Costochondritis- Food Allergies

Is it my opinion that everyone with Costochondritis should be tested for food allergies? Yes. If for no other reason that I had to do it, so you should too. =) lol. I'm kidding, people. I get tested more for celiac next week, but today was food allergy day.

Seriously though, if you suspect something like a food allergy is causing inflammation to light up your body like it's Christmas at Easter, then you need to find out what it is, nail it in a coffin, and get better. End of story.

I didn't notice that food affected my chest pain until about a year ago...weird? Yes. But really, is there anything normal about any of us? I'm just saying. Don't you leave me and try to get on the normal side of the tracks! -).......tisk. But if you must leave the world of "invisible but painful," I will throw you a party and dance a jig. And not just any jig- a seriously good one worthy of such an occasion.

So I got tested today just to rule out one more thing. Do I really think I have a food allergy? Not really...but since my pain is so affected by the foods I eat- gotta rule it out. Do I secretly hope I have one and will be healed by avoiding it? Ummm...that's a yes.

I drank like a 100 ounces of water by noon so that the process wouldn't suck. I have issues. haha. But my mom, who is recovering from cancer...and has lymphodema...is a total rock star, (who held my grown up self's hand via my panic) told me some good stories to keep my mind off of the vampire lady. Kuddos to my amazing mom. Big time.

But before Vampire lady came to get me, I saw the woman who tried to get my blood last time...who poked my already violated arm a million times...and then a million more, and then I passed out b/c we (and by we, I mean her) kept taking the needle in and out while trying to fill up 6 bile's of blood. I froze.

I was mortified I might get her again...so you know those moments when you are planning your escape in your head, (but in your head you are dressed in a super cute hero outfit with adorable non-hurting high heals and a perfect set of ribs, and then you drop kick the villain and swing gracefully out the window into Superman's arms?) Yeah, that didn't happen. Thankfully though, I got saved by someone else, Vampire lady #2, who was good (if I don't pass out- she's good). So the first Vampire lady was off the hook from my crazy rampage and escape. Lucky her.
-)

Moral of random rant?
Get tested if you suspect food allergies.
Please pick your Vampires wisely.
Always have cute high heels in your escape plan.
That is all.

UPDATE:
Okay, so after some wonderful questions in my comment section, I wanted to add a little Q &A in the event that you may be wondering some of the same things.

What tests did you have done and for what foods?
I had a food allergy test done. I went to my doctor (any Dr. can order this test, which is awesome), talked with her about a list of foods that I noticed a difference in my pain after I ate them and told her I wanted the test done. I was a little bold. =) This list included:

Dairy
Gluten
French Fries
Anything Fried
Meat
Large Meals
Tomatoes
Potatoes

The doctor then made a list of foods (called a panel), and made sure there was a general food panel test (includes about 40 of the most popular food allergies) and added any additional foods that I was suspicious of.

Next, after you complete those steps, you then take that sheet and go to your nearest pathology lab, they draw blood- and 7 days later, you meet with your doctor to discuss the results.

If there's relief....how do I isolate certain food groups or more preciously certain spices mixed into our foods?

If there is relief, that's awesome. You'll have to do some food journaling and detective work to find out what's making it worse and then really work to eliminate those foods. You can totally do this! Most folks with Costo who have food issues are affected by nightshade foods: potatoes, tomatoes etc.

As per the spices, Eek- I don't do lots of spices, so that's out of my realm, wish I was of more help here!

Do you use cayenne spice in your food?
I personally don't, only because my plate is full with trying other things, not because I don't think it's awesome. I've heard some positive reviews from it, but haven't tried it myself. Great questions!

Hugs to everyone!