Families With Food Allergies (FWFA)

Is There a Higher Incidence of Severe Food Allergies Caused by Medications Prescribed Following Organ Transplants? Families With Food Allergies received an inquiry in July 2007 from a double transplant recipient. He stated that upon receipt of his first transplant, he experienced his first symptoms of severe food allergies. Upon further visits with his doctor, an allergy test was prescribed. He said that he acquired what was thought to be temporary symptoms of food allergies and that it may have been attributed to medication prescribed. After several months, the food allergy symptoms subsided.  Upon receipt of a second transplant, the symptoms of returned and a second round of food allergy tests was prescribed. What follows is his story.

                         
By David Grier

Over the years I thought that I was alone in this problem, but in group discussions with other organ transplant recipients I saw that I am not alone.  I am a healthy two time organ donation recipient.  But, my ongoing bout with food allergies eliminated many foods that have loved for well over 40 years. 

I have always been healthy, even though there was an underlying liver disease that was first detected when I was 21.  The liver disorder was minor and actually disappeared within a year after being discovered and forgotten about until I was about 35 when I became ill and ended up receiving a liver transplant when I was 38.  About four years after my liver transplant I noticed that I was having problems with certain foods.  I found myself having reactions to various foods such as pasta, oatmeal, and a few more of my favorite cereals and certain types of breads.  These reactions ranged from nausea to not being able to hold these foods down.  I never noticed any other reactions such as rash or issues with breathing.

One of my transplant coordinators advised me that over time that anti-rejection medications would have ongoing and changing side effects and suggested that I drink water before eating the foods that I had a reaction to.  The nausea never decreased and in fact, continued to increase.  About a year later, a physician diagnosed me with Acid Reflux and prescribed Prilosec, but that did not solve the problem.  Finally, I was sent to an allergist.  The skin test showed a reaction to oat, wheat, egg, and rye.

I was steadily losing weight, yet my blood work did not show any major problems with my kidney or transplanted liver.  I informed my physicians, I could not eat many of my favorite foods.  Luckily, I was not allergic to much junk food, so I was not eating healthy, but my weight was maintained from potato chips, candies, and other sweet foods.  Over time even chocolate was a problem, along with dairy such as ice cream and milk shakes.
Not long after that, I added cheese to the list. 

When I was 48, about eight and a half years after my transplant, I was told that my liver was once again failing and also that my kidney was failing.  The good news, though, was that I was strongly craving the very foods that turned my stomach.  Sure enough, I found myself eating eggs again, oatmeal and many cereals, and even some ice creams.  I still could not eat much whole wheat bread, but I was back to having a strong appetite and my weight was slowly increasing.  So, while I was facing major transplants I was enjoying food again.

In April of 2007, I had my kidney/transplant.  Two weeks after my transplant while still in the hospital, I noticed that my allergies reemerged. So, I am right back where I started.

As we stand, I am waiting for my appointment with an allergist so that I can see what I can do to enjoy my foods again. 

For more information about Transplants Recipients International Organization (TRIO) http://www.triocleveland.org

Do you or someone you know have a similar experience?  Please send your comments using the Contact Us.  The information contained herein is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.  Please seek the advice of your physician regarding any treatment for symptoms of allergies.