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2019 Update

Dear friends,

In 2019, following various mainstream medical appointments and tests, I was diagnosed with a rare condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and a more common condition called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

Between these two lifelong conditions (POTS is not always lifelong for others, but appears to be for me), there are overlaps in some of the symptoms I have attributed to my food allergies, such as digestive issues, eczema, fainting, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, and more.

The FAST website is from long ago (I started FAST as a teen in the 1990s), and it wouldn't be feasible for me to clarify this on every page of the site. It's also impossible for me to know when my symptoms are linked to food allergies and when they're not.

I hope you'll understand, and just remember this when reading the various pages on the site. It's important to know for you or your child, too, that food allergies may not be the whole picture, especially if you still experience symptoms after diagnosis and avoidance. Unfortunately, it's very possible to have more than one serious medical condition.

Perhaps knowing I have multiple issues will also serve as an encouragement for those with allergies, and parents of children with food allergies. I have always felt my own story has not been inspirational because of continuous struggles with my health, despite allergen avoidance. Knowing I have much more than allergies at play may serve as encouragement for adults just starting out, and for moms and dads that things may turn out better for their children.

Thank you so much for your understanding.

Melissa

(Older message follows.)

On occasion, the information on the website may be incorrect. This is only to be expected, since so many people from all over the world are freely exchanging information. The information is also often old, going back to the 1990s.

When you have a question about something you have read about food allergies, or another related discussion, please contact your medical professional.

Remember to have some healthy skepticism. I have read messages on FAST that I either expect to be untrue, or know in fact to be. If you have questions, contact the person who wrote the message and ask where they got the information, and contact your allergist.

In addition, although many people throughout the Internet community claim they have found cures to food allergies, or treatments that have helped, it's important to note that the professional medical community has said there is currently no cure for food allergies.

The advertising on the website does not benefit FAST. It is put up by the generous service providers, such as Angelfire.com who provide their services for free.