| Author | Message | ||
| Mickie Little
|
Hello. I have a wide range of MSG caused side effects, they include the following: Headaches, nausea, dizziness, edema, depression, anxiety, and others. Can somebody help me? | ||
| Carol H |
Mickie, you may find some explanations about your troubles on this site and the http://www.msgtruth.org site | ||
| S.A. |
Get Deb's book. It's my kitchen bible and very well worn. I had all the symptoms you listed, Mickie. MSG was the poison causing them all. There's lots of information here and on Carol H.'s site. I use the keyword search here at the left all the time. The people here have saved my life. | ||
| Roy Piwovar
|
Mickie, While waiting for Deb's book, you can print out the list below: http://www.ideatown.com/ntxa/neurotoxinlist.htm | ||
| Ruth |
Mickie, Deb's book is a must. Did you know that making stew and soup in your own kitchen can create MSG? When you combine meat, certain vegetables, and water and cook over high heat or for long periods of time, you are making hydrolized vegetable protein right in your pot! Natural fruits and vegetables have different amounts of glutamates, and lettuce and strawberries, as well as other produce, are sprayed with AuxiGro (MSG). "Battling the MSG Myth" is worth its weight in gold. as are the wonderfully helpful people on this board. Feel better soon. | ||
| John Brodar
|
Mickie, you have the opprotunity to take control of your own health. Since you have already identified MGS as a serious health problem for YOU, this web site can provide an incredible wealth of information. Read as much as you are able. Use the various Utilitis, searches on this site. Please see my February 8, 2002 comments by going to the Tree View to the left, select "Unsafe Foods or Resturant Items I have Tried" then under "Newcommers-Welcome" Also see "Help I've Just made the MSG Connection" "Supplements" June 14, 2002. John Brodar | ||
| JCCrooks
|
I have a prescription for Midrin that helps tremendously. The Rx is to take 2 tablets at the onset of a headache, and then one each hour until it's gone. The migraine doesn't go completely away, but it is so much more manageable. I also take two tablets as a preventative measure whenever I eat out someplace I don't know the ingredient list. This works very well. I also pop two pills if I forgot to check a label and then realize it later. Normally, my MSG headache will start 3 hours after injesting the food, so if I take the Midrin by then, I'm usually okay, or have many lessoned symptoms | ||
| Jerry Story
|
About MSG side effects: The expression "side effects" is used by doctors in the place of the correct expression "poisonous effects". So let's call it what it is. MSG does not have "side effects"; MSG has poisonous effects. Next time someone talks about "side effects", remember that's a pile of ... | ||
| Deb A. |
Meds may help symptoms, but they can't stop the cumulative and devastating effects of glutamate on the brain and body. I know it's hard to avoid MSG, but it's the best way to avoid symptoms. | ||
| Judy Martin |
I have been studying and avoiding MSG since I made the connection four years ago. I too recognize the damage it is doing. I worry about my eyes most of all for some reason. Sadly it isn't just preservatives like MSG that bother me but it can be natural foods as well, which is really no one's fault. It was from this board that I received the most and best help. Deb's book was my bible as many have said. I did not eat in a resturant of any kind for four years. A year ago I took the course of meds for the leaky gut and that has helped tremendously. I am now eating a few foods I haven't eaten in four years. I have eaten occasionlly in a resturant. I even had a Pizza Hut personal pan cheese pizza and was fine. A few days ago I had a reaction to Muir Glen catsup. It became clear to me that I was never going to be able to keep from "stumbling". I don't expect to be able to eat like other people do but I am going to indulge occasionally in normal behavior. To do that I am now going to turn my attention to getting some decent pain relief when the occasional headache does strike. I don't have insurance that covers prescriptions or visits so that is a concern. I have bought Maxalt and Zomig which don't help all that much. I really want something for the PAIN. Because of the post by JCCrooks I had a prescription filled for Midrin which is a fraction of the cost of Zomig. Of course I'm in no hurry to try it out. I feel in my heart that I have done all that is humanly possible to cure myself and now I am going to concentrate on finding something that works for the pain. | ||
| Lisa Marie |
