat " ) -- everything fits right in with what you're describing. Plus, patients with achalasia learn (sometimes unconsciously) to move their necks in different positions and chew slowly to help allow their food and fluids to pass, so it sounds to me like the radiologist was teaching you a trick to deal with achalasia, not insulting your chewing style. (Though I understand, if things aren't explained, it can sound insulting.) I can't know, you have to be seen and evaluated by a doctor and undergo tests to make the definitive diagnosis, but it's striking to me that you gave all the stigma of achalasia hidden in the story, without ever actually saying the word. Maybe they told you it definitely wasn't achalasia? Whatever, alchalsia wouldn't explain your other symptoms, or an improvement in your skin with a change in diet. I don't know anything specific about wheat intolerance, but I'm surprised to hear you were told that celiac sprue can't be definitely diagnosed in you without return to a gluten diet. I would think the antibodies would remain indefinitely, or a biopsy could be performed. But I really don't know. Has a doctor or nutritionist ever formally diagnosed you with food intolerances? Marjorie Marjorie Lazoff, MD > Over the years, I've seen several recommended dermatologists, and none of them ever suggested that my diet might play a role in my skin's condition. None of them even asked about diet, habits, etc. None ever asked if I had any unusual symptoms in other parts of my body. I was handed a bunch of topicals and oral antibiotics and told to schedule another appointment. When a friend, who is a well-respected nutritionist, and works for many of the local physicians, suggested it might be a food allergy, I began to explore further with reading, etc. Coincidentally, at the time this began, I had been plagued with other body symptoms besides the skin on my face. Although I consider myself a strong, healthy person, I was plagued with heartburn, trouble swallowing certain foods (mostly breads, pasta, etc.), headaches, itching on my scalp and legs, occasional nosebleeds, menstrual irregularity, and bowel complaints that encompassed occasional diarrhea and also constipation. In a month's time, I was given birth control pills for my skin and the headaches. The derm gave me Metrogel and oral antibiotics. After a very scary incident in a restaurant where I couldn't full swallow a small piece of French toast, and almost drowned myself trying to wash it down, I had an upper GI. The GI doc gave me Zantac (the fourth prescription in a month!) and the radiologist said I probably didn't chew my food well (that was really insulting), but he noted that I didn't have reflux and couldn't explain the burning and lumpy sensation in my throat. When I asked if I could be allergic to bread, he said " no " and suggested I really try to slow down and chew. Finally, my husband, who is a behaviorist (and will eat anything ) suggested that wheat might be the problem. He noticed that beer almost always gave me a headache and I sneezed when he made toast. Most of my swallowing difficulties involved wheat-based foods. And during my pregnancy, I experienced a racing heart whenever I ate pasta (nothing else seemed to cause this, although I should point out that I've known for years I'm allergic to raw tomatoes and onions, and they'll cause this feeling too). So I talked it over with my nutritionist friend and decided to try eliminating wheat for three weeks as an experiment. Not only did my skin clear up considerably, but to my surprise, so did my other symptoms. My MD was delighted with the results. Since that time I've stayed on a gluten-free diet. We've decided I probably won't be tested for celiac because the " gold standard " test requires me to be eating gluten for a considerable period of time and it's just not worth the risks to my health. I was referred to an allergy group who are reputed to be the local hotshots and they refused to see me because I'm not having a " life-threatening " allergy. (This is in Sonoma County where insurance may be at the root of all things medical...) I kid you not, when I say I rarely have headaches (maybe every two months) and they're never debilitating. My menstrual cycle regulated and my bowels calmed down. All of my heartburn went away. The psoriasis I'd had since the sixth grade cleared up entirely on one knee and elbow and never came back. I don't have to wash my food down with tons of water and the nagging " lump " in my throat is gone. I rarely flush and my occular symptoms are gone. The only problem -- my symptoms are much more extreme when I'm inadvertently exposed to gluten. My face will breakout quickly and I often get bowel upsets that last two or three days. I flush quickly and my eyes get slightly swollen and itchy and dry feeling. Also, despite the fact I eat a super-clean diet, I'm still plagued by itching on the back of my calves in the evening, and sometimes hives there as well. One elbow still has the psoriasis-like rash (which may, in fact, be psoriasis, and not going away), and I sometimes breakout without provocation. I don't know if something else is setting me off, or if my general histamine response is somehow fired up. When I followed up with the derm, I told him it didn't appear to be rosacea but some sort of food allergy and he simply said something like " hmmm. Yep, that could do it too... " Meanwhile, there is a derm in Sebastopol who is