Hey all! I don't recognize any names but I've been on the board for years, just haven't posted in forever.

So, as I used to do, I'm coming to the source to see if anyone can help and share experiences. This is a recent but not recent issue. Not recent because I had a reaction to white meat pork about a year after I got RSD. The recent has escalated. In the last few months I began to notice I would feel weird after eating meat. It covers dark meat pork now and also hamburger and steak. Chicken doesn't cause me any problems. Not sure about bacon or ham but I'm wary about trying now.

It's hard to describe how I feel after eating meat but I'll do my best. First it is a feeling of being a bit disconnected between brain and body about half an hour to an hour after eating. Then mouth gets dry. Next is a lightheaded, dizzy feeling. I don't have an upset tummy really but I don't feel right either and no appetite. It lasts between 2 and 3 or 4 hours. This last weekend I had pork fried rice only dark meat. Are no more than usual in it which was about quarter of a cup and no more than half a cup.

It was the worst I've ever felt. It hit me hard with all the symptoms above with severe tiredness and weakness tossed in this time. I slept off and on for about 10 hours. Through Saturday and Sunday I continued feeling very weak, tired, drained, no energy at all and still a bit of lightheaded and brain/body disconnect. Monday was better with just a slight but of weakness and being a bit more tired than usual.

So....am I alone with this or has anyone had this happen to them too? I've never in my life had a food allergy and can only imagine it's somehow connected to RSD. Any info or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Hope everyone is having low pain days.

Hi!

Have you tried talking to your doctor about this? Because this seems like it's a big reaction to something as innocent as meat. Maybe you have some digestive issues going on.

I'm no doctor, but it needs to be figured out!

Do you take medications with meals? As one is often to do. Because it might just be the medications in that case.

I have not had this issue. I do know that many people with RSD develop gastroparesis...not sure if that's what you are experiencing but may be worth looking into. So sorry to hear what you are going through...I know that being ill and having RSD just do not go well together. I had many many months when my RSD was spreading and out of control where I was throwing up 7-8 times a day or more...but in my case it was just because of the intense pain, dizziness, nausea, etc. Once the pain stopped spreading and we got the pain more or less "under control" I was much better...though in really bad flare ups I will still experience this. Which is super fun because that makes the pain so much better...not. Hope you get some relief soon...let us know what the doctor says.

I suspect you are reacting to additives in your meat.

Most food intolerances or allergies have a component of rash/hives/bloating/diarrhea/or vomiting.

However, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is added to many foods, and especially Chinese entrees and Asian food in general. MSG causes many neurological reactions as you describe. Almost all restaurant food and processed food have it. One has to learn to read labels carefully before preparing any food at home. Soups, and stews often have MSG in them. Chips and snacks and seasonings also often have MSG. Lays does have a few MSG free products, but you have to read labels to find them. This link gives also the 40 or so OTHER names MSG goes by:

Recognizing or diagnosing MSG induced adverse reactions

There are other additives where meat is concerned... mostly preservatives of some kind.

I'd Google around if I were you, and look for other offenders added to meats or found in restaurants.

Hi Galena,

Food allergies can develop at any time to foods that were once tolerable. They are commonly associated with different types of protein and can arise in response to beef or pork. I myself developed a severe shellfish allergy after years of eating shellfish with no problem. When I asked my allergist about it we skin tested and it came back positive.

I agree with Mrs. D about the MSG or additives. Your mention of pork fried rice made me think the same thing.

You could ask your doctor about this or see and allergy/asthma specialist who would be more familiar with these issues. If you do have an allergy, symptoms can worsen with ongoing exposure. It is always reasonable to make sure something else isn't going on medically before attributing symptoms to CRPS.

Along with the possible MSG thoughts, I wonder if you have looked at any of the "Eat Right for your blood type" books..
Also a website now- The Blood Type Diets: Blood Type and Your Health

You may see some connection to the listed good or bad foods for you type..

No meds with meals. I only did that back in the beginning to keep from feeling sick but don't need to anymore. Something I'll keep in mind though for down the road. Never know what might happen.

Forgot about gastroparesis. Worth looking at since it all started after the rest. I'm one of the lucky ones I guess that high pain doesn't make me sick like that. It just takes away my appetite but no more than that. I can't even imagine going through that. Will wish you lots of low pain days cause I hate feeling sick at all and glad to not have to deal with the feeling too much. Usually it's because of my period that I'll feel uber sick for a few days.

Good idea. Thanks for the list! My hubby had a reaction to MSG at one point but seemed to get over it. He has no problem now. Worth checking into and experimenting to see if that's the cause.

I thought of the protein thing too. I didn't know these things can pop up like that. My hubby became allergic to shellfish to years ago. The cause for him was iodine. He had a bad case of kidney stones and they did a test with iodine. Then he ate shrimp a few weeks later and boom he breaks out everywhere. Had to tell him it was because of that test. He was not happy as he loves seafood! Luckily though he can eat a few pieces now without any reaction. He's much happier. Lol