Could a milk allergy cause body aches, trouble breathing, sinus probs?

Question

Hi there...thanks for reading. I'm 36 y.o. female diagnosed with fibromyalgia (constant muscle aches, fatigue, sleep problems) for 5 years. Lately I've noticed that sometimes when I eat, I start feeling even worse than usual. I have spells where I ACHE intensely, am so tired that I can hardly move, arms and legs feel like they have weights on them, and I feel as if I can't breathe. My throat doesn't close up, but my chest feels as if I just can't get enough air. My sinuses DO seem to tighten up, though. The prob. is that I can't find out if it's a certain food that does this. I'd like to see an allergist, but am a little afraid to as many doctors immediately assume a person with fibro is a complete nut or a hypochondriac and often blow them off. Fibro itself can also make other pain and symptoms seem worse. Any advice from your personal experience? BIG THANKS....winning response will receive a Nigerian Dwarf Goat wether. (Just kidding! No pun intended :)

Answer 1

You could try to go for a week avoiding all dairy products. It's not easy, but It is doable -- use soy milk in coffee, no cheese, and check ingredients labels for milk and lactose as well. Then after that time period, try eating something with milk and see what happens; if possible, have someone with you in case you do react more severely. You might also have celiac disease, which is an intestinal reaction to wheat gluten. This can be diagnosed with a blood test nowadays.

You could go for allergy testing and not mention the fibromyalgia right away, unless there are medications you are taking specifically for that because you may have to discontinue them for a few days prior to allergy testing. Was your fibromyalgia diagnosed by an immunologist? That is the specialist you should be seeing to ensure that you have been properly diagnosed and to see if there are additional conditions, such as allergies, that are aggravating the condition.

As a medical professional, I apologize that sometimes we do have a difficult time discerning who the hypochondriacs are from those who actually have those challenging conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and Epstein-Barr, etc. I've seen both sides, as I personally know a few people with such conditions, but I also have encountered several "nuts" over the years...

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Allergies Body Aches

Answer 3

Any type of allergy can cause that, but I think it would be more likely caused by things you breathe instead of eat. Sinus pressure is a histamine reaction, and that is your body trying to get rid of some kind of toxin. If you're allergic, your body thinks cat dander, etc. is toxic (even though it's not really). Since your sinuses are connected with your respiratory system through your nose, I think sinus pressure would be more easily triggered by breathing an allergen, but that reaction could be triggered by ANY allergy. Good luck, and Bless You!

Answer 4

I agree with Glutenfreegirls thoughts. I also have fibromyalgia and thought I had lactose intolerance. It turned out I cant tolerate wheat. When I eat anything with wheat in it I get more muscle pain and I get IBS type symptoms.

For most of my life I thought it was lactose but it wasn't. Now that I am not eating wheat I have no problems with dairy. I also have multiple allergies and asthma . People with fibro just seem to have autoimmune related problems.

My suggestion is to give up either one and see how you feel. I know in my case wheat (and sugar ) increases my pain immensely. If the first thing you give up doesn't seem to be the answer then try the other.

deb

Answer 5

Hi! I would consider getting tested for Celiac Disease. Many ppl with CD also have fibro (sorry can't spell it too good, gonna shorten it!) Anyway, you can ask your regular doc or a GI doc for a Celiac Blood Panel, consisting of at least IGG, IGA, and TTG.
Many times when one thinks they have a lactose problem it is actually a problem with gluten, the protein in wheats, rye and barley that ppl with CD cant tolerate. Please see the links below for more info! Best of luck!
Amy Chairperson Louisiana North Shore Celiac Sprue Association

Answer 6

Please contact an allergist! Before you see him/her, as it can take weeks to get an appt, you should consider doing a food diary for a couple of weeks. Keep track of EVERYTHING (meaning if you eat a hamburger you also write down what was on it and the bread, etc...) you eat of drink, any symptoms you have after eating, how long after finishing they begin and anything else the doctor would need to know.

Answer 7

i allergic to milk and when i have it i become ill but sometimes (depends on what milk i have) my body becomes sore and it does feel like i have waights on my arms and legs and i find it hard breathing, but thta just could be because im not that fit.

Answer 8

My friend just gets through her spell it ends up going away youll be fine get through your spell then it will go away for sometime