supposed to be brilliant. She's the one who traced my friend's " rosacea " to a toxic reaction to medication she'd been taking for years. Several people have recommended her. I'm hoping she'll help me get to the bottom of my residual complaints (especially the evening itching on my legs, which can drive me nuts!). Funny thing though, her reputation's so good, she can't see me until August! Hope this clarifys, Suzi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 > That's easy, and I wasn't being clear. I'm 95 percent > sure I don't have rosacea. I have the symptoms of an > allergy and I was misdiagnosed because it looked like > rosacea -- including occular symptoms. Thank you, Suzi, that clarifies everything! You once made a comment about the possibility that what seems like recalcitrant rosacea may in fact be an undiagnosed food allergy. I thought that was a good observation, but I couldn't fit that in the rest of what I thought you were saying. Now I understand. > I've been around on the board for a about a year and a > half, and I make this clear from time to time. Or I may well have misread/misunderstood what you were saying. I just assumed that you felt rosacea was your primary diagnosis, and you thought everything stemmed from that. > So why do I stick around? Because, from what I read > here, I believe this is a relatively common > misdiagnosis. I hope to encourage people to look > beyond their skin for clues to what is going on. I agree, you're providing a thoughtful service to others by sticking around. Food allergies/intolerances are certainly something to consider for those with recalcitrant symptoms. Not only a misdiagnosis, but I wonder if some with correctly diagnosed but difficult-to-manage rosacea have more than one disorder going on in their face. Pure forms of rosacea, both its vascular and inflammatory aspects, as usually more successfully managed than described here by some. Thanks for sharing your story with me. Two things struck me. First, when allergists say life-threatening, they usually mean a layperson's definition for the classic diagnosis of an allergy, one that is mediated by the immune system and potentially causes a life- threatening condition called anaphylaxis. That's literally all an allergist specializes in. It could sound like other conditions just aren't serious enough, but that's not what they mean. One would think allergists should deal with intolerances too, but intolerances -- although they may feel like allergies and share many of the same symptoms -- is caused by a whole different set of problems. I believe that a gastroenterologist that specializes in digestive disorders -- not just a regular gastroenterologist -- would be the specialist for food intolerances to consult, but I'm not sure. Second, I am not making a cyberdiagnose -- my eyes are on the wrong side of your monitor for me to be able to do that -- but what you describe with the toast and water ( " trouble swallowing " ) sounds exactly like achalasia, which is a relatively uncommon conditon where there's a loss of the normal muscle movements (peristalsis) and loss of relaxation in the lower part of the esophagus. There are structural causes for achalsia like tumors, which apparently the UGI ruled out; there are other rarer causes, but usually it's a malfunction in a complex of nerves that innervates that part of the esophagus. The hallmark of achalsia is that the person can't swallow liquids as well as solids; there's almost nothing else that causes that problem. It is often associated with heartburn and reflux (that's where the Zantac and the comment about the UGI showing no reflux fits in), and it can also cause throat sensations ( " lump in the throat " ) -- everything fits right in with what you're describing. Plus, patients with achalasia learn (sometimes unconsciously) to move their necks in different positions and chew slowly to help allow their food and fluids to pass, so it sounds to me like the radiologist was teaching you a trick to deal with achalasia, not insulting your chewing style. (Though I understand, if things aren't explained, it can sound insulting.) I can't know, you have to be seen and evaluated by a doctor and undergo tests to make the definitive diagnosis, but it's striking to me that you gave all the stigma of achalasia hidden in the story, without ever actually saying the word. Maybe they told you it definitely wasn't achalasia? Whatever, alchalsia wouldn't explain your other symptoms, or an improvement in your skin with a change in diet. I don't know anything specific about wheat intolerance, but I'm surprised to hear you were told that celiac sprue can't be definitely diagnosed in you without return to a gluten diet. I would think the antibodies would remain indefinitely, or a biopsy could be performed. But I really don't know. Has a doctor or nutritionist ever formally diagnosed you with food intolerances? Marjorie Marjorie Lazoff, MD > Over the years, I've seen several recommended dermatologists, and none of them ever suggested that my diet might play a role in my skin's condition. None of them even asked about diet, habits, etc. None ever asked if I had any unusual symptoms in other parts of my body. I was handed a bunch of topicals and oral antibiotics and told to schedule another appointment. When a friend, who is a well-respected nutritionist, and works for many of the local physicians, suggested it might be a food allergy, I began to