THE POSSIBILITY OF DRUG FREE PAIN, ME/CFS, ASTHMA AND MIGRAINE RELIEF THROUGH FINDING YOUR TRIGGERS
I am not being dramatic, but if I had not found out what caused my rheumatic/arthritic type pain I would now be in a wheel chair, racked with pain that only powerful medication with very nasty side effects, might relieve. So far, doctors have only offered me drug therapy but there is possibly a great deal of hope for many with joint pain, arthritis, rheumatism, some swellings or after injury pain, by reading the following results of around twentyseven years of experimentation, research and very deep thought, ALSO into ME/CFS, Migraine, Allergies and Asthma - by Diane Nicol.
Having had ME/Chronic Fatigue for many years, and with the more recent discovery that most of us have a low blood volume and many of us have food and fume allergies as well. I have a distinct feeling that we could be more susceptible to all manner of health problems. I would like to see research done to see if there is a definite connection with some illnesses and low blood volume. Maybe the answer of why some firemen became ill after fighting the big chemical blaze in Auckland, New Zealand, and the same with those who were involved in the Gulf war and became ill, have low blood volume, as others were not affected at all.
I have added more on Allergies, Migraine, Asthma and theories re low blood volume at the end of the pain relief information. Those with ME may find it easier to take in the following by having a printed copy and reading a little at a time to prevent information overload.
One of the things I take to relieve ME and feel I can recommend it to those who do not take anything to help relieve depression or help them sleep, is liquid Hypericum (St John's Wort). According to an 'Organic Magazine' article in 2002 on ME/CFS, hypericum is recommended for depression and also considered anti-viral as well. It is used extensively in Europe and also given to children. With being liquid, one can tailor the amount to suit one's system exactly. With ME, less is more, therefore always take less than the amount recommended on any supplement to begin with. The only Hypericum I have been successful with, is available from Simillimum Homeopathic Pharmacy. It is very reasonable to purchase their smallest bottle to see if it works for you and they will get it to your address. They receive quite a number of orders from Australia.
Their phone number is 04-499 9242, and their email address: orders@arnica.co.nz. Start off by putting just two drops in one cup (200mls) of boiling water at night and let steep. This burns off the alcohol. Drink after breakfast the next morning. If no difference is experienced, add one more drop each day up to the recommended dose on the bottle. As soon as one finds that it may be working, stay at that level for a few days, then cut back gradually until one finds a maintenance level.
Another product that I have found to be very helpful, (although neither will cure, but they have alleviated many of my symptoms), is called 'Cellfood'. It costs around $1.11 per day for an adult. Use a lot less for children. Helps oxygenate the system and is full of colloidal minerals, aminos and other goodies. It was one product that I could take the recommended dose immediately. It should be available on prescription for ME sufferers as pricey to begin with. It is available from health shops and some chemists. Make sure you ask for a print out of the properties it contains. Do not take on an empty stomach. If one is trying the hypericum, the Cellfood can be added to it.
I hope readers will not find the following information too repetitive and long winded, but sometimes it is the best way to get certain points across and to provide evidence that what I have discovered has been verified by the USA medical profession.
Drinking good quality water helps a great deal, oil for the joints, but the amount should be based on one's size, as too much can cause more problems than will fix as can dilute the mineral content of the body. Another thing I'm sure of is that having a small amount of saturated fats helps to grease the joints as well.
The following may possibly not work for all sufferers of painful joint conditions but definitely well worth a try. It does not cost much, clash with current medication and is perfectly safe.
I have been mostly pain free for several years and also have lost a lot of stiffness after suffering on an off, mostly on, for more than thirtyseven years.
There were periods when I was in continuous pain for months at a time and also having to take time off work when the pain often worsened, ie “flared”. What I have discovered over many years of deep thought, is that many health problems are probably caused by putting something into our bodies that our bodies just do not want, and are telling us so with pain, swelling and nodes. If one can find out or remember if your mother (Mums usually remember) had strong cravings for a particular food(s) whilst pregnant with you - avoid having whatever it was.
