Yes, allergic. Deathly. Used to eat lobster, crab, and abalone a lot. Not sure how it came about but while I was stationed overseas it sort of became visible. One summer I was on home for leave an my wife and I went out to dinner meeting some friends. As friends and family do we had a few beverages at the bar before dinner. Had steak and lobster that evening and on the way home broke out in a rash. Didn't think much about it other than maybe it was something in one of the drinks I had that caused it. Anyway flew back to Japan and on date night more seafood and another rash. We both look at one another and say no, it can't be the seafood (that night I didn't drink as I was the driver).
Didn't really think much on it and time passes in which case I guess I din't eat any seafood to include shellfish. Back home again at my nieces crab feed fund raiser and again I break out. This time worse so I head home. On the way home I pass through a CHP check point and they ask me if I've been drinking. I said no. They said right, step out of the car. I said ok but I don't feel well. They said right. We are going to do a little test. I blow threw their magic contraption and nothing. The officers look at one another and say right. Seriously, right is what they keep saying - maybe they don't believe me. At this time my wife passes by with the kids, look, and keep going...
So now we are doing another sobriety test and again I pass and yes, you guessed it, the officers said right. I chuckle, they chuckle, and they call for their supervisor. She walks up, talks to everyone, then comes to me and says what is my story. I tell her the same thing I told the other two about dinner, fund raiser, and crab. She looks at me, the officers, and said son, you look like crap and are probably allergic to shell fish. Want me to call an ambulance? I'm like right...the officers chuckle, and say really. I shouldn't be driving (by now my face is swollen, hands, rash all up and down my back and breathing is getting difficult.
No thank you I said to them all I just want to go home and put this behind me. Hoped in my car and drove home with one of them following me. Wife met them, they chatted, and next day had a few tests with the results much to my dismay. Allergic to shellfish. Lobster, crab, and everything in between. So much that it blocks my airway now. I keep a marine reef and an active scuba diver. Who would have thought.
Anyway if you are keeping score, and I am:
CHP 1, me 0
Shellfish 1, me 0
Oh - next day I was talking to my wife and said why didn't you stop when you looked right at me. She said if I was dumb enough to drink and drive I got what I deserve. Tough love. She later apologised that she wasn't there in my hour of need :D No close calls really I guess other than now I'm aware and get tests every few years to see if it is any better or worse while carrying epi pens when at certain places. My reef tank hasn't caused any harm to me which is good.