explore further with reading, etc. Coincidentally, at the time this began, I had been plagued with other body symptoms besides the skin on my face. Although I consider myself a strong, healthy person, I was plagued with heartburn, trouble swallowing certain foods (mostly breads, pasta, etc.), headaches, itching on my scalp and legs, occasional nosebleeds, menstrual irregularity, and bowel complaints that encompassed occasional diarrhea and also constipation. In a month's time, I was given birth control pills for my skin and the headaches. The derm gave me Metrogel and oral antibiotics. After a very scary incident in a restaurant where I couldn't full swallow a small piece of French toast, and almost drowned myself trying to wash it down, I had an upper GI. The GI doc gave me Zantac (the fourth prescription in a month!) and the radiologist said I probably didn't chew my food well (that was really insulting), but he noted that I didn't have reflux and couldn't explain the burning and lumpy sensation in my throat. When I asked if I could be allergic to bread, he said " no " and suggested I really try to slow down and chew. Finally, my husband, who is a behaviorist (and will eat anything ) suggested that wheat might be the problem. He noticed that beer almost always gave me a headache and I sneezed when he made toast. Most of my swallowing difficulties involved wheat-based foods. And during my pregnancy, I experienced a racing heart whenever I ate pasta (nothing else seemed to cause this, although I should point out that I've known for years I'm allergic to raw tomatoes and onions, and they'll cause this feeling too). So I talked it over with my nutritionist friend and decided to try eliminating wheat for three weeks as an experiment. Not only did my skin clear up considerably, but to my surprise, so did my other symptoms. My MD was delighted with the results. Since that time I've stayed on a gluten-free diet. We've decided I probably won't be tested for celiac because the " gold standard " test requires me to be eating gluten for a considerable period of time and it's just not worth the risks to my health. I was referred to an allergy group who are reputed to be the local hotshots and they refused to see me because I'm not having a " life-threatening " allergy. (This is in Sonoma County where insurance may be at the root of all things medical...) I kid you not, when I say I rarely have headaches (maybe every two months) and they're never debilitating. My menstrual cycle regulated and my bowels calmed down. All of my heartburn went away. The psoriasis I'd had since the sixth grade cleared up entirely on one knee and elbow and never came back. I don't have to wash my food down with tons of water and the nagging " lump " in my throat is gone. I rarely flush and my occular symptoms are gone. The only problem -- my symptoms are much more extreme when I'm inadvertently exposed to gluten. My face will breakout quickly and I often get bowel upsets that last two or three days. I flush quickly and my eyes get slightly swollen and itchy and dry feeling. Also, despite the fact I eat a super-clean diet, I'm still plagued by itching on the back of my calves in the evening, and sometimes hives there as well. One elbow still has the psoriasis-like rash (which may, in fact, be psoriasis, and not going away), and I sometimes breakout without provocation. I don't know if something else is setting me off, or if my general histamine response is somehow fired up. When I followed up with the derm, I told him it didn't appear to be rosacea but some sort of food allergy and he simply said something like " hmmm. Yep, that could do it too... " Meanwhile, there is a derm in Sebastopol who is supposed to be brilliant. She's the one who traced my friend's " rosacea " to a toxic reaction to medication she'd been taking for years. Several people have recommended her. I'm hoping she'll help me get to the bottom of my residual complaints (especially the evening itching on my legs, which can drive me nuts!). Funny thing though, her reputation's so good, she can't see me until August! Hope this clarifys, Suzi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 > That's easy, and I wasn't being clear. I'm 95 percent > sure I don't have rosacea. I have the symptoms of an > allergy and I was misdiagnosed because it looked like > rosacea -- including occular symptoms. Thank you, Suzi, that clarifies everything! You once made a comment about the possibility that what seems like recalcitrant rosacea may in fact be an undiagnosed food allergy. I thought that was a good observation, but I couldn't fit that in the rest of what I thought you were saying. Now I understand. > I've been around on the board for a about a year and a > half, and I make this clear from time to time. Or I may well have misread/misunderstood what you were saying. I just assumed that you felt rosacea was your primary diagnosis, and you thought everything stemmed from that. > So why do I stick around? Because, from what I read > here, I believe this is a relatively common > misdiagnosis. I hope to encourage people to look > beyond their skin for clues to what is going on. I agree, you're providing a thoughtful service to others by sticking around. Food allergies/intolerances are certainly something to consider for those with recalcitrant symptoms. Not only a misdiagnosis, but I wonder if some with correctly diagnosed but difficult-to-manage rosacea have