A Couple of Q's, Well, Groups of Q's (Legumes, Testing)

[MBombardier]

First question is probably the easiest. Since I may have selective IgA deficiency, and I am planning on having my MD test my whole Ig range, it would probably be best to wait for those results since MRT is non-IgE mediated, correct? Or am I incorrect in my thinking?

A couple of weeks ago, while waiting for my Enterolab results, I decided to go with Zyrtec and Zantec to see if they made any difference in the significant joint pain I have been experiencing. I was starting to feel better, and I also noticed that a couple of rashes on my right hand that in the past I have attributed to eating tomatoes were almost gone. Also, my acid reflux improved greatly, which was a wonderful relief.

Because of not showing any reaction to soy in my Enterolab results, like an idiot, I decided to challenge soy on Saturday to see if I was imagining things. I had been free of any soy ingestion for a few weeks. I had some gluten-free crackers with soybeans in them, and some M&Ms. Sunday was not too bad (though it was obvious I was reacting to the soy), but yesterday was awful, between the pain and the bathroom, and today was not much better.

Sunday I had green beans for supper, and had them again yesterday for breakfast. Sunday the rashes on my hand started to come back, and I have had extremely annoying rectal itching, which I have in the past attributed to tomatoes. Starting last night my lips have been broken out, swollen, and hot, which hasn't happened like this in years.

My question is: Is it a pretty good assumption that I need to stay away from all legumes? Aren't soybeans, green beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, and other beans all considered legumes? Or could this just be reaction to the soy?

I'd talk about how frustrating it is to be dealing with multiple intolerances, but y'all know exactly what I mean and are right there yourselves.

[Polly]

Hi Marliss!

I'll defer your first question to Mary Beth, since she is our resident expert on the MRT and how it works.

Soy can be one of the worst sensitivities, so I would say that all of your symptoms could be due to it. However, I would recommend that you also avoid all legumes for now, if you can. (Don't forget, peanuts are legumes, as are all of those you listed above). It might have been the combination of soy and lectins (found in legumes) that did you in. If you are planning to try the paleo diet, you probably know that it excludes many foods high in lectins - all grains, legumes. Speaking from experience, I believe a major reason I was able to maintain longterm remission, including negative repeat colonoscopy biopsies after 10 years, has been because I have avoided grains and legumes. Watch out for guar gum, which is often added to GF foods. It is made from a bean (legume) and several of us here react to it.

Interesting about your positive response to Zyrtec and Zantac. BTW, did you check to see that they don't contain any offenders? Are you suspecting that you may have mastocytic enterocolitis? Are you sensitive to foods high in histamines? Again, Mary Beth knows a lot about this issue. I am wondering if those major reactions you just had (rectal itching, lip swelling) are due to histamine. It might be heightened right now because seasonal allergies are coming back again.

You are correct, it is quite a challenge dealing with multiple sensitivies. I think you are an ideal candidate for MRT - let's see what Mary Beth says. I can't tell you how much it has helped me, even after 10 years of MC.

Feel free to rant and rave all you want.

Love,

Polly