Anaphylaxis Forums | Food Allergy Forums

Hello,
I am new to the forum, and was wondering if anyone knows about a decent health insurance plan that doesn't take over a month to become active. I have been having some anaphylactic symptoms from various foods, but don't have any insurance right now to see a doc or get tested. I have a small business, but this is my slow season, so I'm somewhat short on cash. I've been having breathing/lung problems and headaches when eating wheat/gluten. Usually, the major symptoms are delayed by several hours. The immediate symptoms I get are a stuffy nose and slight breathing/diaphram problems at the ingestion of the food. Then, the more severe breathing problems and headache occur around 6 to 8 hours later for some reason. I have been battling these issues for over a year, and its been really tough to put a finger on what is happening or which foods are responsible. I did see a physician at Kaiser a few times about this, but they always dismissed it as nothing. They even sent me to an allergist a year ago who also dismissed it as nothing. So, I have been left to fend for myself in figuring this out for the last couple years. I'm sure several of you have gone through this yourselves. Thanks very much for any info or help!

Hi and Welcome!!

With the health insurance, are you in Australia or overseas?

Could you possibly get in touch with the allergist again and explain that your symptoms are ongoing and getting worse? Maybe they could see you sooner and do some allergy testing. Or you might be better off going to the hospital when you're having a bad episode and if they see your symptoms they might be able to refer you to a public clinic who bulk bill.

I don't know of any who don't have a waiting period but sometimes you see them advertise special joining offers where they wave the waiting period so might be worth keeping an eye out for that.

I have EE http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/infa ... sophagitis and one of the thing's I was finding was I was getting a shortness of breath that didn't feel quite the same as asthma and my puffer wasn't relieving it... Do you ever find you have trouble swallowing? What are the diaphram problems you mentioned? My right rib area felt restricted all the time and although the Dr's can't explain the connection since changing my diet once the EE was diagnosed that has resolved.

As 3cherubs said where are you located? I'm guessing maybe overseas (most of us are Aus) I was able to get mine dealt with without using private health (did use a private gastrologist but not allergist) but guess depends where your located as to weather info on how I got into see allergist is of any use to you

Even if you had private health insurance you would only be able to claim a Medicare rebate. With our Private Immunologist the first consult cost a bit (can't remember how much) but after that we have been getting all but a few dollars back.

Thanks very much for the comments. I am in the US. The breathing/diaphragm problems I get have been at the immediate ingestion of the food, or within a few minutes. Its just a slight trouble breathing, like my breaths kind of "get stuck" during an inhalation or exhalation, and it feels weird. I feel it at my chest line or diaphragm. This will usually happen a few times, then it passes. Several hours later is when the more severe breathing problems occur. I also often get rapid heart rates, trouble speaking more than a couple words during a sentence while trying to take a breath. Also very bad headaches. Sometimes at the ingestion of the bad foods, I will immediately start to feel like I have the flu; i.e., all my joints start feeling really weak. Feels like I have the flu, so I usually stop eating immediately. I have a little cash, so maybe I should go to a primary care doc and let him make a diagnosis then send me to an allergist or whoever.

Sorry Muraco78 I made an assumption and assumed you lived in Australia as quite a number of us do.

Your problems sound distressing, all the best with finding a suitable Doctor.