Sulphite allergies: The beginning

Hi and welcome to my blog about fixing my sulphite allergy.

I am sick and tired (literally and figuratively!!) of my allergy to sulphites and determined to fix it once and for all.  The lists of foods to avoid are long and inconsistent! I have found myself wishing there was a list of foods that I could eat as I felt that would be shorter...and then I realised that maybe others felt the same. So on this blog I'm going to be listing my daily meal plans, among other things, and documenting what seems to be working and what doesn't.

But to start off with here's a bit of background.

Nearly 18 months ago, in October 2013, I first started to become aware of a reaction to alcohol. The first time I consciously noticed was when I was enjoying a delicious Fat Yak beer over a weekend lunch with a friend.

About 20 minutes after having the drink, I noticed that I had some wheezing in the chest and my nose had become congested. It was really no big deal though and it went away within a couple of hours.  Over the next few months this pattern continued and like the first time, the symptoms disappeared at least by the following day.  

However, some time in February 2014 I noticed that the congestion simply stayed as did the asthma. I'd had asthma as a child but hadn't needed a ventolin inhaler for at least 10 years except on the very rare occasion when I had a bad cold.  I talked to my GP and decided to see an allergy specialist.  The allergist conducted a number of tests and took a decent chunk out of my bank account. One of the tests was the prick test on my arm and I reacted strongly to dust mite. He was then convinced that that was my problem despite me explaining the instant reactions I'd had with wine and beer. As a child I'd had the same test with the same response and yet none of the same symptoms. He then wanted me to go on a program of taking drops every day for a few years to desensitise me to dust mite. I was hesitant partly because of the cost and partly because it didn't seem to explain my reactions to drinks. He said I could also try using dustmite coverings on my bed so I decided to do that. He also put me on Seretide (a preventative inhaler) for my asthma which got things back under control. But the congestion remained.

I was regularly getting infections because of the nasal congestion so I saw GPs often for antibiotics. One suggested I go on the desensitisation program as suggested by the allergist and I was tempted. However, when I asked about the effectiveness of it, I was told it was very good and patients reported after going on the program for 6 months and reflecting on how they felt that they probably could notice a difference. Well, this small and gradual improvement was not good enough for me! Also I'd heard that it doesn't necessarily remain effective in the years following the treatment. So, I decided to try everything else first... and I'm still going! Here's what I have done so far:

1. Bought dust mite covers for my quilt, mattress and pillows. Always washed everything in hot water. No change...
2.  Went to a Salt Room  nearly every day for a month. Some people swear by them. Did nothing for me but was nice to sit down for a while!

3.  Saw a Natropath who used a Vega machine. Weirdest thing ever, pretty sure it's a scam. The machine told the Natropath that I was allergic to gluten. Haha maybe this machine has a glitch and is diagnosing everyone as allergic to gluten and that's why it has become so common. Anyway, I was told if I stopped eating gluten I would feel better within a week. I was so excited and then so disappointed.
4. I started a sulphite free diet. I tore my hair out trying to work out what that was and ended up going for a very strict elimination diet of basically fish, lamb, vegetables and fruit. It was easier than trying to avoid certain foods. It actually seemed to work a bit. Not completely but a bit.
5. Anti-histamines off and on. Never really noticed much difference.
6. Nasonex nose spray - some relief from this!
7. I moved house in October 2014 to a sparkling, clean and carpet free house in stark contrast to the old, carpeted apartment I'd been in. No change.

Finally, a miracle!

Next on my list to try was acupuncture. I was given the details of a GP who was also a Chinese Medicine Doctor who did acupuncture. I decided to give it a go. She said she would definitely be able to fix me and provided evidence of past patients. Given previous promises I was very skeptical. After the first treatment there was no change however I went back in a few days and the day after the second treatment I blew my nose constantly for a day. Then I started to feel better.. and better.. and better. And finally I could smell! I hadn't smelt anything - good or bad - in a year!  I was so excited I wanted to marry her. I felt full of energy. Over the past year I had gotten wheezy going up stairs. Two weeks after the acupuncture I did a three day hike in two days and felt great. 

I started trying a few things which I know had caused problems. Vinegar, wine, dried coconut, dried fruit... all was fine! I was so happy! I started handing out my fabulous doctor's business cards to anyone and everyone.

It lasted 6 weeks and then little by little, the symptoms started to creep back in. Argh! Now I have had a sinus headache for one week. I have continued the acupuncture but no change so far. 

My new plan of attack
1. Reduce my sulphite intake via the sulphite free diet combined with acupuncture.
2. Possibly see an ear nose and throat specialist.
3. Track my temperature, symptoms and diet throughout.

Wish me luck!

Cara