What I found out with experimentation, has been verified by a book I purchased after my discoveries, on preventive options, and written by American medical doctors. Important excerpts appear later in this article. All NZ doctors offered me was strong painkillers and warned me they would probably have to get stronger as the 'disease' got worse, then progress on to steroidal medication. A nurse friend advised me years ago, that steroids and cortisone injections can cause nasty problems in the long term, and what is more they do not cure, only relieve. I had tried magnets, which did help, but now I have ME/CFS, they don't. Many swear by their magnetic underlays. The only thing, the magnets lose their power after several years. The underlays should be made with pockets so a new set can be inserted.
I always thought that my pain was caused by old sporting injuries or having done too heavier work for my build. GP's could not diagnose why I had so much pain over the years, just said it must be either rheumatism or arthritis and take the pills. Turned out that my pain was actually caused by food allergies, but I also found out I had a condition, which was ankylosing spondylitis. This was not diagnosed until I was around 51 years old. I do not have it as badly as some do. It's the problem that fuses the vertebrae, which causes a hump in the spine. The diagnosis came about after seeing an orthopaedic surgeon after I suffered an accident and was not improving. He ordered a B27 blood test, which gave the positive indication.
I know that I can also suffer from 'muscular (inflamatory) type rheumatic pain' if I neglect my findings. The problem affects the muscles, mainly the chest wall, particularly the abdomen area with some muscles feeling like rocks, and the heart muscle feels it is being squeezed, making it difficult to breathe. By practising a food avoidance technique, the ankylosing spondylitis is no problem, except for lateral movement and some stiffness.
The answer for me is so simple and drug free. I wrote up my findings and sent it to the Arthritis Foundation, but because it was not a trial carried out by doctors and did not include any drug therapy, they refused to publish.
I know that if I choose to dice with what I have discovered, I know what to expect - pain and lots of it. Analgesics and anti-inflamatories only help if I take massive doses. This results in me feeling terrible, gives me tinnitus, makes my nose bleed, and eventually, pains in the bones of my hands. The allergic reaction has to leave my blood stream before real relief is obtained.
A lady who deals in food supplements put me on to taking two Neo Life Salmon Oil (Omega 3) capsules per day to see if these would help. The directions on the bottle suggest up to six per day with food. I found two per day worked well. She also advised me to take them with cold water just before going to bed. Approximately three weeks later I was free of a lot of pain. (Expect most supplements to take up to four months for an adult to bring real relief). Some take flaxseed oil, but if one has grain problems, the fish oil is probably best. I am sure too that Omega 3, in fish oil form, can help injuries mend faster. Our diets are usually very short of Omega 3. For additional help, I try to remember to have a small amount each day, of 'Nectar Ease' Manuka Honey with added Bee Venom. I have friends who have found it rid them of knee and ankle pain. Although I am slightly asthmatic, I do not have any negative reactions to either the honey or Nature Bee Pollen Capsules.
I always thought that I ate a reasonably nutritious and balanced diet, but when I joined the Allergy Awareness Assoc. many years ago I began to more fully appreciate that a lot more of our problems can be caused by what we eat. The old stories; “One person's meat is another's poison” and; “We are what we eat”.
I found out there were two things I ate that caused a lot of pain 'flare-up' and really aggravated, mainly my spinal condition and the chest wall and heart muscles to spasm and other muscles to go rock hard. Some of my non-arthritic friends have similar reactions. This was eating poultry of any sort and eggs. Anyone who has a sensitivity to eggs should never have the influenza injection, as the viruses are grown in eggs.
