does anyone else have anxiety about their food allergies?

Mollie C · Post by **Mollie C** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:39 pm

Hello Everyone --
I have this problem, and I was just curious if anyone else was having similar obsessive thoughts. I'm allergic to nuts - peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc. Lately I have been having extreme obsessive thoughts about food I eat. I eat fairly healthily, of course I could always be eating better, but lately everything I eat I obsess over. I read over and over again the ingredients in food to check, double check, and re-check that there are no nuts in the food. The thing is I'm not even sure I'm allergic anymore! I was diagnosed when I was very young and have heard you can outgrow food allergies. For example, a few years ago I learned that Chik-fil-A fries all their food in peanut oil. When I was in junior high I used to eat there once or twice a month! That doesn't make any difference to me, however, because I freak out that everything I eat is going to have nuts in it and I will have an allergic reaction. Of course this hasn't happened, but I still OBSESS. I have virtually no appetite anymore because of my thoughts. I have lost 20 lbs. since my anxiety started to kick in, and really have no interest in eating. I was wondering if anyone was having a similar problem?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:58 am

hey mollie! i know EXACTLY what you mean. i've been allergic to milk and milk products my whole life, and after being really sick for a while and seeing an allergist have found that i am also allergic to soy, wheat/gluten, broccolli, corn, tomatoes, and thyme (the spice-of all things!). i get really sick whenever i eat anything that contains those things-from stomach problems to skin rashes and swelling. i feel like i've become increasingly paranoid about food. i've lost about 15lbs since i found out last year about all these allergies. i get so nervous at restaurants-they were an anxiety provoker before but now i can barely bring myself to go even to fast-food places. when i shop, i check the ingredients when i pick something up, then when i'm standing in line and then even when i get home, because i feel like i'm just sure i missed something.

i feel like this is insane-i'm only 19, when you're supposed to be pigging out on whatever, but i just can't! it's really frustrating too because people who aren't allergic to stuff really don't get what it's like. my friends are always trying to get me to "just try a bite" of ice cream or yogurt, even though i've told them that even just a bite can make me vomit (because i know-i've tried, and it WASN'T worth it!). it can be really annoying.

the point is though, i get what you mean. i feel like the anxiety around my food allergies is harder to get rid of because it's "real". there actually is a certain amount of danger if i were to ingest what i'm allergic to. the only thing i've really been able to do for it is make sure that i have a kitchen (i still live at home) stocked with things i know i can eat, and that if i do have to go somewhere for something that involves food that i make sure to notify the host that i have allergies and that i'll probably be bringing my own food. and i guess also, not to be shy about asking about ingredients whether you're at someone's house or out (most fast food restaurants now supply their ingredients on their websites, and most restaurants will let you talk to the chef).

Good luck and know that you aren't alone!

hopehound · Post by **hopehound** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:38 am

That makes sense to me. I get nervous about eating too much sugar or anything with caffeine or anything with added vitamins.

I don't know if this makes sense but could you go to an allergist and get tested for nuts so you'd know for sure?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:05 pm

Thank you both for your replies! It makes me feel loads better I'm not the only one who has anxiety about food. Faith, that is definitely my next step...I'm going to call the allergist and make an appt. to get re-tested. My fear is 1. that i'll still be allergic and still paranoid about food or 2. i'll be allergic to something else and that'll be another worry to add to my list...

goddess sparkle · Post by **goddess sparkle** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:36 pm

You made me giggle. We're such a mess, aren't we? (I mean that in the most loving way)

I went for a visit to my psychologist today that I hadn't seen in years to reassure myself that I wasn't crazy. LOL Actually I went two weeks ago for that and this time to just finish up some scenarios of "OK, how about THIS?" LOL

He thinks I'm really doing quite well, and I'm not going to go back for awhile unless something comes up. He helped me put into perspective that I need to accept SOME of this stuff as part of who I am. And, my social shyness as sort of part of who I am. I don't avoid people, but some situations make me anxious. He pointed out that our society seems to think everyone is so outgoing and extroverted or else they're not 'normal' but really, some of us are just a little more introverted and that's OK!!

I feel better but I wonder now what my mind will come up with next.

I've been stressing about my relationship so that's sort of a bummer. I'll get over it.

Also, I bet you will find other foods that you're sensitive to. Everyone has some from what I hear. And someone that is sensitive to one is more likely to have SOME sensitivity to others. It's hard to say if it will help or make you more nervous right? For ME, I like FACTS and that makes me feel comforted.

Like, I told my psych everything and he assured me that I'm really OK. I trust him and believe him and he didn't think I needed to keep coming in or take medication or anything like that. So now I'm like "OK so this is how I am. . . guess that's fine. . . " and I hope to be easier on myself.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:59 pm

Mollie, Cole, Faith... You Ladies have it all over us Guys... Not only do you Pick the Best Avatars, but you also have the best Quotes! I refer to...
"Of course this hasn't happened, but I still OBSESS"....
"Don't give up, it takes awhile. I have seen this look before, and it's alright you're not alone..."
Nice ones, Mollie!

