Hello all -

I have had a 'weird immune system for decades, after a chemical exposure at work to new carpet, tile, and enamel paint during an office remodel. After that I was wildly sensitive to VOCs and my allergies got lots worse. Over time the chemical sensitivity got better, but my immune system is still a little strange.

What is my big concern is the intermittent reaction I will have to food first thing in the morning. At first it was just flushing - intense enough it made me dizzy. I passed these off as an intense hot flash, because it was that time of life. But the last couple of times it has become more severe, with lips and throat swelling. That says some kind of food allergy maybe, but these are things I have eaten at other times with no reaction. So far these reactions happen first thing in the morning if I eat something first thing. If I go walk the dog or just wait half an hour, they don't happen.

I am taking Allegra every night at bedtime along with a Pepcid, and since haven't had a problem. So far. I don't have insurance (not enough money, and too much) so I don't have a diagnosis.  I wonder if anyone has heard of anything similar?

Thanks for listening,

Katherine

Thank you, Joan - it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who has this particular strange morning thing going on!  I know I need an epipen at least - I've got some chewable Benadryl that I carry with me but I know that's not going to act quickly enough if I get in real trouble.  

I like the idea of drinking a couple of glasses of warm water in the morning before eating to kind of wake the stomach up and get it ready for the food to follow.  I take the Allegra at night but it might make more sense to do that in the morning.  

Thanks for your feedback - it's nice to know people who have similar weird immune system things going on.  

Katherine

I always have symptoms in the morning, although since I have taken antihistamines in the morning, they are very minimal now during that time. The doctor who put me on my regimen of antihistamines is Dr. Cem Akin, one of the leading specialists. He has me taking an H1 and H2 in the morning AND the evening. This is crucial to me staying well. So, Joan's suggestion of taking both of those in the morning and evening is spot on correct. I would suggest adding Allegra AND Zantac in the morning (as soon as you get up), and then don't eat for at least an hour if not more. Then take the Zantac and Allegra again in the evening before you eat dinner. (I actually take the evening one at 4 pm so that it makes me feel better for more hours that I am awake.). If I flare with anaphylactic symptoms anytime in the hours after taking the med, I can take another p like Zyrtec, to calm it down. (Zyrtec and Allegra are the same type antihistamine. I would NOT take Zyrtec on a daily basis, however, because in some people (like me), after long term use, the body becomes dependent upon Zyrtec. Since Zyrtec causes fatigue (and the others don't), I tried weaning myself off Zyrtec and substituting Allegra. I have been taking Zyrtec at my 4:00 dose for over a decade. It turns out that whenever I try weaning myself off (I have tried three times), I get very ill with anaphylaxis symptoms. This is very infuriating because neither doctors nor pharmacists mention this problem, but if you google it, you will find plenty of people with the same problem with Zyrtec. As an occasional medicine if the symptoms break through your normal Allegra/Zantac, it can be helpful.

I will note that we are all different with what helps and what doesn't. For example, Joan's suggestion of drinking warm water in the morning, that would CAUSE my symptoms to start up! I am so sensitive to heat that, while I can drink hot drinks, it has to be during the late morning to late afternoon range for me. Otherwise, my symptoms will trigger.