Judy, How long did you take the course of meds for leaky gut and what did you take? I was prescribed nystatin, and I used it in powder form. I am afraid I only got through 3 weeks of it. I had side effects of headaches, and retaining fluid very badly. I read that you can have side effects, but it was miserable on top of my other ailments. But, I am thinking trying again with the pills. I am glad you are feeling better and hope you find relief from the occasional headaches. Thanks. | ||
| Judy Martin |
I first had the liquid Nystatin that was flavored and I got a bad headache from that and switched to pills and took them for 3 weeks and also about the second week took a big antifugal tablet for a week something like Lamisil he said. Along with that I took and am still taking L-Glutamine and zinc. I know the word glutamine scared me and I was sure I couldn't take it but I do, it strengthens the intestine and the zinc works with the immune system. These two supplements helped me alot I think. I was supposed to take probotics but got headaches from all the types I tried. All in all I felt I was helped by the course of treatment I took. Hope you will be too. | ||
| Judy Martin |
I forgot to mention that the hardest part of the Nystatin treatment that lasted about a month was the diet. But for someone used to avoiding MSG it was nothing new to be denied foods. You could have no bread, milk, sugar, fruit etc. It was basically meat and vegetables. Once the yeast was killed you could add back foods you could tolerate. Still it is said it can take over two years for the gut to heal itself and I feel that possibly it may never totally be as good as new. Better but not 100%. Nevertheless I try to keep a positive attitude. | ||
| Deb A. |
I also believe that the longer we avoid MSG, the more our body rids itself of the build-up of excess glutamate stored in the cells of our body.I was hyper sensitive at first, reacting to the smallest amount of MSG and even in high glutamate foods like tomatoes, milk, cheese, mushrooms, etc. Now after 9 years of eating to avoid MSG and other glutamate containing substances, I am not nearly as sensitive to those foods....the ones naturally high in glutamate, that is. I do rely on Ibuprofen for a headache, but have not had a migraine headache in many years. I worry about many drugs that are being prescribed for some of the disorders caused by MSG...some of them may cause more problems down the road. One person I know who gets very bad headaches from MSG, but who is a student nurse and mother of 3 began to use Topamax for her headaches. After several months, she noticed she could not concentrate or learn anything. Her hands and feet became numb all the time. I told her the medication is a glutamate blocker. She did her research and decided it was not safe for her. She has quit school, and is now trying to eat better. Her brain fog has disappeared along with the numbness. That's a pretty powerful drug to disrupt her neural messages.....glutamate does that too. It's a no win situation sometimes. Some of these glutamate blockers are being developed to treat serious neurological disorders..Alzheimer's for instance...but perhaps the answer is to avoid the disease with excitotoxin elimination in the first place...hopefully science will give us more answers. | ||
| Jackye |
I agree with you, Deb. IT is vital to decrease the excess build up. I have purchased, and now use nightly, a dry sauna at home. I had it built out of glass and poplar wood (the least toxic wood.) Grouped with one year plus of avoiding msg ...which I will continue for life..plus changes to my home, I am feeling much better. Keep up the great work...I still find great comfort in all of the messages. | ||
| Dorothy Grantham
|
Hi, My doctor thinks I am intolerant of msg and after reading a lot about it for the past week I am connecting all the dots. I had chicken fajita's for three days and the package had pure msg in it. then the next day I though I'd have a salad and the dressing I used had msg in in. I reacted with a flushed face and a high pulse. I also get panicky at times, and other times my throat gets flemy and tight. I am feeling better but still have wierd reactions that come and go. It seems to come in waves. I have only been eating organice vegetables and fruits, organic eggs, wheat homemade bread, wheat pasta, brown rice, and organic milk. Are people who have reactions to msg often have gluten allergies? I see an allergist on Monday. The other thing I think might be an issue is the milk. I read on holistic health.com not to drink ultra pastuerized milk and the only organic milk I can find is ultra pastuerized. On holistichealth.com she had a whole bunch of no no's on there. Is that for real?? I did order Debbie's book it should be in on Friday! Any help is appreciated. It's hard not to get overwhelmed. Dorothy | ||
| Carol H |
