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Isolation Due to Health Limits

Food allergies are an immune disease, not a choice, and not a lifestyle. In addition to my life-threatening food allergy, I’ve developed autoimmune arthritis, specifically psoriatic arthritis, and also chronic gastritis, which may or may not be related to the arthritis. And with those diagnoses, I’ve developed food intolerances. I say this not to complain, but I want to voice how I sometimes feel incredibly alone and reclusive in my experience while managing pain, swelling, mobility issues, and other symptoms that come along with my other immune issues. Breaking the isolation pattern for me often means that I need to talk about it, and make posts and text friends about it, to make the looming health issues feel less dispiriting.

In the past, I’ve not wanted to post anything besides food allergy content here on Invisibly Allergic Blog, because it has felt irrelevant to my mission of raising food allergy awareness, food allergy education, making food allergy policy changes, and finding others who need relatable food allergy content. Yet, I’ve learned there’s a glaring issue with this strategy of only focusing on this one type of content. I know inside and out how with navigating food allergies comes great empathy, and often also, unfortunately, other immune diseases. I wanted to share a bit here as a little ~life update in 2024~ with where I’m at physically and mentally, speaking on the food allergy part of me, in addition to the rest of me.

In terms of my personal life, work, and friends, I’m in a great spot in these aspects when looking at it logically. I have a trajectory ahead that I’m working toward, in writing a food allergy memoir, running an in-person food allergy and autoimmune meetup group, and pooling people who care together to hopefully get some life-changing, impactful food allergy policy passed. I can feel so good and then often feel immediately derailed and depressed when my autoimmune issues begin popping up, which is what happened recently while lobbying in DC at FARE’s Courage at Congress. I’ll explain…

Flaring My Arthritis

I lobbied in DC all day in wet weather, and even by wearing my rainboots with insoles inside for support, by the end of the day, I could no longer put pressure on my right big toe joint. Initially, I was told it was a bone spur that had developed, but upon additional doctor’s visits and x-rays, it turns out it was my psoriatic arthritis flaring from overuse. Not to mention, I went off my arthritis medication (Otezla) for 3-weeks while taking an antibiotic around the same time. Much like managing my food allergy, my autoimmune issues also have no known cause and no exact cure. They have long-term consequences, but not the same immediate deadly consequence as my peanut allergy. It’s still scary consequences such as bone erosion, chronic inflammation, and other symptoms that can degrade my quality of life and my overall health, organ function, and longevity. I do not have Celiac disease, but I know that those with Celiac can relate to these scary long-term symptoms in a similar way.

The Food Allergy & Autoimmune Link

I’d be remiss if I also didn’t mention stats around the link between food allergies and other immune system issues. The autoimmune and food allergy connection lies in their shared immune system dysfunction. While there isn’t a straightforward statistic I’ve found recently that indicates the exact percentage of people who have both food allergies and additional autoimmune issues, there is evidence suggesting an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases among individuals with food allergies. This makes sense to me, of course, it’s not a guarantee (not at all, thankfully), but research suspects microbiome is involved in food allergies and most of our immune system is in our gut.

According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, individuals with certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, may have a higher risk of developing food allergies. Conversely, individuals with food allergies may have an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, like me, developing autoimmune arthritis and gastritis in my early 30s. I have no idea of the cause if it was stress-induced, genetic, or hormonal, but I’m sure it likely wasn’t just one thing and was a slew of various factors such as genetics, environmental influences, stress, and more.

Having a food allergy was tricky enough, but now with food intolerances and autoimmune issues, I feel overwhelmed often. I still have to “rank” my issues in level of priority and importance a lot of the time, and my deadly peanut allergy remains on top– always. The intolerances and autoimmune issues have long-term impacts on my health and do impact my day-to-day life, and have even more of a psychological impact on me than my peanut allergy, though. Especially when it comes to pain management. I feel prepared with my food allergy to know what to do, and how to avoid, and I’ve fine-tuned the products I eat so I have fewer reactions than I used to since I avoid anything that has peanut ingredients in a shared facility. However, the arthritis and gastritis, and other intense symptoms that come along with these, have really thrown me for a loop and are not the same algorithmic process I’ve come to learn and understand that I can follow with my allergy.