more than one disorder going on in their face. Pure forms of rosacea, both its vascular and inflammatory aspects, as usually more successfully managed than described here by some. Thanks for sharing your story with me. Two things struck me. First, when allergists say life-threatening, they usually mean a layperson's definition for the classic diagnosis of an allergy, one that is mediated by the immune system and potentially causes a life- threatening condition called anaphylaxis. That's literally all an allergist specializes in. It could sound like other conditions just aren't serious enough, but that's not what they mean. One would think allergists should deal with intolerances too, but intolerances -- although they may feel like allergies and share many of the same symptoms -- is caused by a whole different set of problems. I believe that a gastroenterologist that specializes in digestive disorders -- not just a regular gastroenterologist -- would be the specialist for food intolerances to consult, but I'm not sure. Second, I am not making a cyberdiagnose -- my eyes are on the wrong side of your monitor for me to be able to do that -- but what you describe with the toast and water ( " trouble swallowing " ) sounds exactly like achalasia, which is a relatively uncommon conditon where there's a loss of the normal muscle movements (peristalsis) and loss of relaxation in the lower part of the esophagus. There are structural causes for achalsia like tumors, which apparently the UGI ruled out; there are other rarer causes, but usually it's a malfunction in a complex of nerves that innervates that part of the esophagus. The hallmark of achalsia is that the person can't swallow liquids as well as solids; there's almost nothing else that causes that problem. It is often associated with heartburn and reflux (that's where the Zantac and the comment about the UGI showing no reflux fits in), and it can also cause throat sensations ( " lump in the throat " ) -- everything fits right in with what you're describing. Plus, patients with achalasia learn (sometimes unconsciously) to move their necks in different positions and chew slowly to help allow their food and fluids to pass, so it sounds to me like the radiologist was teaching you a trick to deal with achalasia, not insulting your chewing style. (Though I understand, if things aren't explained, it can sound insulting.) I can't know, you have to be seen and evaluated by a doctor and undergo tests to make the definitive diagnosis, but it's striking to me that you gave all the stigma of achalasia hidden in the story, without ever actually saying the word. Maybe they told you it definitely wasn't achalasia? Whatever, alchalsia wouldn't explain your other symptoms, or an improvement in your skin with a change in diet. I don't know anything specific about wheat intolerance, but I'm surprised to hear you were told that celiac sprue can't be definitely diagnosed in you without return to a gluten diet. I would think the antibodies would remain indefinitely, or a biopsy could be performed. But I really don't know. Has a doctor or nutritionist ever formally diagnosed you with food intolerances? Marjorie Marjorie Lazoff, MD > Over the years, I've seen several recommended dermatologists, and none of them ever suggested that my diet might play a role in my skin's condition. None of them even asked about diet, habits, etc. None ever asked if I had any unusual symptoms in other parts of my body. I was handed a bunch of topicals and oral antibiotics and told to schedule another appointment. When a friend, who is a well-respected nutritionist, and works for many of the local physicians, suggested it might be a food allergy, I began to explore further with reading, etc. Coincidentally, at the time this began, I had been plagued with other body symptoms besides the skin on my face. Although I consider myself a strong, healthy person, I was plagued with heartburn, trouble swallowing certain foods (mostly breads, pasta, etc.), headaches, itching on my scalp and legs, occasional nosebleeds, menstrual irregularity, and bowel complaints that encompassed occasional diarrhea and also constipation. In a month's time, I was given birth control pills for my skin and the headaches. The derm gave me Metrogel and oral antibiotics. After a very scary incident in a restaurant where I couldn't full swallow a small piece of French toast, and almost drowned myself trying to wash it down, I had an upper GI. The GI doc gave me Zantac (the fourth prescription in a month!) and the radiologist said I probably didn't chew my food well (that was really insulting), but he noted that I didn't have reflux and couldn't explain the burning and lumpy sensation in my throat. When I asked if I could be allergic to bread, he said " no " and suggested I really try to slow down and chew. Finally, my husband, who is a behaviorist (and will eat anything ) suggested that wheat might be the problem. He noticed that beer almost always gave me a headache and I sneezed when he made toast. Most of my swallowing difficulties involved wheat-based foods. And during my pregnancy, I experienced a racing heart whenever I ate pasta (nothing else seemed to cause this, although I should point out that I've known for years I'm allergic to raw tomatoes and onions, and they'll cause this feeling too). So I talked it over with my nutritionist friend and decided to try eliminating wheat for three weeks as an