Sulpha Drugs, Sulfites and Sulfur Dioxide are "Related"

by Sheila
(Oklahoma, United States)

I was diagnosed with an allergy to SULFA drugs; swelling of tongue, rash, airways, shakes, diarrhea, etc. NOW, 27 years later, I have connected the dots to my own health and understand why I would become ill after eating at restaurants, chickens from the deli, bakery, etc. This past painful episode was "Horrible" for me and it was my birthday. At home-I eat a store bought cupcake with M.cherry, at the office-store bought cake with ice cream, lunch at restaurant-barbeque, dinner out-with my husband at Red Lobster, the Shrimp Feast. Just in 30 minutes after eating shrimp (which I rarely eat) with a beautiful salad and very bright green broccoli, I became very sick/worst ever! It was like someone reached into my abdomen area, twisting and rolling my intestines while they felt they were growing. So much pain, throwing back my head, clinching my fists and thinking "Oh My God...my body is exploding!" I didn't even have control over my own body anymore. This went thru the night with painful diarrhea. By the next day, my left side of my body and throat area was swollen, my voice was raw, my shaking was now small tremors, canker sore now on my lip, feeling drained of everything and thinking I have to find out what happened to me for myself! So I have been researching everything relating to "SULFA", etc and now have the answers for myself. There is a correlation between preservatives, chemicals, drugs and the very food we eat, especially at restaurants that affect our health. Thank you for answering so many questions, for your research and bringing this to light for all of us to understand. For giving us the ability to connect the dots for ourselves and to help others in their own journey regarding this very painful health concern.
God Bless You! Sheila

Kathi's answer

Sheila,

It's unfortunate for anyone but I pretty much learned the same way as you describe here.

The average person can not conceive what can happen to the human body just because a fish is pulled out of the water and "soaked" just because the boat captain knows he's not ready to go back into the dock yet. But at all costs, he has to keep that load "fresh". Never anywhere is this information available though so a person sensitive to sulfites can avoid all those items it ends up in.

For the sensitive, every day is pretty much a gamble of trial and error. It is one of the reasons I gave up restaurants/eating out. I make everything I eat at home and I personally know every individual I buy my foods from. Therefore, I have not had any major problems for years now.

I did learn though, many times even when an item is marketed as Fresh, never frozen, you have to be extra careful. There is a preservative there somewhere, otherwise the trip from "Farm to Plate" is too long and too far not to have some kind of protective substance added to preserve that freshness.

A little more knowledge always helps keep us safer, so the best to you in the future. I hate to say it, but you would actually be safer if you would stay home more and get comfortable with your own kitchen. It's a nuisance at first, because you miss those special nights out - but it sure is easier on the health in case of accidental ingestion.

Thanks for your comment. I greatly appreciate it.