Dorothy, often people with celiac disease who should not eat wheat have a sensitivity to MSG. It is interesting that both gluten and casein, the proteins found in wheat and milk, are high in glutamate. I was very sensitive to MSG, and now am allergic to both wheat and milk. I don't know exactly what the connection is yet, but there definitely is one. | ||
| Deb A. |
Milk and wheat proteins are very high in glutamate content. Most people don't realize that when they buy regular bread, whether it is white or whole wheat, that there are several sources of glutamate added in addition to the natural glutamate present in wheat: whey, milk solids, corn syrup, dextrates, maltodextrin, soy flour, and another dangerous excititoxin, L-cysteine. Yeast nutrients often contain glutamate, along with dough conditioners. Yeast itself, contains about 11% glutamate. I do fine if I make my own bread with whole wheat flour and a yeast that doesn't contain fillers and fast - rise nutrients for the yeast. But I always react to most commercial breads. Several people I have spoken with have discovered that they can tolerate whole wheat products they make themselves (or organic white flour that does not contain malted barley flour), even when they were told they were allergic to wheat, as I was after an allergy test many years ago. Our American diet has relied heavily on wheat for many years. But now wheat products aren't as natural or as wholesome as they used to be....now that most of us don't bake it like it once was....fresh weekly, without preservatives or MSG. Jack Samuels also said that the vitamins added to wheat products that are highly processed depend on glutamate containing substances like cornstarch as the carrier agent....I react to some American pasta, but do well with most Italian pasta. | ||
| Andrew |
Has anyone had any experience of the neutralization technique for 'allergy' elimination when it comes to glutamate?. I have spoken to a doctor today, details below from this page: http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=108 David L J Freed, MD, (Chairman): Former lecturer in immunology at the University of Manchester, who now runs the Salford Allergy Clinic. Dr Freed has written many papers on the influence of diet and human disease with a particular interest in the role of lectins and gut permeability and has over thirty years experience of patient care. He is Vice Chairman of the British Society for Allergy, Environmental and Nutritional Medicine. Dr Freed will supervise the research. He has reported that he has had pretty good success rates with MSG intolerent patients and am at least going to give it a go. Does anyone have any experience of neutralization? | ||
| Trudy
|
I have entered the toxic world of MSG from the back door, that is to say I have been receiving acupuncture treatment for the past 4 months and it was my acupuncture doctor that told me to avoid MSG. I had my thyroid removed 2 1/2 years ago and have been battling health issues ever since. My daughter has been in acupuncture treatment for nearly the same time. She had been plagued with allergies and anxiety for years. We have seen dramatic health improvements during treatment. We are eliminating MSG from our diet and feel so much better. Our symptoms are nearly immediate now making identification of a problem food much easier. Acupuncture is amazing. It is the quickest way to detox your body and bring it back into balance and harmony. It's not cheap, and most insurance companies won't pay for it, but I recommend it to anyone who is searching for a better quality of life. | ||
| Jen |
Hi, I'm new to your website and I have a severe reaction to MSG. I've always been sensitve but it's gotten much worse since I had my second child. When I eat a food with MSG (even one small bite) my throat starts to close up. I take benedryl for the reaction. Has anyone used benedryl? I also carry an epi-pen. I'm wondering if anyone knows another way to treat this. I usually take the benedryl every four or six hours for 24 hours. It really knocks me out but it does help reverse the reaction. Then on the second and third day after eating the MSG (which was not listed on the ingredients or I got at a restaurant) I get tingling in my hands and feet. It usually takes about five days before I feel completely better. I would love to find a doctor to help. Deb -- I have gotten your cook book and it has been extemrely helpful. I also carry your sensitivity card everywhere and use it at restaurants and while shopping. Thanks for that help! | ||
| Deb A. |
