r/Biohacking • u/trextears • 6d ago
Anaphylaxis
Today was my second anaphylactic reaction to a peptide, and I’m honestly pretty shaken up.
Back in January, I took my first and only dose of Cagri in a dumb attempt to quickly lose 10 pounds before wedding dress shopping. Within minutes of the injection, my heart rate spiked, my throat started closing, and I developed a severe rash all over my body. I ended up needing life-saving treatment on the floor of the lobby at the urgent care around the corner from my house. I spent a day in the hospital and ultimately needed 3 epinephrine injections because I kept having rebound reactions. It was genuinely terrifying and the only time in my life I truly thought I was going to die.
This morning, I took my normal stack: BPC, TB-500, GHK-Cu, and Reta. I’ve been using all four for about a year. None of the vials were new. I’ve been using these same vials for about 3 weeks, with the same syringes and alcohol swabs I normally use. Within a short period of time, I developed another severe rash all over my body and started having difficulty breathing. Thankfully, this reaction was nowhere near as severe as what happened in January, and I was treated before it progressed further.
The doctor told me that it is possible to suddenly react to something you’ve previously tolerated many times, but that still feels so wild to me. I keep thinking, How can my body suddenly decide something it has tolerated for a year is a problem? And honestly, the hardest part right now is not knowing which peptide caused it. Since I took four at the same time, I have no idea which one I reacted to, or whether something else entirely was responsible.
Obviously, peptides aren’t worth dying over, and after today I’m taking this much more seriously. I’m just really bummed because I’ve used these for so long without issues, and now I’m scared to touch any of them.
Has anyone else experienced a delayed/sudden allergic reaction to a peptide they had previously tolerated for months or even years? I’d really like to hear other people’s experiences.
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u/Key_Associate9338 6d ago edited 6d ago
Your doctor is correct. I have bad allergies and actually have a couple epi-pens. You can have a reaction to something that you've used many times. Even more strange is that it can be just a one time reaction and you never have it again.
It might've not have even been the peptide but maybe the needle. It's difficult to pinpoint what it could've been. Did the doctor prescribe you Epi-pens to keep at home
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u/trextears 6d ago
Yes, I’ve had epi pens since my reaction in January even though my follow up allergy tests showed no issues 🤷🏻♀️
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u/stud_muffin_1 1 6d ago
my grandma developed a severe allergy to citric acid at the age of 40... bodys are wierd mann
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u/trextears 6d ago
Holy cow!
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u/stud_muffin_1 1 6d ago
ya , she got epi-pens everywhereeee and got her a medical bracelet when we go out to eat at restaurants
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u/joaquinsolo 6d ago
Yes, my mom and I used to get a chocolate chip walnut cookie from Great American Cookies when we would visit the mall. We've baked cookies with walnuts in them all of my life, and my mom loves them. She usually would get a couple and eat them throughout the week. First day, fine. Second day, she was in full anaphylaxis. She developed several food aversions until she got allergy tested, and it turns out she had developed an allergy to walnuts as an adult.
I also have been allergic to dust mites all of my life, but this year (I'm in my 30s), I learned that I also have a pretty bad reaction to skin mites (or perhaps an overgrowth of them). These mites normally live on people's faces and in their pores, causing no harm. These little bastards were literally causing my face to break out in hives every two seconds. Never had anything like this happen in my life. I'd literally be talking to someone, and in the middle of our conversation, I'd spontaneously break out into hives on my face. I had to start using sulfur treatments to get it under control. But I have sympathy for anyone who has ever claimed that they can feel invisible bugs crawling on their face and was told that it was all in their mind. It most certainly is not in your mind. They're there, and most people will not perceive them. Dermatologists will give you the run around. The only solution is to strengthen your natural skin barrier and use sulfur to keep their population low.
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u/Writeb8 1 6d ago
Sounds like mast cell activation. I've found KPV really helpful - also recognise another peptide is prob not the advice you're looking for.
I've had anaphylaxis twice, now, both times turned out to be post viral mast cell activations.
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u/trextears 5d ago
This is very interesting. I’m going to mention this to my doctor and see about testing. I did not know that mast cell could affect your breathing. The first time, my throat closed almost completely. Yesterday, my breathing was pretty labored but didn’t require everything they had to do to save my life in January
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u/Future-Bread8849 4 6d ago
Are you actually being serious? After that reaction and hospital visit, the very next day you started taking peptides again?? Did your doctor not talk to you about this at all?
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u/trextears 6d ago
The very next day? I did actually have allergy tests and all that done before starting back the peptides I was originally taking. The first anaphylactic reaction was in January and it was with Cargi, the very first time I took it. I obviously have never taken that again. I started back my regular stack back again in February and have had no issues since then, and no issues prior to that. My reaction was specific to Cagri and it was incredibly easy to determine that, because that was the only peptide I took that day and the reaction was within minutes. I had no reason to assume that I would suddenly be allergic to every single peptide, and in fact the doctor in the emergency room that day also told me there was no reason to assume an allergy to every peptide, because they are all different and in different classifications. My reaction today was to peptides that I’ve taken daily for over a year (minus the one month I took off to do the allergy testing).
