Is it allergy, is it blood sugar, is it gluten??
 

Well, I'm new to this forum and recently been experiencing peripheral neuropathy within the last three months. Been tested for gluten allergy--not celiac...but seem to have reactions several hours after eating carb products. Been tested for blood sugar (fasting glucose test) which is normal, though A1C jumps up and down over a period of months (perhaps because of the health crises?) though remains at a normal level or borderline. Antihistamines seem to help when I'm having a "neuropathy episode" which will last for a day or so. However, when my allergist wanted me to take an H2 blocker (pepcid) to create a stronger antihistamine effect, I developed intense tingly feelings in my back along my spine!! I stopped the pepcid pronto and it went away. Symptoms involve no pain, but tingly feelings in all extremeties and upper back torso. Have recently (last year) developed asthma which I never had before, being treated with that. Although I discovered one of the corticosteroid inhalers contained milk protein and it was determined I had a slight allergy to milk. Glad we changed that one! Tested for B12- 613, which is considered normal. All these neuropathy symptoms seemed to appear after stopping allergy shots. Had been on these without a problem for nine months and the went systemic in July. Because all these symptoms have appeared, we are not planning to continue them. My allergist is baffled at times, my neurologist , also. Seems there is a definite gut/food connection but I can't figure it out! Anyone want to take a stab at this?

Hi Lesann

Welcome to NT. Hope you can find some answers to the cause of your PN.
As there are more than 100 different types of PN and just as many causes it may help if you can tell us the names of the antihistamines (including the allergy shots) and any other medications you may have taken. eg antibiotics

PN is a well known side effect for several different types of medications.

Also you can use the search function at the top to find other threads/posts about specific medications.

While I'm not endorsing this company, I've never bought from them, but I like their outline on grape seed extract which I'm taking since 1995. My allergy/sinus issues are history. Prior to getting on this powerful antioxidant, I was a slave to antihistime drugs and an allergist...NEVER getting relief.

http://grapeseedextract.com/

Avoiding MSG in foods may help. MSG stimulates pain receptors.
(the NMDA receptors).

Sometimes adding Singulair to an antihistamine helps. It also helps asthma in some patients.

People with adult asthma may be low in Omega-3 fatty acids. These help build the lining of the lungs and have an anti-inflammatory action. Either eat foods to provide these, or take an oral fish oil or krill supplement. You may find your asthma goes away, like mine did.

Histamine is in many foods, and some foods are histamine releasers. This is my histamine thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread161714.html

If you take blood pressure medication, and your medication is an ACE inhibitor, you might request another family of drugs.
ACE inhibitors cause a buildup of bradykinin and this biogenic amine is related to histamine. Only it does not respond to antihistamine drugs. When bradykinin builds up, you can get asthma like symptoms, and tingling in the skin. Severe reactions can be swelling and air way obstruction. I had a severe reaction to lisinopril and it lead to the discovery that I had hereditary angioedema.
It took many years to discover this, as it is not common.

Did you get tested for celiacs?
Its actually called wheat allergy, gluten is a specific type of wheat protein, as people with celiacs can get an autoimmune reaction from more than 1 kind of wheat. Since you get relief from antihistimine, it most likely comes from allergic reaction, skin allergies can often mimic Neuropathy because of intesnse itchy, and neuropathy symptoms. its possible it can cause neuropathy.
You can do a process of elimination: do you get an allergic reaction if your drink milk? have you tried other foods to tests. of course you shouldnt be on antihistimines when you try this as well.

Also if you get blood tests or skin tests for allergies, antihistimines will actually mess up the results.

Are you reacting to carb products that contain gluten or all carb products? This could be a gluten and/or FODMAP issue.

HBA1C may or may not be reliable depending on what is going on with you. Any condition that impacts your hemoglobin can cause this number to jump around. Conditions like anemia or even your hydration status at the time of the test could cause this number to change.

This is pretty interesting. I actually have a problem going on with my immune system that is baffling my doctors. I have full body sensory neuropathy symptoms that are extremely painful - burning pain, hypersensitivity, etc. I recently broke out in hives from a hot neck wrap and then it turned into a terrible case of angoiedema. My PCP said this is not a normal reaction to heat exposure (this problem started with my neuropathy symptoms 1.5 years ago); it scared her so much that she called the supervising doctor into the exam room to get another opinion. I was taking antihistamines during this time period, which didn't seem to help.....but this whole episode mostly turned my neuropathy symptoms off for 2 weeks or so. Today, I still have the hives, but my face has now returned to normal size and my sensory neuropathy symptoms are back as well.

Have you taken dairy out of your diet? I think if I were in your position, I'd pull dairy and gluten completely out my diet for a few weeks. If you are still having issues, look into a FODMAP diet, because certain carbs can cause issues in people.

Keep a journal that tracks what you are eating and your symptoms; sometimes when we eat something that doesn't agree with our immune systems, it can take several days for our bodies to react to it, which makes it difficult to connect the bad reaction to that particular food.

Thanks everyone...I am presently on Flovent (440mg twice a day) as my prescribed asthma med. I did have some of these symptoms when I was on the Asmanex, but it doesn't seem to be related to either meds, (maybe ?). I take Allegra when necessary in divided doses because the whole 24hr pill gives me a minor post nasal drip. Yes, isn't that crazy? Dividing it with a pill divider eliminates this problem. But it is the only antihistamine I can take without other side effects. I was on allergy shots for: cat, alternaria (a NW mold), birch pollen and dust. I have a low positive reaction to egg white and possible low positive to dairy as well. I have eliminated them both and have also recently gone gluten free with some wonderful products from B. Red Mill up here in the NW. I found I can no longer take my multivitamin because I discovered that it is a major contributor. I'm wondering which of the many elimination diets to try as well.

if you were on gluten free diet, while testing for gluten allergy, it will show up a false negative. If you were on gluten for a few weeks to months before testing, that should be ok. ANTIhistamine usually prevents something like post nasal drip, you could be allergic to an allegra component, or your allergies are too high for your allegra to handle. I used the generic version of allegra(fexofenadine) and it has very little effect on my allergies(slight), i have nasal and contact dermatitis. You have tried the other OTC? ceterizine, lotaradine, i assume you dont try diphenhydramine,doxylamine, since it has sedative effect among other side effects,.

New discovery!
 

I found out I have slightly toxic levels of B6--and this is what might be causing the neuropathy! I have been taking a multi-vitamin for over 25 years that has 1200% the amount of B6 necessary, though it is only 25mg. But perhaps changes to the company that manufactures the vitamin and the changes to my diet over the last two years to include many more plant based food choices have kicked my B6 into overdrive. I stopped the supplement and already the neuropathy is diminishing. Thanks for all your support and suggestions!

That's great news!!! It's inspiring to see someone get well and I'm very happy for you!

Cliffman :grouphug: