Topic: tick bites and meat allergy: successful remedies?
northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
Has anyone experienced the meat allergies associated with tickbites, and had the allergy go away? (reaction severe with hives and anaphylaxis (not sure of that spelling...)
What did you do to be able to eat beef/pork again?
Did it resolve with abx treatment?
What type of dr. did you work with to resolve the problem?
Or maybe it never resolved even with successful lyme/and co-infection treatment?
Have you ever heard of anyone without lyme or borreliosis, who developed the allergy?
Many thanks to any experiences you might share....
Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I assume you are asking because this affects you or a family member or friend?
I think it would be hard to know if this would be forever but, the key is to NOT see just any regular allergy doctor about this but an ILADS-educated LLMD - for any and all questions around it. Perhaps the LLMD might know of a ILADS-educated allergist.
Still, it would seem to me that it's not worth the risk pushing it until after one might be in remission for at least 6 months.
Meat allergy from ticks: don't know what my kid is going to eat - no chicken, beef or turkey.
Food ideas here. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- It just occurred to me that LDN might be of help. Still, I would not push a body while ill with lyme or any tick-borne disease to accept any food to which the body signals "no" -- and consult with one's ILADS-educated LLMD &/ or LL ND is essential.
A LL ND may have other suggestions, too. Not posting this for rife (though that is always a good think to consider), but for the LL ND links:
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- It might be that free range organically grazed cattle (& pigs of similar thoughtful raising) would not provoke the same reaction as factory farmed "meats".
Key word: might
Other considerations: buffalo; lamb; elk; and other sources of an
I also think the way lyme disables the immune system as as much to do with this as the way it clobbers the endocrine system. Adrenal support is essential, I would think, to help in any allergy recovery.
Just questions to pose to an ILADS-educated LL doctor. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Re: the effect that factory "farmed" meats have on a body -- see the "Genetic Roulette" documentary here:
Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors (that are not likely natural at all);
GMO foods that destroy the GI Tract; Gluten; Dairy -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Years ago (when very ill with lyme but not yet diagnosed), I had some serious reactions to beef. I had to stop eating it for a couple years. When I gradually started back, it was from organically raised free-grazing cattle.
I do very well now with good beef about twice a week & organically raised chicken more frequently (though still ill with various TBD that have never been fully addressed.
But I never eat out and it's always organic meats or wild fish, or eggs from organically fed, free range hens.
Don't know how I'd do with factory farmed "meat" and I'm not willing to try, even with chicken or eggs. Still, 2/3 of my meals are entirely plant-based (partially due to the higher costs of the animal proteins - but legumes are great to round that out).
I did not have anaphylactic reactions, though, still very profound reactions. Thought I was going to die a couple times, even taken to the ER, it made me that sick.
Glad that is behind me. Still, I would never suggest consuming any meat right now. But there is hope . . . if your LL doctor has questions, there may be someone he/she can talk to with ILADS who has studied this in detail. -
[ 10-02-2013, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Why do you want to "cure" your allergy to meat? I know this sparks a lot of debate but meat is not all that good for you. If you have protomyxzoa, and 80% of us are testing positive for it, then you should not be eating it at all - not even fish or poultry.
If you have a CBS mutation, and again most chronically ill people do, than you should not be eating it for that reason. It causes you to build up a lot of ammonia and sulfates.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
The meat allergy is to specific proteins in the muscle of the meat, so organic vs. regular isn't going to fix the problem.
If you really, desperately want to eat meat again, there are oral desensitization drops that can be used. An Environmental Medicine specialist (many of whom are Lyme-Literate) would be the best approach.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
You are all great! The links are very helpful, terv and Keebler. I did a search before posting, but these added to my resources.
All comments, thoughts, and experiences, added to knowledge.
Thanks to all.
No, it was not for me, but for someone else, who experienced the bad reaction after the lonestar bite.
I am gathering information for them. This is their first experience with an illness related to a tick bite. I also am providing them with a lyme/tbd symptom list, in case those were a bonus to the bite.
