Strawberries: A Story of Allergic Proportions

Last week something really scary happened to me that I want to share. I had some Activia yogurt, the “Light” strawberry version, and within 10 minutes I blew up. Jamie Lee Curtis promised potent digestion; Instead, I got an oxygen tube up my nose and an IV in my arm.

It happened so fast. My stomach got upset, my eyes started to burn then swell, and I couldn’t see. Then my head and hands began itching. And my throat and ears started to close. I truly panicked. Was this anaphylaxis shock? I had no idea. This was the first time anything like this ever happened to me. I read that’s how it can happen. You can eat something your whole life, then all of a sudden your immune system can be sensitized to it. It produces immunoglobulin E (IgE - an antibody) and histamine to respond to the allergy. The first time can be mild; the second time can be fatal. Your reaction can happen quickly after the exposure, can be severe, and can involve the whole body. That was me.

Years ago a little girl from the town over died from a reaction to nuts. I don't think anyone who lives around here will ever forget it. My oldest daughter's father did a story on it for the local paper. I imagined that one minute she was happy and joking with her friend, the next she was struggling to breathe. I read she didn't have her epipen and had eaten something with "filberts" embedded in the ingredients. This was before the FDA warning labels. But search the Web. There are still so many stories with the same outcome. Even after we supposedly know so much.

When I had a little girl and she went to school, there was a "Peanut Free" table. It was treated as a very special table, and they rotated who could sit with the children who had these allergies. There was actually a waiting list. I have to be honest and say I felt so blessed my child did not have that allergy. My friends and I have been known to say this statement many times: "Where was this peanut allergy when we were growing up?" There are so many things in raising children that are potentially harmful. An allergy this dangerous was one less to think about. Yet, I did think about and feel for those parents. It must be so hard to deal with. I had long discussions with a few of those parents. I know how it was for them. Yet, I didn't. I say this all the time—You can't really know until it's you or yours.


A Few Facts...

—Allergies do not discriminate on the basis of age

—Allergic reactions can develop at any time in life: from one day old to 60 years old (peak age being late teens) 

—Most common causes of fatal allergic reactions are shellfish, peanuts, cod, yellow jackets, and imported fire ants

—BUT… You can lose sensitivity to certain foods and have a tolerance later—like babies who have allergies to cow’s milk

  

I am 43, and am experiencing an allergy of that potential caliber for the first time. Thank God my mother was over—even though she was the one who suggested eating the yogurt in the first place. I was getting over the stomach flu. “Have yogurt, you’ll feel better.” We joked later... so much for a mother’s sage advice! But who could have known. When the swelling started, I took some children’s Benadryl. But I only had a few drops left. So I called my sister, who happens to live around the corner and is a nurse. She brought me more children’s Benadryl. For some reason, neither of us had the adult version. 

My sister made me go to the ER. And she made them take me right away, because it was actually taking awhile. And while I was waiting I was totally freaking out. I couldn’t see, and I couldn’t breathe. And I was getting chest pains. They immediately gave me oxygen. Then shot up both arms searching for a vein. Why can't anyone ever find a damn vein in my arms? Then the doctor came by and assured me I would be okay after the meds. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Not on my watch.” He said this twice, but neglected to tell me how long he was on duty.

My whole life flashed before my eyes. My kids, my husband, my husband being home with the kids, OMG my kids! It was probably the most eye-opening life experience I had ever had. I kept thinking how fast things can change. One minute everything is fine; the next you are struggling to breathe.

I had to stop thinking. I needed the meds to work. And finally I could feel the swelling go down a bit and I could see. After a while I even took off the oxygen tubes myself. The medication had taken effect, and I was left feeling like I had just tripped on a whole Benadryl bottle. The modern-day version of the "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test."

I saw kaleidoscopes, heard voices, felt things crawling up my arms, and was saying things I don't remember. I do, however, remember getting up to use the bathroom and not being able to find my way out. I had to follow the voices outside the door to the knob. Knock, knock, knock. "Karen, are you ok?" Are you kidding? I never felt so good.   

I was in the hospital for only two hours. But this IV concoction of Benadryl, Steroids, and Pepcid AD had me laid up for days. I still can’t even believe it happened. Strawberries. I've been eating them my whole life. Until now. No more strawberries in champagne, no more of my sister-in-law's decadent strawberries covered in chocolate. (I will soooo miss those!)

I will be following up with an allergist soon. And the doctor reminded me I will be carrying an epipen for life.