Could someone explain this to me? (TMI, be warned)

[Beth76]

That's interesting, but to be honest, I am not going to risk it.

I don't blame you. I think I'm allergic to scallops. Twice now that I've had scallops (actually even just one) I got very sick within minutes. No hives or swelling, but I was throwing up for about 20 minutes. So I'm very cautious when I eat things with a seafood blend. I won't touch another scallop again. I'm fine with other types of seafood/shellfish though.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Sorry, you're mistaken. It is absolutely possible to have a gastrointestinal reaction as part of an allergy! Your body has different antibodies in different areas. I have a severe, life-threatening allergy to all seafood/shellfish, and my only symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. Within 30 minutes (usually less) of eating any kind of seafood, both ends open up- and it doesn't stop
The last time it happened I was vomiting blood by the time I got to the emergency room. If I don't receive emergency medical treatment I will die from it. It is not an intolerance but a true allergy.

With true allergies, the immune system overreacts. It thinks whatever is in the bod doesn't belong there, and goes to work against it. While gastrointestinal problems can accompany them, they do not, in and of themselves, define an allergy. So, what the OP described certainly sounds like an intolerance, not an allergy. But a trip to the doctor would be the best place to get answers like that.

Lots of stuff people call "allergies" are really toxic responses to drugs (and that can kill you, too) or GI problems from from nonallergic responses to foods or even emotional reactions. Again, digestive problems can come hand-in-hand with an allergy. I'm not saying you aren't allergic to fish. I am, and get all kinds of problems with even a hint of the crap. Won't even eat in seafood restaurants anymore, even ordering burgers...been burned that way!

I've studied antibodies (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM) and have yet to hear of one that is not in the blood, but hangs out strictly in the intestines. But maybe you've heard something new that I haven't. If you have such knowledge, please enlighten me. Can't keep up with everything!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

And it can get worse the next time. I would suggest you avoid shellfish in the future.

I haven't had shrimp since 2005 because of these incidents. Trust me, I am beyond avoiding eating them anymore LOL!! I don't know if I would have the same reaction to crab legs and scallops and such, seeing as they haven't bothered me before. But I don't like them THAT much. Not going to risk it!


Thanks for all of your advice!

 

[Talking Hands]

Same thing happened to me regarding shrimp and now any shellfish. I can't eat any of it anymore and I used to love shrimp. Started in my early 50s.

 

[Buckalew11]

My dad developed an allergy to shrimp in his 50's. He grew up at the beach and ate seafood all his life with no problem until one night. He vomited all night long. He thought it was just "bad shrimp" and tried it again later on and wala, sick again--but worse. He had hives and it seemed worse.

Strange thing though, before he died last year, he could eat shrimp again (I think he could about 1 year or so before he died at age 69.) So, there is hope if you ever get the nerve to try them again.

 

[JunieJay]

I don't remember how it was prepared, but I tried it prepared other ways (grilled, chilled, etc) with the same result.

Sorry I guess I misunderstood your earlier post, I thought you said it was scampi. If you have this intolerance to shrimp prepared other ways than I guess you can safely assume its the shrimp and not a matter of not being able to tolerate fatty foods. That would be devastating for me - shrimp and shellfish is a major staple in my diet.

 

[dad2t&e]

This getting older stuff is for the birds. If I knew it was going to be so hard, I would have stayed a kid! It is amazing the things that you have to give up as we mature. The sad part of it is it's always the things we love the most!

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I developed a late in life allergy to Wheat- thanks to my allergy testing... I stopped eating it for about 6 weeks along with a few other typical allergens for the oral testing- and when I was tested I had a severe anaphylactic reaction...

All my allergies have worsoned as I have gotten older- even my old pollen allergies that would cause me a miserable week or two depending on the time of year- now have me using rescue inhalers due to asthma...


As far as GI symptoms- I know my lack of gall bladder means there are certain things I can't eat- I have no problem with fried things or heavily spiced things- but can not eat processed chicken at all- it can be removed from the bone but if anything "fancier" is done to it- I can't eat it lol- found that out trying to eat lower fat and getting grilled chicken patties...

I do react to seafood but I'm choosing to ignore it until the symptoms are worse than the joint pains I get now...

Also Intollerance VS allergy- the only way to really tell that is to be checked by a doctor- both can mimic the same symptoms and both can be minor or severe- I think though that for the general public- people use allergy because it is much easier to say "I'm allergic" to something than "intollerant" -I know this past Christmas my sister thought it was ridiculous that I was worried about cross contamination of wheat- in the foods I was eating- See she was tested and had a severe reaction too but after a much greater quantity of the allergen and was told small amounts probably wouldn't hurt her- I was told stay away at all cost- by the same physician... I have since my allergy test had 4 other reactions to hidden wheat- so I know it is better to be safe than sorry.

