Allergic reaction post WLS????

Today, right after I took my multi vit. + iron (maybe shound't have taken them together??!) my body got covered in a red rash (even my face) and my arms ich like heck!! I got so scared!!!! I never had a allergic reaction or any type of allergies in my life, and I am 30 years old! I had some shrimp, which tasted "iffy" so afte r the second one I discarded the dish. Anyway, I called my neighbor who is a RN and she told me it probably weren't the vitamins because it happend to fast afte rI took them... She also said some food allergies can gappen up to 3 days after the food is consumed. Has anyone developed any new allergies post WLS??? I called my PCP but he did not call me back.. I need to change my Dr.! My PCP is not WLS friendly, and my surgeon is in Brazil, I have his number there but he is unreacheable at the moment (as today is a holliday over there...) So frustrated. I also called the emergency number for the vitamins manufacturer, but I did not get a call back. BTW, the vitamisn were "BuildingBlocks" by "usbariatrics.com" I'd apprecciate any help here... Flavia 223/187/115 Open RNY 07/27/04

Flavia, I had an allergic reaction at about 10 weeks out. I tried to eat a small hamburger (no bun of course) and was dipping it into Heinz BBQ sauce. I became violently ill (vomiting, diarreah, sweating profusely, weak knees, dizzy, etc) then within 20 minutes, I broke out in hives head to toe and was even more MISERABLE! I called my regular doctor and was told to take some benadryl and get a cortisone cream for the itch. Within an hour, I was normal again, but I havent tried another hamburger since. I honestly dont know if it was the meat, the BBQ sauce, dumping or food poisoning. I just know it was awful and I dont want to go thru that again. When I saw my surgeon, he said their are cases of dumping that can get that bad. Who knows... Amy

Hi Amy, How are you? Ouch, it was probably the BBQ sause... so much brown sugar and molasses in it... Oh girl, I was in tears and sooo scared... You have no idea... My PCP is an a** who won't call me back, my dad is on a cruise and my surgeon's office in Brazil is closed due to national holliday... (3rd world countries!! aarrrgghhh... ) So frustrating!! Anyway, it couldn't have happened on a worse time... But I am good now, it's been about 1-2 hrs and the simptoms have subsided. I did take some Benadryl, glad I had it at home for my daughter, being that I never had an allergy in my life! Thank you! Flavia

it sounds like a niacin overdose (really) and please tell your friend (the RN) that a generalized allergic response (one from within the body's systems) can happen within minutes, even seconds. Ask anyone who has a peanut allergy. I have been through this with my son, and know what it was? He has pollen allergies, and one of the homeopathic remedies we were using had ecinachea in it (made from daisies) he was wheezing in less than five minutes. A red rash that covers the skin, like a flu****ching under the skin, and a generalized feeling of your heart racing are the symptoms of niacin overdose. AND niacin is absorbed VERY quickly. SO, check both the vitamins you took to see, and then maybe don't take them together any more. If it is more like hives, separate, roundish or longish reddening areas that rise above the skins surface, that is not from the niacin. Hope it doesn't happen again.

Flavia, shrimp is a high allergy food. Be cautious if you try eating it again. Sorry you had to experience that episode. What did the people at "Buildilng Blocks" have to say? LuvitsunnyV@goal

They said "we do not give out medical advice" and left it at that!!! Needless to say I was extremelly short tempered after that! I'm much better now, thank you Flavia

Flavia I am also an RN and used to work in the ER. Allergic reactions can come very quickly. Make sure you have bendryl on hand in case this happens again, If you get worse go to the ER, 911 if you have to. The potential new allergy probably has nothing to do with your surgery. I developed allergies to most narcotics after the age of 40. You can get a new allergy at any time. I do the same thing I get a red rash, welts...itching after 5-10 minutes of taking percocet or lortabs.... I take a benedryl and it clears up in 1-2 hours. I usually take the bendryl every 4-6 hours for 24 hours. Hope you are feeling better....

I just found out today from the pharmacist that I work with that the Benadryl Liquid is much better to take than the capsules. She said it gets into your system much quicker. We had a patient come in who had allergies to penicillin but her doctor ordered Amoxicillin. Her doctor knew this and ordered it for her anyways. She had tried several antibiotics to kill a bug she had and this was the only thing left. He told her to take Benadryl with the Amoxicillin. But, keep in mind...Benadryl Liquid. Char