Introduce yourself here - we'd like to meet you!!

Welcome! Glad your bugs are slowing down. We have been in such a severe drought we didn't even have any mosquitoes one year and this year they were few and far between, but did get tick bites, seems nothing gets rid of those..

Good morning, I'm new to this group as I only just heard about it.
I'm Jane, I live in Turkey and have been taking a daily antihistamine tablet to control my bug bite/sting allergy. Thank goodness the weather is cooling down now and there aren't so many bugs about. I'm still getting attacked though! 😵

Hope it works, sorry to hear you suffer from migraines as well, that is horrible.

Thanks, Linda. I am going to try eliminating the foods you mentioned and see if it makes a difference in the way I feel. Yesterday I ended up in bed with a bad headache. If I could get my migraines under control through diet it would be such a blessing.

Anne
That is tough being in a moist climate with mold allergies. I am lucky its dry here. If you already know you have food allergies, you might want to try an elimination diet to see if you react to anything else. I didn't think food was an issue, but when I tried it, I was shocked by how sick I got when I added the foods back in, one at a time. The most reactive foods are gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, corn and sugar/artificial sweeteners.

Accurate food tracking was the key to my successful weight loss.

I wish you all the best! Have a great rest of the weekend!

Just joined and am still trying to figure things out, so hope I'm doing this right,

I am allergic to dust, pet dander, mold, and hay. The mold spores are really bad right now with the weather being so hot and humid. I use generic Claritin and Flonase as needed...which is often at the moment. I'm hoping that some changes in diet and beginning a fitness routine will help to strengthen my immune system. July and August are my worst months. I have a few food sensitivities as well so have had to cut out broccoli and msg. There may be others but these are the ones I am certain of.

Best wishes to all, and have a great day!

Welcome Carla and congratulations on the weight loss! You are going like a house on fire!

Hi. My name is Carla and I have been on SparkPeople for a week now and lost 6 pounds. I am blessed to have no food allergies, but I seem to be allergic to grass and weeds and dust and mold, and other such environmental things, adding to the seasonal allergies. However, thanks to medical science and a good pharmacy my medications keep me pretty clear and breathing freely most of the time. I am excited to be a part of this team. I signed up for the water challenge, and usually drink 8 cups of water a day. Hope I can add to the team goal.

Welcome back! Its been bad for dust here. Driest April on record here so things are not greening up, but high winds keep the dust and snow mold in the air :-(

Hello everyone! I am rediscovering SparkPeople and battling with my seasonal allergies. I look forward to being an active member of this community in hopes of supporting others and finding support for myself as well.

Welcome! The Spark Recipe data base is extensive and can be searched for specific foods. You can always substitute things too.

Hey all! So, I currently work as a Children's Library Clerk and am looking to graduate with my MLS degree by Fall 2020. I unfortunately gained 40+ lbs while dealing with and recovering from back surgery this past September plus being recently diagnosed with PCOS. I am currently in PT and trying to get back on track to a new me!

I'm a little discouraged in that a LOT of "healthy" dishes I see recipes for are either fish/shellfish or have citrus as a main ingredient (both of which are my top 2 allergies). Any advice?

Welcome! What a wonderful life you have! I found food tracking made all the difference in weight loss. It put a check on portion control to weigh and measure and find out how much you really were eating. Its great to fine tune your meals to get those last stubborn pounds off. Its what helped me to break a long running plateau to finally lose the weight once and for all. I have been maintaining for ten years, but have friends on here I keep in touch with. The support is great on here, one of the nicest web sites I have ever been on.

Hello! I hope that I am doing this correctly. :) I am excited about joining SparkPeople. I would not have found this website if it were not for my kineseology professor telling us about it in one of our assignments. We had to track 3 days worth of meals. I've been tracking my exercise since August when our classes began, but only on his worksheet that he has us turn in each week. I am about to turn 46 years old in April, and I have 4 wonderful children (3 boys & 1 girl), a wonderful daughter-in-law and 2 amazing grandsons who are about to be 4 yrs old and one just born in Jan 2019. I am married to my best friend and high school sweetheart, however we did not get married right out of high school. We actually lost touch for 24 yrs when he moved & found each other about 6 yrs ago. I am from Texas.
I would love to lose about 10 more pounds!! I lost 30 pounds about 5 years ago, but have only been stuck between 136 & 140 ever since. It fluctuates.

