Rough Start

in All Posts

Have I ever told the story of the time I accidentally ate avocado and almost stopped breathing in my sleep?  No?  Well, pull up a chair.

 

I am super allergic to avocado.  I hear this ‘sucks’ because avocado is amazing and whatnot, but I hate avocados.  Loathe them.  When the Husband puts them in our cart at the supermarket, I glare at the avocados like I want to fight ‘em.

 

So, back in the day, when the Husband were just beginning to date we went to a Japanese restaurant and ordered sushi to share.  I knew I was allergic to avocado (I had a bad run-in with an avocado face mask when I was 13), I asked the waiter if the roll had avocado in it, and he said no, so I ate it.  Don’t ask why I didn’t realize the green pieces were avocado – I was probably drunk on love and staring moodily into the Husband’s eyes.  Anyway, that night, I kept waking up, choking on my breath, but would just fall back asleep.  Again – dumb.  When I finally got out of bed the next morning, I flicked on the overnight light and discovered, to my sheer horror, that I was COVERED in hives.

 

It took 2 weeks for the hives to completely go away, and I was put on this intense round of steroids.  Ever since that night, I have been very cautious and avoided avocado like it’s my job.  Fun fact:  people who are allergic to avocado are also allergic to latex, a lesson that I discovered the hard way, ifyouknowwhatImean.

 

I tell this story because I had a crazy allergic reaction this afternoon – to what, I don’t know!  All of the sudden, I turned to the Husband and said, “My face itches.  It’s so hot!”  And then my face begin to burn, burn, burn all over my body.  I looked at my arms and saw they were covered in splotches.   My throat began to get really tight.  And then I cried.  Of course!   Allergic reactions are so scary.

IMG_0218

Because of this, I’m stuck in the hotel room instead of partyin’ it up with my friends.  Boo.   I took some Benadryl right when the symptoms came on (I really need an EpiPen), but my body still feels ravaged. 

 

You know what made me feel better, though (besides the Benadryl)?  Room service.  And lots of it.

IMG_0221

I got the macaroni and cheese.

IMG_0226

And the goat cheese, fig, and mixed greens salad:

IMG_0232

And bread:

IMG_0229

And crème brulee.

IMG_0236

It’s amazing how much comfort food – cooked and delivered by someone else and eaten in a bed that isn’t yours – can make you feel so much better.

 

Since I’m obviously not up for going out, I’m giving One Day another shot; it’s getting better!

one_day

But I already suspect I’m going to hate the ending.

 

Are you allergic to anything?

{ 142 comments }

 

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope September 8, 2011, 9:27 pm

    In the last ten years or so, i’ve somehow developed an oral allergy syndrome to most stone fruit, especially peaches. my lips swell and itch. it’s an allergy to the pollen from the trees…kind of sucks bc i LOVE peaches and nectarines.

  • Clare September 8, 2011, 9:31 pm

    That sucks Caitlin! People with a latex allergy often have reactions to other foods like tomato and banana… I know there are more, so it might be worth it to look for a complete list.

    Hope you feel better soon!

  • Rachel @ The Perseverance Diaries September 8, 2011, 9:32 pm

    allergies are the worst! Glad to see you ordered some comfort food- it really does help 🙂 I am really allergic to mango. Eating one gives me this nasty looking rash all around my mouth and inside my mouth. It looks like I have some disease growing all over my face. Bye bye mango.

  • 'Dee @ 'Dee's Garret September 8, 2011, 9:35 pm

    I’m thankfully not allergic to anything but pollen, but holy cow that is scary. I have a good friend with a shellfish allergy, which you think would be easy to avoid, right? One time when we were out to eat, she started having a serious allergic reaction and we quizzed the waiter. Turns out her veggie risotto was made with SEAFOOD stock. WTH? Who would have even thought??

    She has an EpiPen and those of us who love her know how to help her use it if things become severe. You should def. think about getting one — if nothing else, it really eases the mind that if an attack gets bad fast that you’ve got help right away.

  • Suzanne September 8, 2011, 9:39 pm

    Awww, that’s terrible! I’m allergic to mushrooms and a lot of people don’t take me seriously and think I just don’t like them. I have a lot of empathy for everyone who has allergic reactions. Hope you feel better!

    • Ali @ Around the VeggieTable September 9, 2011, 9:29 am

      I’m allergic to mushrooms too!! It’s hard to be a vegetarian and allergic to mushrooms because often the only vegetarian option at restaurants contains mushrooms. I have to carry an epi pen and I still get the feeling that people don’t really believe me. I’ve never met anyone else who is allergic to them though soooooo nice to meet ya 🙂

  • erica September 8, 2011, 9:39 pm

    omg! ihope you’re ok and the hives goes away!
    but that mac and cheese looks delicious!!!

  • Holly September 8, 2011, 9:40 pm

    Aren’t you allergic to mango? Did the smoothie maybe have it in it?

    • CaitlinHTP September 8, 2011, 9:41 pm

      I am but I don’t think it was the smoothie… I hope it wasn’t!!!

  • Sana September 8, 2011, 9:41 pm

    I really hope you feel better. I am sorry you are not out with your friends 🙁

  • Chelsea September 8, 2011, 9:41 pm

    Oh man I hate allergies 🙁 I don’t know if you’ve heard about the terrible fires in Texas lately but my nose is going CRAZY right now. You can walk outside and it looks like it’s snowing ashes. It’s so sad 🙁 At least you have VERY yummy looking room service!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) September 8, 2011, 9:45 pm

    i’m allergic to most pollens, cats, uncooked eggs (no dippy eggs for me!), and a few other foods give me weird reactions. My sister is allergic to avocado like you are, and she ended up getting an epi-pen, because she’s allergic to all the cross-allergens, too!

  • S. September 8, 2011, 9:46 pm

    I’m so glad you’re ok! That sounds terrible!

  • Sam September 8, 2011, 9:47 pm

    Aw I am sorry that happened, I know how it feels. I’ve had a few really bad reactions but I don’t know what I am allergic to! I carry an epi pen though just in case and I don’t go anywhere without benadryl. At least the food looks awesome!
    I read that book but to be honest I don’t even remember the ending.

