I found I was allergic to MSG food seasoning the hard way. Years ago, I had had an extremely stressful work day and came home and hubby had ordered takeout Chinese food with my favorite egg drop soup. I hadn't had lunch and so ate it on an empty stomach. Within a few minutes, I began to have tunnel vision, pressure in my chest and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I made him take me to the heart hospital. My typically low blood pressure of 106/60 had ramped up to 190/100. They diagnosed me with a panic attack as all other indicators were negative.

I remember being puzzled by this, but took it as the only explanation. I then came across the information about MSG allergy and wondered if that was the culprit.

A couple of years later, I ate the egg drop soup again, and the same thing happened. I called the restaurant and asked them if they used MSG and they confirmed they did. I avoid it now, unless I have a full stomach to dilute the effects.