After reading other's posts here about trying again- it always amazes me that some people would want the food so bad that they'd try again after having a severe reaction... I just can't do it- Wheat is not an easy thing to be allergic to but I don't often miss the foods I can no longer have- although I do frequently miss the convenience of being able to eat anywhere and anything

 

[MerryPoppins]

I have the same reaction as OP to shrimp, only not as severe. I do the same thing with many foods, including watermelon. And I've been tested and show allergy to shrimp among other things. My doc said as long as the reaction is not more than an inconvenience, I can continue to eat the foods. If I ever have a more pronounced reaction, I should discontinue eating whatever caused it. But yes, you can certainly have this type of allergic reaction and it can begin at any time.

By the way, if I discontinued all the foods I have reactions to, I wouldn't have anything left to eat. I reacted to every food they tested me for. The only thing food I didn't react to was the control. But I'm lucky that none of them are life threatening, so I can eat most things in moderation at this point.

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

I seem to be going through a phase where my immune system is going crazy and I'm developing new allergies. It's really odd. It started about a year ago, I started having full-body hives a few times a week. Then, I developed allergic asthma on top of the hives. So yes, allergies can develop in adults. The hives recently stopped, I've been hive-free for about 3 months now, but I still have the allergic asthma and have to use an inhaler. I did have some minor allergies before this happened, but I'm 34 years old and very good at avoiding my allergens at this point in my life. I've never gotten a good answer from a doctor about why this happened, or what I should do about it except to take lots of allergy medicines (3 daily prescription allergy medicines plus my inhaler).

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

Sorry, you're mistaken. It is absolutely possible to have a gastrointestinal reaction as part of an allergy! Your body has different antibodies in different areas. I have a severe, life-threatening allergy to all seafood/shellfish, and my only symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. Within 30 minutes (usually less) of eating any kind of seafood, both ends open up- and it doesn't stop
The last time it happened I was vomiting blood by the time I got to the emergency room. If I don't receive emergency medical treatment I will die from it. It is not an intolerance but a true allergy.

My allergy to cherries is similar to what you're describing. I know to steer clear of them, but unfortunately I've mistakenly grabbed the wrong juice box at kid functions and been immediately embarrassed and very, very sorry that I didn't bother to check the ingredients. Cherry juice is in fact present in some brands of juice boxes. Also, I was so excited that the drink mixes (generic Kool-aid) at Aldi were made without artificial colors. Unfortunately, they don't list what compounds are used to color them and it seems that the cherry flavor packets have cherries in them. Found that out the hard way and will never again purchase those.

 

[kmb584]

I seem to be going through a phase where my immune system is going crazy and I'm developing new allergies. It's really odd. It started about a year ago, I started having full-body hives a few times a week. Then, I developed allergic asthma on top of the hives. So yes, allergies can develop in adults. The hives recently stopped, I've been hive-free for about 3 months now, but I still have the allergic asthma and have to use an inhaler. I did have some minor allergies before this happened, but I'm 34 years old and very good at avoiding my allergens at this point in my life. I've never gotten a good answer from a doctor about why this happened, or what I should do about it except to take lots of allergy medicines (3 daily prescription allergy medicines plus my inhaler).

This thread is almost 9 years old.

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

This thread is almost 9 years old.

Lol! Yep, it is. Sorry. I was up off and on all night with a sick kid and after the last time she woke me up I couldn't get back to sleep and came here. Can I blame this mistake on sleep deprivation? I usually check dates and don't bump old threads when they pop up at the bottom of my screen. Everyone who sees this bumped, please ignore!

 

[Micca]

This thread is almost 9 years old.

...And we're left to wonder what ever happened to Lindsey Dunne? Did she fall victim to a shrimp puff?

 

[usnuzuloose]

Lol! Yep, it is. Sorry. I was up off and on all night with a sick kid and after the last time she woke me up I couldn't get back to sleep and came here. Can I blame this mistake on sleep deprivation? I usually check dates and don't bump old threads when they pop up at the bottom of my screen. Everyone who sees this bumped, please ignore!

Oh your not alone. I have replied to an old thread. Oh well,no big deal.

 

[Mizzoufan]

My husband became allergic to Iodine, So now he can't eat any shellfish. So OP it might be more then shrimp that you are allergic to.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Didn't even notice the date nevermind

 

[usnuzuloose]

I think we all get curious even if they are old threads

 

[tvguy]

I think we all get curious even if they are old threads

Yup. Nothing wrong with an old threat. If the topic is still current, it doesn't matter if the threat is new or old.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Yup. Nothing wrong with an old threat. If the topic is still current, it doesn't matter if the threat is new or old.

Are you making threats?