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Anyone know....
  • JamiSingsJamiSings
    ....of a site - NOT Wikipedia - where one can type in a name of a plant, animal, or whatever and get the scientific name for it? I don't mean Google either. Something that's more like a science-only version of an online dictionary. Can even tell if you're spelling the word wrong.

    I need to make a list of the scientific names of things I've had allergic reactions to so my endocrinologist can look up the tests for them. After years of putting up with people trying to tell me my allergies are all in my head and one person even saying I was making it up to get attention (really? Then how come when exposed to latex I ended up not just with a bad rash, but open, weeping sores?) I want to get proof I'm allergic to these things. Plus since allergies have been linked to weight gain having a clear list of my allergies I can find out how to treat then, reduce my inflammation, and speed up my metabolism. 
  • lindygirl1960
    I don't know of any sites other than the ones you have already mentioned. Sorry I cannot help.

    Perhaps an allergist would be a better choice of specialty to find out what sorts of things you are allergic to though. You could just give a run down of the reactions you have had to an allergist and they could make sure those things are included in the skin test for allergic reactions. 

    Just a thought.
  • JamiSingsJamiSings
    My endocrinologist wants to do it. Not just because allergies can lead eventually to weight problems and losing weight is what he specializes in, but also because, on a whim, he tested his 8 year old son for allergies, and found out the kid has a ton of allergies himself. Even to things the doctor has never heard of before. So he has a personal interest in learning more about allergy testing. 

  • lindygirl1960
    That's good then. Most endocrinologists in my area specialize in diabetes and thyroid patients. I wasn't aware that there were endocrinologists who specialize in losing weight. I learned something new today.  :)
  • JamiSingsJamiSings
    Well, losing weight is part of controlling and even curing type 2 diabetes. He's gotten me down from a blood sugar of 105 to 85. His goal is to help me lose enough weight to get off the metformin completely and even reverse some of what I suffer because of the PCOS. He said even the facial hair problem should get under control if I can lose enough weight. 
  • lindygirl1960
    Congratulations on such a good reduction in your blood sugar levels. It is tough to get those under control.

    And, yes it is possible to get off meds for type 2 diabetes. I know people who have done just that.

    Have you looked at the loseit.com website? If counting calories is part of what the doctor wants you to do that might help. They also have apps for smartphones. The apps also include the ability to keep track of how much fiber, fat content, etc. in the foods. I have found it very helpful. If  you are interested you could ask your doc what he thinks of it.

  • JamiSingsJamiSings
    He wants me to, I'm afraid to because even with help, I am terrible at math. I'm afraid I'll screw up something badly. 

    But in the meantime I really need to find out the scientific names for things I've had reactions to -

    Lilies 

    Pussywillow

    Pork

    Any and all artificial sweeteners - (NutraSweet, Sweet-N-Low, etc)

    All whole grains that are used in baked goods the most. Yes, I don't have celiacs, but I do have reactions to whole wheat and other whole grains. 

    Cinnamon

    Cumin

    Bell peppers

    Paprika

    Nickle

    Latex

    And that's just what I can remember right this moment. That's why I need to find a site that can help because I'll probably remember more. 

    Also that doesn't include the medicines I'm allergic to.

    You know, the other day I was telling a nurse how I can take medicines in some forms but not others and that I believe it's the fillers I'm allergic to, not the medicine itself. (Like I can take capsule forms of some, but not their tablet forms.) And the woman looked at me like if I was crazy! You'd think a nurse would be knowledgeable enough to know that different forms of medications have different things mixed in. 



  • Right BrainRight Brain
    Jami: After seeing your list, I realize this is going to be even more challenging than I thought. Just looking up the scientific name for "lilies," for example, won't really help because you're not allergic to a lily as an entire plant, you're allergic to one or more of the hundreds of chemical components of the lily. 

    I like Lindy's suggestion of having your doctor help you narrow down the list so you don't end up with a paralyzing long, and potentially worthless, list of chemical names. 
  • JamiSingsJamiSings
    Yeah, but I'm allergic to all lilies as a species. Stargazers and Easter lilies are the worse, but I also have reactions to calla lilies. I'm sure it's the pollen in them. But he can't find a test for lily pollen, so the thought is if we had the scientific name for lilies he might be able to find the test easier. 

    And the tests for nickle aren't for allergies, but for people who have been exposed to nickle to see how much there is in their bloodstream and urine. 

    Basically, by finding out their scientific names, he feels he can narrow down the tests that need to be done. And between being a doctor and a father he's super busy, so he's getting me involved with this homework. 

  • lindygirl1960
    Jami there is no math involved in using the loseit.com site. You just add the foods you eat into the database each day. If a food is not listed you can personalize your own database and add that food. You can do this either with the actual food label or using another database like calorieking.com. The loseit.com site has quite an extensive database of their own though. 

    All I know is the app has helped me a lot. Counting calories works but gets tedious. This takes the tedium out of it and, by having an app for smartphones, makes it portable.

    I still think an allergist would be a good idea. You would be able to get to the heart of your allergy problems and on the road to doing something about them much faster that way. If it were me that would be the route I would take. Just my 2 cents worth. Otherwise, as Right Brain points out, this turns into looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. You end up with a long, and potentially worthless, list of chemical names.
  • Right BrainRight Brain
    Jami: This site might help. It gives the scientific names of many types of lilies.

  • JamiSingsJamiSings
    Thanks, RB, now, does anyone know the scientific names for pork and nickle? LOL 
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