Hunny,

I'm glad that I was able to answer your questions but really, you are the one who is the star. We always tell people to be in charge of their health care and you have done that by having the asthma testing done and then asking for the puffer. Then you didn't panic and you used it appropriately.
Way to go!

Thank you Slowinmi. Caring for myself is a full time job these days it seems and sometimes I lack the motivation to go forward. But you have been a wonderful encouragement sharing your knowledge.

Testing for sulphite sensitivity is fairly easy, just time-consuming. The patient does a baseline breathing test, then drinks a solution containing a very small amount of sulphites ("metabisulphites" in the lab). You wait for about 15 mins, then repeat the breathing test. Then drink another solution with a slightly stronger concentration of sulphites. This process repeats with up to 5 solutions. If there is a significant change in the breathing or you have finished all the solutions, you stop and give the patient a puffer.

This process seems like a similar process to test for asthma. I had to take the morning off as I recall. I don't know why the Doctor would not have mentioned this test to me. I will go back to the regular doctor and ask to be sent for this test now. By the way, just the thought of injesting these sulphites makes me feel my breathing is stifled.

I'm not sure this information is still current, but sulphites were used extensively on salad bars to prevent the browning of the lettuce, on potatoes to prevent browning, in Chinese food, and in wines(which you already know to look for). I had one patient that ate a whole bag of Doritos and had to go to the ER.

I didn't know this or if I did I forgot. I haven't seen too many salad bars lately where I live. They used to be in abundance. I didn't know that it would be used in Chinese food. I know msg plays havoc with some people so maybe sulphites are in msg. I avoid products with msg too. I just wish if they put it in these products that they would list it for those of us that are affected.

It sounds as if you are doing an excellent job managing your healthcare. I hope you get answers soon. I agree that your therapy has given you inner strength. I am learning at PC. People have been very supportive and helpful. I hope that soon I also can say I have inner strength. PM me anytime if you like.

Thank you for your encouragement. It seems to take one step at a time. Big steps and little steps. A lot of it is thinking it through, then being motivated and then doing it. The crazy thing is that if one doesn't take these steps, it could be their last breath if the wrong thig is injested. Lately, there is added anxiety regarding work, aging, fitness/eating healthily, relationships, so, as I say, it is a full-time job.

slow