experiment. Not only did my skin clear up considerably, but to my surprise, so did my other symptoms. My MD was delighted with the results. Since that time I've stayed on a gluten-free diet. We've decided I probably won't be tested for celiac because the " gold standard " test requires me to be eating gluten for a considerable period of time and it's just not worth the risks to my health. I was referred to an allergy group who are reputed to be the local hotshots and they refused to see me because I'm not having a " life-threatening " allergy. (This is in Sonoma County where insurance may be at the root of all things medical...) I kid you not, when I say I rarely have headaches (maybe every two months) and they're never debilitating. My menstrual cycle regulated and my bowels calmed down. All of my heartburn went away. The psoriasis I'd had since the sixth grade cleared up entirely on one knee and elbow and never came back. I don't have to wash my food down with tons of water and the nagging " lump " in my throat is gone. I rarely flush and my occular symptoms are gone. The only problem -- my symptoms are much more extreme when I'm inadvertently exposed to gluten. My face will breakout quickly and I often get bowel upsets that last two or three days. I flush quickly and my eyes get slightly swollen and itchy and dry feeling. Also, despite the fact I eat a super-clean diet, I'm still plagued by itching on the back of my calves in the evening, and sometimes hives there as well. One elbow still has the psoriasis-like rash (which may, in fact, be psoriasis, and not going away), and I sometimes breakout without provocation. I don't know if something else is setting me off, or if my general histamine response is somehow fired up. When I followed up with the derm, I told him it didn't appear to be rosacea but some sort of food allergy and he simply said something like " hmmm. Yep, that could do it too... " Meanwhile, there is a derm in Sebastopol who is supposed to be brilliant. She's the one who traced my friend's " rosacea " to a toxic reaction to medication she'd been taking for years. Several people have recommended her. I'm hoping she'll help me get to the bottom of my residual complaints (especially the evening itching on my legs, which can drive me nuts!). Funny thing though, her reputation's so good, she can't see me until August! Hope this clarifys, Suzi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2002 Report Share Posted May 11, 2002 Suzi, that is an incredible explanation of food allergy connected to rosacea.....thanks... during the cea Diet I suggest to non-vegetarians no grains whatever for thirty days..... your insight on this gives a new twist to the different theories on the cause of rosacea.... maybe there is combination of several food factors in our diet and who knows what else that plays a part in the cause of rosacea? My theory has been that what we are eating and drinking has something to do with rosacea. I really do appreciate this post. I will be referring to it on the cea Diet Users Support Group site. -- Brady Barrows - webmaster for http://www.rosaceans.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosaceans http://www.rosacea-control.com http://www.rosaceadiet.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-diet-users-support-group > But I don't understand how a food >> allergy/sensitivity can cause >> rosacea. Can you explain? >> >> Marjorie >> > > That's easy, and I wasn't being clear. I'm 95 percent > sure I don't have rosacea. I have the symptoms of an > allergy and I was misdiagnosed because it looked like > rosacea -- including occular symptoms. > > I've been around on the board for a about a year and a > half, and I make this clear from time to time. > > So why do I stick around? Because, from what I read > here, I believe this is a relatively common > misdiagnosis. I hope to encourage people to look > beyond their skin for clues to what is going on. > > Over the years, I've seen several recommended > dermatologists, and none of them ever suggested that > my diet might play a role in my skin's condition. > > None of them even asked about diet, habits, etc. None > ever asked if I had any unusual symptoms in other > parts of my body. I was handed a bunch of topicals and > oral antibiotics and told to schedule another > appointment. > > When a friend, who is a well-respected nutritionist, > and works for many of the local physicians, suggested > it might be a food allergy, I began to explore further > with reading, etc. > > Coincidentally, at the time this began, I had been > plagued with other body symptoms besides the skin on > my face. Although I consider myself a strong, healthy > person, I was plagued with heartburn, trouble > swallowing certain foods (mostly breads, pasta, etc.), > headaches, itching on my scalp and legs, occasional > nosebleeds, menstrual irregularity, and bowel > complaints that encompassed occasional diarrhea and > also constipation. > > In a month's time, I was given birth control pills for > my skin and the headaches. The derm gave me Metrogel > and oral antibiotics. > > After a very scary incident in a restaurant where I > couldn't full swallow a small piece of French toast, > and almost drowned myself trying to wash it down, I > had an upper GI. The GI doc gave me Zantac (the fourth > prescription in a month!) and the radiologist said I > probably didn't chew my food well (that was really > insulting), but he