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Hi all,
I have a question about the reliability of allergy skin tests. I know blood and stool testing are ideally the way to go, and I'm probably going to go with MRT testing in the next few weeks.
However, in going through my records in preparation for my latest appointment, I discovered results of an old skin test I had done in 2005 and had promptly forgotten about. It showed a reaction to almonds, corn, and peanuts.
Does anyone know how useful those results might be? The reason I ask is that in doing away with dairy and most snack foods, and in an effort to keep my calorie intake up, I've been eating almonds like they're going out of style - whole nuts, almond milk, almond butter. I always understood that skin tests are pretty unreliable - does anyone know if positive results are as unreliable as negative ones? Am I compounding my problems by eating almonds? I'm so restricted already, it's hard to contemplate giving up such a significant part of my diet. I went off the almonds as of night before last; my calorie intake has dropped dramatically (like 400 calories/day or more). Ugh! Did I mention I really hate this disease?!
Thanks for any advice and also for letting me vent!
Deanna
Allergy skin tests?
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Deanna in CO
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:16 pm
- Location: Colorado
Hi Deanna,
I'm unable to comment on the skin tests and reliability.
We're all going to be individualistic but as a general rule almond butter and almond milk are going to be safer than peanut butter. (Peanuts are a legume like a soy bean). While you are still in WD stage whole nuts can be problematic due to our compromised GI systems having problems digesting whole nuts. I think the jagged edges are rough on our guts. Whole nuts are kind of like lettuce....put it off for awhile.
I"m totally not a medical person but as you really need to keep calories up to move towards healing and the tests were done 7 years ago you are probably fine with almond butter and almond milk.
My comments are basically a wild guess.
Brandy
I'm unable to comment on the skin tests and reliability.
We're all going to be individualistic but as a general rule almond butter and almond milk are going to be safer than peanut butter. (Peanuts are a legume like a soy bean). While you are still in WD stage whole nuts can be problematic due to our compromised GI systems having problems digesting whole nuts. I think the jagged edges are rough on our guts. Whole nuts are kind of like lettuce....put it off for awhile.
I"m totally not a medical person but as you really need to keep calories up to move towards healing and the tests were done 7 years ago you are probably fine with almond butter and almond milk.
My comments are basically a wild guess.
Brandy
Deanna,
I know how desperate you must feel as you are finding more and more suspect foods. Can't remember what it is, but I know that I have not been able to find a commercial almond milk without any of my allergens in it :(. I agree with Brandy about eating whole almonds - not a good idea while your gut is inflamed, but almond butter should be OK.
One thing I do in an attempt to keep the calories up is to use generous amounts of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and/or coconut oil on my food. Coconut seems to be a friendly food that some here have found to actually help with the symptoms - one member eats some coconut flakes every day and have found it to help. I also often drink coconut water (it has quite a few calories), and find it soothing. It has electrolytes in it, which also helps.
If you suspect that you have a problem with tolerating almonds, you may want to give another nut butter a try (cashews or walnuts come to mind). If you can eat potato chips, the original Lays are OK for most of us, and certainly will help with the calories. Bananas are another food that comes to mind if you tolerate them.
I have no idea about the skin test you took, so can't help you there.
Venting is GOOD - we all relate to how incredibly frustrating MC can be!!! It WILL get better, so hang in there.
Love,
Kari
I know how desperate you must feel as you are finding more and more suspect foods. Can't remember what it is, but I know that I have not been able to find a commercial almond milk without any of my allergens in it :(. I agree with Brandy about eating whole almonds - not a good idea while your gut is inflamed, but almond butter should be OK.
One thing I do in an attempt to keep the calories up is to use generous amounts of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and/or coconut oil on my food. Coconut seems to be a friendly food that some here have found to actually help with the symptoms - one member eats some coconut flakes every day and have found it to help. I also often drink coconut water (it has quite a few calories), and find it soothing. It has electrolytes in it, which also helps.
If you suspect that you have a problem with tolerating almonds, you may want to give another nut butter a try (cashews or walnuts come to mind). If you can eat potato chips, the original Lays are OK for most of us, and certainly will help with the calories. Bananas are another food that comes to mind if you tolerate them.
I have no idea about the skin test you took, so can't help you there.
Venting is GOOD - we all relate to how incredibly frustrating MC can be!!! It WILL get better, so hang in there.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
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Deanna in CO
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:16 pm
- Location: Colorado
Leah,
Unfortunately there is still no Trader Joe's in Colorado (I keep hoping but no luck so far). I can buy canned coconut milk here at Sprouts or Sunflower - it has guar gum and I still don't know whether that's a problem for me or not. The refrigerated coconut milk has a lot of extra stuff - I'm using it but I am suspicious. Avocados I like and seem to tolerate but I can't seem to keep enough ripe ones in the house!. :-)
I need to look at Sprouts and Sunflower for other nut butters. I know I've seen sesame seed butter there so maybe that's an option.
Thanks for the suggestions,
Deanna
Unfortunately there is still no Trader Joe's in Colorado (I keep hoping but no luck so far). I can buy canned coconut milk here at Sprouts or Sunflower - it has guar gum and I still don't know whether that's a problem for me or not. The refrigerated coconut milk has a lot of extra stuff - I'm using it but I am suspicious. Avocados I like and seem to tolerate but I can't seem to keep enough ripe ones in the house!. :-)
I need to look at Sprouts and Sunflower for other nut butters. I know I've seen sesame seed butter there so maybe that's an option.
Thanks for the suggestions,
Deanna
This site has a technique for making your own coconut milk. I haven't tried it yet.
http://stuffimakemyhusband.blogspot.com/
http://stuffimakemyhusband.blogspot.com/
Deanna,
Trader Joe's is coming to Denver, but I can't remember the timeline. There is a pure canned coconut milk without the Guar Gum available (I'm very reactive to Guar Gum) - I got it either at Natural Grocers (Vitamin Cottage) or Sunflower Market - can't remember the brand name, but will post it here when and if I find it again. I use Rice Dream rice milk and am fine with it, as long as I don't overdo it. I've grown to appreciate the flavor.
Love,
Kari
Trader Joe's is coming to Denver, but I can't remember the timeline. There is a pure canned coconut milk without the Guar Gum available (I'm very reactive to Guar Gum) - I got it either at Natural Grocers (Vitamin Cottage) or Sunflower Market - can't remember the brand name, but will post it here when and if I find it again. I use Rice Dream rice milk and am fine with it, as long as I don't overdo it. I've grown to appreciate the flavor.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein