Posted on 04/22/2011 7:53:46 PM PDT by NCSEADOG
I am a longtime lurker here and visit nearly everyday.
I have developed a severe allergy problem. I have been told by my allergy Doctor that I am "allergic to iodine when taken as food in combination with other elements" In other words I can't tolerate iodine in my food. He said I am the first true case of this type he has ever seen. Many people think they are allergic to Iodine but in fact are allergic to a protein found in shellfish.
I am living off of a few juiced raw vegetables,organic unsalted peanut butter,oranges,orange juice and organic strawberry preserves.That seems to be all I can tolerate.If I "make a mistake" I have the following symptoms.Immediate severe "tightening" of the muscles starting high up my back and eventually spreading up my neck and to the back of my head. This leads to pretty severe headache,elevated blood pressure..last time it went to 180/111 . I am retaining a lot of fluid and feel weak.I have gone into Anaphylactic shock,thrown up etc. Unexplained rashes across my face and my entire scalp. I also suffer from colitis and diverticulitis.
I spoke with a local Doctor this week who told me he had no idea what could be done to help me.He advised me to get as many Christians as possible to pray for me and stated that "you need Divine healing". My allergy Doctor has been good to help with supplements etc which have given me more strength but has also stated that he does not know what can be done and that my healing would have to come from God.I have been to several doctors,herb people,chiropractors etc and none have been able to help me.
I am 47 and the father of two and a happy grandfather. I am a Christian and I am trying hard to be at peace with whatever my future holds.The thing I struggle most with is the financial burden my sickness has brought to my family. I do not have the strength to work a normal work week and struggle with staying on top of things at my office.We are facing immediate financial crisis and long term issues as well.I hate having to be preoccupied with our needs instead of spending my time and efforts in service to God & my fellow man.
I ask you my Free Republic friends to pray for me and my family.
I googled iodine allergies and got these links....
https://www.inspire.com/groups/rare-disease/search/?query=mast
you can definitely find allergies to radioactive iodine.
also, many are misled by detox symptoms believing it’s an allergy to iodine. It’s not.
Lord, have mercy on Thy longsuffering servant and restore his health, to Thy eternal glory.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
Prayers up!
I’m reading of your situation and regarding the financial end I wanted to relay something to you.
My brother recently had a serious issue with his heart. He lost his insurance last year and is now self employed but has never been able to pick up other insurance (it’s a lifetime condition-preexisting).
Anyway, we live in a small town but have an extremely fine community hospital. He was in there 6 days and of course paying for it was on his mind the entire time. Anyway, in discussing the situation with staff and members of the financial office, we discovered that not-for-profit hospitals must allocate so much to their budgets to cover bills for situations of the uninsured.
My brother recently received the response to his application for assistance: he is eligible for 100% coverage and his bills will be taken care of.
Make sure to find the not-for-profit hospitals in your area. Make sure that you contact the financial counsler in any facility you may have to stay in.
Also...another poster said it: Get at least 2 more opinions. My son developed allergies early in his life and they were quite serious. Make sure you find a ‘specialist’ that is completely aware of your geographical area and all the foods you consume.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
My brother recently received the response to his application for assistance: he is eligible for 100% coverage and his bills will be taken care of.
I have heard something like this as well. A friend who knew about it told me that you were better off not insured than to have any insurance that's not a really good plan.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with our healthcare in this nation...yet. Obamacare will ruin this.
The Hospital explained that they are big receipiants of grants and that is a condition of eligibility; they must cover the uninsured (being uninsured does not guarantee help though...the application process is quite thorough and akin to an audit of any assets a patient has.) The situation of each applicant is examined.
There is help out there though. My brother was transferred from this hospital to a ‘For-profit’ facility for an additional 3 days of his care. They also have financial assistance available but that application process just started.
We have a magnificent system that is being ripped to shreds. It hasn’t kicked in yet but I suspect that all this will disappear; along with the care.