noted that I didn't have reflux and > couldn't explain the burning and lumpy sensation in my > throat. When I asked if I could be allergic to bread, > he said " no " and suggested I really try to slow down > and chew. > > Finally, my husband, who is a behaviorist (and will > eat anything ) suggested that wheat might be the > problem. He noticed that beer almost always gave me a > headache and I sneezed when he made toast. Most of my > swallowing difficulties involved wheat-based foods. > And during my pregnancy, I experienced a racing heart > whenever I ate pasta (nothing else seemed to cause > this, although I should point out that I've known for > years I'm allergic to raw tomatoes and onions, and > they'll cause this feeling too). > > So I talked it over with my nutritionist friend and > decided to try eliminating wheat for three weeks as an > experiment. > > Not only did my skin clear up considerably, but to my > surprise, so did my other symptoms. > > My MD was delighted with the results. Since that time > I've stayed on a gluten-free diet. We've decided I > probably won't be tested for celiac because the " gold > standard " test requires me to be eating gluten for a > considerable period of time and it's just not worth > the risks to my health. I was referred to an allergy > group who are reputed to be the local hotshots and > they refused to see me because I'm not having a > " life-threatening " allergy. (This is in Sonoma County > where insurance may be at the root of all things > medical...) > > I kid you not, when I say I rarely have headaches > (maybe every two months) and they're never > debilitating. My menstrual cycle regulated and my > bowels calmed down. All of my heartburn went away. The > psoriasis I'd had since the sixth grade cleared up > entirely on one knee and elbow and never came back. I > don't have to wash my food down with tons of water and > the nagging " lump " in my throat is gone. > > I rarely flush and my occular symptoms are gone. > > The only problem -- my symptoms are much more extreme > when I'm inadvertently exposed to gluten. My face will > breakout quickly and I often get bowel upsets that > last two or three days. I flush quickly and my eyes > get slightly swollen and itchy and dry feeling. > > Also, despite the fact I eat a super-clean diet, I'm > still plagued by itching on the back of my calves in > the evening, and sometimes hives there as well. One > elbow still has the psoriasis-like rash (which may, in > fact, be psoriasis, and not going away), and I > sometimes breakout without provocation. > > I don't know if something else is setting me off, or > if my general histamine response is somehow fired up. > > When I followed up with the derm, I told him it didn't > appear to be rosacea but some sort of food allergy and > he simply said something like " hmmm. Yep, that could > do it too... " > > Meanwhile, there is a derm in Sebastopol who is > supposed to be brilliant. She's the one who traced my > friend's " rosacea " to a toxic reaction to medication > she'd been taking for years. Several people have > recommended her. I'm hoping she'll help me get to the > bottom of my residual complaints (especially the > evening itching on my legs, which can drive me nuts!). > > Funny thing though, her reputation's so good, she > can't see me until August! > > > Hope this clarifys, > > > Suzi > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2002 Report Share Posted May 11, 2002 Suzi, that is an incredible explanation of food allergy connected to rosacea.....thanks... during the cea Diet I suggest to non-vegetarians no grains whatever for thirty days..... your insight on this gives a new twist to the different theories on the cause of rosacea.... maybe there is combination of several food factors in our diet and who knows what else that plays a part in the cause of rosacea? My theory has been that what we are eating and drinking has something to do with rosacea. I really do appreciate this post. I will be referring to it on the cea Diet Users Support Group site. -- Brady Barrows - webmaster for http://www.rosaceans.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosaceans http://www.rosacea-control.com http://www.rosaceadiet.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-diet-users-support-group > But I don't understand how a food >> allergy/sensitivity can cause >> rosacea. Can you explain? >> >> Marjorie >> > > That's easy, and I wasn't being clear. I'm 95 percent > sure I don't have rosacea. I have the symptoms of an > allergy and I was misdiagnosed because it looked like > rosacea -- including occular symptoms. > > I've been around on the board for a about a year and a > half, and I make this clear from time to time. > > So why do I stick around? Because, from what I read > here, I believe this is a relatively common > misdiagnosis. I hope to encourage people to look > beyond their skin for clues to what is going on. > > Over the years, I've seen several recommended > dermatologists, and none of them ever suggested that > my diet might play a role in my skin's condition. > > None of them even asked about diet, habits, etc. None > ever asked if I had any unusual symptoms in other > parts of my body. I was handed a bunch of topicals and > oral antibiotics and told to schedule another > appointment. > > When a friend, who is a well-respected nutritionist, > and works for many of the local physicians, suggested > it might be a food