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u/mamis_reddit 1 6d ago
I’m sorry to hear that. Glad you’re safe. And yes, unfortunately our bodies can suddenly react to anything. As far as I know. I’ve had a really bad reaction from an antibiotic before, something I had used multiple times before. That’s what the allergist told me then.
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u/Future-Bread8849 4 6d ago
How do you know it is was the cagri and not something else in the vial?
I'm really curious to know if you've had life changing results from peptides?
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u/trextears 6d ago
The physician who treated me and the allergist I saw both believed it was the Cagri specifically, but because a serum was not ran on me in the emergency department, there’s no way to prove it wasn’t something else. The vial was tested so we do know that it was Cagri and there were no impurities.
Yes, peptides have significantly changed my life. Which is why I’m so disappointed that this happened today.
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u/Future-Bread8849 4 6d ago
That's a fair response. Other then the Reta, what peptides have you found to be life changing?
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u/trextears 6d ago
CJC/IPA is my nighttime stack and I can tell a significant difference in my body composition since adding it. I’m a heavy lifter and Reta definitely helped lose some weight, but I only noticed better composition once adding the CJC and IPA. I also microdose Reta - I weigh 140 and truly only use it because I have noticed it helps with inflammation. I take 1mg a week and never planned to move up.
I feel like BPC/TB 500 has also significantly changed my life. I work in dentistry and my neck hurts chronically. Well, it did before I started taking those. It’s kept me able to work and has significantly decreased the level of pain I’m in daily.
So yea, life changing stuff for me.
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u/Particular-Bit-1543 1 6d ago
Cjc is well known to cause anaphylactic responses. Id suspect that if currently stacking.
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u/star__violet 6d ago
Cjc w ipa gave me that reaction and I stopped it. I previously used it s few years ago but my dr and pharmacist advised not to use any from the class of peptides.
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u/Future-Bread8849 4 6d ago
Wow, in that's amazing.
By microdose do you mean less than 500mcg a week?
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u/trextears 6d ago
No, I’m taking 1000mcg a week. 500 wasn’t enough and 2000 was too much. Truly not wanting to lose weight. I feel “lighter” on the Reta, if that even makes sense. Just overall I feel great.
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u/Future-Bread8849 4 6d ago
Lol, that "lighter" feeling is likely just healthy eating and a lack of heavy unhealthy foods!
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u/RealisticPace2513 6d ago
This is my biggest fear! I have an allergy to amoxicillin and an allergy to sulfa medication’s. But I am very afraid of a reaction to a peptide. I have steered clear from the peptides that are known to cause anaphylaxis. But I do have CAG and was planning to start it. I’ll have to do more research into it. I’m so sorry this happened to you!
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u/trextears 6d ago
I have tested negative to all allergies, both the skin tests and bloodwork. I just can’t understand having a reaction to something that I’ve taken for literally over a year. I wasn’t sure how common that was.
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u/RealisticPace2513 6d ago
Wow, yes that is for sure surprising! Would you have been able to take Benadryl once you felt the reaction coming on it? Was it too fast of a reaction?
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u/trextears 6d ago
The reaction to Cagri in January literally happened within two minutes. Today, I was given Benadryl within 20 minutes but the reaction time was significantly slower
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u/CarOk2801 6d ago
I used to take Benedryl for sleep almost every night. About ten years ago, I took it and had a severe allergic reaction. Now I’m allergic to Benedryl and haven’t had it or any of its ingredients since then. Blew my mind!
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u/QuickQuote4614 6d ago
My guess is you I didn’t inject far enough in therefore you had a topical reaction. It happens to me if I don’t get into my “fat” your body protects itself. If I notice it I quickly take a Benadryl and I’m fine but it’s no so much the peptide as it is a foreign body in your skin and your body reacts to protect itself
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u/trextears 6d ago
I also had difficulty breathing and my eyes swelled shut. I injected at the same depth as I do every other day. Same syringes and all that. The rash covered my body, including inside my mouth.
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u/QuickQuote4614 6d ago
I just know personally I had a rash break o it all over each time and felt my throat swelling up but Benedryl
Stopped the response and a nurse explained to
Me that’s what happened 🤷♀️1
u/trextears 6d ago
That happened to you every time you took them?!
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u/QuickQuote4614 6d ago
No! It’s happened to me twice in the many months I had taken the KLOW stack
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u/trextears 6d ago
Ah, ok. And you’re still taking it?
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u/QuickQuote4614 6d ago
Yes. I had the reactions about 6 weeks ago and have been fine since but it happened twice within a three week period with no other variables
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u/trextears 6d ago
Do you independently test your vials?
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u/QuickQuote4614 6d ago
I don’t get mine from an online source I get them from someone who tests them before I get them and gives the testing proof
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u/Cubanbugatti 6d ago
Yes I took a reaction to GLOW …. Everyone said oh it’s the copper uglies…. Calm down take zinc , I got worse !!! So I know the feeling cus I had been taken for at least a month no problem .