  • Meghan September 8, 2011, 9:47 pm

    I am SO sorry you’re going through this while on vaca! 🙁 Thank god for room service!!
    I know alllll too well about how scary allergic reactions can be, they are no.fun. I am allergic to dairy and it’s landed me in the ER before! Ya just never know, no matter how careful you are..

  • katie @ KatieDid September 8, 2011, 9:50 pm

    oh no i hope you feel better for the wedding! That is so so scary, especially when it involves you throat and breathing.
    I am allergic to the skin of squash… random. And gluten makes me ill.
    my roommate has the most random allergic reactions to very random fruits like melon, banana, and pinneapple. we can’t figure out what’s wrong with her but maybe its just random allergies like yours?

  • Ella September 8, 2011, 9:51 pm

    oh that SUCKS!!! I’m allergic to latex but (thankfully) not avocado.

    btw – EpiPens are great but they make you feel AWFUL! Have you ever used one? It’s adrenaline straight into your system and it stops or slows down the reaction but… yuck 🙁 its like having an adrenaline hangover!

    • Mary September 9, 2011, 7:19 am

      That is so true! I have a nut allergy and have used mine a handful of times. I remember driving once after using it and my foot was shaking so hard I couldn’t push on the gas pedal, I had to pull over!
      It is shocking to me that as more and more people have allergies (when I was a kid, it was weird to be allergic to nuts, now every other kid is), restaurants are not more careful and clear. I literally have to ask about every single ingredient – like people never think about pesto having pine nuts in it. So the waiter will say “no, there’s definitely no nuts” and then I send him back to ask and he comes back and says that there is! I feel like a pain, but like all things related to health, I have to be my own advocate!

      • Tracy September 9, 2011, 8:16 am

        Thanks for this info. My 9 yr old son is allergic to tree nuts (diagnosed recently), and it’s been quite an experience getting used to the idea of carrying an EpiPen with us everywhere. Luckily, he generally does not like tree nuts, so avoids them, but they are easy to sneak into food. Basically we told him to NEVER eat baked goods from unknown sources. Nuts are often crushed/crumbled and then there’s the use of nut butters… don’t even get me started. How we found out about the allergy? – He had a Nutella sandwich. When you bake with Nutella (hazelnut spread), it looks like chocolate.

        • Jenny September 9, 2011, 9:34 am

          My 4 year old has tree nut allergy too but oddly enough is ok with almond butter. Besides the AB, we stay away from all nuts. He is also allergic to pollen, grass, and weeds and ended up in the PICU in late April after a very high pollen count day.

          We had no clue! Talk about scary – kid couldn’t breathe and we had an ambulance take him to the ER. 5 days later he was fine but I never leave home without his inhaler and epipen.

    • Eliza September 10, 2011, 4:44 pm

      I suffer from Anaphylaxis to peanuts. Had some close calls including having to be revived! Usually from stupid things, once I ate rice paper rolls that had no peanut BUT the lettuce had been chopped on the same board as peanuts.

      And I agree that adrenaline feels AWFUL! I was so sore and sick once, but the adrenaline made me feel like running and I just had to lie still. I felt like screaming, is hard to explain how weird it feels

  • CheezyK September 8, 2011, 9:51 pm

    Mmmm, nothing like comfort food made by someone else and brought straight to you.

    So glad you posted that particular cover to that book, I didn’t realise it was by the same author who wrote ‘Starter for Ten’. I may have to rethink whether I read it or not. Not that I’ve read Starter for Ten either but I really enjoyed the movie. Um, James McAvoy (before he started faking an American accent), Dominic Cooper et al … what’s not to enjoy?

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) September 8, 2011, 9:53 pm

    Woman “Get Thyself and Epi-Pen STAT!”

    I’m allergic to a lot of things…pumpkin, gluten, almonds, dairy, soy, refined sugar, sugar alcohols, hazelnuts and many outdoor allergens. I carry two epi-pens in my purse and both pill benedryl on my key ring and liquid in my purse.

    It’s scary but having the pen just in case is better than not because reactions can get worse the more you are exposed to them.

  • Brie @ Brie Fit September 8, 2011, 9:54 pm

    I’m allergic to shellfish and some antibiotics. When I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, my joints all swelled up like softballs. It was crazy.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife September 8, 2011, 9:56 pm

    Oh WOW, that is a crazy scary story!! Did you have avocado in your salad or something today?? Yikes, so sorry!!

    I am allergic to tobacco smoke….i can nOT stand it and get really weak and nauseated when i smell it–which I can smell like a mile away. YUCK.

    • Ella September 8, 2011, 9:58 pm

      I had a friend in h.s. who was allergic to cigarette smoke but I never believed her and thought she was just being dramatic. but cigarettes bother my asthma SO MUCH now, I feel bad for not believing her!!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg September 8, 2011, 9:57 pm

    How scary! I hope you feel better soon — that mac and cheese looks like it has healing properties 🙂

  • Deanna September 8, 2011, 9:58 pm

    Can you pleeeeassssseeee tell us the story of you finding out you were allergic to latex? Just put a flower picture in the beginning of the posts so we know what to expect 😀

    • Mandy September 9, 2011, 12:17 am

      *insert deflowering joke here*

      • CaitlinHTP September 9, 2011, 9:24 am

        YESSS best comments ever.

    • Stephanie September 9, 2011, 9:34 am

      Love that comment! I to know exactly what you mean for being allergic to latex—same thing happened to me!

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) September 8, 2011, 9:59 pm

    Oh my goodness! My daughter (18 months) is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, soy, coconut, sesame seed, avocado (still needing to be tested for latex family allergies) and we’re still learning the rest of her allergies. Fun huh? Yes, we are an Epi-pen family…I also have two children that are very ANA to bees.

    The other day I had to have a swallow study, in which I had to drink barium. I reacted HORRIBLY to the barium, which apparently I am allergic to. Lovely steroids for a week and 2 weeks recovery and I am good as gold. But WOW, this allergy stuff is nothing to scoff at.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) September 8, 2011, 10:02 pm

    Soy and dairy…NO FUN! Twice now, I’ve gotten an allergic reaction that I think was hormone induced. I have no idea what happened. The hives were out of control! I’m sorry you’re stuck in. Take care of yourself!

