Anxiety?

[ngsoccer]

Hi there, I'm brand new to this site and was hoping to find some answers.

For about a month or two, I feel as that i've been having reactions to food. The symptoms include swollen nasal passages (not runny), to the point where i can barely breathe out of my nose. My chest feels as if it tightens up, and my throat feels strange. I can't really describe the feeling in my throat, it doesn't itch or hurt, but feels as something is off. The symptoms get worse with time and the amount of food that I eat, and continue until I take a benadryl. I also breakout, and I don't usually have skin issues.

I thought I narrowed it down to a simple allergy to chicken, but after avoiding chicken for about two weeks, I've had the reaction multiple times. The most strange thing about the allergy is that it seems to happen randomly -- I'll eat the same food a week apart, and the reaction will either be absent in one occasion, or less severe.

After reading into it a little bit, I've thought it might be anxiety related. I posted this question in the allergy section as well, but the more I think about it, the more anxiety related I think the reaction is.

I'm almost 16 now, and my throat closing has been a constant worry of mine for a while now. I went through a phase when I was young, maybe 10 or so, where I thought every food I ate would end up getting stuck in my throat. I only ate macaroni for a while, then peanut butter, but it eventually went away.

If it is anxiety related, what are some ways I can get out of the mindset that I'm having an anaphylactic reaction?

Please help, I'm trying to put on some weight, but I keep having this reaction. It happens about once a day now.

Thank you.

[ngsoccer]

A little update --

I was eating a food that I have all the time, and started feeling a slight reaction. I convinced myself that I was alright, or to at least to see what happened. It didn't go away completely, but it didn't get any worse, and I was able to finish it.

A little while later, I was getting kind of stressed, and without any food, my throat started to feel a little strange. Again, I just ignored it, and nothing happened.

This was a pretty mild food, a steak and cheese burrito, so I hope this will carry over to some more foods, and before I know it I'm back to normal.

[ngsoccer]

First off, I'd like to thank you very much for such a kind response!

In those 6 years, it hasn't been constant worrying, just on and off (mostly off actually).

I actually have seen a doctor, many times, which I needed to break the past cycle back when I was 10. I remember sort of choking on a sausage string when i was young, but haven't had any serious food related emergencies.

So yeah, I've seen my regular doctor multiple times for this, and my allergist. I got a blood test for all the foods I'm suspecting, and a few more, but the results won't be in for a few more weeks. I had an allergy panel in 2007 I believe, which showed no common food allergies at all. I don't think it included wheat, dairy or those meats though. My mom has celiac, and the symptoms are very different then what I'm experiencing, and my lactose intolerance doesn't match up either.

Thanks again for such a great answer!

[RubyWitch]

Hi and welcome to the forum!
It would seem that you've had an issue with food for about 6 years, give or take, and that's quite a long span of time to be worried about food.
I don't see any mention of you having seen a doctor for this condition and while allergy might be a reasonable dx, self-diagnosing from the Internet or even sites like this, is usually not a good idea.
Do you recall if you ever had a frightening experience with choking or a very serious allergic reaction to something you ate? Both of those experiences could lead to a type of anxiety or a phobia.
You sound like a very intelligent young person and I'm pretty sure you know what you need to do. Which is see a doctor. This could be a physical problem or an emotional one or a physical problem that now has morphed into an emotional problem. Whatever it is, only a doctor is going to be able to diagnose what's going on and get you the proper treatment. I can only imagine what a lousy disorder this is for you! At 16, a young man like you should be eating with gusto anything that isn't nailed down.
Speak with your parents and see a doc. I'm sure you'll be fine. (And next year I better not find you on the Overeaters Forum! )  LOL
Best of luck
Peace
Greenlydia