There was one instance when my hands seized up so badly I had enormous difficulty in holding a pen or knife and fork. I thought that my working days were over. I had succumbed to eating some chicken nibbles over a period of four weeks and wondered if these could have caused the problem, as chicken and turkey usually caused my spinal muscles to spasm and lock. I did not eat any more and thankfully, my hands went back to normal after about three weeks. I came to the conclusion, that as I was possibly wheat sensitive, and that poultry flesh and eggs are probably full of concentrated grain protein, this was the answer for me. Sometimes an allergic reaction can take up to around 10 days to manifest, other times, after just a few hours by eating, for me for example: turkey.
I now realise that I was probably always allergic to poultry, but when I was younger the affects were not always so noticeable. The rest of my allergies were acquired after I was having a series of life crises (which few people escape) and at the same time was given strong doses of steroids to fix an eye problem. Fixed the eye, but as they suppress the immune system, found I had become allergic to many fumes, foods, including most fruit, soft drinks and alcohol. I have found, that as I get older, most allergens impact far more severely, new ones appear and the odd one may disappear, if you are lucky.
Prior to finding out about poultry and eggs, a friend and I decided to try apple cider vinegar and honey which some with arthritis swear by, but both of us experienced quite severe pain in our hands, particularly the joints. I heard of an Italian gent who reluctantly gave up eating what Italians have lived on for years - tomatoes, red and green peppers, eggplant and wine, and cured his gout. As the medication he'd been given made him feel weird he felt he had to come up with his own cure.
I understand that there are many folk worldwide who do not suffer from arthritic or rheumatic conditions as much as the western world. I began to ponder what food(s) and beverages are ingested by the western world and not elsewhere to the same extent, if at all.
I came up with potatoes which are sometimes eaten seven days a week, and as often as three times a day, and possibly wheat. I decided to have kumera instead, or increase the amount of other veges and not eat white or red potatoes at all. That was when I became totally free of pain. I thought I could tolerate a little tomato but find a little goes a long way to causing pain. Cooking tomatoes makes them more tolerable.
Thank goodness there is an abundance of a wide variety of foods in NZ. I have also discovered that eating icecream, yoghurt or cheese regularly, will cause my left knee to ache badly and cause migraines. One glass of wine can set my thumb on fire. Now wines contain preservatives, they also make me wheeze, especially chateux cardboard, so I no longer imbibe.
I have heard and do not know if it is gospel, that when the boxed wine passes its use by date that it is gathered up to go somewhere where another lot of preservatives are thrown in, then goes back to a retailer. TV is most informative as found out that often wine makers add egg white to red wine to clarify it. Chefs add eggshells to consomme soup, to make it clear then strain off all the ingredients to leave a tasty liquid.
I do not drink Coca Cola, but as a 22 year old female relative had to have all her teeth removed due to her addiction to this drink, I cannot help but think that if this drink can do this to teeth, what does it do to bones and the rest of the body. It is used to remove rust. I also wonder that with it being one of the most popular drinks and often now given to very young children, whether it may have anything to do with the proliferation of leukaemia and other cancers. I do know that all the artificial contents together with the caffeine in it, does cause some children to become so hyperactive they cannot be schooled.
Once, due to a family crisis, a kind neighbour realising that organising food was going to be awkward, gave us their dinner of smoked chicken, beans and white potatoes. I had no choice but to partake and because I had not eaten any poultry in eighteen months thought I might manage to avoid any consequences. Around 10 days later I could hardly walk as it struck my left hip, so much so, that my boss could not believe it was an allergic reaction. Thankfully the pain went in around three long days - more disbelief. I also succumbed once to eating a large pile of very tasty potato wedges, which eventually gave gout like symptoms in my left thumb. It was as if there was a fire inside it. This cleared in about (a very long) three days as well.
I find that all coffees, can either cause excruciating nerve constriction type pains in my arms and legs or deep pain under the bottom of my left shoulder blade and across to the spine with the muscles going rock hard. I have actually seen a film on allergic reactions, where coffee made a gentleman limp badly within 20 mins and a female who agreed to demonstrate for the film, with doctors present, to spasm all over. An antidote was on hand.
