Has anyone ever had a severe allergic reaction to anything while banded? Can hives cause your stomach to swell and cause problems with the band? I need info from anyone to help understand what happens to your body during a reaction.

This fear didn't occur to me until last night. You see, last weekend I ended up in the ER about 2 hrs after eating shrimp. I love shrimp, I was craving it, and I've NEVER been allergic to it or any type of fish. I can't say for sure it was the shrimp b/c I had also taken my birth control, Vitamins & Biotin as usual that day.

My palms starting itching, felt pressure on my ears and when I looked in the mirror, I asked my SIL to take me to ER (I was in OH visiting). Within a very short period of time the hives were unbearable and I have bruises & scratch marks still today from where I was scratching them. My BP was 170/101 when they checked me in. I could feel tremendous pressure on my ears, but thought it was from swelling & not BP. After 2 shots & 40 min later, my BP dropped to 128/72. I felt much better and went home.

I really didn't think this was a big deal since I was able to get treatment ASAP. I didn't see where this should cause a problem for me in the future. Now I'm wondering.....:Banane13: worrying.....:phanvan. Is this a shell fish reaction? Does that mean I can't eat fish like cod or talapia? What if I was banded? What would happen to my band with such a reaction?

First thing Mon, I called my nurse, surgeon, & hopistal where I'm having my pre-op tests next week. They all said to bring my bottle of prenidsone just to make sure they document the dosgae I have been taking.

This is the second time in my life that I've had hives that have taken me to the ER. The first time was over 10 yrs ago after getting my hands in some fertilizer while planting. I have regular seasonal allergies, but don't suffer from any other allergic problems. Is my body changing? Could I develop an shell fish allergy out of the blue?

Thank you in advance to anyone that could answer any of my many questions.

You can suddenly develop an allergy to shellfish. I wouldn't think that necessarily meant other seafood would be included. Scary ordeal, however, I feel for you and I'm hoping this doesn't deter you from getting your band which I don't think should be an issue.

OK I need more info, why are you taking Prednisone to begin with? And what is the dosage?

What else did you have to eat that night? I mean everything!

What Vitamins are you taking? What Birth control?

Stay away from Shell fish for the time being just to make sure.

HUGS

I'm with Penni.

The thing that jumps out at me is your Prednisone prescription.

FYI: If you take this (or any other oral cortisteroids like Prednisone) regularly depending on your dosage - be prepared that it could wreck havok with your weight loss attempts, even WITH the LapBand. I won't go into long detail about my experiences here but if I'd never taken Prednisone I'd probably be a size 8 or something by now.

Anyway, let us know what diagnosis has you taking the Prednisone.

Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

Sorry about the confusion....I went on the prednisone AFTER I left the ER. They gave me 10 mg and have gradually decreased the dosage each day since last Sat. This is the ONLY prednisone I've taken except for the "shot" in the ER. I think one of those shots was the steroid. Boy, it does increase the appetite for sure!!

I take Triphasil for birth control, (1) 1000 mg Biotin, (2) daily multi-Vitamin Super Matragen by Genestra http://www.rockwellnutrition.net/product.asp?itemid=653(purchased from my chiropractor & have taken them 1 yr+). It's actually a prenatal, but I have more energy with this than taking the regular vitamin. I had taken my biotin & Vitamins right b4 we left for the restaurant b/c I forgot earlier that morning. Almost forgot, I take an Ambien CR 12.5 mg every night, so I did have that the night b4.

I had cheerios for a late Breakfast and the early dinner was the fried shrimp (7) pcs, baked potato w/sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, and a little ketsup to dip the shrimp...not a cocktail sauce fan. Also had a diet coke. Nothing else except Water. I was too busy with all the kids to get dessert. :biggrin1:

I truly appreciate any info. I guess I like details and try to understand how/why my body does what it does. In my heart, I really think the only true answer will be when I go the an allergy specialist to get tested.

It does scare me a bit at the thought of the hives with the band b/c I know how much I swelled, even on the inside of my ears & a little of my throat. Believe me when I tell you, you could have bounced a quarter off my chin. :Banane13: I will avoid any kind of fish the rest of my life if necessary. This won't deter my band decision, but I would like to know so I can be in control to prevent any future reactions.

Has anyone had really bad hives with the band? Can the stomach swell with such a reaction?

Thanks again for ANY input!!!

You must have been MISERABLE!! You can develop a food allergy at any time in your life. There are NO cures for food allergies, only avoidance of the allergan. You should get an Epi-Pen prescription from your doctor in the event of an emergency. It is a really serious condition. The most common food allergans that cause anaphalactic reactions are shellfish and nuts. Other common allergans are wheat and dairy, but they aren't usually fatal. Find a good allergist and test your blood (not skin) for shellfish allergy. Also, many fertilizers have fish products in them. I wonder if you had contact dermatitis from the same thing? Good luck!!!!

Actually, we do keep a couple of epi-pens for my son (egg & dairy allergy), the jr version. I guess it would suffice until help arrived if I needed it. Excellent point that I didn't even think about. We even keep one at grandma's house which is where I was when it happened. I always keep up on the dates b/c I think they expire every year.