  • Melissa @ TryingToHeal September 8, 2011, 10:03 pm

    Oh, i’m glad you’re ok! I’m allergic to golden kiwis, but not the other ones, the green ones. so random. it makes my whole body swell and my tongue goes numb; no fun!

  • Lauren @ Sweet and Twisted September 8, 2011, 10:07 pm

    Are you doing better??

    • CaitlinHTP September 9, 2011, 9:24 am

      Yes, much!

  • Becca September 8, 2011, 10:08 pm

    Caitlin! Long time closet reader 🙂 I am SUPER allergic to avocado- and am terrifyied of them! My throat closes up, the whole nine yards. I have many food allergies (all to fruit! sad sad i know) and it is so true, you get this “i am doomed feeling” when you have the reaction. it is so scary. When you are allergic to avocado, people are often allergic to Mangos, bananas! and lots of tree nuts. i never eat almonds/chestnuts. I guess they are all related to the rubber tree. And yess also allerigc to latex, which is so not awesome:) feel better, go to the allergist and get a more more testing done. you might have a new allergy 🙁

    • CaitlinHTP September 9, 2011, 9:25 am

      Thanks for reading 🙂 Allergy twinnie!

  • Kaitlin H. September 8, 2011, 10:09 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear this! I have a severe allergy to nuts, so I know how scary a reaction can be! Hope you’re feeling better!!

  • Lara September 8, 2011, 10:15 pm

    I’m very allergic to penicillin and I found out a few months ago that some blue cheeses are made with penicillin mold strain. Long story short, I was in the ER with a steroid IV and high-dose antihistamine shot in my butt! If Benadryl is helping, then it’s probably not a bad reaction. Hope you feel better!

    • Lesley September 8, 2011, 10:49 pm

      That’s interesting. I don’t eat blue cheese anymore because it always makes me feel sick and I’m allergic to penicillin too. Had no idea the two were related.

      • Charise September 9, 2011, 8:38 am

        I never thought of that, either! I am allergic to penicillin and don’t much care for blue cheese – maybe that is why.

    • Amber K September 9, 2011, 1:21 pm

      So weird, my mom is allergic to penicillin and eats blue cheese like it’s going out of style!

      • Lesley September 9, 2011, 1:57 pm

        Yeah, I had to look this up online, and it seems like if you are allergic to penicillin the possibility is there that you may have a mild to severe reaction to blue cheese, but it’s not a definite. A lot of people are totally totally fine because the levels of the mold strain are so low. However, I always thought blue cheese was just, uh, naturally moldy. I’m a little grossed out that they shoot it with antibiotic to get it to mold. Bleh!

        • Amber K September 9, 2011, 2:04 pm

          Ick! So glad I don’t even like blue cheese, because I think learning that would turn me completely off.

        • Lesley September 9, 2011, 2:15 pm

          Whoops, it’s actually mold spores of penicillium roqueforti that are added to the milk to make the cheese. My co-worker saw me typing and had to correct me, lol. Those spores just also produce penicillin thus the correlation. Either way, bleh!! 🙂

  • Nicole September 8, 2011, 10:20 pm

    I think Maggie was having sympathy reactions….ifyouknowwhatImean! 😉

  • Cori September 8, 2011, 10:22 pm

    I read One Day a couple of weeks ago. AMAZING! Once it catches you – it becomes a real page turner. Beware, though…it is super emotionally wrenching.

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats September 8, 2011, 10:30 pm

    oh my goodness! I’m so sorry that happened during your trip!! I’m allergic to sulfa medications – found that out when i was about 11 after being given an antibiotic. so far that’s about it. well, i’m allergic to all the normal things (cats, generally all plants, dust, etc)

  • Jessi @ Quirky Cookery September 8, 2011, 10:32 pm

    What a strange connection/combination….avocados and latex allergies. That had to be brutal to discover, yikes.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now September 8, 2011, 10:36 pm

    I’m awfully allergic to pineapple and kiwi. Never bothered me as a kid, but as an adult I quickly get terrible stomach pain that lasts for hours (and if I eat enough of the fruit, I might even vomit–fun!).

  • Lesley September 8, 2011, 10:45 pm

    🙁 Get well soon! Mac & cheese makes everything better, hopefully! I am allergic to penicillin. No food allergies, but when I was a kid I told people I was allergic to liver, so I would never have to eat it. I got so used to saying it, I would forget I made it up…

  • Sandy September 8, 2011, 10:47 pm

    My baby daughter has a severe egg allergy and they tell you to have 4. So, you keep one in your purse at all times. In your home at all times. In your car at all times and your place of work or one extra place you always find yourself. Please get them!! Too scary not to have one (but they cost a fortune, gulp.)

    • CaitlinHTP September 9, 2011, 9:25 am

      Aw I feel bad for your daughter… eggs are in so many things! Wise to have so many epipens.

    • Carly D. @ CarlyBananas September 9, 2011, 11:44 am

      Hi Sandy, I used to nanny for a baby that was severely allergic to eggs and she grew out of it by the time she was 3 & 1/2. Hopefully your daughter does too! It’s so scary!

      • Sandy September 9, 2011, 1:34 pm

        Thank you for sharing this! We just went to her 2 year doctor appointment. She had a 50/50 shot of growing out of it by 2, but it is still there:(

        So it is encouraging to hear that others have grown out of it at later stages in life. Any time I give her something to eat she holds it up and says “Er no eggs in hur”

  • Sandy September 8, 2011, 10:47 pm

    My baby daughter has a severe egg allergy and they tell you to have 4. So, you keep one in your purse at all times. In your home at all times. In your car at all times and your place of work or one extra place you always find yourself. Please get them!! Too scary not to have one (but they cost a fortune, gulp.)