What convinced me that my “supplements lady” and myself were on the right track were passages from a book I obtained by mail order called “The Doctors' Book of Home Remedies”. The articles were sourced from GP's, by the editors ofPrevention Magazine Health Books in America. Under the heading: Practice Food Avoidance by a Dr. Elson Haas, he says, “I've seen the most dramatic results when my rheumatoid arthritis patients avoid foods from the nightshade family and milk products. The nightshade family consists of white and red potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, tobacco and all peppers except black pepper”. I cannot tolerate white or black pepper either, and calcium can be obtained by many means other than milk, and Vitamin C obtained from vegetables if fruit is not tolerated. (Potatoes, tomatoes, red and green peppers and eggplant although not classed as poisonous are part of the deadly nightshade family, which is poisonous. Maybe those of us with low blood volume may react badly to these for this reason.)
Any loved, craved and favourite foods may also be “flare up” triggers. By keeping a diary for four months of all foods and drink (including milk) taken and noting your level of discomfort each day on a scale of 1 to 5, and when you think a food/drink may be causing any problems. It is a tedious thing to do, but so well worth the effort to find any patterns. (This process would be useful for migraine/headache sufferers too). Salycilates may be a problem as well, plus acidy fruits. There are health books giving advice on these. When reading this article and one says to oneself, 'I could never give up eating this or that, thought must be given, that by not experimenting, one may not be willing to give up the pain!
Also from Dr. Haas who is a director of the Marin Clinic of Preventive Medicine and Health Education in San Rafael, California, “Not everyone, but many people do respond to Omega 3 fish oil. They obtain some relief from joint tenderness and fatigue.”
I have read in two magazines where it was said, 'some forms of arthritis can be caused by food allergies'. Another book worth reading, is by a NZ author David Coory, "Stay Healthy by Supplying What's Lacking in Your Diet." It has a 90day, arthritis cure using gelatin and supplements. If my findings have not helped - it could be worth trying. The book costs around $20.00 and available from 0800-140-141. Patience and a good four months of elimination trials for an adult will show if my experiments will work for you.
I try to take two capsules per day of Salmon Oil (contains omega 3). I take the Neo Life* brand because the company makes their products to a standard, not a price (although their prices are not exhorbitant for the quality and quantity). The oil is taken from the flesh, not the organs and their coatings are designed to breakdown in the part of the body that can maximise the intake. The company puts 10% of all profits into research and development. I have heard of three doctors in the Wellington district who recommend to some of their patients, some Neo Life products for various complaints, rather than drugs. The Neo Life phone number is 0800-800-524. Neo Life is not aware that I suggest their Salmon Oil may be beneficial.
The additional good “side affects” I have experienced is, that my skin and hair condition has greatly improved. I will continue taking them for the rest of my life, as the western diet is deficient in omega 3. As omega 3 is a FOOD it can be taken without affecting medication. I know that as long as I follow what I have discovered is right for me, the pain will not return, unless I succumb to the temptation of having coffee, eating white and red potatoes, raw tomatoes, all poultry including chicken stock (read labels), eggs (even in baking and batters) etc and forgetting to take Omega 3 most days. Chicken stock may be used restaurants in risotto, paella or pasta dishes. I now ask the waitering person to find out.
I have recently found out via Radio Pacific (due to the 'chicken' flu virus scare) that some Asian countries, sterilise and heat crisp the feathers of poultry, grind them up and export the product for animal food. This has been fed to farmed salmon in NZ but no longer. Still, no more salmon for me, but I do wonder what else is used in the feeding of birds, animals and farmed fish for our consumption, as I get puzzled when I get the odd nasty twinge, yet know I have not eaten anything I have discovered causes problems.
