Weird reaction to food

[MandyD]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif I need your help!
I'm frustrated and I'd like to know if anyone else has a similar reaction to food. For the last eight years when I eat during a bad spell (a suspected flare) I immediately get the following symptoms:
-Red nose and cheeks
-Dry nose and mouth
-Shortness of breath and it feels like someone is sitting on my chest
-Extreme fatigue
-and sometimes confusion and dizzyness

I've tested negative for all food allergies and my symptoms don't match any on the food allergy list. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.gif
I have the same symptoms off and on but food will make them worse or bring them on with a vengence. I also go through spells where I only feel nauseous after eating.

In addition I have frequent cramps in my feet, joint pain in hands, knees and toes, headaches, sharp chest pain, splotchy rash on chin, blue nail beds and palms, red fingers and cuticles, swelling of hands and feet, brain fog, dizzyness (off and on usually lasting for periods of a week or so), fatigue, dry eyes and mouth, stomach problems and a weird, numb tingly sensation in my back that I suspect is a nerve but it's worth mentioning. I don't sleep well, I get tiny blisters on my fingers, mouth ulcers, constantly swollen lymph nodes, broken blood vessels on my hands and face and a dull pain on the sides of my neck. My symptoms are increasing, sometimes one at a time, sometimes several at once. I have my first Rheumy appt. in July because my Rh factor was high. I meet the criteria for Lupus but my ANA test was negative.

Please help!!! I'm stumped by my reaction to food and I can't find any information on this type of thing in cunjuction with Lupus (or anything else). I need to know (for my piece of mind) if anyone else has heard of this or has similar issues after eating.
Reading this message board has brought me great comfort in knowing there are people out there dealing with the same type of fustration as me (although I feel like an intruder with only annoying symptoms and nothing serious like many of you have).
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif
Mandy

[Lily]

Hi Mandy and welcome style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Our home site gives a lot of information in general about Lupus:

http://www.uklupus.co.uk/

And whilst there is no proven link between food allergies and Lupus many people with Lupus are very allergic individuals. Eating a substance you are allergic to can bring on a period of activity with lupus in many of us, as can the sun, viruses, stress, hormone changes etc. They are known triggers for lupus activity in some patients. We are all different in how it affects us though.

With lupus the immune system is out of kilter, so when you are flaring its quite possible that your body has trouble coping with certain things that may not otherwise bother it.

http://www.cibliga.com/en/a_m_sle_allergie.html

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and allergy
In Israel a study was performed to determine the incidence of the patients with both an allergy and SLE. They found out that 56 % of the SLE-patients also had an allergy, compared to 10% of the normal population, and 21.6 % had even two allergies. Most common were dermatoses due to food (51.6%) or drugs (31.6%), compared to 11.6% and 5% of the incidence of the control group. In addition, the other allergies were also more prevalent in SLE-patients: conjunctivitis was seen in 26.7% (control group: 9.5%), rhinitis in 34% (control group: 13.6%). Finally, asthma was seen in 47% of the SLE-patients and only in 5.9% of the control group.
Genetical, environmental and immunological factors intervene in the pathogenesis of the two disorders: allergy and systemic lupus erythematosus. Pollen, dust mites, food and drugs may provoke allergy while ultraviolet light and chemical products may provoke SLE. Both disorders may be genetically determined. Individuals with these disorders have many cells that produce antibodies. In conclusion, it can be stated that patients with SLE are frequently bothered with allergies and that both diseases are based on certain similar pathogenic mechanisms.
Children of mothers with SLE often have more allergies than expected.

[/b][/quote]

Good luck at your Rheumatology appt. they will be able to help you sort out whats going on and run the correct testing. Do mention all your symptoms and also your problems and investigations, such as the allergies etc. This will be important in helping put the jigsaw puzzle together. As are any unusual reactions to medications you've tried in the past, any history of autoimmune in your family (doesnt need to be lupus but some families have more of a tendency to autoimmune and it may present in different diseases in the individual). When they take note of the diagnostic criteria you may fulfil they do not have to be present all at once, so a good history is important when discussing any manifestations that may be connected to lupus. If you have rashes and they tend to come and go then taking a picture to bring along to your appt could be helpful. Dont wear make-up or nail-polish either, a doc can tell a lot about what might be going on internally from our skin and nails.

Take care and let us know how you go.

love
Lily

[alobreto]

HI, Mandy! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
And welcome to the forum! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Sorry to hear you're having such difficulty. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif But glad you've found the site helpful.

Lily has given excellent information, so there is only a little I'd like to add to your list of things in relation to the rheumatology visit. Be sure to stop using any sunless tanner a couple of weeks before the appointment as that, too, can mask the skin enough that it can interfere with diagnosis.

The only other thing I can add is a cyberhug: style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif (((((Mandy))))) style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[MandyD]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/goodvibes.gif
Thank you Lily and Angela. The information you provided was very helpful and from there I was able to find many articles on Lupus and food allergies. I will definitely take your advice regarding my first Rheumy visit as well.

Thank you again and I appreciate the support.

Mandy