I’m working some of my food intolerances back in this April 2024, and seeing how it goes with handling gluten, sugar, and soy again, and just monitoring the symptoms. It’s been nice to work in foods I’ve been avoiding for nearly 2 years, but I know at any moment I may need to avoid again or avoid new things. How suddenly my autoimmune issues came on, I feel there’s no guarantee I’ll just be “cured” and won’t experience problems again. Here are some top autoimmune and food allergy commonly asked questions, to help others who aren’t coping with chronic illness, chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, and allergies, to better understand the experience.

Autoimmune, Chronic Pain, and Food Allergy FAQs

Q: Who is at the highest risk for developing food allergy?

My answer: The skin disease, eczema, is the biggest risk factor for developing food allergies. While the cause of food allergies is not known, children with moderate to severe eczema have a greater risk for food allergies than children with mild or no eczema. While eczema can compromise the skin barrier and increase the risk of allergens coming into contact with the body, it doesn’t necessarily mean they enter the bloodstream directly. Instead, allergens can trigger an immune response locally or be absorbed through the skin. The compromised skin barrier from eczema increases the likelihood of allergens coming into contact with the body and potentially triggering an immune response that can lead to food allergies.

Q: What is life like with an autoimmune disease?

My answer: Living with an autoimmune disease can entail experiencing a range of symptoms that affect different parts of the body. These symptoms can vary widely, encompassing issues like pain, fatigue, skin rashes, nausea, headaches, and dizziness. The exact symptoms depend on the specific autoimmune condition someone has, and their individual body because everyone’s different.

Q: How do you explain autoimmune or chronic fatigue?

My answer: Autoimmune fatigue or chronic fatigue is often described as overwhelming and uncontrollable. Imagine feeling constantly worn out, as if all your energy has been drained. It’s like trying to run on empty—no matter how much you rest, the exhaustion persists. This profound fatigue can seep into every aspect of life, making even the simplest tasks feel like monumental challenges. People experiencing this fatigue may find themselves losing interest in activities they once enjoyed, as the exhaustion can overshadow any sense of pleasure or motivation. Sleep becomes a crucial refuge, yet even with ample rest, the fatigue persists. Concentration becomes elusive, and simple cognitive tasks can feel like trying to navigate through a mental fog. It’s not just a matter of feeling tired; it’s a pervasive, debilitating weariness that affects every aspect of daily life.

Q: What happens to the body when a person suffers from an autoimmune illness?

My answer: When someone has an autoimmune illness, their immune system goes haywire and starts attacking healthy cells and organs instead of just germs. This can wreak havoc on the body, weakening its functions and sometimes even posing life-threatening risks. There are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, each capable of targeting different parts of the body and multiple parts at once or on/off.

Q: What are some common chronic illnesses?

My answer: Common chronic illnesses include diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or lupus. These conditions often require long-term management and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Individuals with chronic illnesses need to work closely with healthcare providers they trust to effectively manage their condition and maintain overall well-being in a way that works best for their lifestyle and values.

Q: What is the most common autoimmune disease as of 2024?

My answer: As of 2024, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases. RA primarily affects the joints, resulting in symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness. Without proper management, it can lead to joint damage and disability. Other common autoimmune diseases include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


Q: What’s an important aspect of chronic pain to know for those who haven’t experienced it?

My answer: The most crucial aspect to understand about chronic pain is its persistent and all-encompassing nature. Chronic pain isn’t just occasional discomfort; it’s a constant presence that profoundly affects every facet of life, including physical well-being, mental health, relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Recognizing the relentlessness and broad impact of chronic pain is essential for offering support and empathy to individuals who live with it daily.

Q: How can I support someone with a chronic illness or autoimmune disease?

My answer: Supporting someone with a chronic illness involves empathy, understanding, and patience. Offer your presence and a listening ear without judgment. Educate yourself about their condition, ask the person how you can help, and respect their needs and limitations. Sometimes, simple gestures like running errands or providing emotional support can make a big difference in their day-to-day life.

Q: What are some common misconceptions about food allergies?

My answer: One common misconception is that food allergies are merely a dietary preference or lifestyle choice. In reality, food allergies are serious medical conditions that can elicit severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can quickly turn deadly. Another misconception is that food allergies are usually outgrown. While some children may outgrow certain food allergies, many allergies persist into adulthood and are lifelong. It’s crucial to take food allergies seriously and to educate oneself and others to prevent accidental exposures and support those living with food allergies.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7 to anyone in distress or experiencing suicidal thoughts. You can reach them at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). This hotline offers assistance in English, Spanish, and for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing through TTY (1-800-799-4889).

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