George Blackburn MD, chief of the Nutrition/Metabolism Laboratory with the Cancer Research Institute at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston findings include, increasing Omega 3 intake and reducing omega 6 for people with arthritic conditions. Omega 6 is found in most vegetable oils including margarine, and “has been shown to cause inflamation in those with rheumatoid arthritis. Two oils that are low in omega-6 are canola and olive oil.”
I am now sure that most painful health conditions are caused by the body being allergic, and possibly the nodes growing on joints may be caused by the body not being able to absorb some foods and drinks, possibly alchohol too. Instead of being excreted, crystals form, which deposit on the joints. I had one very painful nodule grow on a finger, and since I have excluded the above foods and alcohol, the pain has disappeared, the size of the nodule has not increased and no more have grown.
The late Brenda Sampson, founder of the Allergy/ADHD Soc in Wellington, thought that if a person is allergic to milk, the milk may actually acidify and then attack the bones. She would have liked to have her theory tested. I also wonder if, that when a blood test reveals a rheumatic/arthritic condition, that what it may actually be revealing is, an allergic reaction to foods etc. If these conditions are considered as being hereditary in some cases, thought may be given, that as DNA is passed on, possibly allergic reactions may be passed on with it.
There are many more useful drug free hints for sufferers of pain and other medical problems in the above publications. I recommend purchasing copies if you see them advertised. Hopefully your library will have them.
To recap, try eliminating the following first: all poultry and poultry products, eggs, white and red potatoes, wine, vinegar, tomatoes, acidy fruits, concentrated milk products ie cheese, yoghurt and icecream. Also eliminate coffee and vegetable oils, and take some form of Omega 3. Do this without wavering, for four months. Four months race by these days! It may not be the above foods for you, but others. This is where testing all foods with a pendulum, keeping a diary and the scale of discomfort experienced after trialing the above, is such a useful tool. Reintroduce foods one at a time. If they are the foods you are not suited to, a tolerance level will need to be experimented with or eliminate altogether. A rotational diet can also be a good tool. This means not eating the same food each day, but having at least 3-4 days in between eating the same foods. Will take some time and require a lot of patience, but so worth it. I have found that since stopping eating poultry and eggs I tolerate wheat well.
The above may only work for those who have grain sensitivities, but would give a starting point for those who may not be, or not know they are grain sensitive. If one has experienced bloating or bowel discomfort it is often caused by eating some type of grain.
Hope the above is not too repetitive and unfortunately many doctors will not agree with my findings which is an awful shame. Most would rather fill you up with drugs that sometimes give horrific side affects. There is a place for both schools of thought. What I have discovered does not have any bad side affects - only good ones and cheap what is more. Anyone, no matter what age, could benefit.
MORE THEORIES ON ME/CFS
I have a distinct feeling, that as most ME/CFS sufferers have a low blood volume, 4-5 pints instead of the usual 7-8, we are probably prone to food intolerances, bacterial and fungal infections. Inoculations must be one third stronger in our systems and I am sure that we are more prone to catching viruses, glandular fever (EBV) which may set off the incidence of ME. I have had glandular fever and it rears its ugly head whenever I get very low. I have viewed a video tape taken at an ME conference, where statistics showed that 69% of those with ME had had glandular fever and suggested that others with ME may have been infected without knowing. Just thought they had a worse dose of influenza with a longer recovery period. Low blood volume could be hereditary and children should be tested for this before being given inoculations so a weaker dose could be given. Another thought I have had on this matter is where children have been normal until being immunised and then have become autistic etc. Was it because they had a low blood volume? With tiny babies that may have less blood, are they badly affected by all the shots they are given while those with normal volumes are not?
