Do You Have a Multitude of Undiagnosed Symptoms? How I discovered my Salicylate Intolerance.

Do you have a multitude of Undiagnosed Symptoms?

How I Discovered my Salicylate Intolerance!

It’s been about two weeks since I realized every symptom I’ve ever had over the past fifteen years is conducive to Salicylate Intolerance. I didn’t discover the intolerance and then match my symptoms, I researched my new symptoms, matched with my old symptoms and—voila!

For the past fifteen years or more I have struggled with severe sinusitis, nasal congestion, sinus headaches and a face that feels bruised to the touch, accompanied by bad breath. For years I’ve gone to the Drs. begging for relief and the only alternatives were antibiotics (which didn’t work at all), nasal sprays and cough medicines. Some offered temporary relief, but just a week or less off my medicines and my symptoms reappeared.

About ten years ago, I began struggling with mild vertigo. For a few years I only felt nauseous and dizzy. Then, out of the blue, my uncomfortable symptoms turned into serious, debilitating attacks. When an attack hit, I couldn’t walk or even move my head. I’ve spent six or seven hours leaning over a bucket vomiting nonstop. The next day I was so whipped I could barely function. My doctor said it was probably Menieres Disease and even if they sent me for tests, there would be nothing they could do. So they sent me home with a prescription for Meclizine.

During this time I often would wake up in the morning with a rash on my stomach and chest and purplish, swollen lips. I spent a lot of time trying to research these symptoms on the internet, but nothing matched. Fatigue, achy shoulder, back, hips and neck have been a constant.

When I was forty years old I started to see double. My eye doctor was dumbfounded as to what was wrong so I went to a specialist. He told me the muscles in my eyes were deteriorating and thus my double vision.

About three years ago I started experiencing asthma symptoms. Lightly at first, but they gradually worsened. Every three to six months I was back at the Doctors seeking relief for my breathing ailments. Within this time period, I lost my taste and smell totally and it only returns when I am on a regiment of prednisone. But that only lasts for a short period because I suffer from “prednisone psychosis.”

About a year ago I started having life-threatening asthma. Every night when I entered the bathroom to get ready for bed I would have a severe attack. Four or five times I thought I would have to rush to the hospital. I went back to the doctor and they set me up with an appointment to an asthma specialist. The first time I went he assumed it was asthma and set me up for an MRI on my sinuses and chest. He put me on a three week regiment of prednisone so I felt better for a while and I did not go for the MRI. Immediately after the prednisone treatment my symptoms came back and doubled in severity. I finally went back for the MRI. The results showed no chest problems, but severe sinus problems.

When I visited the pulmonary doctor after the MRI, she told me I needed some very expensive medicines. I do not have insurance, so I told her to give me what I could afford.

My bedtime asthma attacks continued. Even my personal hygiene was affected because I was afraid to go into the bathroom. One night I decided to take my toothpaste downstairs and brush my teeth, the minute I started to brush I suffered a severe asthma attack. At that moment I knew! It was my toothpaste causing bedtime attacks. Immediately I began to research this. I discovered that it was not unheard of for people with asthma to develop an allergic reaction to mint. I went to a health store and found toothpaste with no mint and my severe bedtime attacks ceased.

Of course, all this time I still suffer from breathing problems and all my other daily symptoms. Middle of the night and early morning attacks are still a problem. I often would wake up at two or three in the morning and have to go down stairs and use my nebulizer. Then I would wake up again at about six o’clock and need to use it again. I didn’t understand why until I started researching some new symptoms that have appeared over the past month or so. Hot flashes (menopause has come and gone), extreme lack of concentration, unbearably itchy skin and ears and red, burning, watery eyes. I added these symptoms to my list of other symptoms and finally “Salicylate intolerance” appeared on the screen. I had never heard of it before.

The first thing I read was that the first signs of Salicylate Intolerance is severe sinus problems. Okay, well that could be a coincidence. Then I learned one of the other major signs is severe vertigo. Okay, now my ears are perked. Third, I learned that eventually, unchecked, severe asthma sets in. Now I am sitting up straight and beginning to put two and two together. But there were three other major clinchers for me, not counting the dozens of matching symptoms. 1) People with Salicylate Intolerance often suffer from muscle problems in their eyes. 2) Mints and Wintergreens are toxic to people with Salicylate Intolerance (one girl even died after using Ben Gay) 3) Menthol is also toxic to people with Salicylate Intolerance. (My husband sucks on menthol cough drops all night long. He would roll over and hug me and breathe in my face. Thus the severe attacks during the night and early morning. He changed to non menthol drops and I no longer get up in the middle of the night having a severe attack. I still wake up with some breathing problems, but I believe it is a combination of his menthol skin pads and my shampoo and other bedtime personal care products. But just removing the menthol cough drops has made a significant difference.

About a week and a half ago I started cutting out Salicylates in my food and I switched to decaf coffee. My energy level is improving, but I still suffer from burning eyes, headaches and some other symptoms.

Today I purchased a book by Joan Tozzi Ablahani titled “Salicylate Intolerance and the Healthier I ate the sicker I got.” So titled, because almost every fruit and vegetable and healthy food has Salicylates. She can’t drink any coffee and I have not switched any personal products except my toothpaste, I would assume therein is where the problem lies. Also, except for those things that are extremely toxic to my system, it usually takes about twenty-four hours to experience the symptoms from what you eat or expose yourself too.

I made a Drs. appointment with fear and trepidation, assuming she is going to think I am crazy. (Which I probably am a little because Salicylate Intolerance affects the brain as it is poison for those who can’t tolerate it.) My lack of concentration, foggy brain and temper flare ups are also symptoms.

Lo and behold, my doctor totally agreed with me and was going home to do more extensive research. She officially diagnosed me with Salicylate Intolerance and said she would get back to me with help and education. I am so thankful I have an understanding Dr. willing to listen to me.

My journey is just beginning and I have dozens of changes to make, but for the first time in ten years I have hope of a better life. Below is a list of my personal symptoms, it is, by no means, an exhaustive list of symptoms for Salicylate Intolerance.

Sinusitis                                            Mouth sores                       Asthma

Nasal Congestion                             Canker Sores

Stomach Problems                           Cough

Eye Muscle disorders                       Pain in Joints

Red eyes                                         Chronic Fatigue

Burning eyes                                    Vertigo

Watery eyes                                     Menieres Disease

Excessive itching                              Foggy Head

Itchy Ears                                         Difficulty Focusing

Ear Pain                                           Thirst

Hives or rashes                                Depression/Irritability

Mental sluggishness                        Temper Flare Ups

Nasal Polyps                                    Ringing in ears

Hot Flash                                         Very dry mouth

Red, hot hands                                Itchy throat and tongue

Forehead pain                                 Post nasal Drip

Swelling of lips, eyes and Face

For a list of foods and products with Salicylates in them visit the websites below

#1 http://Salicylatesensitivity.com/food-guide

#2 http://www.users.bigpond.com/mywebhome/sindex.html

You can also type in Salicylate Intolerance and numerous websites will appear with much information. God Bless you on your journey to good health.