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Coffee Allergie

Hi everyone,
I have developed very strange coffee allergie about 4 years ago what feels like panic attacks,
this is very strange, 3 years ago I thought I was going insane, where I would get these strange overwhelming tension around my throught I would get neck pains, I would have chest pains, difficulty breathing , my eyes would hurt , I had blurry vision and looking at light was very uncomfortable.
I also would accelerate with my speach and rapid thinking as I was going to die or something....
I had never ever before have any allergies I was always healthy, and clear minded, went to see a doc , he advised me to try to lose some weight as I was about 30 pounds overweighted,
he suggested to quit drinking pop and coffee, well I did so and slowely started feeling better,
I lost about 40 pounds as I went on a diet, well after 3 years my weight is back up but I am feeling very good, I thought that losing weight had nothing to do with the way I felt, so the other day for the first time I had a cup of coffee and in 10 minutes my symptoms of panic and all the symptoms I mentioned above came back, I was shaking and had a hard time breathing, my jaw would clunch,
I had dizziness, my heart felt like it was gonna pop out of my chest, I had tingly sensation over my arms.
Well it took about 5 hours and plenty of water to start feeling better, I figured I am allergic to caffeine or coffee, I am scheduling now an appointment with my doc for food allergies test,
can someone tell me how does the food allergie test look like,
also advice to people with panic attacks and enxiety it just maybe something as simple as the stupid coffee.

thanks.

Andrew
17 Responses
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Avatar universal
I'm so glad I read this..wow, I'm not alone
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Avatar universal
Many years ago my father was diagnosed as not only being intolerant to coffee but to also be addicted to it - granted he drank a great deal of it.  Shortly afterwards research came out that showed that coffee does indeed cause the above problems.  He had chronic headaches/migraines - made worse if we ran out of coffee - stomach pains and cramps, such that it was thought he had an ulcer, shakes, vomiting, muscle cramps and many other symptoms.  When he was diagnosed he went 'cold turkey' and once it was out of his system all of the signs and syptoms disappeared.

I have discovered that I cannot tolerate even small amounts of coffee. - even the weak sorts such as Latte's.    I get muscle aches - like severe flu - feel dizzy, can't sleep, get depressed, stiffness, feel 'odd', aching all over, stomach cramps, some nausea, headaches often leading to migraines and so on and so on.  

It certainly isn't addiction because I drink very little of it but it is definitely 'intolerance' of a severe type.

There is research on this subject but I'm sorry I can't give you the reference at the moment - still looking for it myself.

So yes, in my view it exists and you need very little to suffer effects  
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Avatar universal
i also experienced that tingling sensation all over my body, my face, chest, abdomen ,hands and legs and shortness of breath as well and also i felt like i was gonna die anytime. i just had a mug of coffee and after an hour i started feeling those symptoms. it subsided after almost 4 hours after drinking lots of water and took frequent trips to the bathroom. the day before that, i also felt  those symptoms again after having my coffee. i usually dont drink coffee but because a  friend had me try this good tasting coffee i got it and in return it gave me those not-so-nice effects..
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For 8 months, I have been bothered by a very salty taste in my mouth which is 24/7.  I used to drink large amounts of diet pepsi and was when this began all of a sudden last June 2009.  Was dx. with Sjogren's in Nov., but told this saltiness was not a symptom.  I have just made a connection that whenever I consume something with caffeine in it, the salty taste begins then accelerates.  Any thoughts?  Could I have developed an intolerance for caffeine, causing this symptom?
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793726 tn?1237075673
I have been searching the web for information regarding coffee allergies. I came across your post and thought Wow! Until recently I had similar symptoms to what you had. I used to get tingling spasms down my arms, preceded by strange pictures in my mind and a voice, sometimes, telling me I was going to die. The spasms only lasted a few short seconds, but they were scary. I also had buzzing/noises in my head. I recently stopped drinking coffee and feel much better. No spasms or tingling sensations. My head is also clear. I was in the habit of drinking 3 to 4 cups of homemade filtered coffee a day. Also the odd cup at Starbucks.
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sory delete my post
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Avatar universal
Discount Viagra
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Avatar universal
I just posted a comment about this and I got next to no response, but the same thing happened to me! Out of the blue I developed a strange caffeine reaction (well, not out of the blue) after I received the gardasil vaccine. Someone wrote something about the fact that they were exposed to something at their workplace that made them sensitive to caffeine, and now I wonder if it was something in the vaccine that triggered it--I was also having huge amounts of caffeine right when I got the shot, because my workplace was stressful and tiring.

