Food Allergies and SBD

[yellobeuty]

Burdle wrote:

if you continue to eat foods you know you are allegic to, your body is in a constant state of allergic reaction. If you do not give up these foods, at least for 90 days, you might not 'get over' the allergic reactions to the foods you have eliminated. My allergist, a specialist's specialist, told me that the best diet for me is one where I'm not reacting. I pass this advice on to you.

I so needed to hear that! thanks

[blo]

Hi Burdle! I've been on the SBD for about 2 months now & have lost about 15 lbs. CRNP put me on it to help with the trigs & to prevent pre-diabetic condition. I've made good changes to my diet. DH was on the basic about 3 years back for his trigs & did wonderful. But now I am having problems with an allergic outbreak. I am eating natural almond, cashew butter. Have made my own humus using the SBD recipe, tried a super-seeded bread which I liked just recently. (Only 1 and 1/2 slices in 2 days.) I ate 1/2 slice on Tuesday, and then 1 whole slice on Wednesday. Eat lf cheese such as Laughing Cow Swiss, plus 2% cottage cheese, eat salmon, take an Omega3 capsule everyday. Use EVO and balsmic vinegar for dressing instead of processed ones. I love the natural nut butters. I like to eat them with my apple. I've heard that eating some sort of protein with the carb would help slow down the sugar process esp if one might be pre-diabetic or diabetic. I do use the Splendar for ice teas & coffee, and have before but now somewhat more because of SBD. (I haven't had any sugar since Feb 4th). I noticed the other day before completely breaking out with a terrible rash on Friday, (ankles, armpits, crevices of elbows, in the thighs & hip area), that I had terrible gas pains. Last night, Saturday, had very loose bm. (Maybe related.) I have eaten BK veggie without the buns too. Had those before w/no problem. Tried the red roasted pepper cream sauce from SBD & used the roasted red peppers in a jar. It had sea salt, (never had that before), in it along with vinegar. Went to CRNP on Friday, March 24th, & she said that she had never seen anything like this before. So she put me on a generic brand of Atarax which is call Hydroxyz Hcl. I called the dr's office Saturday bcz med didn't seem to be do a whole lot more other than keeping me from going into shock. Blood pressure was up to 130 from 117, and heart rate was normal. Weight went from 187 to 192. But that's at the drs office wearing shoes & other apparel. Not having problems breathing but at one point felt like I was going to have the shakes. Not sure what those would have signified. I left a voice mail & she never got back to me & here it is Sunday. It is like a bad sun burn all over. The last time I got like this was because of coming in contact w/virginia creeper/poison ivy. CRNP said to go back to square one & rule out what it is. No, I have not been any where near a garden. My fingers are swollen, my right ankle, but not the left. The tightness in my hands seem to be subsiding. I really need to go to work on Monday but the meds do make me sleepy. My inner thighs are the worst! Could I be allergic to the legumes or the seeds in the superseeded bread? Would it be the legumes? If so, what are legumes? (bkz my hubby wants to eat more beans, are beans legumes?) Or would it be the nut butters?The meds are for 3xs/day for 10 days. don't know if I can go on like this for another week! Help! Sorry this is so long!

[Burdle]

