Thanks. We know it's the chemicals in the process but not sure which ones. The allergist actually argued with her that it can't be the chemicals. She promised to do some research.
Docs are WAY behind in understanding the cumulative nature of allergies and sensitivities, so the doc saying that doesn't surprise me. If the cure doesn't come out of a bottle or from under the knife, they retreat pretty quickly and feebly.
I have a friend that has a chemical sensitivity to petroleum products. Can't walk in a tire or mechanics shop some days without having some trouble breathing. Glues, paints, plastics, and wood products all need to off gas for a few weeks before they can safely be around them. Makes all of their other allergies worse for days if not weeks after exposure to the petroleum products.
Glyphosate does that for an acquaintance as well. Diagnosed with a gall bladder issue, so they removed it, but came up with the same symptoms weeks later (one of several people I know personally who were misdiagnosed and had their gb removed). Turns out it was a "wheat allergy" diagnosis after that, BUT had no issues with wheat while on a trip to Europe (to a country that banned glyphosate use).
I only see nurse practitioners now because they are more likely to have done or do actual research into what ails me. One saved me a ton of money, pain, and a very risky surgery by telling me simply to avoid a certain food group to make the symptoms go away. They have. Docs wanted to operate 10 years ago.
Yeah, right.
My wife figured out on her own the bleached flour vs unbleached was the cause of her issues. Then figured the modified stuff was as well. Now that she's avoided those things her problems are worse. She had problems at church when they were baking something in the big kitchen. Less than 5 min in Little Ceasar caused problems too.
Good for her! We should listen to what God and our bodies are telling us.
It will be that way for a while, for some people. Sometimes what we are allergic to is also something the body craved or learns to live off of. We can react all kinds of ways with the reintroduction of the same chemicals/proteins. What's even worse is that some medicines can contain these things due to the processes of manufacturing. Introducing them through meds either by mouth or through the bloodstream can be catastrophic.
I went to a school a co-worker was attending to see a project that they were working on and met a woman whose daughter became allergic to soy and didn't know it for years. Found out the hard way when she was given meds that contained soy and the chemical reaction in her bloodstream made her hallucinate, hear voices, and appear schizophrenic. She was diagnosed as such and put on meds that made her catatonic. Her mom had to feed her, and the docs wanted her put in a home.
The mom knew that this started when she went on the meds that were supposed to be to help her thyroid, so she stopped giving her the meds and had her tested for allergies. Soy came up to be intensely allergenic for her, and when she was finally able to reach someone about the meds she was given who would answer her questions, she confirmed their was soy in them.
Even with all of that direct evidence, the doctors refused to remove her psych diagnosis and she was prevented from being hired for the work she is highly qualified to do by any gov agency or company with high level access to gov agencies. 15 years without any relapse or symptoms and she still can't get the diagnosis removed.
Another couple of friends can't be near cashmere, poison ivy, ragweed, and ferns (of all things) without a severe attack coming on. Just breathing in pollen from a poison ivy plant can trigger a full rash episode in one friend. It's crazy how reactive these things can be. Exposure to heavy metals either through breathing, drinking or eating, and injection/iv can also exacerbate existing allergies as it can heighten the immune response dramatically.
Sorry to write so much. It's something I've researched a lot. Sometimes, B vitamins and magnesium supplementation can help reduce symptoms of allergies. Using saline nasal washes can also aid the immune system by reducing total allergen load. Reducing sugar consumption also can help, as can increasing or decreasing caffeine consumption (depending on the person).
Wish you and your wife the very best in dealing with this. Very sorry to hear it, because I know what it can be like.