  • Ros September 8, 2011, 10:57 pm

    I’m allergic to everything. It’s kind of ridonkulous. I’m allergic to: trees, grass and weeds, cats (terribly), dogs (I have one), band-aids, beer (it’s like the end of the world, I know), most deodorants (painful to find that out!), and the medicine they give you in the hospital for an asthma attack (again that was so not fun to find out). Usually I’m good as long as I take my claritin everyday, but CATS kill me. Did you know the whites of your eyes can swell? It was one of the most terrifying and uncomfortable things ever, but mine noticeably did once! ICK!

    Hope you feel better soon! Benedryl and comfort food sounds like a pretty good remedy to me! Bodywash with oatmeal in it is great for soothing skin after allergies attack too!

  • maria @ a life to Bragg about September 8, 2011, 11:00 pm

    Thankfully I’m not allergic to anything. That’s really scary though and I’m sorry you deal with that. No wonder why I’ve never seen avocados on your page haha! Also, my husband used to be allergic to a lot of things (though his reactions not so severe) and he was told that if he continued eating the things he was allergic to, he’d build up an immunity. It’s worked for him…but like I said, his reactions weren’t like yours at all.

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence September 8, 2011, 11:03 pm

    Sorry you aren’t feeling well! I hope you enjoy ONe Day. (although you are going to hate the ending!)

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen September 8, 2011, 11:03 pm

    Oh man, I hope you start feeling better soon! I’m not allergic to any foods (although I constantly test positive for soy & peanut allergies yet never have a reaction and eat them all the time) but I am allergic to pretty much any and every animal with fur and all things pollen, grass and tree related. It makes spring a really fun time of year.
    Btw-that latex comment…omg I can’t even imagine how THAT must’ve felt!

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) September 8, 2011, 11:08 pm

    Wow, that’s really scary! I’m guessing your smoothie had some cross-contamination with mango or something. Hope you feel better!

    I’m allergic to most lip products (I have to be very cautious and have only found a FEW that won’t turn me into a clown) and slightly to honeydew/cantaloupe/pineapple. I also am allergic to most acne medications, which stank when I was a pimply teen and that’s all they sold in the stores back then.

  • Ellen September 8, 2011, 11:32 pm

    i thought One Day was meh… and yes, the ending is totally infuriating! i was so mad.

    my only true food allergy is to gluten. celiac disease ruined my health before i finally pinpointed my issue. i almost wish it was an anaphylactic reaction because instead mine is a horrible reaction which begins ~24-36 hrs after ingestion and continues on for a week or so, and it takes me another week to heal from it. it makes it really hard to figure out where/what gluten’d me!

    • CaitlinHTP September 9, 2011, 9:26 am

      Yea – the ending sucked.

  • Ari @ Ari's Menu September 8, 2011, 11:34 pm

    Oh nooo!! I hope you feel better! The only thing I’m allergic to is cats, but like really allergic–my throat closes and I sound like a kid with asthma that just ran a marathon, and it is super lame because lots of my friends have cats and it means I never get to go to their house!

  • Katie September 8, 2011, 11:45 pm

    Aw, I’m so sorry! I’m allergic to rodents, but only a little bit… which is good, because I had mice all through college and now have rats. As long as I wash my hands after holding them and don’t touch my face, I’m good.

  • Tracy @ Tracy's Treats September 9, 2011, 12:01 am

    Oh goodness, that is so scary! A good friend of mine is also allergic to avocado. With all the Tex-Mex here, we have to be supercareful! I’m allergic to Penicillin.

  • Jen G. September 9, 2011, 12:08 am

    Ugh — sorry your weekend’s off to such a bad start! Allergic reactions are the worst! I was allergic to everything environmental growing up — one hour outside and I couldn’t breathe. And I was allergic to chocolate. (Fortunately I outgrew that one!) But I developed an allergy to almonds, cashews and coconuts as an adult. They were the first thing that made me actually get hives.

    A friend of mine took the allergy test where they prick your back with a lot of different allergens mixed in with a solution. She ended up being allergic to the solution. Oops!

  • Jen September 9, 2011, 12:09 am

    Major UCK to the rash/hives! When I was about 7 years old, I started developing all kinds of allergies and basically had hives for the better part of a year, on and off – it was awful. I’m now 33 and am officially allergic to penicillin, amoxicillian, all anti inflammatories, NSAIDS, and ASA (aspirin!) I was also allergic to acetaminaphen for a while but fortunately that went away…so basically, when I get sick I can take Tylenol and that’s about it. Sucks! I hope you feel better by morning!

  • Carolyn September 9, 2011, 12:25 am

    Don’t give up on One Day yet! I haaaaaaate sappy books (I’d liken my hatred of chick-lit to your feelings about avocados) but the book is realistic enough that I plowed through it. I won’t comment on the ending, but… keep reading!

  • Sara September 9, 2011, 12:32 am

    Feel better, Caitlin! I’m allergic to everything but food, it seems. Grass, pollen, dust, dust mites: used to get shots for all of those when I was a teenager. Also allergic to cats and dogs (totally break out if they lick me and wheeze after a few hours of being in a house with them, which is fun when I stay at my brother’s, since he has two dogs), perfumes, smoke, blah blah blah…and I have asthma. If you feel like you can’t breathe, don’t cry! It only makes the breathing worse! (I cried one day when I was running, which is already a compromise on the lungs, and I started wheezing uncontrollably! Calmed myself down, but there’s nothing more frightening than not being able to breathe.)

  • Dani September 9, 2011, 1:19 am

    I’m allergic to something but not sure what :(. I’ve been tested and have had to go to the ER 3 times because of reactions. I have an epi pen now in case I need it.

  • Jen September 9, 2011, 2:06 am

    Ohhh, Caitlin…I am so sorry that this happened to you! I wonder what it could be… Also sorry to hear that you are allergic to avocado AND latex…but, please forgive me – that WAS funny! 🙂 In all seriousness, hope you feel much better soon! (And find the source of the reaction – I can only imagine how scary that must be. HUGS!)

  • Hayley @ Oat Couture September 9, 2011, 3:06 am

    Oh no thats crap! Really sorry to hear youv’e had another reaction. My mum is super allergic to latex and it looks really scary. I wonder if she will be allergic to avocados too?? Definitely get yourself an epi pen to carry around in your handbag just in case! For now though enjoy the room service and I hope you feel better soon!

