Has Anyone Found Food Allergy Tests Helpful?

Hi Anne V.Here's one person who found it helpful. I would feel very bloated after eating. This feeling was usually not there when I first awakened in the morning. If you can find a reputable allergist, this may help you. Mine involved both intradermal and allergen drop testing. A good one will not allow you to know, when it comes to the sublingual allergen testing, just what it is you are being tested for, and will often use allergenic and non-allergenic substances to be sure you are not exhibiting a placebo reaction. It was remarkable to me that when they gave me citric acid, my stomach ballooned-up and I felt a dull ache, just like I felt after eating. A similar reaction occured when they gave me candida mold. Other drops they gave me produced no reactions. I was given antigen drops that actually shrunk my stomach back down. I had no idea what to expect and was amazed, as was my husband sitting next to me, who could tell the difference when my stomach expanded." I have since stayed away from citrus and citric acid preservatives, and no longer feel that bloated feeling after eating. I have also been treated with an antifungal (6mos.) and a low sugar diet, and no longer experience the agonizing pain of proctalgia and frequent stooling cycling. Sorry, I tend to get wordy when I discuss this subject. It may not be your problem, but if you suspect it might be related to food and are totally frustrated with trying to find out exactly what it might be, then it might be an easier way than guessing, as any processed foods contain a number of ingredients- whether food substances, or chemical preservatives. LOL to you. ------------------

NO!!!! I went and it cost $400. Thank God I had insurance and I only had to pay a little over $100. It took about 1 1/2 hours and they prick your skin with needles and wait 15-20 minutes to see if you get a pimple that looks like a mosquito bite. The doctor told me I had a small allergy to cats. I said, "That's weird, considering I had a cat for 18 years and never had a reaction to it." Waste of money for me.The next day I did get a bump from the wheat prick, which I pretty much already knew. Nothing came up about eggs or dairy, yet every time I eat cheese, milk or an egg I will be in the bathroom within an hour. I asked the doctor about this and he said I may have a intolerance to eggs and diary. What's the difference???? He didn't have an answer. Good luck!!!! Sorry to be so negative, but it's a sore spot with me and I'd rather be honest with you before you go, especially if you don't have insurance.

Poopsies- sorry you had such a bad experience. I'm afraid all allergists are not the same, as you see by the testing that was done for you, and the testing they did for me. I made sure before I went to the allergy clinic, what kinds of testing they did, after reading about the various different kinds of tests.Heres something interesting Nicol & Joyce: "Most symptoms of food additive intolerence occur in the respiratory tract and skin. Common symptoms include respiratory infections, skin irritations ,headaches, hiperkenesis, bladder urgencey, joint & muscular pain, diarrhea and other irritable bowel problems. Additives such as tartazine and sulfites have been noted as frequent offenders, as well as flavor enhancers such as monosodium glutinate. Dr Lewis Mazdron tested chemicals used as coloring agents for foods and found that they destroyed both red blood cells and antibodies. A variety of studies have shown that most people with inflammatory bowel disease can control their symptoms by eliminating foods to which they react. Sugar, wheat, mild, corn , coffee, tea, and citrus fruits are some of the most common that may cause problems." This found in the book "Lick the Sugar habit" by Nancy Appleton, PhD.flux: What makes you an authority on this subject? Tell us what your credentials are. We would all like to know them on this board, in order to know whether to believe everything you say. ------------------[This message has been edited by moldie (edited 06-28-99).]