Hi Ladybug, I lost my weight and have kept it off over 3 years now. My suggestion to you is to keep tracking even if you have a bad day. Portion size makes a big difference as well. Exercise or some kind of movement will help you to have success. I find when I do not track or exercise I do not do well. Hope you are finding success since I noticed you posted this back in January.

Thank you so much for your advice and kind words!. I truly appreciate it!

Hello and welcome! This site can be overwhelming with so much information being thrown at you at once. When I first joined, all I did was use the nutrition tracker as a challenge I was in at Curves suggested tracking your food was the best way to get a handle on what needs to be changed in your food to keep in the calorie range for weight loss. For me it was a real eye-opener and enabled me to learn proper portion sizes and how all those little nibbles and snacks add up so quickly. Its a good thing to get to learn first. Accurately weighing everything you eat is a must, using a scale and measuring cups. It may be a hassle at first, but really worth it. If your hubby is agreeable, perhaps he should join this website as well so you can share the journey. You don t want to make a dramatic change in what you are eating to start, but just be aware of what you are eating. Also, share some regular light exercise together. Take walks in a green space. There are so many articles on here about so many issues, you can spend all day reading them. Just pick out ones that are relevant to your needs. Good luck and happy Sparking!

Hi, I joined Sparkpeople today. I don't really know what I am doing yet. I have been overweight most of my life. I have several health problems and I want to make a change. I hope this will help me reach my goals. I have 2 sons age 25 and 18. My 25 year old is in the Navy and my 18 year old is away at college. I am adjusting to being an empty nester and know it is time I focused on my health (way past time!) My husband needs to lose weight as well. He is starting to have health problems also that losing weight would truly improve. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really want to be successful. Thank you!

LINDA

Welcome Deb! Eliminating those two foods will do you a world of good, but they are in so many things :-( An online expert in gluten who gives live Q & A on Facebook and informative free talks is Dr. Peter Osborne, look him up!

Hi, my name is Deb. I'm starting again on spark after 10 years away and practically undoing all my hard work in 2008. I have seasonal allergies that used to be from Feb to Nov but with Ohio weather the way it's been it's year round. Also allergic to cats, dogs, and dust. Over the last year I've developed a food intolerance to starch and gluten. Since my breathing has gotten worse I am wanting to change dieit, exercise, and wait to help with that.

Welcome Maria!
Oh my, do you have a tough road to hoe there :-( I am very surprised you have never been to an allergist before. Hope they can help you. I once had the shots which really helped for quite a while. But you have so many things you are reacting I doubt they would be of any use to you. Trying to reduce the inflammation is a good start by eating clean. You may want to avoid the nightshade family in particular as its inflammatory -that is tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplant. Foods that fight inflammation are garlic, allium family. I find Allegra D works the best of any I have tried.

Greeting,

My name is Maria and I live in Flowery Branch, GA. I am chronic allergy, asthma, and contact dermatitis sufferer with a combination of food and environmental allergies. After years of allergy suffering and trying a bunch of medication combos with saline solution. I finally was sent to an allergist/immunologist these past few weeks when I had physical blood tests come back at my family doctor with high immunoglobulin levels and the state of my immune system.

I never been to an allergist prior, but happy was to finally have someone perform the allergy skin tests for both food panels and environmental panels. So I found out while part of my allergies are food that includes soy, lactose, tomatoes, and wine. A majority of my allergies and reason for high immunoglobulin were environmental, which include all pollens, certain trees common on the east coast/south, grass mix, different mold spores, dust mites, dogs, cats, and feathers. With pollen going strong in the South it explains why I am so sick and having a lot of allergic reactions and rashes.

So now I am working to help my allergies by eating cleaner, getting fit, taking a mixture of Allegra and Flonase daily, and utilizing a pollen/pollution filtering mask when going outdoors. While allergies can make life difficult at times. I am determine to improve my immune system and my body to fight and better handle my allergies. Anyways, I look forward to getting to know you all on the team and discussing anything relating to allergies and ways to improve them.