Oh, blo, my heart goes out to you. I used to be called 'The Rash Queen' pre-SBD, had 6 full body rashes in the last 20 years, not fun, not fun at all. I have the most sensitive skin of anyone I've ever come across.
If I had to guess, which apparently I am, you have more than one thing going on. #1, you ate something you are allergic to, what it is, I can't tell. The swelling could be from an allergic reaction, but it could also be from eating too much salt. Some people can't tolerate much sodium, like me. #2, I think you have a yeast infection, also called Candida, perhaps also systemic shingles. I had them both at the same time. Most of the areas you described with a rash, like inside elbows, under arms, etc. are moist areas where yeast grows. Guess what feeds a yeast infection...vinegar, bakers yeast (yeast used to make bread), a mold exposure, nuts (molds grow readily on nuts), cheese and fruit, too many carbs. Taking antibiotics can also cause a yeast infection and rash. Because your skin was already sensitized from the previous poison ivy exposure, your reactions are coming out on your skin. Most doctors only recognize the common female yeast infection, and don't know that it can be systemic, like I had.
Here's what I would do if I had your symptoms: stop all vinegar, cheese, bread. I'd even stop using Splenda, I've heard of people getting a rash from Splenda. Go on 'the cave man' diet, which is lean meat and fresh low glycemic veggies for a few days, no artificial sweeteners or artificial colors or additives. Drink only water, plenty of water, filtered or mineral water if possible. Wear only soft cotton clothing, and try to find some all cotton sheets...the rash on your hips could be from either the seams in your pants(sewn with polyester thread) or the polyester in sheets. The seams on the inner thigh area of pants could easily irritate already sensitive skin, especially those of us with 'thunder thighs' so wear a dress or skirt, cotton if possible. Wear a slip inside out so the seams are not touching your skin, hopefully a non-polyester slip without lace. A rash around the ankles can be caused by wearing socks that are rough or too tight around that area. If you can tolerate it, a medicated powder like gold bond might help in the moist areas. Have you changed your laundry detergent lately? Make sure you put your laundry thu an extra rinse if you can. Don't put any scented products on, and especially don't wear any alcohol based perfume, cologne, etc.
There are prescription medications to help fight a yeast infection, I would suggest you speak to your gyne (I am presuming you are female), they know more about yeast infections than most Internists. (Sorry, I'm not sure what CRNP means.)
Most of all, I would suggest that you stay home until you get this under control! I usually take benedryl if I start getting a rash, and 99% of the time, that works for me, altho it can make you sleepy. You need to relax, the more upset you get, the higher your histamine level can go, the worse the rash gets. There is a product called colloidal oatmeal at the drug store that you add to a bath, that can help calm down and get rid of a rash.
I hope all this helps, at one time I actually started writing a book on this subject for the Gulf War Vets who were breaking out in rashes, but my story is so depressing, I had to stop...
In answer to your legume question: legumes are beans. Peanuts are also legumes.
As for food allergies...yes, you could be allergic to legumes, or seeds, or anything you eat. I'm allergic to some beans, but not all of them. I can eat cooked dried lima beans, but not lentils. You have to be your own detective to find out what you are allergic to...it might not be the last thing you ate before getting the rash. Some people are delayed reactors. Try keeping a food journal and keep track of symptoms, too. Hopefully, you will see a pattern of eating a certain food, and getting the same reaction each time.
I hope this helps you, feel free to PM me if you have any more questions so we don't bore the rest of our loyal fans with our problems (ahahaha).
Hugs,
Burdle

[blo]

Thank you Burdle for responding. I am female. CRNP means Certified Registered Nurse Practicioner. The rash was spreading & getting worse. My sister thinks it a dermatitis thing. Couldn't wait much longer so went to the ER & they took one look at mean & took me right away. The dr there said after doing a blood sugar pin prick that my sugar was ok, (94), although I am not a diabetic. But since I wear support hose I have an infection on the top of my right foot near the toe. Great! So I can't wear the support hose which is for my veins. However, dr gave me a steroid cream for the rash & I requested a steroid pill for the swelling. The cream is helping tremendously & I just started the pill regimen, Prednisone, (sp?), this morning. I will be calling for a follow-up appointment w/either CRNP or dr today & see what happens. I rarely use my pc at home since dh is on it most of time. Since I am not at work where I normally do posting I will see if I can post you w/pm next time. By the way, what is systematic shingles? I will take your suggestion & do the "cave man's diet." blo

[Burdle]