Hi Jen. Yes, I have used Benedryl (generic store brand pill, not capsules or liquid) when I have ingested MSG by mistake. I take at night with 3 Ibuprofen because it does put me to sleep. But it's not a good idea to use it too often. My father-in-law's throat closed off if he eats MSG and induces vomitting. I avoid most restaurant food now and stick to a couple which have a few items that I can eat safely. I would suggest that you re-read the first 80 pages of the book, Jen...it's what I suggest to everyone. The first year is the learning year and it's easy to make a few mistakes at first. By re-reading the book, you might well find out that you are still eating something that you thought was safe, but isn't. Even meds and vitamins pose problems. It's a good idea to keep a food journal, recording how you feel each morning and night, also. That way, if you have a reaction, you can go back a couple days and circle any suspicious foos you may have eaten. Then try avoiding those and see how you feel. Record safe foods and meals at restaurants that you find, also. There is no cure, only avoidance. | ||
| Jennifer
|
I have recently become very MSG sensitive, having reactions such as extreme dizziness, light headedness. incresed heart-rate, and panick/anxiety. I went for an allergy test, and sure enough MSG was top on the list! For the last 3 weeks i have tried very hard to avoid anything with MSG or MSG ingredients in it. I was wondering how long it takes to notice a difference after cutting MSG out of your diet. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for about 4 years, have done the medication thing and don't like it. After reading about MSG effects, i thought this might be a key in overcoming my illness. So after 3 weeks i am still feeling the same symptoms but am having a hard time linking it to what foods I ate. I have been keeping a food journal as well, but am still trying to find answers.. Will I ever be able to go near even the smallest amount of MSG? I feel very overwhelmed right now, and suddenly very out of touch with the rest of the world, not being able to eat regular foods that others can.. Also after three weeks, I am having major cravings for all of the MSG filled foods I used to LOVE. Is there such thing as MSG withdrawl when fist changing your diet? | ||
| Sheri |
Jennifer .. I feel like I could have wrote what you did...I exactly how you feel.. I am going to watch for someone to hopefully answer all your questions..and I hope you get some.. As for the testing..What kind of testing did you have done??? I was told by our allergist that there is no testing for it.. Thanks Sheri | ||
| MEMorrisNJ
|
I have been at this for many years. The food journal is absolutely invaluable --- I just went over my notes from several years ago and I discovered some things that were bothering me and that I had previously overlooked. I don’t always spot the cause of my problems after they happen --- I know that overwhelmed feeling and I consider myself almost like a alcoholic when it comes to being around foods that most people eat. I keep this under control by: (1) having frequent small meals, (2) eating a small balanced meal before any social gathering, (3) making certain I keep a lot of safe foods in the house, (4) having some pre-cooked things ready in the freezer, (5) making certain to update my diary, (6) trying to learn more about the food business/industry, disease states that may be aggravated or caused by what’s in our food, and complementary medicine to help myself, (7) doing the usually stress busters (e.g., regular exercise, relaxation/meditation) and (8) finding new friends who are like minded and have similar challenges. Maybe, it will help you by keeping in mind that if you keep up a diet of food that is not from a box, can or whatever nature provided, you will become healthier and look better too. It just takes alot of time and it can be a lonely road sometimes --- be gentle and patient with yourself. | ||
| Dee 1950 |
Jennifer....I discovered I was MSG and Aspertame sensitive about 15 years ago. (Aspertame causes the same symptoms as MSG and people with MSG sensitivity seem to have aspartame sensitivity). Anyway -- After about 7-8 years I discovered I could eat small amounts of MSG. To clarify: I had a "Toxic buildup" of MSG in my system -- NOT an allergic reaction. Anyway -- to this day, I am able to eat small amounts but not overindulge. Please note though...I DID discover after being off MSG for a long period of time that I would react VIOLENTLY to MSG -- my reactions were much, much worse. It seems that once my system was totally clear of MSG, I was then able to eat some without reacting. However, I am careful to not allow myself to have Toxic buildup. Another thing I noticed....I craved link sausages....and once I could eat them again, I discovered they were HORRIBLE!!! Even the MSG free ones...too darn much fat!!! LOL Good luck....hang in there, you WILL get better!!! | ||
| Jennifer Ont.