Edited by: MGAGNE24 at: 5/25/2018 (01:05)

Welcome! I do without gluten and dairy. Eat lots of whole food (no labels needed) so lots of veggies, minimal fruit (sugar), mostly berries. Beans, nuts, seeds. Don't be afraid of healthy fat, like olive oil, coconut oil, avocado.

Sorry you don't have support at home :-( You will have to be strong and do it for you. You are worth it!

Hi! In Chicago and weather is all over the place. Just started a wellness program and need to jumpstart my metabolism by eating 1800 calories a day. That’s without gluten and dairy, not too much protein, careful with carbs....in the past I rarely ate so weight didn’t disappear so I have to change a lot. Very little support at home. My goals are between 20-30 pounds. I have no idea where to start. I don’t know what to eat. I have a protein whey powder I need to try and take but have a hard time mixing fruits and beverages. Sorry for the long post, but a lost newbie here.

Welcome everyone! I hope your weight loss is going well. Winter here has been very tough. Extreme cold most of it so not much outdoor time, stuck inside and its lead to constant stuffed bloody nose as I am not getting much fresh air and have to contend with a flood of smoke from my neighbor. She wasn't supposed to smoke in her suite but she started up again :-( Have a great weekend.

Hi I am 34 and don't have bad allergies. Just pollen when it comes out.
(also dust guess that means I need to dust my house more).
My goal is to loose 50 pounds by Feb 2, 2019.
Look forward to getting to know all of you :) Holly

Hello all! In January 2017 I was sent for allergy testing as I was having severe chest pains that were not due to cardio issues. It was found that i have developed TONS of allergies I never knew i had. Nuts, Wheat, Corn, Soy, Oats, Mustard, Sesame, the list goes on and on and on. And this list doesn't include the pollen, pets, dust, etc. that just floats around in the air.

After a year of "woe is me" and learning how to live my life again, I am heading down a new path to be healthier. My plan for 2018 is to cook, eat and plan better to accommodate these pesky allergies without feeling bad because I miss the way i used to eat and live. Hoping you all have some new suggestions and ideas that will work for my life.

Alana, congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!

Hello everyone!
My name is Teresa and I have chronic allergies.I have a contact dermatitis and I am prone to sinus infections. My current doctor has me using a nasal saline rinse and flonase. She informed me that if more than four infections occur in a year seeing an ent would be indicated. I am not enthused about the possible treatments. I haven't really had many problems until the last couple of years. Perhaps it is just another part of getting older.
I am looking forward to getting to know the members of the group better and learn how they are dealing with their symptoms.

Hi everybody!
My name is Alana, I am nearly 44. I have been on sparkpeople for about 8 years. My weight has mainly been stable for a very long time - just too high. I tend to start a diet really strong, tracking everything, lose a couple pounds, then give up ('cause I have about 50 pounds to lose). I live on a farm - well, a hobby farm. We have 5 and 1/2 acres here in East Kootenay. It is beautiful here!! We have 3 black cats and 43-ish chickens. My long term boyfriend is a carpenter and I type cancer reports for a company in Australia (working from home is waaaaay better than working retail). I do a lot of things during a day. Picking eggs and checking on chickens tends to be the most distracting. The rest is just regular household chores. I do a lot of canning and dehydrating. I would never call myself a homesteader or a prepper. BUT, I know that the electricity goes out quite a bit here and I don't want food going to waste in the freezer. Nothing's better than having a nice easy to heat meal on the fire when the power's been out for a couple days, especially in wintertime.
This time I will lose the weight. We're getting married in June 2018. I want to look my best (like most brides).
I have asthma and atopic dermatitis. The dermatologist said that 'You come from allergic people. You are an allergic person. You can use a cream for weeks, then just out of the blue your skin will decide that it doesn't like an ingredient in that cream. Then in another week or so it won't get upset by that cream'. I drove over 6 hours round trip just for him to see me for about 5 minutes. That was during the worst flare up I had ever had. Really scary flare too...not only did most of my body have rashes (felt like ants crawling constantly) and my eyes were swelling shut because my eyelids were so puffy. I could see my temples and cheekbones out of the corner of my eyes. I couldn't do a shoulder check properly because I couldn't turn my head enough so I could see past my temples. AND I worked out in public. My confidence took a real hit at that point. It has been 5 years and let's hope that doesn't EVER happen again.
With all the smoke in our area my asthma has barely had a whimper. Just yesterday there was so much smoke that there were no shadows until about 3 pm. My atopic dermatitis is flaring a little bit right now. I tried a new soap (Pears, the glycerine soap) and I have the super-itchy-until-you-finally-scratch-and-
then-they-really-hurt kinda hives. I'm lucky as it's just on my hands. It will take about a week for this to go away. It is also triggered by stress, which is why I'm so terribly fortunate to have found this typing job. now, to quit procrastinating and GET TO TYPING... Have a great day!