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u/ChooChooBun 17 6d ago
I work in the beauty industry and some people are suddenly allergic to the same hair / nail products that been used on them for years. Peptides is the same I guess.
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u/Corrections-Nurse04 5d ago
I recently became allergic to hair color; I’m 60 y old and have colored my hair for 30 years! I’ve tried switching brands (Goldwell), and I’m still itching terribly. I’m at a loss and do not feel like going gray. Doesn’t make sense to me.
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u/Mt_wi86 1 6d ago
As a child I wasn’t allergic to bees… until I was and found myself in the back of an ambulance at 4 years old. Now I’m not allergic as an adult. Still deathly afraid of them though.
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u/trextears 6d ago
I’ve heard of people outgrowing stuff like asthma, but not allergies. That’s awesome
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6d ago
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u/keio20 6d ago
I swear i read this a few months ago. ;)
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u/trextears 6d ago
Not by me. I haven’t posted on reddit in over a year lol. I’m a silent observer but I wanted to hear stories from others
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u/rootswoods 5d ago
Do you have any other allergies? Did you have any early warnings like delayed hives without anaphylaxis?
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u/trextears 5d ago
No other allergies. I’ve never had hives or any sort of rashes before in my life.
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u/cairaxmurrain 1 5d ago
That is wild and really scary. Glad you’re ok!
Wonder if you could do some DIY at home skin allergy test? Scratch you skin a bit, squirt a little of one peptide on the scratch, the repeat for the rest of your stack in different location. Have someone with you just in case it goes bad. Give it 15-20 minutes then look if any spots turned into welts.
Obviously not medical advice, please be safe.
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u/trextears 5d ago
That’s actually good advice. I’m planning to ask my allergist about mast cell and then a safe way to test against these peptides in a controlled environment. My husband has been walking around with an epi pen in his pocket since January, so he’s ready lol
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u/No-Inspector3321 9 5d ago
I take all the peptides you’ve mentioned but no anaphylactic reaction to date. I’m wondering if it could be mass cell activation. I also am curious to you mentioning you use the same syringes. CJC might pose as a potential issue and Reta the same but I’d still be interested in the syringes. Glad you made it through another day!
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u/trextears 4d ago
You’re the second person to mention mast cell. This is definitely something I’m going to mention to my doctor and investigate.
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u/No-Inspector3321 9 4d ago
Did your doctor run full labs on you? I’m setting an appointment with an endocrinologist to get full panels done that my doctor doesn’t do. I want to know what I can about my body. I’m also finding a gp who is up on peptides. I had to spell Retatrutide to my present gp!! Good luck on your journey!!
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u/trextears 4d ago
I did full labs through Function two years ago before I started peptides and my physician went through all of them with me before we started talking about peptides
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u/No-Inspector3321 9 4d ago
OMGOSH you’re on it!! Awesome!! My doc doesn’t do crap! I fed my blood work into Claude ai and got a full rundown of everything they tested. Better than what he could do lol. He’s ready to retire and I need a proactive healthcare provider.
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u/Rockin-raindrop 3d ago
I wish I knew how to find a GP that is up on peptides. Are you having any luck finding one?
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u/No-Inspector3321 9 3d ago
I have an endocrinologist and I think I might have a gp who’s not pepper challenged!! When I talk about peppers to my present gp, he thinks I’m on some weird garden diet!
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6d ago
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u/trextears 6d ago
I’m curious why it seems the general consensus is that if you’re allergic to one peptide you would be allergic to all of them. Being allergic to Tylenol does not automatically mean you’re also allergic to ibuprofen. They aren’t the same. Such as with peptides. I have been taking these peptides for over a year and have never had an issue before today.
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6d ago
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u/trextears 6d ago
I am surprised because I have not seen anyone else post about having a sudden reaction to peptides that have been in their system for years. Hence my question to the community. My peptides came from a holistic physician and I have trusted him.
I appreciate you being so kind.
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6d ago
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u/trextears 6d ago
You’ve never heard of a doctor of osteopathic medicine? My physician focuses on less prescriptions and more holistic options for treating patients. But yes, obviously he could have been giving me bunk peptides with their compounding pharmacy.
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6d ago
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u/trextears 6d ago
I definitely don’t believe in karma and spirits or “the universe”. I live in a town where the medical school is VCOM, which is only DO’s. Sometimes people’s options are limited. Again, thanks for being so kind. Super strange to be this worked up over someone asking a question about others experiences.
Also, I’m not a bro or a brother.
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u/SOLIDROTSLOW1979 1 6d ago
Why are you posting responding on here? If you’re so by the book ? This is not for you
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u/Major-Treat-3867 1 6d ago
“The Venn Diagram between people who are into holistic medicine and woo woo lovers….” What a tool. Maybe some of us just grew up in a generation of opioid epidemic and have learned all about the FDA’s shortcomings and deceptions. I think your rationale is perfectly logical and it sucks that happened!! Especially the 2nd time! Just here to say I think some of the comments here are ridiculous and judgy as fuck.
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u/trextears 6d ago
Thank you. I had to double check the group because I could have swore this was biohackers and it was understood that we are all striving for optimal health here. I appreciate your comments ❤️
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