|
Same Jennifer as the one from May 8th, just wanted to change the name. First off- Sheri, the allergy test I had done was something called electro-dermal acupuncture. I am very bad at trying to explain it to people, but basically instead of acupuncture with needles or the usual scratch test, this one is pain-free and very easy! I was tested for approx 250 foods/oils/spices etc, and if some things come up around 70 or higher (out of 100), you are very sensitive/allergic, between 60-70 you are sensitive. MSG was at the top along with aspartame, cheese, cow's milk and wheat. I am in Ontario Canada (hence the name change to "Ont.") and had the test done in Cambridge, Ontario, but if you look on the internet, you might be able to find someone closer to you that does this kind of testing. I was also told that I have a toxic buildup from 30 years of fast food, processed foods, not drinking enough water and basically a CRAP diet!! So now I am on an 8 week detox, (trying to ) drink 4 L of water/day to flush my body, as well as eliminating the top sensitive things from my test. Needless to say, they are all of my favorite things, and now am trying really hard to eat natural, organic, and unprocessed foods. Dee- you mentioned that after being off of MSG for a while you had worse reactions? How long did this go on before you could eat small amounts of it again? Was it 8 full years??? Were you on a detox to get rid of all of the MSG toxins? What kind of detox? I ate Maple Leaf pre-cooked bacon (not even thinking) the other day, and had a very bad reaction.. extreme dizziness. It seems now when i eat it, i notice it right away, and it's worse than it's ever been. 6 months ago, i was fine!! Suddenly i can't have a bite-full of anything containing MSG! I am soo craving a mcdonald's cheesburger and fries!! I am just so afraid of the reactions. I am so tired of feeling dizzy after i eat, and having to be so careful. I am hoping the detox works, but if nothing else, at least I am on the road to a long overdue healthier lifestyle. Thanks for all the feedback! Keep it coming! It's nice to know there are others like me out there..... | ||
| Emily
|
MeMorrisNJ, would you be willing to share a few ideas on what you have precooked in your freezer? I’m looking for dinner ideas to have pre assembled or pre cooked to store in the freezer. I pre cook most of my meats, beans, rice and baked goods but it would be so nice to have a few casseroles or main dish items frozen. I would appreciate anyone else’s freezer ideas. | ||
| Sheri |
I wish I could find someone to do a test and figure out some things that I cannot have...That would at least help little... At least you know for sure those things will give you a problem.. I feel like everytime I put something in my mouth now I am waiting for something to happen.. I will try to do a search and see what I come up with.. I have yet to even talk to my dr. about any of this...She would probably think I am crazy and want to put me on some drug that I know I won't be able to take...She never listens to me that I cannot take meds...May be time for a new dr... What is the detox they have you doing?? Just lots of water and don't eat stuff?? Or do they have you doing anything else?? Let me know how you are doing. | ||
| Jennifer Ont. |
right now the detox consists of trying to get up to 4 L of water a day, and yes, eliminating the top sensitive foods from my diet. That's it. No other supplements or anything like that...I am supposed to go back for a re-test at the end of 8 weeks. This is all still very new to me, and I am not quite sure what this means down the road. I am still trying to fihure out if those who have had severe MSG sensitivity have ever overcome it. Like Dee was saying, she had to clear her body completely of MSG and avoid toxic buildup of it.. My biggest question is once your body has a toxic buildup of something is it something that your body can get rid of and "start fresh"? and if there is... how EXACTLY does one go abou that? I don't think 8 weeks of drinking water everyday will rid my body of 30 years of toxidity... or maybe it will. I don't know enough yet... | ||
| Sheri |
Jennifer Ont. Good luck to you...I hope you feel better soon. I too am trying to drink as much water as possible...You may want to try a probiotic.. | ||
| Byron
|
Give probiotics 3x's a day a try for a very long time........might work for some others(like me) read the book A MAKER'S DIET | ||
| MEMorrisNJ
|