allergy, I began to explore further > with reading, etc. > > Coincidentally, at the time this began, I had been > plagued with other body symptoms besides the skin on > my face. Although I consider myself a strong, healthy > person, I was plagued with heartburn, trouble > swallowing certain foods (mostly breads, pasta, etc.), > headaches, itching on my scalp and legs, occasional > nosebleeds, menstrual irregularity, and bowel > complaints that encompassed occasional diarrhea and > also constipation. > > In a month's time, I was given birth control pills for > my skin and the headaches. The derm gave me Metrogel > and oral antibiotics. > > After a very scary incident in a restaurant where I > couldn't full swallow a small piece of French toast, > and almost drowned myself trying to wash it down, I > had an upper GI. The GI doc gave me Zantac (the fourth > prescription in a month!) and the radiologist said I > probably didn't chew my food well (that was really > insulting), but he noted that I didn't have reflux and > couldn't explain the burning and lumpy sensation in my > throat. When I asked if I could be allergic to bread, > he said " no " and suggested I really try to slow down > and chew. > > Finally, my husband, who is a behaviorist (and will > eat anything ) suggested that wheat might be the > problem. He noticed that beer almost always gave me a > headache and I sneezed when he made toast. Most of my > swallowing difficulties involved wheat-based foods. > And during my pregnancy, I experienced a racing heart > whenever I ate pasta (nothing else seemed to cause > this, although I should point out that I've known for > years I'm allergic to raw tomatoes and onions, and > they'll cause this feeling too). > > So I talked it over with my nutritionist friend and > decided to try eliminating wheat for three weeks as an > experiment. > > Not only did my skin clear up considerably, but to my > surprise, so did my other symptoms. > > My MD was delighted with the results. Since that time > I've stayed on a gluten-free diet. We've decided I > probably won't be tested for celiac because the " gold > standard " test requires me to be eating gluten for a > considerable period of time and it's just not worth > the risks to my health. I was referred to an allergy > group who are reputed to be the local hotshots and > they refused to see me because I'm not having a > " life-threatening " allergy. (This is in Sonoma County > where insurance may be at the root of all things > medical...) > > I kid you not, when I say I rarely have headaches > (maybe every two months) and they're never > debilitating. My menstrual cycle regulated and my > bowels calmed down. All of my heartburn went away. The > psoriasis I'd had since the sixth grade cleared up > entirely on one knee and elbow and never came back. I > don't have to wash my food down with tons of water and > the nagging " lump " in my throat is gone. > > I rarely flush and my occular symptoms are gone. > > The only problem -- my symptoms are much more extreme > when I'm inadvertently exposed to gluten. My face will > breakout quickly and I often get bowel upsets that > last two or three days. I flush quickly and my eyes > get slightly swollen and itchy and dry feeling. > > Also, despite the fact I eat a super-clean diet, I'm > still plagued by itching on the back of my calves in > the evening, and sometimes hives there as well. One > elbow still has the psoriasis-like rash (which may, in > fact, be psoriasis, and not going away), and I > sometimes breakout without provocation. > > I don't know if something else is setting me off, or > if my general histamine response is somehow fired up. > > When I followed up with the derm, I told him it didn't > appear to be rosacea but some sort of food allergy and > he simply said something like " hmmm. Yep, that could > do it too... " > > Meanwhile, there is a derm in Sebastopol who is > supposed to be brilliant. She's the one who traced my > friend's " rosacea " to a toxic reaction to medication > she'd been taking for years. Several people have > recommended her. I'm hoping she'll help me get to the > bottom of my residual complaints (especially the > evening itching on my legs, which can drive me nuts!). > > Funny thing though, her reputation's so good, she > can't see me until August! > > > Hope this clarifys, > > > Suzi > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2002 Report Share Posted May 11, 2002 Suzi, that is an incredible explanation of food allergy connected to rosacea.....thanks... during the cea Diet I suggest to non-vegetarians no grains whatever for thirty days..... your insight on this gives a new twist to the different theories on the cause of rosacea.... maybe there is combination of several food factors in our diet and who knows what else that plays a part in the cause of rosacea? My theory has been that what we are eating and drinking has something to do with rosacea. I really do appreciate this post. I will be referring to it on the cea Diet Users Support Group site. -- Brady Barrows - webmaster for http://www.rosaceans.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosaceans http://www.rosacea-control.com http://www.rosaceadiet.