I tried five treatments of oxygen therapy under hyperbaric pressure at the Oxygen Centre in Auckland and felt I had been cured. Others have had some of the same treatment with Matt Tizard in Auckland and found it wonderful. I was told of a lady who went to see him in a wheel chair and was able to walk after the oxygen treatment. I could sleep well, no stiffness, had lovely dreams and could do anything I wanted. Unfortunately it is very expensive and like most of those who initially had good results, it gradually wore off. Being in Wellington makes it too prohibitive to continue. I am sure that if I could have a top up every 5 weeks or so, life would be very sweet. One knows after five treatments whether it will work for you. The Oxygen Centre feels that having around 22 treatments would cure ME and I think they could be right, but of course, no guarantee can be given. I have been making enquiries to try and get something set up in Wellington, but unfortunately not succeeding so far. Those who had a good result, along with myself are desperate to have access to this treatment.
ALLERGIES:
I experience allergy migraines (which do not have the strange pre-effects traditional migraines give); just the migraine type headache that can go on for three days or so if I do not take Imigran. Sometimes a quarter to half a tablet of anti-histamine will work just as well. Best to have one that can make you sleepy. I have recently heard that taking a little honey each day will keep migraines away so presently experimenting.
I am prone to sinusitis, but have found, in many instances the pain in the sinuses is an actual migraine, which I heard is very common, and the pain in the sinuses disappears with the correct medication.
I know a few others who have the same reaction to some of the following: One of the worst things I can have is any icecream. Not only a very small amount can cause a migraine, but as most icecreams contain egg, the muscles painfully spasm and go rock hard as well, especially in the chest wall. Equally bad, is having any product deepfried in oil that has been used more than twice. I was advised by a food technologist who worked at a food processing factory, that when some oils are used, probably more than twice, it becomes very toxic to some people. This means that potato chips (chippies) all frozen items such as hashbrowns, chips, fish fingers and such like, all carry the risk of causing severe migraine as many are pre-cooked in oil that may or may not be fresh. On the same level for me is cous cous and polenta bought from super markets, and toasted, ground brown rice porridge and buckwheat. Grain products are best bought from organic suppliers. I had a blood test many years ago to ascertain my food allergies and was told not to eat carrots. I replaced the carrots with eating more pumpkin and it took a long painful time to figure out that it was pumpkin that gave me severe migraine, and carrots did not give me any problems at all. Carrot juice will though, as far too concentrated for me. I think it is difficult to get an exact picture from blood and scratch allergy tests, but still worth having for indication purposes, as the outcome probably depends on what is actually in the blood at the time of the test. A computer test only gave that I was allergic to sesame seed oil when I had just had some in a salad dressing. It did not appear along with the allergies that did show up on previous readings. This is where pendulum testing all foods and liquids before ingesting can give a more accurate finding. I once read of two Auckland girls from a family of seven who never felt well, whereas the rest of the family had 'rude' health. They happened to read an article about someone who was badly affected by eating fruit. They decided to not eat any fruit, as a test, for six weeks. They got better. One needs to experiment all the time with fluids and foods. Vitamin C can be obtained from green vegetables and other means. Other foods I either have a low tolerance level for, or cannot eat at all. Most cause allergic migraine, or excema or wheezing. Some have been known to cause severe hyperactivity in children: Anything containing: artificial flavours, colourings and preservatives, soft drinks, colas, tonic (eyes have difficulty focusing as well), powdered so called 'fruit' drinks including soda stream, jellies, most nuts, most fruits, dried fruits, jams especially ones with added pectin, malt, vinegar, all alcohol (except for the rare brandy, although risk not sleeping at night), milk and all milk products except for cream, rice flours and rice porridge (puffs and plain cooked white rice ok), marmite type spreads which can also prevent sleep at night, oats, buckwheat, millet, cous cous, mushrooms, beetroot, raw tomatoes, many herbs particularly fresh ones, citric acid, gravy mixes, some oils, black