Autoimmune or Allergic Reaction

Today was my day to react in some way.  I haven't decided yet if this is just a standard autoimmune reaction, an unknown allergic reaction, or a violent reaction to something I accidentally ingested that my body now no longer likes.  Any one of these could be the answer, or a combination of some form.

This morning about 6:30am, I woke up itching.  I usually am awake earlier than that, and I was.  I actually was awake around 4:00am but forced myself back to sleep, which I must have needed.  I was surprised by the itching, checked my arm and sure enough I had hives.  I quickly ran through the typical questions, which I already knew were all "no's".  No new detergents, soaps, lotions, perfumes.  No contact with odd plants or other environmental allergens.  No new foods.  I hadn't even ate yet, so it would have had to been from the previous day(s).  I took some diphenhydramine (Benadryl for you non-pharmaceutical people.) and went down to make the boys breakfast.  Yet the itching continued.

I took the boys to school.  When I got home, I was very sleepy and thought I'd lay down for awhile.  When I woke up an hour later, then itching was still there and had spread significantly.  Took a shower, took more Benadryl, and went to work.  By the time I got to work, my entire face, neck, chest was broke out.  I had patches of hives on both arms, stomach and legs.  This was obviously systemic and I was miserable!!!

Then came the decisions, 100mg of diphenhydramine had not stopped the itching or spreading, so it was time to take further action and I headed to the ER.

Same questions, same answers.  No known cause, but you're a mess!!

A few hours later, steroids and more Benadryl, and I'm headed home, back to bed to sleep some more!

It is unknown whether this is a true allergic reaction or an autoimmune reaction of some other source.  But regardless I know that I'm doing the right thing in the dietary changes I've made to make my body healthier.  I will continue to do so, track any other reactions and see if there is a connection.

Cheating and Reacting

I do believe we have seen our first major reaction post-paleo.

I know my body pretty well and last week when I had some popcorn at the movie theater I had a headache within a few hours.  The next morning, I had lots of intestinal issues.  Now, it could have been the popcorn itself (grain) or the highly processed vegetable oils they cook it in (yuck).  Either way, I reacted.  But that's me...when it comes to my kids, totally a different story.

None of them are 100% paleo.  They have treats and goodies, especially from school parties, etc.  They are pretty good at home, but pretty not-so-good when they are visiting their fathers.  It is unfortunate that there isn't more attention paid to the chronic health conditions of children.  Even after asking to please respect this decision and offer alternatives for the kids so they are not on overload, it is ignored.  Well Justin is our first casualty of that ignorance.  Yesterday he spent most of the afternoon in his bed.  He then moved to the couch to attempt to be a part of the family, and slept.  He had what I would deem a migraine.  His head hurt so bad he could hardly move.  He felt awful, just wanted to sleep.  It was sad to see.  I treated with ibuprofen, hydration and tried to get some healthy food into his system.  He was finally feeling better by bedtime, but what a crappy way to spend your last day of spring break.

I do believe, that for some people, not all, they can handle small amounts of "cheating".   I don't really like the term "cheating" because this is not a fad diet, this is a lifestyle, but like most others in the paleo community, there just isn't another word that fits.  Even the gurus like Dr. Cordain and Robb Wolf put "cheats" into their programs to help people get started.  But ONE meal in a week is totally different that SIX in two days.  I do hope that this ends up being an exception and not the rule.  :(