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Allergy testing for medications? Is it possible?

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Posted 7/30/2015 8:39 PM (GMT -5)
I couldn't find an answer to this on google search and I figured since I see a lot of posts about allergies and posts about medications I thought I would ask this here...

Is there any way to test if I am allergic to a medication before taking it? There are food intolerance and allergy tests, but are there medication allergy or intolerance tests?

I want to take motrin but since my body freaks out if I consume even an apple I am so worried what will happen if I take motrin. I sometimes just can't deal with the pain and I know people say not to take motrin/anti-inflammatory medicines because it only makes things worse but some days my pain gets so bad I just want some sort of relief.

Thank you :)
Posted 7/30/2015 9:19 PM (GMT -5)
There are tests for allergies to some medications.

There are alternatives to Motrin that may be more helpful and less destructive to your body:

Ginger Root
Turmeric/Curcumin
MSM
Vitamin C
Nettles
Coconut oil
Fish Oil

Avoidance of nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, eggplant)

Soaking in Epsom Salts

Homeopathy I have found helpful: Arnica (all types of pain), Hypericum (nerve pain), Causticum (joint pain, sciatica), and/or Ruta (joint pain)

Essential Oils: The combination of Idaho Balsam Fir, Frankincense (or Sacred Frankincense), and Copaiba, and optionally may add Clove - when I apply this mixture to joints or anywhere that hurts, the pain usually subsides or decreases significantly.

Heating pad - my achy back loves my Thermophore heating pad...
Posted 7/30/2015 10:13 PM (GMT -5)
I am unfortunately allergic to ginger and turmeric made me feel worse (I ate it every day for a few weeks).

I couldn't find a vitamin C without junk ingredients. Could you recommend a brand? I would love to take vitamin C.

I eat a ton of coconut oil, I feel like it is like half of what I eat lol

I forgot about fish oil, I will try that. My omega 3:6 ratio is already 1:1 or something like 1:1.5 since I eat so much salmon (it is good, clean salmon) but I guess more omega 3 can't hurt, right?

I don't eat nightshades, I thankfully learned about that years ago.

Epsom salt actually makes me feel worse, I guess I get a herx from it or something. I want to power through the pain but it is just hard...

I haven't tried putting essential oils on me. I had tried aroma therapy with essential oils for a long time but it never did anything for me. I will think about using essential oils. My pain is in my neck though so getting the oils on my pillow and hair sounds like a mess but maybe it could be worth a try.

Heat causes me much more pain actually. And ice does nothing it just makes my skin cold and I am still in pain. I still use ice though because I keep expecting it to help but it doesn't. Every once in a while I try heat again and it will still hurt.

I don't know what MSM is but I will look it up. I also have never tried nettles, I will into that, too, thank you :)

Do you know anything about tests for allergies to medications? I don't know what it would be called or what kind of doctor would order it.

I really appreciate your reply :) Thank you :)
Posted 7/31/2015 9:02 AM (GMT -5)
Yes there are blood tests to see if you are allergic to certain medications. Would you like me to get the info for you? As for the pain - what type of pain are you experiencing? Because if it is nerve pain then motrin will not help - nortriptiline would be a better choice. As you discussed fish oil is excellent and so is teasel root - have you ever tried that? Is the pain in one particular area or is it widespread?
Posted 7/31/2015 2:12 PM (GMT -5)
I've been in-n-out of immunotherapy since 1995-for allergies. I've had allergy/intolerance tests twice these past 4 years....and haven't ever heard of the option to test for medications.

As a pre-teen I had a severe reaction to sulfa meds, and in my 20's I had an allergic reaction to Tylenol w/codeine oh and also am allergic to paxil & Celexa. All of these reactions involved hives, sneezing, wheezing, chest tightness, and a migraine.

I hope that helps in differentiating between Lyme symptoms and allergies?
Posted 7/31/2015 9:51 PM (GMT -5)
There are skin scratch/prick tests for medication allergies. May also be blood tests for allergies to medications. An Allergist (MD who specializes in allergies) should be able to do the tests for you.

Essential oils: Can apply them, let them stay on the affected area(s) for at least 15-20 minutes, then wash the area with mild soap and water. This way, you get the benefit of the oils without making too much of a mess of your hair/clothes/pillow.

Vitamin C: Acerola cherry powder is an excellent source, & won't usually have junk added (other than a little bit of silicon dioxide to keep it from caking up too much). Mountain Rose Herbs and Nuts.com both have it in bulk.
Posted 7/31/2015 11:19 PM (GMT -5)
It really sounds to me like you might have a mast cell issue. Check it out on the lymemd blog he's made some posts recently.

I couldn't do Epsom salts, I can't do tumeric, I can't do nightshades.....etc. since finding out I have a mast cell issue I started a supplement called quercetin. It's been my saving grace!

Just this week I tried to soak my feet in Epsom salts and had no bad reaction!! I'm getting a lot of foods back too. I'm just tolerating life in general better.

Something to consider asking your doctor about.

I really want to know the answer to question too. It would be really nice if I could figure out what meds to avoid instead of guessing. There is question if I'm allergic to one of my meds right now based on a frequent very angry whole body rash. No fun.

Let me know if you want to know more about mast cell stuff. I can try and point you in the right direction of information so you can ask your doctor. Seriously though, quercetin is a godsend! No exaggeration when I say it changed my life! Plus is great for your digestive system and detox too!
Posted 8/1/2015 8:05 AM (GMT -5)
Sweetpeaisme - although you never heard of the option to test for allergies to medications - as a pharmacist I am well aware that there definitely is such a thing. It is not 100 percent proof - in the sense that sometimes the test can tell you that you are not allergic but you indeed are. But if there is a major concern it is worth a try because false positives would not occur.
Posted 8/4/2015 4:28 PM (GMT -5)
So an allergist would be the doctor to see? I will make some phone calls or emails to some in my area and see if they can help me. Are there specific names of tests I should request?


I read of a couple women with mast cell disease and it didn't sound like what I have going on but I never looked into it beyond reading those women's personal blog posts. I am trying to find a new doctor and have some appointments coming up so I will ask them about mast cell problems. If you can send me any information on mast cells I would appreciate it :)

Thank you for all this information :)
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