Hey all!

My name is Rachel, and I have a lot of allergies. My main food restriction is gluten. I was diagnosed with celiac disease about 13 years ago (wayyyyy back before it was cool) and have remained strictly gluten-free ever since. It's not actually so tough these days. Think I finally have a handle on that one. My real challenge is a tomato allergy. That's right. Tomatoes. No salsa, BLTs, spaghetti, regular pizza, not even Doritos (who knew they have tomato powder in them?!?). A lot of the foods this allergy eliminated were unhealthy ones, so it somewhat works, but I'm definitely missing out on some really great, healthy recipes because of it. I try to substitute with roasted red pepper when I can, but I know red pepper is high in sugar, and it still doesn't replace the acidity of tomatoes. Big bummer. I also have environmental allergies as well as allergies to medications. I'm a mess! Haha! That's why I'm trying to get fit, because I have so many health issues already, I really can't afford to deal with more. Especially if any of it is under my control. Sorry for the book, that's just me in a nutshell. If you have questions, just ask! Happy to meet all of you!

My name is Angela, Canadian born and raised, now living in sunny Arizona. Since moving here I have horrible allergies and am doing my best to not take medication...it's been 5 years and so far raw honey seems to be working pretty well.

Hi, I'm Wyndy from Saskatchewan. I have many allergies, have had them all my life. Mostly I just pay attention to the sinus and food ones, but not as closely as I should on the food ones! Right now it's difficult being outside because we are getting smoke from forest fires. There are about 100 north of us and of course all the big ones in British Columbia are sending some smoke over to us as well. As for the food allergies, many years ago I had the skin tests done and was not allergic to 3 items so that's why I don't pay attention to much. I would probably be a LOT skinnier if I had.

Hello everyone! Yeah Jennifer, I have seasonal allergies also to a small extent but i'm allergic to many medications, mostly antibiotics. And i do know some companies lie on their labels. I've gotten drinks that were supposedly sugar and carb free and it spiked my blood sugar quite a bit.

Hi everybody. My name is Jennifer and I'm in my 30s. When I marked I had allergies and it auto-added me to this group I didn't actually mean regular old allergies. I do kind of have those I guess but I tend to just ignore it. I can't take most allergy medicine so I am sort of just stuck with all that.

My allergies are actually a deadly food allergy :( I can't come in any kind of contact with dairy and dairy bi-products, which are in far too many things (like allergy medicine -_-) including non-food products. I was born with the allergy and it's horrible :( I break out in hives if I just touch a surface that somebody else touched with some sort of dairy on their hands, so I don't feel all that safe outside of my own bedroom obviously, let alone out in public. No eating out for me and my diet is pretty limiting. Too many things are made in a facility that also does dairy, so no eating any of that either, and even things claiming to be vegan (such as the vegan "cheeses") still trigger a reaction so something dairy is in there still despite the claims of being vegan. Have to watch out for shampoos, soaps, lotions, etc :( It's a pretty miserable life being afraid to touch or eat anything :(

Spark User name: Ericaleaha
First name: Minnie
I am 53 yrs old Married with 4 adult children (1 girl 3 boys) 3 Grandchildren (1 boy 11 yrs old & 2 girls 10 & 7 yrs old). 1 Dog Maltese-Sookiebelle & 1 Cat-Stitch We are a close and loving family. I live in Upland California I like to Search the web, watch in person & TV Football, Baseball & Nascar. I love to play board & computer games and to travel. I am employed full time been at my job for 32 yrs. have promoted 5 times current position 18 yrs as a supervisor. I am positive, honest and caring. My allergies flare up around November & April

