Quick Proffessional reply please! Allergy hightened on estrogen?

[Guest Draga]

For the last 8ish years I have had a mild allergy to food preservatives, causing mild stomach discomfort. Over the last year or so it increased from mild discomfort to bloating, but nothing I couldn't handle. I could still eat just fine even through the discomfort. (at this point I had yet to realize the allergy was preservative related) 6 weeks ago I started on Vivelle Dot 0.1 weekly patches (1 patch a week, switching sides as prescribed.).

2 weeks in my allergy took a turn for the worse. I started throwing up a lot of what I ate if it had even the slightest amount of preservatives, and have in the last two weeks even started getting mild anaphalistic symptoms from some foods. I've become scared to eat because some products don't even label that tey have preservatives, even though technically they are supposed to by law.

My question is if this sudden and rapid increase in symptoms is possibly caused by the estrogen, or if I'm just really unlucky.

My parents aren't willing to buy organic foodstuffs for me, so sometimes I cry myself to sleep or go a day without eating before I succumb and eat out of unwilling survival instinct. I'm scared for my life but even more scared I'll have to stop HRT. Please someone fill me in if HRT is related, I have an appointment coming up to increase my dosage since my bloodwork all seemed to check out fine after my 6 week trial.

PS. whenever there is something organic to eat I generally devour it all, cuz I'm hungry. Occasionally I buy my own organic food but on an SSI budget and paying rent that opportunity is rare. =(

[JJ]

This is something that no one would be qualified to answer except your Dr. The reactions to HRT is very complex and varied and the balance can be delicate,

Please consult your Dr -it may be a symptom of something else like high potassium or unrelated and there may be medication that will help. Bit throwing up frequently will throw your body chemistry out of balance and if you are on anti-androgens posed some health threats I believe,

better to have this checked professionally. No one on site could or would be able to give you medical advise of that kind

Johnny

[VickySGV]

I can comment on allergies in general, since I have had a pretty heavy set for six decades, and some allergies DO get worse over time instead of better, ie: your becoming hyper sensitized vs. de sensitized. You need to be dealing with your allergist on this and should be being tested on your sensitivity levels, and be aware of new or reinforced allergy reactions (re-inforcement comes from two or more allergens hitting you at the same time, they may be different sources, not just food).

If you are taking oral hormones, you could be sensitive to the "vehicle substance" in the medications. (The supposedly inert part that gives the microscopic amount of medicine enough volume that you can physically handle it. Some meds use a lactose based vehicle substance for an example.) Again, that is a check with your doctor issue. A change in the manufacturer of the drug, or use of a generic vs name , or name vs generic can help that.

The other minor possibility is that if you are MTF your skin does change a bit, and contact allergy sensitivity can be affected, (mine has been, but I am desensitizing to a couple of things). Your doctor can test for your absorbtion rates of contact allergy allergens, but these will be re-inforcing agents to your food problem. You are using a patch, and I know that I am allergic to some adhesives which could be at play here.

JJ's comment on the Bulemic effects is VERY much valid as well.

You may also have developed an eating disorder over your allergy situation which can be dealt with via your therapist. Obsessive Compulsive issues can sneak up on people with severe allergies.

TIME TO SEE YOUR COMPLETE MEDICAL TEAM!!!

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Yuppers - you must see your doctor on this, your regular doctor I suggest. If you are SSI and on a medical program, this specialty food needed to keep you well could be a 'medical necessity and reimbursable. Your doctor might know.

We aren't qualified to answer. All we do is relate our personal experiences, and I have not had any allergic reactions myself and have been on HRT for 42 months. Sometimes an injectable - the supposed inert delivery fluids might affect some people.

But there are many ways to take the HRT. I doubt you will have to abandon your treatments. But do see if there is another cause or if somehow you ARE susceptible to something.

Lizzy

[Guest Draga]

I'll ask my hrt doctor but it could be a while.

Unfortunately my regular doctors and the many medical facilities I've been to lately for other issues told me there is no way to test for preservative allergies at this time in the medical world. As for anti-androgens I am not currently on them as I had a severe allergic reaction to spiranolactone (basically everything from muscle weakness to mild progressive anaphalism); I am only taking the weekly skin patch for estrogen, and I don't believe it's an allergy to that either as it's only ever an hour after I eat presuming I can't get organic things (otherwise I'm fine). The allergy is only ingestion based as well, as touching things with preservatives have not bothered me [i've done that whole "pick it up and almost eat it but decide against it" somewhat compulsively lately ]

I will be seeing a therapist about the phobias and compulsions that have developed. I had wanted to talk to my hrt doctor beforehand but yesterday I had a phone-appointment and was forgotten about. =(

Thanks for the quick replies though.