Sheilaz Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Funny thing to ask Omleteers, but I know you like solving puzzles, with great success. I posted on GemSeb's Wheat Intolerance topic, but would really like some ideas on something without spoiling that thread. This is what I was saying; ......It may well be that it is red wine alone that gives you this reaction. It used to be my 2nd favourite tipple. About 15 years ago I stopped, as even one mouthful gives me severe sickness & migraine the next day! It may be only some types of course, but I just don't risk it now, and beer is fine for me. Only 2 things give me this reaction; red wine....and sleeping at my sister's house, (without red wine). Haven't worked that one out yet. I'm not sure I can ever stay again, (which is such a shame) it's happened about 5 times, but on no other occasion (other than previously the red wine.) I'd love ideas on this one. (Poison? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 (edited) OK my instant thoughts are.... What animals Washing powder/softener Feather or similar pillows and bedding Do you always eat something when there like a takeaway (MSG) or something different to drink Certain tree/flower pollen in the area Furniture Polish/cleaning solutions Michelle Edited September 8, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem_Seb Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Does she use any air freshners or plug ins?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I was wondering if it was something in the air too. Plug ins always make me cough and sneeze. Some candles make me wheeze. Red wine - if it is French will give me a blinding headache after one or two sips and that is fairly instant. Aussie wine is fine (try those, I'm not sure what the French add to their wine). Sounds like some sort of allergy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted September 8, 2009 Author Share Posted September 8, 2009 Some great ideas; Not chemical products, my sister is a natural person, so can eliminate cleaners,powders, polishes, air freshner etc. I don't think it's food as nothing fits for every time there, yet never elsewhere. I'll try her tea & coffee brands at home sometime to be sure. Water...yet I'm fine in nearby hotel. They have a cat. Possible? Although I've never had a cat reaction (but don't see many), and it's not hives or rash, just the splitting head & throwing up. It's happened in 2 rooms, not just one. I wonder if it's; "the house" cat poison Keep the questions & ideas coming! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Does she have anything that could be leaking carbon monoxide? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Oooh good one, or cavity wall insulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 My mum gets a splitting headache from some coffees and dark chocolate. I get really bad headaches from other peoples perfume especially if it's really strong, so I was going to suggest an air freshener but you've already ruled that out. Hope you work out what it is soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Ah yes my dad is allergic to perfume and aftershave and gets very ill. Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Does she have anything that could be leaking carbon monoxide? I was just about to type this and saw your post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted September 8, 2009 Author Share Posted September 8, 2009 That's a good one to consider. If not related to mine, your posts may remind others to check this. I doubt it here, but will see if they have a detector. In this case, many other guests haven't been affected, yet I always am. The symptoms also don't entirely match CO, but it's made me think. Perhaps another type of toxic seepage? (Koojie, I meant to say, that's useful about French red wine. It may well be only French, or only some vineyards, and as you suggest, a chemical mix in only some wines, that my body rejects. Trouble is, I daren't risk a day of illness just to find a wine that suits!) Back to the house visits. My vice in life is that I drink far too much tea & coffee, but very weak. It never stops me sleeping, and if I'm away & have less, it's never been a problem. It crossed my mind that perhaps I drink have less caffeine, esp. since I discovered (last visit) that my sis. sometimes puts decaff. in the ordinary jar. Yet, I know it's not lack of caffeine as I've never had this reaction other places when tea & coffee aren't even available. Posting here & reading replies has stirred a thought from the back of my mind; Supposing I am unwittingly drinking lots & lots of decaff. then maybe, it's not the obvious lack of decaff, but rather something in the particular brand of decaff. that sets me off. Mmmm...I'll have to set up a few scientific experiments here, I can't rule it out. I keep wondering if it's the air in the rooms, but why me & no one else? The house is about 1930's and the rooms have secondary double glazing. None of you think my sister is poisoning me then? Any other ideas, so far it's cat or decaff. coffee (off to research that one!), or the actual house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I would say that it could be something in decaffeinated coffee, or a caffeine withdrawal. Especially if it happens if you stay overnight. I used to always have a terrible headaches on the 2nd day of my holidays abroad, I made the connection that I don't drink tea and coffee abroad. I now make sure I have a coke every day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Carbon monoxide poisoning causes headaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Sorry didnt see it had already been entered - teach me to read properly an not skim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 It's haunted and you are the only one with "the gift". And with regard to the wine - I suffered a little with my experiments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Good grief do ghosts cause headaches? So do kids mine are being especially noisey and I feel a shoutey moment coming on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 just thinking about de-caff coffee, I think my mum gets severe headaches with de-caff coffee, so it might be a possible cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 How well do you get on with your sister? Tension and stress trigger my migraines- especially when mixed with another trigger like very cold weather. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 just thinking about de-caff coffee, I think my mum gets severe headaches with de-caff coffee, so it might be a possible cause. yes De-caff triggers headaches with me as well so definately worth considering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Well it is only MIL that gets French wine - perhaps it wasn't the wine after all - I know I have a severe allergy to her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted September 8, 2009 Author Share Posted September 8, 2009 Carbon monoxide poisoning causes headaches. Yes, I will check it, but no other guests have this problem & it seems unlikely in this case. I'm pretty sure it's not caffeine withdrawal because I've wondered that one before and it really doesn't fit, but will test the reaction to decaff. brand. Was shocked when she said sometimes she puts decaff in the ordinary jar, so DD2 boyfriend doesn't have too much caffeine. I wonder. ....oh, cross posted...thanks Purple tree....and CookieMonster that's interesting, I hadn't heard of that reaction before. I sometimes have decaff. at home (if we need to sell near BBD tins in the shop, I hate waste!) and it's never a problem. But, it could be her brand of decaff. It really could be that, couldn't it? Asking her how much she "doctors" the coffee jar, and asking what brand, is almost the same as asking her if she's poisoning me isn't it? I only found this out by chance last visit. Def. taking my own secret jar next time! I have taken my own before, not wanting to raid all their supplies I was actually thinking I daren't ever stay again, but I could risk it & try doing that. You're all being very helpful thanks! (oh Koojie! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I think the decaff. could be likely - you've already ruled out strong smells, which is one of my 'triggers'. I get a headache if I eat or drink anything with aspartame (sweetener) in, so it could easily be something chemical in decaffeinated coffee. I've more or less given up drinking because it makes me feel so ill generally, but I have found organic wine less of a problem - someone will doubtless correct me on here, but I think it's something to do with sulphates, and organic wine having less of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Do you drink herbal teas - you could get around the awkward question by bringing your own, or something like that. You could then do what Debs does and drink the coke for the caffeine just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyhenSG Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Are there any pylons nearby or power cables directly overhead? I remember seeing a programme once about the effects they can have on some people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted September 8, 2009 Author Share Posted September 8, 2009 Do you drink herbal teas - you could get around the awkward question by bringing your own, or something like that. You could then do what Debs does and drink the coke for the caffeine just in case. Oh it's not at all a problem to take my own. The awkward part is whether to quiz my sister & make her feel guilty if indeed she has been giving me decaff. and causing this reaction, when I've innocently been thinking I was drinking something else. It's quite deceptive & irresposible really, isn't it? So, I'm torn between not wanting to put her on the spot, but also wanting to know the truth. Olly, thanks for that, and everyone else too. Off to find out more about sulphates etc. Oh, and the pylon/cable/phone tower idea. I don't think so, no, I would def. have heard about that. I was thinking more "sick building". Still open to more ideas, and off to mull over the decaff. point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
