I've had allergies for as long as I can remember. Most of my childhood I can't remember a day I didn't have the sniffles or sneezes. As I grew up things only got more complex.
From around age 18 until age 31, I can't recall a day I didn't have the symptoms of either a cold or a flu. Head fog, sneezy, wheezy, nauseated, IBS, daily diarrhea... I honestly barely even felt the few times I actually came down with something. It was just another day. About the only difference was if I had a fever or not.
I started taking allergy meds when I was very little. I started with simple medications and over the years progressed into taking 4 daily medications (two of which I took twice a day) just to keep breathing.
I told everyone that I was simply "allergic to breathing".. it was a joke that held a lot of truth. Allergy tests for environmental allergies were always off the charts.
At age 32 though, I stumbled into the realization that I also had food allergies. A few more years of tests and trial and error, I found myself to react to nearly all foods. This being the primary source of my digestive problems and most of my breathing issues. The mere avoidance of these foods allowed me to stop taking all allergy medication, removed headaches and aches and pains as well.
As it turned out, I was also "allergic to eating".
Life since has been endless obstacles of re-learning how to eat, and how to avoid, as often just being around the allergen was enough to set me off.
This struggle has been a challenge that has affected me not only medically but my social life, my relationships, and my career.
I needed some place to share my experiences.. and thus the birth of..
The Life Allergic...