All that being said, pleeeease comment back to me if you've had the same thing! At least I know I'm not crazy! I kept going to the doctor about it and they acted like I needed antidepressants.

And does anyone know anything about a caffeine overdose? Someone wrote on here that andrew's symptoms were the same as a caffeine overdose, and I'm wondering if that's also what happened to me? I'm so desperate to find an answer, as this was so strange. thanks
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Avatar universal
Wow!  That's enough to make me want to dump my morning cup of coffee!  Andrew34, just wondering if you have problems with the caffeine in other things such as tea or chocolate?  
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part two.

Caffeine toxicity may also masquerade as depression, and anxiety. In 1925, Powers described nervousness, visual problems, and dizziness, in patients he discovered suffered from caffeine toxicity (16). In 1974, caffeine toxic patients, experiencing the same symptoms, were erroneously admitted to a psychiatric hospital, for treatment of anxiety (16,17). In other studies, depression and anxiety are also correlated with caffeine intake (18,19,20,21).

In several reports, patients diagnosed with anxiety disorder experienced panic attacks with ingestion of caffeine (18,19,20). One study reveals that six persons improved with caffeine cessation and remained improved for at least six months (21). Other reports reveal that some persons not afflicted with panic disorder, experienced panic attacks with intravenously administered caffeine (22, 23).

Written materials on panic disorder symptoms and anaphylactic symptoms do not clearly differentiate between the two. Parasthesia (pins and needle sensations), a feeling of choking, hyperactive symptoms, chest pains, and hyperventilation, amongst other symptoms, are common in both conditions. They're also common in many caffeine consuming persons.

This suggests that caffeine allergy may be responsible for many cases of panic disorder. In which case, panic attacks in allergic individuals are suppressed anaphylactic reactions - mimicking ADHD, and panic disorder. They're "have to get up and run" and "I think I'm losing my mind" feelings, brought about by increased neurotransmitter levels, associated with the "fight or flight" syndrome.

Dr. William Walsh connected anxiety and severe allergic reactions. Dr.Walsh maintains that allergic anxiety stems from a choking sense, and loss of air; not a psychological deficit (24).

Caffeine converts into many byproducts, including theophylline. Theophylline keeps the bronchial tubes open. Allergic individuals are less likely to suffer respiratory collapse, during an anaphylactic reaction.

A proficient Boston neurologist mentions that sixty-six percent of elevated CPK MM (creatine phosphokinase of muscle) levels are of an "unknown origin" (25). Innumerable mid to late twentieth century studies reveal that a high number of persons diagnosed with mental disorders, including personality disorder, mania, BPD, depression, catatonia, and schizophrenia, exhibit elevated CPK MM levels (26,27,28-38,39,40-50).

The high majority of these studies, and others, attribute elevated CPK levels to a commonality between patients with mental disorders. Not one focuses on caffeine allergy as a contributing factor of mental disorders.

CPK MM, a muscle enzyme, increases with severe muscle trauma, burns, inflammatory states, and poisoning. This may stem from drugs (36,37,38,39), including cocaine, alcohol, amphetamines, heroin, and stimulants (37,40). Antihistamines, salicylates, cyclic antidepressants, theophylline, and others also cause this disorder (37).

This condition, called rhabdomyolysis, stresses and inflames tissues, including brain cells, breaking down muscle fibers, and discharging potentially toxic cellular matter into the bloodstream (37). Caffeine poisoning can cause rhabdomyolysis (10,37,41).

Myoglobinuria is a symptom of rhabdomyolysis, but often urine myoglobin disappears early in the course of the disorder, or is absent altogether (37). Generalized muscle cramping (associated with rhabdomyolysis) (14,37) may also be absent, or subside early on. Accumulation of caffeine acts as morphine, alleviating pain and discomfort, often inducing muscle rigidity.

With toxins leaking into the bloodstream, the CPK increases. The higher the CPK, the higher the neurotransmitters, and the deeper into psychosis a person spirals.

In the late 1960's, Bengzon et al proposed that the leakage of CPK and aldolase might explain schizophrenia (26). Studies on patients with non-restrictive diets, concentrated on various factors, including medication, but failed to include caffeine as a possible factor (26). More recent studies have also overlooked caffeine allergy as a factor in any mental disorders, including schizophrenia.

A study theorized caffeine as a possible, psychosis inducing agent. Researchers eliminated patients' caffeine for a short duration. It was decided that caffeine aggravates symptoms of thought disorder and psychosis (42). Caffeine was reintroduced-never allowing for sufficient withdrawal times-and significant improvements.

