176: Living with a Meat Allergy
The number of confirmed cases of meat allergy — Alpha Gal Syndrome — has risen from only 12 in 2009 to 34,000 in 2019. Unlike other food allergies, alpha-gal symptoms can occur HOURS after eating meat, making the diagnosis a very tedious and long...
The number of confirmed cases of meat allergy — Alpha Gal Syndrome — has risen from only 12 in 2009 to 34,000 in 2019. Unlike other food allergies, alpha-gal symptoms can occur HOURS after eating meat, making the diagnosis a very tedious and long process. Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols know this all too well. It took Candice 15 years, including mutliple trips to the ER and flatlining to be diagnosed.
Debbie's symptoms continued for 10 years. While she had made the connection between her GI pain and red meat, she had not heard of Alpha GAl Syndrom until Candice was diagnosed. She had to insist that her immunologist test her for it.
Together Candice and Debbie are known as Two Alpha Gals and are on a mission to help others live fully with Alpha Gal Syndrome. Listen as Tracy, Candice, and Debbie cha about what foods and products meat is hidden and how to best feed guests with a meat allergy.
Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com
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Debbie Nichols
Co-Founder, Two Alpha Gals
Debbie Nichols developed a severe allergy to alpha-gal sugar after being bitten by a lone star tick. This condition, known as alpha-gal syndrome, causes her body to react adversely to any mammal products, be they food items, household products, or bath and beauty supplies. Even the slightest exposure can trigger a severe allergic reaction for Debbie, necessitating meticulous avoidance and caution in her everyday life. Despite the challenges, Debbie remains vigilant in managing her condition, focusing on awareness and prevention to maintain her well-being.
Candice Matthis
Co-Founder, Two Alpha Gals
In 2007, Candice Matthis's life took an unexpected turn when she was bitten by a tick, an event that would go on to significantly impact her health. Within a month, she began experiencing severe gastrointestinal issues, a problem she had never faced before. However, the condition known as Alpha-gal Syndrome, which was actually responsible for her symptoms, wasn't discovered until 2009, leaving her condition misdiagnosed for many years.
Throughout this period, Candice struggled with finding an accurate diagnosis; her mornings often began with debilitating GI distress. Her journey through varying symptoms and misdiagnoses stretched over more than a decade. It wasn’t until 2019—some twelve years after the initial bite—that she was conclusively diagnosed with Alpha-gal Syndrome. Prior to this, she was diagnosed with a wheat allergy, though she always suspected that her health issues might be tied to her diet, particularly her fondness for bacon at breakfast.
Candice's story is one of perseverance and resilience, navigating through years of medical uncertainty to finally understand the root of her health problems. Her experience sheds light on the challenges of diagnosing tick-borne illnesses and underscores the importance of medical advancements.
