Anyone allergic to MSG?

Question

If so, what other foods, besides cheap Chinese, should I avoid? Are there any preventative measures I can take before eating?

I notice I get headaches 6-12 hours after I eat at my favorite Chinese spot. I have not been professionally diagnosed. This is coming from my own observation. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I am allergic to MSG myself. I get a reaction like all my hairs are standing on end and I noticed that I get more frequent headaches if I eat out more at Chinese stalls.

Food most certainly can trigger headaches.

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Answer 2

I am allergic to MSG and you are right, the chinese put it in everything! I know as soon as I've eaten some as I get bloated, stomach cramps, headache, and sometimes a very tired feeling. It generally takes a couple of days to go away.
I love chinese food so I always make it a point to tell them when ordering, "NO MSG"!!!
You have to be very careful and read packaging because many of the pre- frozen foods have it. It is considered a "flavor enhancement" chemical! Just one more thing to kill us!
The FDA should have banned it right from the get go! No reason to put chemicals in the food when ingredients and cooking technique can produce better results!

Answer 3

A 1995 FDA-commissioned report acknowledged that "An unknown percentage of the population may react to MSG and develop MSG symptom complex, a condition characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:
* burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest
* numbness in the back of the neck, radiating to the arms and back
* tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms
* facial pressure or tightness
* chest pain
* headache
* nausea
* rapid heartbeat
* bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) in MSG-intolerant people with asthma
* drowsiness
* weakness."(Wikipedia)
Poison-Monosodium glutamate
Symptoms-Burning sensations throughout the body, facial pressure, anxiety, chest pain (Chinese Restaurant Syndrome)
Treatment-Supportive care. (Merck)
Please see the web pages for more details on Monosodium glutamate.