Emily - I only freeze cooked meat -- I try not to keep too much frozen because the meat can dry out --- wrap it very tight in small little packets to have ready to go. I try to always have enough fresh greens and fruit that I can bring along with the frozen meat (and munch on at home in between meals). To really satisfy myself, I make certain to have some leftovers of extra white/sweet potatoes, buckwheat and/or pasta ready to go. (I can't eat rice for some reason.) And I keep a little container of extra virgin olive oil and a cut-up lemon which livens up whatever I eat out. I have done this in some very good restaurants --- When possible, I make certain I am seated away from the aisle so I don't make a big deal out of it. All of this is easily carried in a small insulated lunch packet. Sorry, I can't suggest any recipes -- I count on Deb's suggestions -- she has alot posted here and of course, in her book. I have some old used cookbooks (prior to the 1950's) that I scan for additional recipes to adapt. | ||
| Anonymous |
hi! my name is angel, after being treated with mefloquine for malaria 2 months ago, i have developed alot of tension in my head, cloudiness, probably brain fog. I was wondering how acupuncture can help reverse this problem. I dont want to take more drugs b/c is a drug that caused this problem to begin with. | ||
| Roy Piwovar
|
Anonymous, Mefloquine is known to cause even worse symptoms than the ones you have experienced. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a603030.html I suspect acupuncture is more effective in treating pain than in bringing about mental clarity, but I don't see any harm in trying it. | ||
| Marg Unregistered guest |
Jennifer Ont.Would you mind sharing the name of your Doctor in Cambridge? My mother, who has aways had a mild (headache) reaction to MSG has recently got a full blown case. She has Deb's book but her "allergy" is SO senstive she can not have most of the things in the book. She has had the standard scratch test and gone to a "specialist" in Toronto that said she was NOT allgergic to MSG or her reactions would come on immediately not up to 4 hours later. She suggested an upper and lower GI and to go home and eat healthy food and gain back some weight (she has lost 15-20 lbs at at 65 years old that is not a good thing) It seems like NO ONE knows anything about this in the medical field and they are all just guessing and she is getting tired of all the tests. Maybe your doctor in Cambridge can help. | ||
| Deb A. Unregistered guest |
Marg, your mother's doctor, as most doctors, knows very little about MSG toxicity. It can take up to 24 hours to have a reaction. It depends on the form the MSG is in (soup will enter the bloodstream almost immediately), and a meal containing a lot of protein may take longer. It depends on how long it takes for the digestive process to do its job and allow the free glutamate into the system and also how broken down the glutamate was when eaten. Some forms are still bound to other proteins. Other factors are metabolism rates, age, activity, etc. Is your mother taking any supplements, meds, or vitamins? Is she using regular toothpaste, eating gum or chewing candy? Is she sulfite sensitive? Please have her read the chapter on sulfites. They give me headaches, too, and they are more easily avoided. Lately, I cannot tolerate any oranges from Florida or orange juice, even when the bottle says "no preservatives". Jack Samuels told me that many orange growers in Florida are now spraying the fields with AuxiGro, which may explain my reaction. I learned from calling juice making facilities that even if the label says, "no preservatives", that sulfites can still be present if below a certain level. Many dairy products contain sulfites, too. I can no longer tolerate most sour creams, cream, ice cream, etc. Of course, many of these items now contain glutamate sources as thickeners and flavor enhancers. I do fine with Organic Valley whole milk. | ||
| Marguerite Unregistered guest |
Deb, I am sure that you are the one (from Washington?) that my mother has already been in contact with. She has talked to you a few times I think. As far as what she can eat goes, she finds very little that doesn't bother her. We raise our own beef, pork and chickens, and therefore know exactly what is, and more inportantly ISN'T in our meat, so she does fine with that. Cooked plain or course, but not much else is on her menu. A plain baked potato and rice crakers. Freshly squeezed orange juice and water. Anyway, I was really hoping to get the name of Jennifer's doctor in Cambridge, as that is only about 1 1/2 hours from us. It would be nice if she could speak to a medical professional that actual has heard of, let alone KNOWS ABOUT, MSG allergies. |
