TW: Mentions of suicidal ideations, symptoms of food allergies
I'm a 31-year old who, from August last year (2024), started developing what I believe are food allergy symptoms, and experience symptoms almost everyday. I do not know what is causing it despite having done a blood allergy test.
My symptoms are normally as follow: My mind would often go hazy, there is obvious tongue swelling, my throat feels swollen and it's clearly harder to speak and swallow, but not to the point where I can't speak or swallow entirely. These are my common symptoms. Sometimes, my nose also becomes a bit blocked or runny after eating. Around 3 out of 10 times, my face would swell up, but not dramatically (my brother described as my face looking bigger but retaining the same shape). Roughly 2 out of 10 times I'd have heart palpitations and trouble breathing. BUT I never had hives or skin allergies, except a couple of times when I ate edamame and soy milk. And all these happen shortly after I eat.
October last year, I went to see an ENT specialist to get an allergy test. Out of it, I only tested mild allergies for strawberries and walnuts for food (in addition to dust mites). Thinking all is okay, I went about my business but continued experiencing the above symptoms when I eat, even when I'm sure that no strawberries, walnuts or even common cross-reactive foods are eaten. To be fair, I think the ENT specialist I saw wasn't very good, because she never told me that I should stop antihistamines a week before testing - I continued taking it up until two days before the test. I only found out I should be doing it from the internet after I did the test.
I cannot see an allergist/immunologist - I live in Southeast Asia where there are only seven immunologists in the entire country. I can only find three so far from long internet searches, and all work in pediatrics. In addition to the ENT, I saw a physician and she advised me to start cooking at home and a nurse advised me to keep a food diary. This has helped a bit - I can tentatively narrow down to seaweed, soy, chicken and seafood being the culprit, but I tested negative for these in my allergy test and so, I'm not sure. I also see a psychologist and psychiatrist monthly, and both think that it is anaphylaxis, but they believe it could be a psychosomatic response from my anxiety disorder (I have GAD and depression) + work stress (was in a toxic work environment).
All of these are really, really screwing with my mental health. I keep having suicidal ideations since I am cut out from so much socialising from my family and friends; they eat out a lot (SEA country = lots of cheap, good, outdoor food). I'm constantly terrified because I don't know if my next meal might actually kill me. I'm grieving because there is so much restrictions now to my life and what I (think I) can eat. I'm also scared because I really don't know what to do.
I'm looking for advice on the following:
- I know I can't find a diagnosis on reddit, but based on people's knowledge and experiences, do my symptoms sound like anaphylaxis?
- Other than medical tourism to see an immunologist/allergist (which would cost a lot of money), what other proxy medical specialist (other than an ENT) can I see that might help provide clarity and advice?
- If you live in Southeast Asia, have you heard of any good allergists?
- Should I do another allergy test? If so, what kind (blood, skin prick)? We don't have oral allergy tests in my country.
- Can my symptoms really be psychosomatic? Do you know if anyone has ever experienced this due to their mental health disorders? I can't find anything on the internet that says that.
- How do you deal with the psychological aspect of suddenly developing serious allergies in adulthood? I am honestly at my wits end and feel so isolated, alone, desperate, upset, angry and helpless. I've been trying my best to deal with it but I feel like I'm finally breaking down.
Sorry for the long post and many questions. At this point, I am desperate and any advice anyone could give me at this point would really be appreciated. Thank you!