and white pepper, egg plant, many spices, chocolate, cocoa, some cheeses. I have never been able to eat mushrooms as I have never been able to even stand the smell of them cooking. If I eat any cheese for lunch, it makes me feel so tired within about an hour that I have to have a sleep. Beautiful sleeps though! As long as I have not had any cheese during the day, I find letting a small piece slowly dissolve in the mouth about half an hour before bed can assist getting to sleep. Too much onion and garlic, also anything that has been fermented, sausages, preserved meats such as ham and corned beef etc. Aspirin and Panadol (cause tinnitus which wears off once drug leaves the system), some antibiotics and sulphur drugs. I have found that some supplements and drugs taken regularly, that help me relax and to assist sleep, can cause my legs to ache badly and cramp in a very nasty fashion so only take them when I am desperate. Anything store bought that does not go mouldy as homemade goods would, if it wasn't for the preservatives companies add. Must be massive amounts, as I know of someone who kept a hamburger for around 18 months. The bread and the meat did not go mouldy or bad - just went hard and eventually fell apart! The preservatives in the icing in store bought biscuits must be pretty powerful as well. Migraine city. I am sure that sugar is actually as addictive as any unlawful drug, as it is so difficult to 'kick the habit' and one may not necessarily have an overgrowth of candida to cause the craving. I do find though, that anything really sweet sets off a mucous flow in lungs and the back of my nose, causing me to cough and wheeze, more so than any milk products. I do have more than one sweet tooth and have done the candida diet to no effect. I find that most commercially made biscuits, cakes and some bread will cause asthmatic wheezing and makes me cough for hours, probably because of the additives. I find I am OK with homemade baking. Felt pens, whiteboard markers (even worse), and some white out liquids for covering errors (migraines too). Some soap powders, especially the cold wash ones when adding to washing machines. Also when one puts the fresh sheets and pillowcases on the beds can cause asthma. Cigarette and cigar smoke, even the close proximity of the permeated smell on the breath, clothes and body can cause asthma and nausea. Perfume, some aftershaves, LPG (not petrol), paints, turpentine and thinners (cause migraines as well). I wonder if, as so many children are asthmatics, was it caused by decorating their rooms during pregnancy or when they were very young, as some paint fumes and thinners are so overpowering. The fumes given off soaking some dried fruits especially apricots. Formaldehyde, spray cleansers, some bathroom sprays (migraines as well). Gases given off, from new carpets and furniture, especially in air-conditioned refurbished offices and new homes. The lights in some offices these days are far too bright for many. My eyes are now most light-sensitive. I cannot watch TV commercials (good!), and the beginning of many programmes due to the constant and rapid flashing and rapid zooming effects. No wonder many youngsters are experiencing epileptic type problems and are put on drugs. Unfortunately new allergies can be caused by new medication. In the last eight months or so I have experienced a sort of bright red excema with scaling on my forehead, temples and cheeks. Eating one apple or one sultana scone made it a lot worse in a very short time with more itching and burning. I remembered that it was decided for me to try 'Losec' for poor digestion about the time the rash started. Fortunately it was recommended to me to get a book called 'Medicines - a Comprehensive Guide'. It said that 'Losec' could cause rashes. I am now on different medication and the rash is gradually diminishing. Toxic relationships are best avoided and most important, read all labels carefully. Sometimes, the above feels so burdensome and frustrating, so just have to keep reminding myself often, that there is always someone who is a lot worse off, including whole countries whose people live in abject poverty. I am fortunate I was born in, as far as I am concerned, the most beautiful country on the planet, and I have travelled abroad a bit. NZ's South Island came fourth from the top, on a TV programme, out of 'Fifty Countries to See Before You Die'. The North Island came in at around 25th. Those who have good health should give thanks every day - wished I'd done so when I had better health!!! Hope the above will help solve or help to avoid the pain associated with ME/CFS, allergies and asthma attacks, migraine, plus assist in relieving any other health problems etc. Best Wishes.MY ALLERGIC REACTIONS OR LOW TOLERANCE LEVELS
ASTHMATIC AND ALLERGIC REACTION TO FUMES PLUS LIGHT SENSITIVITY;