  • Nathalie September 9, 2011, 4:30 am

    That’s a bit scary! Are you going to have an allergy test done, just in case it’s something new? Hope you’re feeling better now!!!!x

  • Amy @ Amy Starts to Run September 9, 2011, 4:37 am

    Yuck. That sucks balls. I’m allergic to several things, but my best allergic reaction occurred when I was in 8th grade (right before picture day). I used my mom’s “fancy” lotion on my face, arms, hands.. and 2 days later I was a swollen mini Jay Leno look alike with hives and blisters all over. Steroids were prescribed, butI still had to go to school (thanks mom) and face everyone. But I swear I could run faster… Thanks steroids.

    I’m sooooo cautious about stuff I’m a allergic to. I hope the benadryl works and you feel much better tomorrow!

  • Khushboo September 9, 2011, 4:57 am

    Oh you poor thing! That suck ur stuck in the room…and alergic to avocado! I didn’t even consider it as something that could be a potential allergen! I’m not allergic to anything I am aware of but last week, my friend who is allergic to nuts had a serious reaction and had to be rushed…all because of one measly cashew!

  • Ami@dashofcurry.com September 9, 2011, 5:17 am

    Oh no! Sorry about your reaction! I’m glad you treated yourself to room service– it all looks so good! Isn’t food delivered to your room the best? 🙂

  • Natalcho September 9, 2011, 5:21 am

    Poor you! Allergies are so annoying – especially when you don’t know what you are allergic to. I woke up a couple of weeks ago with hives all over my belly and I still have no clue what caused them. I have been eating the same food as the one I ate before I got the hives and I’ve been fine…a trip to the doctor is in my future – I need to get tested! Have you had full allergy testing?

  • Olivia September 9, 2011, 5:42 am

    Keep reading, Caitlin! One Day is an absolutely amazing book with a surprising twist at the end!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness September 9, 2011, 5:43 am

    Oh no! I’m so sorry you had to go through that – intense allergic reactions are absoultely horrible and really frightening. Sending you lots of love and support! You really do need an epi pen – it’s better safe than sorry, you know?
    you will never believe this, but last summer I actually became allergic to heat, and therefore to exercise 🙁 it was absolutely horrific. anytime my body temperature went up (like through running, yoga, cleaning, hiking, being embarrassed, a hot shower) I would get really dizzy, break out in bad hives all over my body, and if I carried on I would get an anaphylaxic reaction, my throat would swell up and my whole face and lips would be swollen and tingly. Horrid! At the time I was making my living through teaching hot yoga so you can only imagine the difficulty of that, lol! The first time it happened I had to go to hospital cause I was home alone after teaching a double, and couldn’t breathe. Intense! I quit teaching and hot yoga, and now it seems to be lessening which is amazing – although I still take anti-histimines daily and before working out always, and it makes me nervous a bit. Epi pen is always by my side! Allergies are funny things… Wishing you so very well, Caitlin, and hope that you make a speedy recovery <3 xyx

  • Claudia September 9, 2011, 6:56 am

    Wishing you quick and good recovery.
    About the book; you will hate the ending. I absolutely did 🙂

  • Lauren September 9, 2011, 7:03 am

    How scary!!! I used to be crazy allergic to cantaloupe but I think I grew out of that one. Now, it’s just penicillin that I’m allergic too. Thank goodness it’s not the melon! 🙂

  • Hillary September 9, 2011, 7:16 am

    I literally shuddered when you mentioned your latex allergy. I can only imagine how scary/horrifying/painful that must have been for you. Gah.

    I’m super allergic to cats and oak trees. I also used to have what is apparently called an “oral tree-food allergy,” which essentially meant that I was allergic to apple SKINS, cherries, plums, etc etc. I could eat them cooked (cooking kills the enzyme) but not raw or even peeled—unless I wanted a rash around my mouth and a swollen tongue (HOT). Luckily, this is one of those allergies that has diminished over time!

  • Mia September 9, 2011, 7:31 am

    sorry to hear about your allergic reaction, that really does suck 🙁

    Are you staying at the Lowe’s hotel? the room looks very familiar to me…my parents always stay there when they come to visit, because they allow dogs.

    • CaitlinHTP September 9, 2011, 9:27 am

      Nope but I love Lowe’s hotels!

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ September 9, 2011, 8:00 am

    Oh gosh I hope you are doing ok now! I am allergic to insect stings, particularly wasps and bees, and I got stung my very first day of my “big girl” job after coolege and had to wear sunglasses because my eyes were swollen shut, and get a steroid shot to open up my throat and reduce the rest of the inflamation. From then on my co-workers called me hollywood because of the ridiculous sunglasses but i was very sensitive to light! how embarassing!!!
    I hope you feel better!!

  • Molly @ RDexposed September 9, 2011, 8:10 am

    Oh Lordy!!! Latex lesson was a rough one! I am mortified and slightly laughing to myself-due to your “ifyouknowwhatimean”

  • Charise September 9, 2011, 8:23 am

    I don’t have any life-threatening or food allergies, just ones that make me feel miserable. Basically, all your run of the mill allergies, I’ve got them pretty bad – ragweed, trees, grass, cats, dogs, dust, mold. I am so allergic to ragweed my allergist was amazed at the size of the welt on my prick test. Oh, plus histamine, so once a reaction gets going it just snowballs.

    Hope you are feeling better!

  • Jenn September 9, 2011, 8:25 am

    So sorry for you…hope your better today. Also sorry that you can’t eat avocados 😉 What’s the brown chicken nugget like pieces in the salad??

    I’m the same way with books – I’m reading “Bitter Is The New Black” by Jen Lancaster and it’s funny but it took me 83 pages to get “into it”. And, yes, I looked at the page number. 😉

  • Laura @ Starting Out Fit September 9, 2011, 8:26 am

    Hives are definitely not cool! Hope the benedryl helped you out!!!

    It may sound odd, but I actually think you’re lucky to at least know what you’re allergic to!!!