I have an excellent allergist that I will go to after I get the band. I really need to have a test anyway b/c it's been years since I've had one. Now, I take it the blood test is more accurate than the skin test for shellfish? I know our pediatrician and allergist both said the skin test was more accurate to judge my son's allergies (egg & dairy). On his blood test at 1 yr of age, he did test a 5 out of 5 for egg and a 4 for dairy. Therefore, we didn't even start skin testing until age 3.

I will make a point to ask the allergist about the blood testing for myself. Do you think I should get an adult epi-pen until I do get testing done? I'm pretty sure my PCP would give me a script.

I have severe food allergies. I didn't start to have food reactions until I was in my 30s, and they have worsened over the years. I carry an Epi-Pen with me at all times. I have had my hands itch and swell a couple of times during my lifetime, and it had nothing to do with food. Just an "out-of-the-blue" kind of thing. It was in the spring, so it was probably the trees, since I'm also allergic to most tree pollens. My stomach has NEVER swollen with any of my reactions. My throat has. I get dizzy. My blood pressure drops. It can be a very scary thing and life-threatening. Shellfish are definitely different from an allergy standpoint than fish. My allergist says that only 2% of adults have severe food allergies. I'd rather have won the lottery! I'm allergic to all nuts, peanuts, lettuce, celery, carrots, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, peas (leguumes, as are peanuts) and beans. All of these make my throat swell and itch but have never affected my insides. See a good allergist and listen to his advice.

Tell your doc, but a reaction to the band would be weird. They need to know about the shellfish problem since it may effect other meds and skin cleansers they use on you. You can develop allergies at any time during your life. It is not unusual for adults to suddenly be allergic to shellf ish or strawberries for example.

Isn't it interesting how allergies run in families?

Definitely get your own epi-pen in case you are not close to an ER, and for the speed of relief. The blood test is used when they are just testing for one specific thing. So they are more expensive. It is wise to have the blood tested for shrimp or shellfish because if they give you a skin test, and you are severely allergic, you can have another anaphalactic reaction. I'm sure your allergist already knows that. It is just safer! It sounds like you are due for another round of skin tests also. Good thing you were knowledgeable and got to the ER!!!

3Loves.....My son eats shrimp all the time.....one time he ate it and was itching and had hives all over him.......it was caused from too much idafoam or however you spell it.......which i have seen happen to many people......he has since eaten shrimp and it hasnt happened again......when it did happen he immediately took benadryl....and the next day he was fine.......Thought maybe that may be a little helpful to you.

Oh yeah, I forgot. It is a good idea to get several epi-pens. Keep one in your purse, one in your car, and one at home. Have the doc write the prescription with refills. You fill one, then go back the next day to the pharmacy to fill the next, and so on until you have the number you need. (As soon as your insurance will cover it).

Allergies of any kind are no fun. I am allergic to several things specially bee stings. I was stung by a sweat bea at my daughters soccer game a few years ago....thank god for the liquid benedry I had just bought for my little guy I did home care with. Didn't have an epi pen at that point......but sure do now. Got one after we (my kids and my best friends son and myself were attacked by a swarm of bees that were underground they even attacked some puppies that were in the yard. Also when I was pregnant ate some sourkraut for new years eve and swelled like a balloon spent two days in the hospital. I am able to eat it now. Just be careful and I would keep some liquid benedryl with you also. Normally the first thing they do in the ER is epi and solumedrol and benedryl. Keep us posted on what the Allergist says! In the mean time I would be very leary of shrimp, shellfish and any testing that has to do with iodine injections.

Thank you all for the words of wisdom!! It's comforting to hear from those of you with various experiences. I have added to my shopping list liquid benedryl, epi-pen (calling doc) and solumedrol?? What is this anyway? Do I need a script or get it at Wal-Mart?

3Loves.....My son eats shrimp all the time.....one time he ate it and was itching and had hives all over him.......it was caused from too much idafoam or however you spell it.

Cindy ~ Bless his little heart!! Are you talking about that little man in your avatar? What is idafoam? I'm not familiar with all of this and I'm learning. :confused: Allergies are more scary to me when it comes to my kids. We did have the squad out once for my son's egg allergy after he decided to make mommy a cake. :phanvan I was on the phone with 911 and about to stick him with the epi-pen...I told him it was going to hurt....dog gone it....that thing was upside down and I stuck my own thumb!!! Only a blonde would do such a thing!! :confused: The squad arrived less than 30 sec later. He was starting to have trouble breathing. I was flying high. I don't ever what to go through that again. I only buy eggs when I know I'm going to use them & then the excess goes in the trash. Not worth taking the chance on a little precious life.

3loves,

When you pick up the liquid Benadryl, get the clear one. Some people are allergic to the red dye in the colored varieties. Also, the claritin redi-tabs are made for fast action. They just dissolve in your mouth. Sometimes if you have eaten something you are allergic to, it will make you vomit (which is a blessing!) So if it is dissolved and absorbed through the mouth, it works much quicker. I always have those three things available. There is an organization called the Food Allergy and Anaphalaxis Network. They are dedicated to promote education on food allergies, labeling on packages and in restaurants of common allergans. Go to www.foodallergy.org

I attended an event they sponsored and it saved my son's life because I was able to recognize the symptoms of anaphalactic reaction.

Again, good luck! Find out EVERYTHING you can once you know for sure what your allergy is. The culprit can be hiding in unsuspecting food, beauty, or numerous other products!

Solumedrol is by prescription only! It is a steroid. Too bad we cant get it by just going to wal mart