To think that no one is taking me seriously?

[HelpMeHelpMeINeedARemedy]

I'm 30. I'm a bit of a medical wonder - according to my GP - one of those people where anything is possible medically speaking lol. Over the last few months I seem to have developed intolerances/allergies to something/s. After eating some foods I experience gastro problems/random hives and throat spasms.

It is happening more and more often. My DP got a bit pissed with me earlier when I said it was happening and said "You can't be allergic to everything" . I said to him "Well no but it's possible I'm allergic to one thing that I keep exposing myself to".

My parents are also taking the whole "It's anxiety" route. DP also said to me this evening "When you had a panic attack earlier" I was like WTH? I had actual, real, physical hives come up!

You need to take it seriously if you expect others to. the obvious thing they will ask you to do is to keep a food diary so you should start doing this - or maybe do the type of exclusion diet where you start eating very little and add things back in at set stages

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend.

So it's okay for the OP's DH and family to diagnose her, but not for her to do the same ?

When you are disabled you get very sensitive to unusual changes within yourself . You know what is new and different. She's totally not being unreasonable to consider this is either a food allergy or drug reaction, considering it happens after she eats particular foods.

As an individual with a rare genetic disorder, I spent 5 years being passed from pillar to post and it was only after I out my research hat on and found a condition that ticked all the boxes, that my GP and rheumatologist knew what to test for. My self -diagnosis was right, and I'm not the only person I know who has benefitted by doing the research themselves and asking a doctor to focus in that area.

I knew someone who was diagnosed with masses of allergies and was really struggling to combat them all. She was on a highly restrictive diet etc.
Eventually she saw a London Specialist and it turned out she had a tropical disease - no one else had spotted, and no one else had even asked if she had been to Africa.

So as well as possible Anxiety - is there any chance you could have an underlying infection?
I really would want more medical investigation and a dietician's help.

I think the OP is right to self diagnose. We all have to do this a lot more and help ourselves a lot more than we do.

I have been ill for 18 months after an operation. I have been round an enormous mulberry bush of Doctors, Physiotherapists, Consultants, Nurse Practitioners and pain clinics. I too felt like no-one was listening. I had to work out for myself what the problem was though as they were all mystified and I was desperately ill and was getting psyche issues as a result.

OP in your shoes I would look at the side effects of the drugs you are on as a lot of drugs have a disease modifying or disease promoting effect. The answer might be in black and white in front of you or it might not. Eliminate all the 'usual suspects' from your diet too. I find refined carbs give me terrible GERD and have cut them from my diet which has helped me lose weight too. It might be a good idea to take a probiotic too.

Allergies definitely come and go. I was severly allergic to horses as a kid. I was able to go riding in my teens and the allergy came back as an adult. I hope you find whatever it is and soon. Being ill and feeling like you have no-where to go 'within the system' is awful. Turn detective. You might have a lightbulb moment. No-one really has a vested interest in getting you well apart from you. We would all be well advised to remember this.

OP I'd recommend getting blood tests for histamine intolerance. I was in my 30s when we discovered this is what's wrong with me - I'd had years of being told it was ibs and taking and anti-depressants and anxiety medication. It wasn't until I moved and registered with a new doctor who refused to believe there wasn't something else going on that we got to the bottom of it and life is so much better now (although there are some things I can't eat but I'd rather that than the pain and miserable feeling I had before!)

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend.

So it's okay for the OP's DH and family to diagnose her, but not for her to do the same ?

I haven’t insinuating or even remotely suggested this

beta blocker can cause these symptoms

loveforyesteryears - that is absolutely not true. Please educate yourself.

Do you have hay fever? I have hay fever to certain plants, so when I am already reacting to apple blossom pollen, I can't eat an apple without my throat getting painful and my skin coming up. In winter, I can eat apples.

This is recognised by my doctor, not something I've come up with.

Why would you suddenly react to things you’ve eaten before. Stop eating eclairs, they’re not essential to health. Did you really go to a doctor with a possible eclair allergy?!

You are so clueless.

Allergies can start at any time. I was allergic to nothing and then developed anaphylaxis to nuts and sesame age 10. I ate those things often prior to this.

