Neurological reactions to food allergies/latex syndrome

[Nikkirae333]

In 2008, I had excruciating cramps after eating a banana.  Shortly after (cannot remember exactly because I did not connect the two then) I woke up and was numb from the chest down to my feet, complete left side and partial right.  MRI confirmed transverse myelitis between t2 and t3.  Over next 3 months feeling came back but with intense pain.  9 months later, I had another numb area in the middle of my back after receiving an epideral (I do have an egg allergy that was recently diagnosed).  16 months later had a numb area on face after being placed under general anesthesia (again egg related?).  A few months ago, had episode lasting 3 months or so where I was repeatedly saying wrong words while talking (happened several times every day).  Then had episode where I ate egg (before allergy diagnosis) and got a numb area on face. Finally, ate strawberries and got numb area in left foot. Also, have sensitivies to latex (rash after 5 - 10 min exposure). Have looked into banana latex syndrome but did not see neurological reactions.

Went to allergist and he said he had never heard of allergies causing numbness but said he understood that allergies affect different parts of the body.  He did tests and results were:  Moderate allergy to egg and soybean; Inconclusive allergies to a bunch of food including banana and strawberry; Total IgE 81 (range 4.7-79.3); Positive ANA, 1:320, speckled appearance; sed rate 21 (range 0-20).

Could this be MS, Lupus, an autoimmune allergic reaction, or is it possible that none of this is related?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Nikkirae333]

Thank you Dr. Tinkelman for your response.  My PCP is referring me to a neurologist so hopefully I can get some answers.

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

The symptoms you describe are almost all neurologic and not the type of symptoms associated with food allergy.  I would agree with the Allergist that the localized numbness you describe is highly unlikely related to anything you ingested.

The positive ANA of 1:320 is elevated.  It is a relatively non-specific test, almost always seen with Lupus but also seen with a variety of autoimmune diseases including those in which vasculitis is most prominent.  Another disease, in some respects an allergic disease, that might present in this fashion would be Churg-Strauss Disease.

I believe the most direct approach to your diagnosis is not to focus on allergic diseases but to concentrate on diseases of the nervous system, of which “saying wrong words”, would be a common symptom.  Thus the first step would be consultation with a Neurologist and if that does not provide a diagnosis, consultation with a Rheumatologist.

Good luck