Q: My wife had a bite of cake with raspberry filling last week and had a terrible allergic reaction. She began to shake and had a loss of energy. We had her lie down and the next day she was a little better. The day after that she was bad again and all shaky inside.
She’s been to the ER twice this week. The doctors there gave her Lorazepam every 12 hours. She still has her ups and downs and most of the time has no energy. All the tests, EKG and blood work seem okay. Any suggestions?
A: I’m a bit confused. The typical allergic reaction would not present with only symptoms of shaking and a loss of energy. Allergies occur when a person’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance – be it a bee sting, pet dander, medication, something inhaled, or from the foods consumed. The immune system commonly reacts with a rash, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation, respiratory problems, and more. The severity will vary from person to person and can be minor or serious enough to cause anaphylaxis which can be life-threatening. Further, low blood pressure to the extent that shock may occur could result.
Our body’s immune system is a defense mechanism that protects it from substances in the air we breathe, in the things we touch, and in those foods we eat. We all have antibodies circulating throughout our bloodstream for the purpose of protecting us from unwanted invaders; while we all have IgE (immunoglobulin E), when an allergic reaction occurs, the IgE is especially active. When those individuals encounter a foreign substance the IgE captures the foreign substance, histamines and other chemicals are released, and symptoms occur.
Food allergies may cause hives, tingling of the mouth, or swelling of the throat, tongue,face, and lips. Anyone can be allergic to anything, so I cannot provide the specific foods that fall into this category. However, common allergens include peanuts, wheat, strawberries, kiwi, shellfish, eggs, milk, fish, MSG, and soy. So you may have a better understanding, drug allergies from either prescription, over-the-counter, street substances, or herbal supplements may result in rash, hives, wheezing, swelling of the face, and more; hay fever (allergic rhinitis) may resemble symptoms of a cold – red eyes, a runny/itchy nose, and sneezing, or itching; insect stings may cause hives, itching, swelling at the site of the bite, and more. Regardless of the type of allergic reaction, anaphylaxis can present with lightheadedness, hypotension (low blood pressure) shortness of breath, a loss of consciousness, and more.
The Lorazepam your wife was prescribed is in a group of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It is commonly prescribed for periods of anxiety, yet it may also be used for other purposes. Less serious side effects of the drug include fatigue, drowsiness, muscle weakness, and more.
There are specific conditions that may cause a reaction to be severe. Some are manageable, while others may require intervention by a medical professional. Along these lines, your wife may have had an unexpected and severe reaction to an ingredient in the cake, icing, or to the raspberry filling. Could she have had something to eat or drink prior that might be to blame? Has anything like this ever occurred previously that might fit the puzzle pieces together? This frightening experience should be investigated. She should be seen by an allergy specialist so appropriate testing can be performed. If allergies are determined, she should obviously take all major steps to prevent a recurrence. If she tests negative, she should return to her primary care physician for an examination and discussion.
