At the end of last month, I went for an allergy test at Addenbrooke’s Hospital! After having facing a number of health issues, for months on end, the tests taken showed a whole new side to what I may have been suffering from! Find out what to expect, what happened, all of my results and what they mean for me now right here!

Good Morning Lovelies, 

At the end of last year, I suffered terribly with my health. Diagnosed with an unknown lung infection, chronic sinusitis, autism and more led to a terrible case of burnout. The kind that stopped me from even being able to get up on certain days. It was during this time that I vowed to improve my health any way I could. 

Starting with finding out what elements were really effecting my health. Having been asked by a hospital doctor to get a number of allergy blood tests done, I found that I was allergic to a lot. This led to my GP wanting me to be checked to see if there was anything that could be done to help me. 

After a few months, I was given an appointment to see the allergy team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. I’d never been to the hospital or any specialist ward like it before, so I was nervous but also intrigued to see what they found out about me. 

Upon arrival, on the 26th August, I entered the outpatients clinic where I was signed in and welcomed by the team. Quickly, I had my observations done, before a lovely nurse came to take me through to start the allergy testing. Lining one of my arms with letters that showcased the type of allergens, she soon start the process of the test.

Using a liquid droplet, she placed each allergen next to their letter before using a little tool to create a hole that would allow the allergen in. In a matter of seconds, the test was done and I was sent to wait with my mum for around 10 minutes to see what grew. 

Instantly, my arm blew up. And I mean blew up. It was red, puffy and insanely itchy. Looking at my arm, we could see that I was reacting to the histamine, dog, cat, tree, hazelnut, pistachio, peanut, walnut, nettles, house dust mites, milk, grass and a few other tests. A lot of which I was shocked by. 

Calling me back in once the time was up, the nurse treating me was shocked at the size of many of the markings. After measuring the reactions for the consultant to look at, she quickly coating my arm in hydrocortisone cream, before showing me to the consultants office. 

Upon looking at my notes, we spent a lot of time looking through my history, the results and what we would do next. Wanting to be certain that I was allergic, I was sent for further blood tests, which showed that a lot of my allergies were pollen based. Something that means I have to watch out when I eat things now, as I am not able to eat them in their raw or unprocessed forms. Doing so could make me very sick. 

Whilst I haven’t got all the results yet, I am so happy to finally be able to start learning and understanding what I can now do to feel better. I won’t lie, I am a little bit sad to know I can never have the bulldog I dreamed of, as hypoallergenic animals don’t actually exist apparently, but I won’t let it get me down too much. 

If you are about to have an allergy test lovelies and are a little worried I promise you that they are not bad at all. Whilst the initial test can be uncomfortable, it doesn’t last long and they have everything on hand to stop the itching. 

Knowing that I was going to get the answers I needed to live a happier life got me through it lovelies. Just think of that and I promise you that it will all be okay! 

Joey X