    I’ve been suffering since June with HIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY…. that’s over 2 months every day!!!! I’ve even been in the ER once because my entire face swelled up! .. I *think* it may be something outside because in the last few weeks, each time I’ve spent some time outside my lips start to swell… meaning I had essentially NO summer.. no riding my horse, no running (even no treadmill running because the sweat irritates the hives). Basically it sucks. Have been waiting and waiting for an appointment with an allergist for testing and I finally get to go on the 23rd. I can only hope they figure out what it is that I am suddenly allergic to!

    ..and hope you’re feeling better today!!

    • CaitlinHTP September 9, 2011, 9:27 am

      If you lived in CLT I would say come see my father in law! He’s an allergist.

      • Laura @ Starting Out Fit September 12, 2011, 8:18 am

        Oh I wish!!! unfortunately that’s just a tad too far from Ontario for me 😉

  • cait September 9, 2011, 8:34 am

    oh no sweetie 🙁 so sorry to hear! i had a bad allergic reaction when I went to Conn. on year and still have no idea what happend. im listening to One Day right now. its actually not bad! good luck dear! xo

  • Jill E. September 9, 2011, 8:34 am

    so sorry to hear you are not feeling well. allegeris are hard tough because you have to always vigiliant.

    i am glad you re picked up one day, its no hunger games, but you are not going to like the ending but its worth it, it is a great book.

  • Maddie September 9, 2011, 8:35 am

    I’m allergic to avocado and latex too! It’s no fun (especially finding out about the latex one…) I’m also allergic to bananas and pineapple, which are apparently all connected, but not everyone has reaction to them all. Everyone thinks it’s the most random allergy in the world, but my best friend and my mom can’t eat avocado either, so we’re all in good company I guess! 🙂 Hope you feel better!

  • JenRD September 9, 2011, 8:35 am

    Wow, that is scary, since you don’t know what caused th reaction! Hope you feel better soon and you can enjoy the wedding!

  • Erin @ GoBananasBlog September 9, 2011, 8:47 am

    I’m allergic to most chapsticks/lipsticks so my lips will swell and burn. Apparently I’m also allergic to either penicillin (which shouldn’t be the case as I’ve taken it many times) or folic acid/a binder in a new medicine. I may also be allergic to shell fish but I have no proof. My mouth just started to feel funny after I ate some crab dip. I never eat shell fish so I can’t be sure. I sure do have some random allergies!

  • car September 9, 2011, 8:49 am

    I have a crazy allergy to sulphites. But it only manifests when I drink alcohol (vodka, rum, etc). I break out into crazy hives. It’s the most bizarre allergy, and I usually have an attack like 2 hrs after drinking or so. It’s quite an annoying allergy, not because I drink so much (I don’t at all), but because when I do want to go out w/ friends, I have to be so extra careful and be that girl who can only drink organic wine. Sigh. Hope you are feeling better.

  • Emily September 9, 2011, 9:15 am

    Caitlin I’m so sorry that’s awful, I hope you recover soon. I have a mild allergy to something in the food at PF Changs because ive broken out in hives on three separate occasions after eating there. It’s not severe but a little scary since I don’t know what it is.

  • Michele Albert September 9, 2011, 9:23 am

    I am allergic to shellfish, I can’t even be in the same room if someone else is cooking and/or eating it. I feel your pain. You have to be so careful when you go out to eat and I worry about cross contamination all the time. Good luck and talk to your doctor about an epi pen!

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) September 9, 2011, 9:37 am

    I’m allergic to running! I’ve had some really scary reactions shortly after going for a good run. I have to run with my epi-pen now and I can’t really push myself like I used to be able to! At least you aren’t allergic to running or cycling, just some silly veggies!

  • Kelsey September 9, 2011, 9:41 am

    Yuck! You poor thing, that really sucks!! I am allergic to Penicillin, Sulfa, and….wait for it…Quinoa 🙁 Worst. Thing. Ever. (But it tastes so GOOD) Benadryl is a blessing, let me tell ya! Hope you get to feeling better, soon!

  • Annie September 9, 2011, 9:41 am

    Boo to allergies – besides all of the outdoors, I am not allergic to much. I have only once had a food allergy – after eating blueberry pancakes. I assumed it was from the blueberries until my mom food an article on pancake mixes. Turns out major mold can grow in some pancake mixes. The reaction is worse if you have asthma (which I do). I had hives within ten minutes of eating. Lots of Benadryl later and I felt better. Happy fourth of July to me!

  • Kristina September 9, 2011, 9:52 am

    Wow, that’s so scary!

    I loved One Day, and yes, you will hate the ending! 😉

  • Sarah September 9, 2011, 10:00 am

    So sorry Caitlin! Hope you feel better. I have a severe peanut allergy, so I totally identify. It is really scary. I always carry an epipen, benadryl, prednisone and tylenol with me in case of a reaction. I travel heavy, but it’s worth it.

  • Kaitlin September 9, 2011, 10:00 am

    I’m allergic to avocado too!!!!!!!!! My allergy is no where near as severe (I just get hives/a rash on my neck, gross), and I think I developed it from eating avocado too frequently… It used to be my favorite food, and then all of a sudden I started having reactions to it. People think I’m crazy when I tell them I’m allergic to avocado, so I’m glad there are others out there 🙂

  • Liz September 9, 2011, 10:04 am

    That really sucks! I hope you’re feeling better soon so you can get back to partyin’ with the friends…

    I haven’t read One Day, but I did see the movie yesterday & really enjoyed it! I was actually quite surprised by how much I liked it because I’d heard the book & movie weren’t that great.

  • Eve September 9, 2011, 10:16 am

    Someone’s already said this, but you should go get tested by an allergist! Some allergies come in weird sets – my brother is mildly allergic to a common one: apples, celery, and birch trees!

  • Eve September 9, 2011, 10:16 am

    Someone’s probably already said this, but you should go get tested by an allergist! Some allergies come in weird sets – my brother is mildly allergic to a common one: apples, celery, and birch trees!

  • Meghan September 9, 2011, 10:18 am

    My best friend is allergic to iodine and a few months ago broke out in hives after eating french fries at a restaurant. Turns out the fry the french fries and the shrimp in the same oil!