Hey everyone! I'm Lynnette...had allergies my whole life, but only got tested a couple years ago. I'm allergic to everything that grows, it seems -- all trees, all grasses, all weeds. Plus I'm allergic to dogs and cats and dust mites. Went thru nearly 3 years of allergy shots and they have actually worked well for me. I do not have to take Zyrtec daily anymore. I can actually pet my cat without my eyes getting itchy and I can garden outside without sneezing attacks. It hasn't cured me completely but it significantly reduced my reactions to the allergens. I'm also allergic to penicillin... gives me hives. I have reactions to some foods...cantaloupe, avocado, strawberries, cheese...some give me an itchy throats for a short period or if I eat them too many days in a row I get hives. But I don't let my allergies stop me. Fortunately none of them are life threatening. I just Zyrtec and carry on!! Happy to be here and worky toward a healthier lifestyle!

FOR THOSE WITH RASHES AND HIVES
I Don't know if coconut creme will cure your ailment but it will certainly relieve your rash! Mom had shingles for years and medications brought no relief. But I sent her jar of coconut creme which immediately healed the itching. Eventually her rash went away, too. Try it. It can't hurt.

I had lots of allergies and hives as a kid. Mom treated the hives with campho-phenique. YOWZA! hurts to remember it. Then my allergies went away until I was out of college. I developed lactose intolerance. (Mom said had it as a baby and she fed me goat's milk) I get very constipated and suffer for three days, if I have indulged. Lately I've developed allergies to shellfish and peanuts, No more shrimp, crab, and lobster for this child. I miss all the foods and especially cheese. I should experiment with goat cheese. Has anyone had success by adding probiotics to their diet?

Edited by: TEESTER2 at: 2/11/2017 (19:57)

My name is Karen. I am from Upstate, NY. My hobbies are art, reading, and listening to music as well as talking with friends on the phone in the evening. I stay at home due to disabilities and have helpers with daily chores and basic errands and medical appointments. I developed allergies in my late teens but only in recent years have gotten help for the condition.

Allergic to mostly pollen and mold. Had sinus surgery once a couple years ago. Looks like I may have to do it again. It's so frustrating because the first surgery worked perfect until I moved. Now all my problems have come back 10-fold. It's not fair :(

I'm allergic to UV sunlight! Break out in a nasty rash all over both legs from ankles to thighs. I am a bicyclist who cycles 100 miles each week so this is REALLY impacting my life. Despite SPF 50 sun block AND SPF 50 cycling clothing my rash is awful! I use hydrocortisone topically and antihistamines to no avail. Any body else with PMLE? Polymorphic light eruptions?

Hi

I am new to the team and a returning sparker.

I was diagnosed with Chronic urticaria about 18 months ago. Urticaria is a posh word for hives, and I get generalised swelling for no apparent reason anywhere on my body - the worst is the soles of my feet and the palms of my hands as that hurts rather than itches.

The doctor put me on permanent anti-histamines, but I try to only take them when I am having a flare up. I have noticed that it is much better in the winter, so I am wondering if there an underlying environmental cause.

Hello everyone.I am new to this group. I developed an allergy last April and have been suffering ever since. I became allergic to possibly everything and at one point was afraid to eat as the rash appeared constantly and was very severe. Now by process of elimination I am allegicurrently to eggs, oranges and cream cheese. What a combination. I had an egg last night and spent a very inch night. This morning my legs are covered and my face is a little swollen. I didn't take an antihistamine as they really knock me out and I have an appointment this morning which needs me to be alert.

Hi, all!
I just realized I didn't introduce myself before posting in other forums LoL. I'm a college junior working on getting back on her fitness game! I have seasonal allergies as well as an allergy to peanuts.

