Caffeine allergy?

Is there a way to diagnose an allergy to caffeine? Everything that I have found on the internet says that caffeine masks its own allergic reaction because of all of the different chemical properties it has-i.e. it causes the release of adrenaline, one of its byproducts prevents the swelling and closing of the throat. I have been to several doctors to try to figure out what is going on with me but they are stumped. I've ingested huge amounts of caffeine on a daily basis for about 4 years and have been having health problems for about the last 2 and they have drastically worsened over the last 2 months. My doctor thought that it was a sugar intolerance and sent me to an endocrinologist who seems to think that I am crazy and that I have no blood sugar problem. The main source of my sugar was soda and now I have switched to diet soda with no change in what is going on. I came across a website talking about caffeine allergy last night. I'm wondering if this may be the problem.

I think I'm going to try a challenge test but I am very, very addicted to caffeine so I don't know how the withdrawal symptoms will affect what happens.

Doctors don't know everything. A caffeine allergy sounds a bit unlikely. Sometimes tests come up negative but there is a problem anyway. You can cut back on the caffeine, but, you see, caffeine can cause you problems if you have a sugar intolerance.

Here's how you can tell if it is caffeine or a carbohydrate intolerance/insulin overreaction--other things will cause the same reactions such as foods containing a lot of carbohydrates or sugars. Or even things you can't explain. It is very hard to prove even on a glucose tolerance test, so don't put too much weight on the doctor's dimissal of the sugar problem. Most doctors don't know much about the condition, if indeed you have it.

And here's a tip--I was a caffeine addict also, but I managed to still have my caffeine by switching to sugar-free latte. Moreover, at times, I make my own drip coffee with low-carb milk and at the strength that I can tolerate.

Look at these websites to see if they sound like you:

http://www.survivediabetes.com/hypt2.htm
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/200...
http://www.mwilliamson.com/hypoglycemia....

Good luck; it's not an easy thing to deal with, whatever it turns out to be. My only other advice would be to pray. Helps more than you know!

The best suggestion is to stop the caffeine..... Ask your doctor to give you a prescription for Prednisone. This drug will help with the with drawl symptoms from the caffeine. (Be careful of your carbs though, you can gain ALOT of weight while on this drug 10 pounds!!) Then, don't go back to the caffeine. It isn't good for you, and your having problems from it. See what happens after a month. Then try a cup of Joe, and see the effects...Good luck

I know a child who has an allergic reaction to caffeine. Her heart races to the point of needing to be hospitalized. Near heart attack situation.

While the docs might not think you have a caffeine allergy, are you getting any answers? Self-diagnosis is always a risky thing - what you need are answers.