  • Leanne (Bride to Mrs,) September 9, 2011, 10:19 am

    I’m allergic to latex too… latex gloves makes between my fingers go so red and itchy 🙁

    The worst run in with an allergy that I ever had was when my fiance (hubby now) and me were in Calgary and we went to a make your own stir-fry type of restaurant… I had gone to these a million times but whatever combination of sauces I must’ve used sparked a bad reaction and all around my mouth/nose got all red and tingly. It kept getting worse and expanding (towards my cheeks)… luckily after about a hour it started to go away with the help of benadryl, but the worst part was I was terrified because I had never had anything happen like that before. I didn’t know if it would just settle down, or if I should go to the hospital? I never found out what it was, and luckily I haven’t had a reaction since.

    Allergies are scary!

  • alison September 9, 2011, 10:36 am

    Oh no! What a terrible way to start your weekend. I hope you feel better soon.
    I’m not allergic to anything, but my daughter is allergic to penicilin. She had some sort of infection once and we gave her the first dose of her amoxicilin. A little while later she said her back was itchy. I scratched it for her and said ‘oh, it’s just a bug bite.’ She still kept complaining and I was like, ‘Caroline, it’s a bug bite, you’ll be FINE.’ And then I lifted up her shirt and saw the blotchy red rash all over her back. Oops. I felt SO bad.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) September 9, 2011, 11:00 am

    That’s so scary!! I’m glad you’re okay now. I laughed when you mentioned how you found out you were allergic to latex- I can only imagine what that was like, haha!

    I’m allergic to erythromycin. I took antibiotics for pneumonia that made me break out in nasty hives, but my doctor never figured out what exactly was causing it, and kept prescribing me other medications with erythromycin in it… needless to say, I finally figured out it was the common denominator! Sucks because my twin sister is not allergic and they switched our medical charts once… guess who ended up with a medication with erythromycin in it?!

  • Beth @ 990 Square September 9, 2011, 11:03 am

    I’m glad you’re giving One Day another shot. I really enjoyed it. It’s not an ending you’re supposed to like (but that’s all I say!).

  • Joey September 9, 2011, 11:03 am

    Allergic reactions are the worst! Hope you are feeling better today!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed September 9, 2011, 11:15 am

    Dang, that’s intense! I hope you feel better soon. That room service looks delish! Where are you staying?

  • Johanna B September 9, 2011, 11:42 am

    I am not a physician but I am prescribing an epi pen for you STAT. I have carried one for years. I have never had to use it but it’s there if I need it. You need it – they’re not too expensive and they might save your life someday.

  • April @ Grits and Granola Bars September 9, 2011, 11:59 am

    Goodness gracious, Caitlin! I’m so sorry that happened 🙁 I hope you’re feeling better!

  • Chelsea September 9, 2011, 12:18 pm

    I’m at a not so great situation in my life right now, but there are just some things I have to get through before I can do anything about it. Running my first half marathon this fall has given me a goal to focus on and something I can feel like I’m actually making progress towards, which has been key in keeping my spirits up. I’ve done a couple of 5ks and other races leading up to it, and always love the energy and sense of community at these events!

  • Toby September 9, 2011, 12:31 pm

    As far as food goes I react negatively to corn, eggs, dairy, and bananas. I had a hive like reaction to a bandaid once, but I still don’t know if it was in response to latex or the adhesive. And strangely enough, I don’t have a problem with avocado or any of the other things that are usually related when it comes to food allergies.

  • Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey September 9, 2011, 12:56 pm

    Allergies suck. Especially ones that give you hives.

    I am crazy allergic to fire ant bites/stings… and living in Charlotte means that is LOTS of fun. Yeeeeah.
    I’ve had hives all over my entire body that basically “connected” and stayed that way for hours. I went into shock, had the shakes, nausea, etc. It was horrible. I now carry an Epi-Pen, but haven’t had to use it. If I can get Benadryl in my system asap, and put some hydroc. cream on the bites themselves within a few minutes – the reaction is much smaller. Thank goodness. It is super scary!

    I also have a mild allergy to cantaloupe (makes my throat all itchy) and yes, latex. Funzies.

    ~

  • Amy September 9, 2011, 1:17 pm

    Sorry to hear about your allergic reaction. My friend has a latex allergy too, and said that you can get a cross-reaction from the following foods:

    What is a cross reaction?

    People who have a latex allergy may be allergic to some foods, as well. This is called a cross reaction. When this happens, your body responds with the same allergic symptoms that you would have if you were exposed to latex. Cross reactions differ from one person to another. Someone may have a reaction to all the foods noted to cause cross reaction while another may have no reaction at all. Likewise, if you are allergic to any of these foods, you may also be allergic to latex:

    apples, bananas, kiwi, peaches, plums, figs, grapes, melons, papaya, passion fruit, cherries, nectarines, pears, pineapple and strawberries;
    carrots, celery, raw potatoes, avocados and tomatoes;
    chestnuts and hazelnuts;
    wheat and rye.

  • Shaya (Eye Girl Eats) September 9, 2011, 1:22 pm

    🙁 that sucks, lady! I never really noted the lack of avocado in your daily eats, but I do see that now retrospectively!!

    I’ve never been that super-allergic to any one thing, but I have much milder allergies to several things (huckleberries? grass? dust? the outdoors in general?), so I just take a daily antihistamine and that seem s to be ok. but Benadryl is my friend when things get too hairy.

    Your dinner looked delectable though!!

  • Amber K September 9, 2011, 1:24 pm

    That is such a bummer! Glad to see that you’re feeling better now, but how frustrating. I certainly don’t wish I had allergies like this, although it probably would be a lot easier for me to figure out what not to eat. With my growing list of food intolerances sometimes it is hard to pinpoint exactly which food is completely disrupting my gastrointestinal system.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin September 9, 2011, 1:46 pm

    I’m allergic to nuts and I had the same thing happen to me at a restaurant! I told the waitress about my allergy and yet she still brought me out a dish with nuts in it – I had to be rushed to the hospital!