..."And right when she thought the world was ending, the caterpillar became a beautiful butterfly"...
So true Cole... isn’t life a Kick!

"Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God."
~~ Ronald Reagan
And... "and that's OK"!!
So well spoken, Faith...

"and I hope to be easier on myself."
Faith_TX, you come through again!!!

You Ladies have so much to offer to all of us...
Our minds is what got us into this Dysfunction, Our Minds is what can get us out of this!

Do the Program, Work on your Guide Books, It really Works! Check online when you can... Seadog

Faith_TX · Post by **Faith_TX** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:09 am

Aww thanks!!!

I love this:

Originally posted by seadog:

Our minds is what got us into this Dysfunction, Our Minds is what can get us out of this!

It's so true!! I know I've experienced this this week. I have had some disagreements with hubby and holding onto negative feelings and thoughts. As a result I've felt really out of it. Well, it's all really in my head. . . and I can chose to stop it and look at things more positive. I did that last night and I think today is going to be a better day.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:51 am

I just had to respond to this because, I'm going through the same thing right now. I haven't had food allergies before but I broke out into a rash after eating some different foods and am now in the process of going through allergy testing to see if I'm allergic. Since I've broken out in a rash I've been afraid to eat almost anything and it has really been freaking me out. I have my last test today, and a consult with the Allergist, which I'm freaking out about.

But, from what I've heard nut reactions are usually pretty serious and it sounds like you haven't had a reaction in many years, so you may have out grown the allergy, or you are doing a good job and making sure that you are safe. Making a apt with a allergist to check up to see if you've outgrown sounds like a good idea. And maybe you will find that you have outgrown the allergy and you won't have to worry anymore. And if you are still allergic, you just have to remember that you've done a great job at controlling the allergy for all your life and you can continue to control it. And the worry is just part of living with anxiety. Since, you haven't had any reactions you are probably not allergic to anything else. But I know this worry, I'm worried that they will say I'm allergic to something that I've eaten with no problems. Even though in order to diagnose a allergy you have to have a reaction to it along with the test they give you.

So, hang in there. You are doing great. I'm sorry that you are having food anxiety.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:58 am

Hello everyone. I can definitely relate to this. I have a severe life threatening allery to tree nuts. I carry an epi pen with me at all times and have had to use it on a few occasions. In the past my biggest fear had been what if I have an anaphaltic (? spelling) reaction and end up in the ER. Well it's happened and I'm ok.

It definitely stinks. I constantly read and re-read ingredients of everything. You'd be shocked to find what nuts can be in. It even can be used in packing materials in pillows even in hand creams and shampoos. I read everything and anything that I use on my body as well as ingest.

I would suggest following up with your allergist for allergy testing. It's better to know what you may or maynot be allergic too. Some children do outgrow allergies as they age. Hopefully you are one.

As for eating out, its tough. One of my husbands and I favorite things is going out to eat. When I was told I had severe food allergies I did not want to eat out. It took alot of research on my part and alot of working through panic attacks before I began to feel comfort.

Now that I have a few "safe" restarants I like to go to eat. I stress to the servers that I have a severe nut allergy and if they could check with the chef/manager about what I order, each and every time I eat there. Even if its the same thing I order each time.

I have learned to stay away from all desserts at restaraunts and parties. You never know when something could "accidentally" get crossed contiminated espeaciily by little ones touching food. Also don't eat anything at a party if you can't read the ingredients. My allergist has said "when in doubt don't eat it".

Definitely check out the food allergy website, I don't have the exact weebsite but if you google it wou will find it. This is a wonderful resource.

It has taken me a while but I am now very comfortable eating out in "familiar" restaraunts. I don;t like trying new ones but I challenge myself to try. I call ahead to check out their restaraunt and address my concerns.

I chose not to live in fear of this anymore. I carry my epi pen on me at all times and I carry benadryl in my purse as well. My family, even my young children know what to do If I have a reaction.

I am not trying to increase anyones anxiety/fears, I am trying to educate people with potential food allergies to be informed. Peolpe who don't have food allergies think your being crazy, or to try a little bite, it won;t hurt.

My allergist's has a sign in his office that reads "One man's treat is another's severe food allegy". Knowlegde is power. Learn as much as you can and then you can enjoy/feel confident about your food. Food is fuel for the body.

I hope this has helped. Take care and God Bless,

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:12 am

I hear you. My hubby is allergic to oysters. We'd been eating at this Chinese restaurant for awhile and then found out some of the food is cooked in oyster juice. Turns out it wasn't enough to make him sick, but one other time he had a little piece of scallop in a fish sauce and it made him sick. He just doesn't go to seafood restaurants any more. It's not worth several hours of severe sickness. And you never know next time it could be worse.