Here's to our fitness goals and healthier lifestyle choices! :D

I have an allergy to everything living thing. But i try to live healthy and do what the drs say. I am widow with two cats that have opposite personalities. I like to be active and volunteer for different organizations including but not limited to church, community, functions

Hello, I have seasonal allergies. I am also allergic to milk, wool and latex. People laugh when I say I am allergic to wool. They haven't had the painful rash that I get from it. My sister-in-law once gave me a wool suit for Christmas. It hurt so much to wear it that I threw it out. She said "Why didn't you tell me, I would have exchanged it." She knew I was allergic to wool.
Milk, on the other hand, fills my lungs with fluid to the point where it mirrors TB.
Then, after a bad bought with the flu, I developed lactose intolerance and a sensitivity to whey. I am pleased that the lactose has been relieved by the over the counter products that have developed since my having the flu. Unfortunately, the whey is a different story. If I mistakenly eat one of these weight loss products with whey protein, I can't get the the bathroom fast enough. I am glad they have started featuring it on the labels. Hope you all have a good allergy free day. Peggy

Hello, I am Trev and have been here before

Things have got bad and I am not taking medication

Maybe I can help other to help me

Trev

Morning all, How is everyone day going so far? Mines is going good and it a quiet Monday here. Woke up this morning feeling good and rejoiced. I am relaxing with a nice glass of iced coffee and reading the newspaper. Figure I stop by spark and do some posting and check in. We going to be hot they said as we going up in temperatures again. My other two kids will be coming home later this afternoon from their grandparents place. The kids have till Aug 10th till they go back to school. My one son who in high school doesn't go back till Aug 15th. Can't believe how fast summer went you know. Gonna miss sleeping in lol. Hope all is well with all of yous.

Hi Well I am back again I am Sandy and I have Allergic Asthma and everything gets to me from spells to dust to animals. I been in and out of hospitals like crazy. But I finally got a handle of things. I been on inhalers and all kinds of meds. Now I just take it slow and steady and I haven't use my inhalers much only as needed. I am a stay at home mom of 6 kids and I been married for almost 16 yrs now. Just wanted to say hi and to check in..

Hello All!

Back again after a few years! I have year round allergies, from dust, to my cats, to EVERYTHING green and blooming! Usually just tough it out, but will use Flonase, Zyrtec, or Benadryl if needed!

Good Morning Everyone! I'm Susan and just spent a good portion of yesterday out in the yard...Paying for that bigtime this am. I have a sinus headache that won't quit. I really don't like 'taking stuff' b/c it makes me so sleepy - every the non-drowsy :-)...Going to try hot salt water up the nose this am and see if that works. If anyone else has some favorite home remedies, I'm all ears!

Hi everyone. I'm LouAnne, and yes, I am pretty much allergic to anything that grows, and few things that don't. I am hoping to gain some insight on dealing with allergies, while still exercising, especially outside. It's nice to meet you all.

Welcome to all the new members! I am new to this team also, but wanted to gain more knowledge on allergies. I think I'm starting to develop some allergies, but haven't confirmed that yet. I do suffer from Sinus issues that seem to flare up when the weather changes.

My name is Misty. I have allergies to rag weed, almost all pollen plants, black mold (found out the 2012/2013 winter), some kind of food,can't afford the allergy test yet so i'm living day by day on that.

hello Everyone!! I'm Eve.....joined spark a 5 days ago....was a member a few years back, decided to come again to get my health back in shape due to galbladder/allergy reasons....doc's orders.....
so many allergies/sensitivities is a little overwhelming at first, but I will overcome!!
:)

Hi my name is Pam. I am new to Sparks people. I am supporting my daughter who desperately wasn't to lose weight by changing my lifestyle with her. At times this can be a daunting task with a long list of allergies that I suffer. Some are environmental an others are food allergies. I find the food allergies the most limiting. For environmental allergies I can take an antihistamine, however, there is nothing to do but avoid the foods that bother me.

I am new to the team and looking for some additional ideas on working out around allergies.

Allergies are definitely a way of life for me.

I live in Oklahoma. Due to allergies I can't have a dog (yet) but my oldest son has a cat that I do not interact with.



Edited by: STRIPEDTIGER2 at: 1/2/2016 (16:15)

Hi everyone! My name is Crissy and I'm 30 years old. I've been married to my husband for 11 years and have been blessed with two children, James (10) and Catherine (2). We live in a small town outside of Somerset, Ky, but are hoping to buy some land and build our own home soon. My husband works at the jail, while I stay at home. We've taken the plunge into homeschooling this year and have also begun to live simply. Very exciting and new!!!