    Sorry about your reaction yesterday but that room service looks like it almost makes up for it! 😀 I hope you’re feeling better!

  • Amanda September 9, 2011, 1:58 pm

    I’m allergic to avocadoes too! I always hear from people that it’s a shame… but I don’t think I have the same kind of allergy. For me, if I eat avocadoes I just get a super intense stomach ache and feel kind of nauseous… I don’t think this allergy pairs with the latex allergy ifyouknowhatimean cuz I think I would have realized that by now haha

    • Amanda September 9, 2011, 1:59 pm

      Like every time I go to chipotle and get the vegetarian burrito and they ask if I want guacamole in it they’re always like “No guacamole?!” *quizzical look* It seriously happens every time :/

  • jamie @ cueyourlife September 9, 2011, 1:59 pm

    2 words. Raw Onions. Yikes!

  • Anne Weber-Falk September 9, 2011, 2:15 pm

    If I know what what means??? Ooohhhh, I get it. Yikes.

    I am allergic to penicillin and, get this, Tuna Helper. Rather, something in Tuna Helper. I was very young and broke out in a body full of hives.

  • Nicole September 9, 2011, 2:49 pm

    My husband is super allergic to peanuts and all legumes (soy and all beans), it is scary and no fun at all. He does carry an epi pen but he is terrified of using it because of how awful the epinephrine feels, and if you use it you still need to go to the emergency room. Especially if it something you ingested the reaction can reoccur so usually they put you on more medication for the next week or two after a big reaction. Keep in mind too that if you are worried about taking too much benadryl at once that there are other antihistamines that will really help too like Claritin, zyrtec and oddly enough Prevacid. Certainly talk to your doctor about it but sometimes it is good to have other options. It is especially helpful if you have a mild reaction so you don’t lose the next five hours to benadryl induced sleep! I am glad you are doing better! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

  • Ciera @ Rose and Thistle September 9, 2011, 2:57 pm

    Yikes, that’s pretty scary! Glad you’re feeling better, mac & cheese sounds like an excellent solution to any problem… I read One Day a couple of weeks ago and just saw the film last night – I enjoyed the book more than the film. I think it gets better as you go on 🙂

  • Sonia (the Mexigarian) September 9, 2011, 3:20 pm

    Wow. Reading everyone’s list of allergens terrifies me and makes me all the more thankful for my limited allergens. Mango is the only thing I know of that makes my lips swell and itch. Luckily, my throat doesn’t swell but it itches like crazy. On our honeymoon, our waiter gave us a special dessert on the house in celebration but forgot my mention of my allergen to mango (i wanted a special fish for dinner but mango was mixed with it and couldn’t be removed). After 2 bites of the dessert I realized mango was there. Poor waiter felt so bad, but I told him not to worry. Such yummy food at the top of Vancouver Tower 🙂

    Hubby is allergic to bees and I’m terrified of anything that buzzes.

    The room service food looks so good! Hope you feel better.

  • Nikki September 9, 2011, 3:32 pm

    random tidbit: avocado/latex allergies are also often coupled with a pine nut allergy AND banana allergy! People are often most allergic to one (in your case avocado) and then have mild allergic reactions to the other three.

  • Sarah September 9, 2011, 5:40 pm

    Benadryl is a necessity in our house – we both have random allergies. I’m allergic to one family of antibiotics, my husband’s allergic to another family and fish. Plus we both have hayfever/seasonal allergies. I went through a patch in high school/college where I couldn’t eat bananas without my throat/eyes/face itching/burning, but thankfully that’s subsided over the years!

  • Jacqueline September 9, 2011, 7:29 pm

    This post is actually SO well timed! I am REALLY allergic to antibiotics, to the point where I have been rushed to the hospital because I was covered in hives and couldnt breathe. Since then, I take a bottle of Benedryl and an EpiPen with me wherever I go. Reason being, the doc told me we can develop allergies to things we tolerate now at ANY point in our lives. If you have been through anaphylaxis, you know how scary and traumatizing it can be…so now, I take 0 chances. Its funny you wrote this post today because I just spent all day in the hospital getting allergy testing for Penicillin, which I passed! yay! So, I totally loved reading that I am not the only person in the world who deals with this as well as possibly the anxiety that comes along with it. Comfort food in the form of chocolate caramel pecan cookies from a store near me called Pusateri’s is my remedy 🙂

  • sarah (the SHU box) September 10, 2011, 1:27 pm

    AHH -yes, you definitely need an epi pen at home!!! and in your purse – just in case. you never know and want to be surprised! any dr should be able to write you a prescription for one if you just tell them your avocado issues. glad you got over this one but allergies scare me!

  • Jeanelle @ Glocal Girl September 10, 2011, 3:49 pm

    I’m allergic to peanuts! I accidentally ate them in a granola bar this week at work. I ended up fainting in the bathroom, was found by a coworker, got sent home in a cab and proceeded to throw up for the entire morning! Also, I live in Amsterdam right now and my neighborhood pharmacy was randomly closed so I had to suffer and just let the allergy pass. Oh, the joys of European customer service. It was not fun.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) September 10, 2011, 7:40 pm

    Sorry to hear about the allergic reaction. At least that mac and cheese and creme brulee look AWESOME!!!!! I hope they were great 🙂

  • kristen September 10, 2011, 11:14 pm

    oh no! Hope you are doing better

  • Dominique September 11, 2011, 1:20 am

    Sorry to hear about your allergy but your room service food looks yummy! I had an allergic reaction a year or so ago with lobster. So it turns out that I’m allergic to crustaceans (lobster, crabs, shrimps, clams, etc) but can eat the other shellfish (scallops, oysters, etc). It explained a lot because years ago Sean and I went to Cape Cod and I had so much lobster and clams and kept getting sick.

    I’m also allergic to latex too but I found out from work because we use latex gloves. Now I have special latex-free gloves that are green and make me look like I have alien hands.

  • Sophie @ threetimesf September 12, 2011, 9:40 am

    Oh my, poor you – allergic reactions are SO scary! I hope you’re feeling better soon….until then, have more creme brulee!

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point