Proportionate to toxicity, physical withdrawal may take up to 12 months, or longer. Recovery symptoms include memory loss, confusion, tremors, agitated states, insomnia or somnolence, and nightmares associated with amphetamine withdrawal. Following physical recovery, residual mental symptoms, primarily confusion and mood alterations, may exist for several months.

Evidence suggests that caffeine, and synthetic neurotransmitter altering medications, merely balance one another, and that upon cessation of caffeine, medication is no longer needed. Several reports indicate that upon caffeine cessation, tremors increased in lithium consuming individuals (43). In some patients, caffeine withdrawal increased lithium levels (44). After experiencing a 10-year course of seasonal BPD, a woman eliminated caffeine from her diet. She no longer needed BPD medication (45).

Caffeine may compete for benzodiazepine receptors (5). In which case, benzodiazepines reduce caffeine's effects and vice versa; balancing each other.

Chronic toxicity may affect functional aspects of every organ (14). Allergic persons may become sensitive to bright light, and resort to sunglasses. It's not uncommon to find dilated but reactive pupils on examination (14). Toxic persons usually present with a whitish, or grayish coated tongue (14, 46). Other findings imply that caffeine inhibits anaphylaxis, by suppressing histamine release (47,48). Due to caffeine's antihistamine properties, a skin test for caffeine allergy may be negative.

Several laboratory tests may be used as markers for allergic toxicity. A detectable  Theophylline level in a patient not receiving Theophylline therapy, and an elevated CPK level are indicative of caffeine toxicity. Along with these, an increased glucose level (10,49) and an elevated white blood count (1,49) may also be significant of toxicity, as many patients assumed afflicted with mental disorders present with elevation of these (1,50). An elevated sedimentation rate, indicative of inflammatory processes, might signify rhabdomyolysis.

It's highly probable, that millions of consumers developed an allergy to caffeine, especially since availability and production increased rapidly mid- twentieth century. In which case, natural insights, and physical and mental health, have been sacrificed to chronic toxicity, resulting in organic brain, silently posing as ADD, ADHD, anxiety, BPD, depression, OCD, panic, and schizophrenia. Physical ailments resemble amphetamine poisoning, and include drug eruptions, masquerading as "rosacea."

Back in 1936, McManamy and Schube maintained that in all probability, many people of that era might have already been erroneously diagnosed with some form of mental illness. The doctors further predicted, that in the future, with lack of time, and proper medical insight, many doctors would not be able to diagnose simple disorders such as caffeine allergy, and would label many patients as psychotic (1).

Well, here we are. Welcome to the future.   Lucie
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Avatar universal
Hi Andrew.
I do not drink caffee for four years now. I have never search a doctor, becouse  i was worried, he would tell me, i was crazy. i found very interested artical. maybe will help you a bit.

( sorry for my english, it's not my mother lenguage)

Lucie

CAFFEINE ALLERGY: Past Disorder or Present Epidemic?
by Ruth Whalen, Medical Laboratory Technician
Cape Cod, MA USA.
***@****

With the upswing of "chemical imbalance" disorders that surfaced in the latter twentieth century, many researchers frantically attempt to unravel the brain's intricate clockworks. In turn, as the number of persons suffering with mental issues mount, it seems that doctors, pressed for time, are quick to refer patients to psychiatrists. Failing to request a medical physical, many psychiatrists hand out medications, often masking the underlying physical problem.

People have overlooked two simple but deleterious factors: 1,3,7 trimethylxanthine and allergy. Simply put: caffeine allergy.  It is medical knowledge that the longer a person is exposed to a drug, the higher the chances are for developing a tolerance, and an allergy to the substance. Once this happens, caffeine allergic persons can't properly metabolize caffeine, which is rapidly absorbed by all organs, and distributed into intracellular compartments, and extracellular water.

Mentioned in a 1936 article by Drs. McManamy and Schube, a young woman, allergic to caffeine, presented with alternating states of delirium and mania, resembling schizophrenia (1). After the recorded case, allergy documentation becomes rare. And not surprisingly.

The drug's stimulating properties masks its allergic symptoms. Circulating adrenaline (epinephrine) increases in caffeine consuming persons (2,3). In its synthetic form, epinephrine is the drug of choice for anaphylactic reactions, halting allergic reactions. But added to a stimulant reaction, excess adrenaline may induce delusions. And the breakdown of some adrenaline byproducts mimics symptoms of schizophrenia (4).