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-diet-users-support-group > But I don't understand how a food >> allergy/sensitivity can cause >> rosacea. Can you explain? >> >> Marjorie >> > > That's easy, and I wasn't being clear. I'm 95 percent > sure I don't have rosacea. I have the symptoms of an > allergy and I was misdiagnosed because it looked like > rosacea -- including occular symptoms. > > I've been around on the board for a about a year and a > half, and I make this clear from time to time. > > So why do I stick around? Because, from what I read > here, I believe this is a relatively common > misdiagnosis. I hope to encourage people to look > beyond their skin for clues to what is going on. > > Over the years, I've seen several recommended > dermatologists, and none of them ever suggested that > my diet might play a role in my skin's condition. > > None of them even asked about diet, habits, etc. None > ever asked if I had any unusual symptoms in other > parts of my body. I was handed a bunch of topicals and > oral antibiotics and told to schedule another > appointment. > > When a friend, who is a well-respected nutritionist, > and works for many of the local physicians, suggested > it might be a food allergy, I began to explore further > with reading, etc. > > Coincidentally, at the time this began, I had been > plagued with other body symptoms besides the skin on > my face. Although I consider myself a strong, healthy > person, I was plagued with heartburn, trouble > swallowing certain foods (mostly breads, pasta, etc.), > headaches, itching on my scalp and legs, occasional > nosebleeds, menstrual irregularity, and bowel > complaints that encompassed occasional diarrhea and > also constipation. > > In a month's time, I was given birth control pills for > my skin and the headaches. The derm gave me Metrogel > and oral antibiotics. > > After a very scary incident in a restaurant where I > couldn't full swallow a small piece of French toast, > and almost drowned myself trying to wash it down, I > had an upper GI. The GI doc gave me Zantac (the fourth > prescription in a month!) and the radiologist said I > probably didn't chew my food well (that was really > insulting), but he noted that I didn't have reflux and > couldn't explain the burning and lumpy sensation in my > throat. When I asked if I could be allergic to bread, > he said " no " and suggested I really try to slow down > and chew. > > Finally, my husband, who is a behaviorist (and will > eat anything ) suggested that wheat might be the > problem. He noticed that beer almost always gave me a > headache and I sneezed when he made toast. Most of my > swallowing difficulties involved wheat-based foods. > And during my pregnancy, I experienced a racing heart > whenever I ate pasta (nothing else seemed to cause > this, although I should point out that I've known for > years I'm allergic to raw tomatoes and onions, and > they'll cause this feeling too). > > So I talked it over with my nutritionist friend and > decided to try eliminating wheat for three weeks as an > experiment. > > Not only did my skin clear up considerably, but to my > surprise, so did my other symptoms. > > My MD was delighted with the results. Since that time > I've stayed on a gluten-free diet. We've decided I > probably won't be tested for celiac because the " gold > standard " test requires me to be eating gluten for a > considerable period of time and it's just not worth > the risks to my health. I was referred to an allergy > group who are reputed to be the local hotshots and > they refused to see me because I'm not having a > " life-threatening " allergy. (This is in Sonoma County > where insurance may be at the root of all things > medical...) > > I kid you not, when I say I rarely have headaches > (maybe every two months) and they're never > debilitating. My menstrual cycle regulated and my > bowels calmed down. All of my heartburn went away. The > psoriasis I'd had since the sixth grade cleared up > entirely on one knee and elbow and never came back. I > don't have to wash my food down with tons of water and > the nagging " lump " in my throat is gone. > > I rarely flush and my occular symptoms are gone. > > The only problem -- my symptoms are much more extreme > when I'm inadvertently exposed to gluten. My face will > breakout quickly and I often get bowel upsets that > last two or three days. I flush quickly and my eyes > get slightly swollen and itchy and dry feeling. > > Also, despite the fact I eat a super-clean diet, I'm > still plagued by itching on the back of my calves in > the evening, and sometimes hives there as well. One > elbow still has the psoriasis-like rash (which may, in > fact, be psoriasis, and not going away), and I > sometimes breakout without provocation. > > I don't know if something else is setting me off, or > if my general histamine response is somehow fired up. > > When I followed up with the derm, I told him it didn't > appear to be rosacea but some sort of food allergy and > he simply said something like " hmmm. Yep, that could > do it too... " > > Meanwhile, there is a derm in Sebastopol who is > supposed to be brilliant. She's the one who traced my > friend's " rosacea " to a toxic reaction to medication > she'd been taking for years. Several people have > recommended her. I'm hoping she'll help me get to the > bottom of my residual complaints (especially the > evening itching on my legs, which can drive me nuts!). > > Funny thing though, her reputation's so good, she > can't see me until August! > > > Hope this clarifys, > > > Suzi > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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