Food Allergist
 

I am looking for a food allergist who can treat a recently developed (2 yrs) allergy/sensitivity to fish... my primary care doctor seems to feel that avoiding all fish is the only action that needs to be taken. If you have any related experience, I would love to hear from you.

Usually you hear a reaction to shellfish and not all fish but do take your doctor seriously. I have had an allergy to shellfish for more than thirty years and I ignored the "softer signs" at first, the itching and swelling of lips and ended up having anaphylactic shock, a life threatening condition where your air ways begin to swell and your blood pressure drops dangerously. If not treated immediatly by experts you can die. It is good to find out all you can and carry a self injecting dose of Epineprine called an "Epipen" if you are told to do so.

I haven't heard of any desensitation process that can rid you of an allergic reaction to shellfish but it may be available, There are allergists in TV. Might be a good place to start. Just don't eat anymore of what gave you the reaction until you have had a consult with an expert doctor.

I hope if I ever get to the Village of Heavenly, St. Peter will be waiting with some nice lobster and warm butter.

Well, I wonder in what way you are sensitive? And to what kind of fish? Baked? Breaded and fried? Just curious.

Reaction has been to deep fried fish... catfish for sure and a fish type used by Captain D's.... results in extreme vomiting. Have no problem with other fried foods.... I eat shellfish; shrimp, lobster, crab, etc with no problem... Researching this problem I have found that most sensitivities of this type occur in later life, and a person who is sensitive to one type of fish (catfish) is normally sensitive to one other type of fish (?)... Dosen't make a lot of sense to me; but then I'm not an allergist.

My question is why would you then look for a food allergist?? Unless you're having other gastro issues. I was having some of the latter years ago and my physician ordered a food sensitivity test which showed what were the culprets. I was told not to eat these!!

I use Dr. Thomas Johnson. He has an office in TV as well as in Ocala. Very good, thoughtful and will work with you to find best plan of attack.

That is, of course, good and proper advice... I can, and do, avoid the problem by simply not eating fish... the PROBLEM is that I LOVE fish and miss it terribly. Consequently, my quest has been to find a doctor with whom I can work to see if there is a process that might eliminate this sensitivity.