As to my weight issues...well, they've sort of always been around. lol My baby picture is me filled with rolls...and they've never left. The smallest I've ever been was 135 lbs. which sounds great...until you realize I'm 5' 1" which classified me as being fat. After giving birth to my children and simply just letting myself go, I now weigh 200 lbs. I'm now classified as being obese...that's a rough word for me to swallow, but it's the truth.

My goal is to lose 85 lbs. and to get down to 115 lbs. which puts me in the middle of a healthy BMI. My other goal is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Not only to lose weight, but even afterwards. I want my life to be much more healthy instead of the "anything goes" lifestyle I've been leading.

I can't wait to meet you all and to watch you guys blow all of your goals out of the water!!!

Hello everyone! Dawn here....I am basically allergic to everything...ugh! My doc sent me to get allergy tests a few years ago and I was allergic to everything they tested me for except for 3 things...ugh! I got shots for about two years but haven't had them in awhile and it is getting bad. I think I need to go back for allergy shots again and maybe try some different allergy meds....

Sara

Hi everyone!

I'm Sara. I've recently started using Sparklepeople again to lose about 50 lbs.

I also have some really "fun" seasonal allergies in spring and fall.

I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Hey everyone! I used Spark a few years ago to lose 50lbs. I am back to lose the near 20lbs that i've gained back. I gained back the last 10 of those due to Prednisone and Antihistamine overload in the last month. I have chronic idiopathic urticaria that was diagnosed in 2008. It has been managed with only minor flair ups until February of this year. I had a month of hives then that got squashed with H1 and H1 twice daily and a Prednisone burst. I was good after that until July. I've had hives pretty much every day since the beginning. Two Prednisone bursts in a row didn't work. Now I am taking Xyzal, Claritin, Zantac in the evening and Zyrtec, claritin and zantac at night. That and my two other general meds (bc and happy pills).... SOOO many pills. I've been on this for two weeks and I'm holding on for dear life. My body hates me and for the most part I'm still getting hives if I get even a bit too warm. I'm not paying $50 co-pay to go back so I am taking the thought path that, I have always had this but it didn't always show up, it should probably leave soon.

Good morning

I am Trev and this year is the first time I have had "Hay Fever". It is a Pollen type but I have not found out which or what one.

I have noticed that if I am away from my own area I don't suffer from it.

Hello everyone,

I joined SP July 15, 2015, dropped 2 lbs. but over the weekend it returned. Not certain if allergies are from foods but I have allergies and take Zyrtec. My face gets puffy & can't seem to focus clearly -could allergies cause weight gain? I just feel so bloated and miserably today :(. I know I am tossing & turning all night guess this does help my sleep is never a restful sleep, I wake up at 3 AM -RR- and get up @ 5 AM. I did stretch & did 1 rep of 10 mountain climb exercise this morning hoping it would elevate some of the bloating but my stomach seems to be expanding, ugh. Guess when you're uncomfortable we come off miserable -eating fruits and wholegrain toda - helpful suggestions are welcomed.

Hello, everyone! I'm from Michigan and was recently diagnosed with allergies to....wheat (I suspected), eggs (also suspected), mold, dust mites, weeds, pollens. I've removed all wheat and eggs from my diet as well as dairy (very lactose intolerant). I use Dymestra and allergy eye drops, but also take Quercitin (natural antihistime) twice daily that helps control my allergies and allergy induced asthma. Before discovering I was truly allergic to wheat, I've gained 50 pounds over the past year and need to lose around 70 pounds. Hoping to find support here, as none of my friends or family suffer from these allergies. I work from home 50 hours a week and that makes my 3 fur babies (beagles) incredibly happy and spoiled!

Hello! I'm Bri and new to Spark people. I live in the Midwest with my husband, our (adult) daughter and our two fur babies - a puggle and a jack hound. I joined Spark to learn tips and tricks to finally reach my weight goal. I'm allergic to purple (I can wear it, just can't eat it), mushrooms, codeine and I have seasonal (fall and spring) allergies.