Well, If the healthcare system and economy collapses, unless God does a miracle of healing for me, and others with debilitating conditions, we’re going to be among the first to go.
I’ll be OK as long as the anti-histamines, chicken and oats hold out. If the oats become unavailable, that’s it for me.
I know one can live on meat alone, but you have to be able to get it.
MM, my heart is absolutely broken over your post. I am so very sorry that you have to even contemplate such things. I remember reading about your condition on a couple of threads and hope and pray that you are getting the best advice and that you did not stop looking for answers.
You might think about growing oats as well if you have the space to accomodate growing. And raising a chicken or two. Research your area to prepare. Hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst.
I think about these things too as I have family members that are disabled. My mom is blind and her husband has a heart condition. They are both considered elderly. We must pray and agree that God will take care of us. “Where two or more are gathered, there shall I be also”.
Prayer sent to Mary Queen of Angels and all her Angels+
Find the top 3 medical centers in your region and ask who is the top banana in allergy & immunology there. Call, email & write them and tell them everything. Ask if you can be desensitized to this allergen and can they do it. Keep benadryl on you at all times.
Prayers on the way.
You have my prayers.
Local news doctor says, “Remove all carpeting.” Just sayin’.
I sincerely hope you are feeling better. A couple of thoughts based on your story (do not substitute this for medical advice), see your doctor.
This does not sound like an allergy. Systemic mast cell activation (allergic reaction) is associated with vascular leakage and low blood pressure. You might consider asking your doctor to be checked for Carcinoid syndrome (urine test), a pheochromocytoma (urine test), for lupus or another type of vasculitis (could be drug-related, not sure what medications you are on for Crohns, but lots of medications can cause this) and for cushings disease (blood tests). I would strongly suggest consultation with a rheumatologist.
Update:
I still have the same issues when it comes to reacting to Iodine in food.
I thought I was getting treatment at the Mayo clinic. One of their Allergy Specialist “accepted” me and I was told my case was unique and challenging so they wanted to test and treat me.I had to send in a financial statement from the past two years. I was declined by the review committee with no explanation even when I asked for one. I assume it was because I had made too much during that two year period & they did not take into account that I have been out of work and that my wife & I lost $3800 a month in accounts due to “stuff” beyond our control.Confusing :-)The Doctor would still test and treat me but I had to pay out of pocket as I go so the result is a no.
I should have had health insurance in place before this occured but I had prior health issues such as diabetes etc and so much was considered pre existing and it was so costly..I rolled the dice and lost.. Bad gamble..
I have good days so I try to get as much done as possible on those days. I got so tired of sitting around and doing nothing.I am not very good at doing nothing.I found that to be more stressful than normal work stress. I work on the days I can.
NC now has a program in place that offers health insurance to the persons who are otherwise uninsurable because of pre existing conditions. I hope to fit that in my budget and get the coverage. I will try to figure out what to do from there.
My family has continued to be awesome and their love and support is wonderful.
I am Blessed beyond measure in almost every other area of life.
A big thank you to all who have/are praying. I appreciate it!
Thanks for the update.
So much for being concerned with people’s health, eh? It’s frustrating that the chance to learn from research is trumpted by money.
I have been praying for you and will continue to do so.
I have seen no change in my condition either, which is good news and bad news. I can’t eat any more. OTOH, the last couple things I can eat haven’t dropped out either.
Come that day, I’ll be logging on to say my good-byes because the options for medical nutrition are likely to be out as well because of the ingredients in them. However, God is good and has been doing wondwerful things in my life spiritually. To live is Christ, to die is gain.
I will pray that they’d reconsider their decision and that the insurance/financial issues would be resolved. People don’t realize what a hit on your finances it is being chronically, debilitatingly (yeah, I know it’s not a word) ill can be. If there’s anything else that you specifically need prayer for, let me know any time.
My heart goes out to you both. I have allergies and they are troublesome but nothing near what you two must contend with. God be with you both.
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