Brain levels increase proportionately with dosage (5). In allergic persons, each cup of coffee, cola, tea, every piece of chocolate, and any ingested caffeine products, intensifies toxic psychosis. Half-life increases. Subsequent doses, including minute amounts, act as a bolus. Cells are poisoned, including neurons.

Symptoms of cerebral allergy can range from minimal reactions, such as lack of comprehension and inability to focus, to severe psychotic states, such as delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations (6). It's known that amphetamine psychosis can't be distinguished from schizophrenia (7,8). With a caffeine allergic person's inability to eliminate, continually ingesting caffeine, neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine and adrenaline, quickly increase. Cells rapidly absorb the drug.

Dopamine increases proportionately to the amount of stress (9). The higher the adrenaline level, the greater the increase in dopamine. Serotonin also increases. Dopamine and serotonin decrease during partial, toxic withdrawal states. But as long as caffeine remains in the toxic body, neurotransmitters never adjust to the victim's natural state.

Toxicity is known to cause excitement, agitation, restlessness, shifting states of consciousness, and toxic psychosis (10), mimicking amphetamine psychosis. Allergic individuals may be erroneously diagnosed, medicated, and lost in a dark disturbed world, until death.

Adenosine receptors are blocked by caffeine (11,16), maintaining neuronal firing. Persons remain excited and often euphoric.

Caffeine toxicity may be mistaken for bipolar disorder (1,12). Symptoms include: chattiness, repetitive thought and action (resembling obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD), restlessness, psychomotor agitation, alternating moods, anger, impulsiveness, aggression, omnipotence, delirium, buying sprees, lack of sexual inhibition, and loss of values.

Allergy can mimic Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) (13). As far back as 1902, T. D. Crothers noted that many caffeine consuming children "exhibit precocity" and "functional exaltation" (14).

Caffeine poisoning may also resemble schizophrenia. One woman's conversational topics wandered from subject to subject. She screamed, and believed that she was in prison. Natural judgement was impaired (1). In 1931, a truck driver brought to the hospital in a confused and irritable condition, complained of being attacked by flies. Flies were never present. Examination revealed that he'd consumed large amounts of cola (15). One gentleman ended his political speech with predictions and threats, out of the ordinary for his personality, stunning the audience (14). Another case describes a man, who imagined himself very wealthy, and assumed that his mental state was normal (14).

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Avatar universal
It's interesting, because sometimes I get this from coffee and even decaf, other times not. And I can be okay with coffee, so have one a day for a few months and then, out of the blue, I get it again. So all I can deduce is it's something to do with the stimulants in caffeine, and that my body has become more vulnerable to these over time. Also, when your immune system is in bad condition, stimulants have a greater effect, hence the heart palpitations, sweating, etc. Steer clear of coffee and all stimulants and see if it makes any difference.
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Avatar universal
Hi Andrew I have been experiencing very similar symptoms from decaf cofffee and it would seem that I have a Type I hypersensitivity to mercapto compounds through a combination of exposure to powdered latex gloves and exposure to mercapto compounds in my workplace. The symptoms only surfaced a few years ago, I am 48 now, and angioedema and associated drop in blood pressure leaves occurs about 20 min after drinking all types of coffee. This accounts for nausea, dizziness, confusion, bloating, swelling of face and neck causing ear pain and swelling of  the larynx making voice hoarse. Also my heart rate increases and I feel shaky this may be the efffects of caffeine. The tension in the throat and neck pains is due to internal swelling and can be very dangerous. I use piriton to relieve the symptoms.

MB  
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Avatar universal
um i'm gonna recommend seeing a doctor  or such in any case and to take a break for id say 1 month of coffeee and drink somthing else
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Avatar universal
Thank you guys,
Has anyone have some similar symptoms from drinking coffee ??
Here at work some people have up to 4 cups, here I was freaking out just of having not even half a cup.  I am gonna have to get those allergie tests done.

Thanks.
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Avatar universal
From your syptoms I would lean more towards an allergy to caffeine since it is a stimulant drug and your syptoms are similar to that of someone who has taken a caffeine overdose!

Perhaps you are just hypersensitive to caffeine, if so try decaffinated coffee

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179332 tn?1273247359
I had an arm test for all allergies (food and outdoor allergies)
They ***** you lower arm with a small saturated amount of allergen
then if that doesn't react too badly - they test your upper arm with
a slightly more potent dose...they can test tea and coffee...
and yes, you can be allergic to it and it can be sudden too...
it doesn't have to be the caffiene but, could be the coffee bean...
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