They are losing weight, and living in fear, because of the severe reaction.
Interesting that from what I have read:
they really dont know why, although they can measure the antibodies (not sure if that is the right term) to this meat sugar.
a few people reported that the effect seemed to diminish after a few YEARS of no bites; they could resume red meat. The antibody decrease also be measured. Not everyone reported this return to normal. Most just cut out meats (one or many, depending on reactions) and made it a lifestyle.
Experiencing further bites made it worse.
One person suggested a desensitization (pea size dose every other day). No success given, so probably not tried.
It seemed people had the most reaction to ground meats, like hamburger, and higher fat content was suggested as a reason.
It did not have a major correlation with other tbd's, from what I read, so it may be an independent factor.
Interesting stuff, and tough to live when deprived of a favorite food group, and to live in fear of food, and fear for your life. I think many of us can identify with that!
Thank you all again!
Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If they are having trouble with meat, I would NOT try other cuts. Just totally avoid it, and all broths, byproducts (so checking all processed foods, especially soups and sauce mixtures) would be vital.
They should consult a LLMD, for certain and not try to experiment on their own with what meat forms might work for them. If they experienced anaphylaxis once, a second try could be fatal.
They need expert medical guidance, from a LL doctor who will know about this. And to be assessed for tick-borne infection.
My suggesting that - down the road (not now) -AFTER TREATMENT - they MAY be able to consume meats IF organically raised and non-GMO, was for later -- or if their reactions were not anaphylactic in nature.
As Razzle points out, it's about the protein found in the muscle meats. Different cuts or fat content will not change that kind of allergic reaction.
It will not kill anyone to avoid meat for a while - and there is not need to loose weight just from avoiding meat (but if they have a tick-borne infection, that could be the connection to weight loss(. Finding both an excellent medical and chef vegetarian guide is of utmost importance.
For the chef part: Christina Cooks website is excellent and very flavorful, full of nutrient advice. Vegan with a Mediterranean flair.
For the medical part: a LL MD will likely know of a good LL nutritionist.
Bottom line:
I. they need a medical professional now who is very much lyme literate and ILADS educated.
A. To address the reaction to meat
B. To assess for tick-borne infectoin
II. If they've experienced anaphylactic shock from meat (after having a tick bite): Do not attempt eating any meats (or broths) whatsoever until a LL doctor is consulted. Then the exact diet can be formulated.
A. Find a vegetarian "chef guide" for delightful & delicious menu suggestions
B. Find a LL nutritionist
III. If the reactions are not anaphylactic but otherwise, see the Porphyria thread inside the other meat allergy links - and get assessed by a LL MD for TBD. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If they've experienced anaphylactic shock once from meat, it could happen again, even if by accident (unknown ingestion).
An EPI PEN might need to be with them at all times. It could save their life.
However, if they have lyme or other TBD, their adrenal system may not be able to handle that without specific follow-up support.
Epinephrine is in many anesthetics (not sure about anesthesia, though). Some discussion on why epinephrine (EPI) can be a rough ride for someone with lyme (especially if they have adrenal issues):
EPI & medical / dental procedures -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- This was my situation. And it can be severe, too. If reactions are other than anaphylactic, porphyria (triggered by tick infections) could be involved.
Meat (especially red meat - and alcohol) can be major triggers for a porphyria attack in certain individuals. With any infection, the severity can increase.
Topic: Meat Allergy from tick bite - reference links
Immune specifics & testing detailed here. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
I think Keebler is right. If one gets an allergy, total avoidance is the first thing to do.
Total avoidance, let your body rest, THEN you may think of treatment.
People with food allergies know that 'eating a bit' will absolutely not help the allergy go away. It will ON THE CONTRARY, reinforce the allergy.
Avoiding what's triggering the allergy for long may RESET the body. That is our experience. Our minimum time of avoidance is 6 months.
Sometimes, after that, the body forgets about the allergy and you may eat again...
There are treatments like NAET or so. They may work but the allergy may come back too.
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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