Funnily enough eclairs are made of these things called ingredients, some of which are allergens. She’s not allergic to eclairs FFS.

I have to say I get it OP.
Overheard a couple of doctors discuss my case recently and the reaction of the doctors was "Oh so she's one of those is she."

Complex heart condition, complex mental health and also diagnosed with a genetic disorder.

You eventually develop a sense of humor.

I get throat tightening and sickness with anxiety.

My friend gets massive massive hives with stress and anxiety and is often hospitalised by them.

Have you actually considered that it could be anxiety?

@julensaor I haven't had a severe reaction. I think I'm just worried that I will have one of I can't pin point the problem. The throat weirdness is definitely very concerning at the time.

@HeadintheiClouds I have knocked bread on the head.

@ThumbWitchesAbroadI I will ask my GP thanks 😊

@Lottle I have had a look. I'm not sure what a salicylate is though!

@TanMateix I will stop the bakery products. I think been eating them on purpose to prove to myself it wasn't anxiety but having the same reaction over and over is making me think it could be something else.

@TheDarkPassenger I have completely looked at it being anxiety - I'm open to all ideas. It just seems strange that certain foods are constantly bringing on reactions. I have had anxiety before and it's never manifested like this.

@darkriver19886 I know what you mean. Medically we sound very similar. A lot of the time I can laugh along with them but this issue is just freaking me out!

@SinkGirl Yes this made me roll my eyes too - obviously I wasn't going to go flailing into my GP surgery yelling "HELP I'M ALLERGIC TO ÉCLAIRS"

@LetsSplashMummy I don't have hay-fever but do have a diagnosed grass allergy

The throat tightening thing for me is caused by reflux

I think it’s very difficult when family or friends are dismissive of things like this
Many GPs won’t refer for allergy testing
I just had to put myself on an elimination diet and reintroduce things and see what happened
I’m allergic to wheat, caffeine, iodine, peaches, shellfish and have very severe reactions to insect bites and stings

@AbbieDabbieDoo That's really interesting - I experience most of the symptoms on that list! I'm going to mention it to my GP

@MollyButton I haven't been anywhere tropical so the idea of it being a tropical disease is unlikely

@SinkGirl it's not really tightening it's more like it's... Flexing itself... It sounds weird I know

@JaceLancs Did you develop these as an adult?

They have started spraying wheat crops with glycophosphate just before harvest. Apparently but helps dry /kill the crop before harvest. I really worry about the impact of that on our diet. Try cutting out wheat op? And yes those around you could be more sympathetic.

@bordellosboheme additives and sprays on crops are worrying for sure. I was out walking this time last year new some fields and remember smelling this vile smell and shortly after I felt like I was going to pass out. I actually had to call my sister in law to come and pick me up!

OP keep a food diary, and then avoid food that makes you feel ill.

But OP you do read as if you are anxious. I understand that, I have a rare disorder that took years to be diagnosed properly. I think when you have had this happen it can be easy to over focus on minor things that really do not mean anything and to cause anxiety symptoms.

@AbbieDabbieDoo beat me to it! I would look into a histamine intolerance too- especially given the fact that potatoes are affecting you.

@Zoflorabore this has been a very bad year for hay fever sufferers, it's absolutely debilitating for those with severe symptoms, you have my sympathies.

@HelpMeHelpMeINeedARemedy sorry- because potatoes are part of the 'nightshade' family, along with tomatoes, borage, etc etc

I think you are doing the right thing by giving up bread products .If you feel unwell. keep a diary for maybe a couple of weeks, and show your doctor.I think your family are not being unkind ,but maybe a little weary of hearing about your symptons. Thing is, they are very real and do need attention !.Have you thought about being tested privately at all?.Some private hospitals charge a set fee and this covers a wide range of issues .Maybe worthwhile if this is an option for you ,at any rate a second opinion will be useful .Hope you start to feel better soon .Also what about some mediation or yoga to help you relax .I worry a lot too .Walking in the park with my dog ,a lttle lad with his dad said "dont worry be happy"!made me laugh out loud!