thanks, edrek, that was a fascinating read. It's interesting isn't it - allergic responses were considered hypochondriac not that long ago but now they are understood to be all too real. And I have to admit that while sympathetic I have not really understood what this chronic fatigue thing is - why can't they get better with a bit of bed rest. But now I am getting the picture. What a good article. Very helpful.
Yesterday I watched a very good tv show - Australian Story did a special on the Spanish flu. (They don't know for sure but believe it likely started in Kansas, it was the Spanish who first admitted to having it because they weren't actually at war in the first world war and could admit to being sick) and yes it certainly puts the corona virus into perspective and all that but I do believe that we are into a new realm of difficulties with our immune systems, my personal belief being this is due to the chemical disaster train we have going in our food production.
When I was a child and got stung by a wasp or a bee I remember I got bigger localised swellings than my brothers but you know basically I was fine. Nowadays it is anaphylactic shock and probably curtains for me if I get stung again.
What went wrong? In my 30's I ate a ready made spring roll from China. I collapsed hours later. It turned out to be anaphylactic shock and since then any time I ate anything with msg in it that was anaphylaxis for me. It had a knock on effect. Like the 'Long Haulers' I am in the business of trying to understand and learn how to help my immune system settle back down.
Though I must admit I think it's a losing battle - the first paper wasp sting had me sitting in a chair for half an hour, a bit short on oxygen but basically fine, no anaphylactic shock but the second sting nearly killed me. And I am allergic to more things not less.
In the thirty years I have survived with anaphylaxis it has gone from people thinking allergic reactions are a bit dodgy to schools where they ban peanuts. Did anyone in our parents generation have allergies to peanuts? never heard of it.