Hello! My name is Betsy. I live in Tennessee with my husband and my two dogs (a lab mix and a boxer). I am allergic to pretty much everything outside... or it seems that way at least. Luckily, I am not allergic to my dogs. Lately, I've been using Flonase, Zyrtec and the trusty neti pot.

Hi, my name is Chris and I live in Michigan. I have cold induced asthma, and I cough constantly when the cold weather comes on. Been on inhalers and allergy medicines and have had a great couple of days and then woke up to it snowing and being cold today so back to the coughing. Hope the weather breaks soon.

Hi, Nice to meet y'all. I'm a financial counselor working from home full-time & and my husband is in the restaurant business. We have a chiweenie and 2 Alaskan Malamutes. I am allergic to the chiweenie fur so I clean, clean, clean! Lol!

I have hayfever and several other allergies (grasses/pet dander/dust/cigarette smoke). Currently I am on Benadryl and drinking my 8 glasses per day of water. Am wondering if Claritin would be better, but Benadryl is the only way I can sleep at night right now.

Edited by: BAYOU_BUTTERFLY at: 3/28/2015 (09:27)

hi all, As most of you can guess, my name is Sally. I live in the Hoosier state and am literally allergic to everything that I have been tested for. I share my apt with two spoiled cats that love and protect me as I do them. I try to go outside when weather permits and I am as active as my doctors say that I can be. I am retired due to my due to my disabilites but try to stay active by volunteering as much as I can. I know what it is like to suffer from allergies, but I also know what it is like to live happy joyous and free regardless of my allergies and other problems

Hi, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have allergies. Food. Animals. Plants. Mold. Cigarettes. Most of my food allergies -- true, IgE allergies -- are not among the Big 8, so most food-allergy sites do me little good. The eczema flares sometimes, and I have a permanent patch on one ankle, but it's not as bad as it used to be.

However, i feel lucky that there are still things I can eat, and I have zero problems with gluten. I take Allegra every single day, plus Flonase, asthma meds, and diabetes meds. But I thrive anyway.

Hi Tempa9468, I'm Jenni and I live in Kariba, Zimbabwe. Like you I also suffer from Hives when I exercise, I used to occasionally get them when I got in to water but fortunately that does not seem to happen anymore. I found for me the best thing to do would be as soon as I had finished exercising was to get in to a Tepid shower. Although I would still have the Hives on my skin the itching was bearable.

Hi. My name is Pauline, live in Michigan, but don't want to say Im from here, lol. I came down from Alaska. I, too have many allergies. I have many foods I cannot eat as well. I have acid erosion in esophagus/stomach, so out with fried, spicey, acidy foods., I am allergic to all dairy, and lactose intolerant, and being tested for celiac dis. So how much does that leave to eat. Not a hell of a lot. I get dishydrotic excema, which has put me off my feet for up to 9 months at a time. I hate steroids!!!! Have been on steroids more times then I can count. Allergic to bees. Several meds, penicillin, z-pac, albuterol, and list list just keeps getting longer. I feel for all of you out there having to go through this. I also have been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. I keep asking God, don't you think you have given me enough? I think he is testing me to see just how strong I am, as all of us. Good luck and great health to come. Ty for listening.

Yes, have to watch all meds I take as I also have high blood pressure

Edited by: POLLYBINDERBUG4 at: 1/10/2015 (15:17)

Hi all!

I'm Amanda, 32, married, and live in the TriCities, TN.
I look forward to getting to know all of you along this journey!

Hello everybody! Happy New Year! I am new to forums so please forgive me if I do this all wrong until I learn. I was wondering if anybody else suffers for exercise induced allergies? This problem keeps me from getting much cardio in because as soon as my body core gets hot I break out in hives. It's horrible! I am able to swim laps and do water aerobics... Occasionally I will get hives in the water. What's a girl to do?

Hello my name is Cynthia I joined SP a few days ago and have suffered with seasonal allergies since my teenage years, where I take flonase, claritain doubled, and zyrtec on those days I just can't function I hate zyrtec make me drowsy and I want to do absolutely nothing, I also don't like when my throat starts to itch really bad and all I can do to soothe it is eat!