The caveman diet is just protein and veggies. It might help you detox whatever is causing the rash.
You did the right thing by going to the ER. Your health problems are so complicated, you need medical advice.
When I asked about your laundry detergent being changed, I was thinking of contact dermititis. Yeast infections are pretty common in women with pre-diabetes and diabetes, that is why I mentioned that. A systemic yeast infections is throughout the body (systemic...system), not just vaginally, where they usually occur. Systemic shingles is the herpes zoster virus, from chicken pox, which usually only occurs in a band around the trunk of the body...I had it everywhere, along with a systemic yeast infection, and couldn't get rid of one without also treating the other one.
My skin is so sensitive, I wear socks for women with diabetes, even though I don't have diabetes. They are much less irritating to the skin, flat toe seams, not too tight elastic at the top. Support hose are difficult to wear if you have a rash or sensitive skin, plus, they are usually made from polyester, and have some type of elastic or spandex in them, all 3 can cause a rash in someone with sensitive skin. Perhaps your support hose have a 'chunky' seam on top of the toe, which would irritate your skin and cause an infection...that's why I wear diabetic socks, the toe seems on regular socks feel like a razor blade to me, and cause severe skin irritation on top of my toes.
Relax, let the prednisone work, and when you start adding foods back into your diet, do them one at a time, with a few days in between each new addition. Hopefully, you would then be able to tell if a food is bothering you. One way of telling if you are reacting to a newly added food is to check your pulse. Sit and relax, take your pulse. Then, eat a serving of a food you are adding. Wait about 15 minutes and take your pulse again. If it is up over 10 points from the previous reading, you probably are reacting to the food.
Good luck,
Burdle

[blo]

Hi Burdle. I saw the CRNP today. I was given a shot of prednisone on top of what I took this morning. She took one look at me & said that the dr at the ER yesterday should have given me a shot. So she is given me a stronger dose in a pkg form for the next few days. In the meantime she had blood work done on me to see how the blood cell counts are doing. Won't know the results until tomorrow & then she will call me & let me know. The shot is helping but rash is still spreading even though it is not as bothersome. I asked her about the yeast infection & she says it doesn't have the pattern of such so..... I will let you know what happens. Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it so much. blo

[Burdle]

Glad you are getting treatment that is working.
Continued good luck,
Burdle

[blo]

Hi Burdle, I just want you to know that the bloodwork came back w/o an infection so all the white & red cells are doing fine. My skin blistered and peeled. And is still peeling, especially on hands and ankles. I am on the upside now. Took the last 1/2 tablet of the prednisone today. Still doing the cave man's diet. I know that I will definitely be going to have some sort of testing done once I am cleared up. A person at church today told me that I should seek out a dermatolgist (sp?) & that they would know from looking at my skin exactly what happened but I told her that I would have to get a referral 1st. So, I just wanted to let you know how things were going. I am now down to 183.5 pounds and still continue to lose. So I am happy about that! Blood pressure is now down from 140/90 to 104/65 ! SBD is the way to go! Have to go. Have a blessed Easter. blo

[Burdle]

Glad you are recovering so rapidly. Peeling is common after a rash. Happy Holidays to you, too.
Burdle

[blo]

Hi Burdle! I am still recovering, still have some itchy spots. Saw the CRNP today for a blood pressure recheck. I cut my pill in half because I take my bp at the machine in the grocery store near by. It's pretty accurate. CRNP took it today and said 124/80. So I am fasting to get blood work done tomorrow to see how the numbers are since being on the Beach from the beginning of February. She told me that it was okay to cut the pills in half and maybe with another loss of 15 pounds or so I might be able to come off the bp rx! CRNP asked if I figured out what caused the reaction and I told her that I really didn't know. Well, I was browsing the SBD forums and came across a thread about Splenda which had a link to people who suffered from reactions to Splenda. So I go to the link and check it out. There are a number of people who suffered from the same symptons that I did. It was incredible. There was one RN who suffered from blistered skin like I did. She said that her skin doctor said it would take about 40 days or so to heal! All I could think of was if my outside looked like this, what must the inside of me look like! Since being on the Beach I did increase the use of Splenda but only in my coffee & hot tea. I should have known. It didn't happen overnight. I was itchy but thinking it was the diet but it wasn't. I am almost convinced that it more than likely is the Splenda. I have never, ever had a reaction to food and no one in my family or parents side had such a problem. I was using Splenda up to as late as today until I found this link about an hour ago. So I will see what happens once I get this stuff out of my system. I will keep you posted too. Thanks for being such a friend! blo

[Burdle]

I thought that this thread was worth bumping back up now that I'm back on SBD (day 2) and this forum.
Burdle the Allergic Bean Queen

[Burdle]

Thought I would bump this up for those of you with questions about food allergies and SBD.
Burdle the Allergic Bean Queen
150.2/145.6/120
second time around on SBD, worked once for me, I know it will work again!