PnP House Brand Mussels - think I got Food Poisoning, twice in this week!

[Shake&Bake]

Sent them the folllowing email now, which breaks the story down.

Hi there.

Just thought I'd bring it to your attention and perhaps ask if you guys could chec the PnP House Brand Canned Mussels.

On Tuesday evening of this week, a colleague gave me a sealed can he was no longer going to use. I work shifts and had it the evening at the office. During the night I got drowsy to the point of falling asleep at my desk without even putting up a fight! And I'm an insomniac by nature - and I'm not allergic to shellfish or any seafood.

Then tonight, Thursday, 07 Aug 2012, I thought I'd get me another can, as they're a nice snack and I've not had them in a while since before my mate offered me some. Not even thinking about what happened a few nights before. Then the same thing happened. Drowsiness, dry mouth and tingling all over.

I wondered why I was feeling drowsy on my 1st and last nightshifts - and the only thing that stands out from either day - are the mussels. The common denominator - which is also the only other thing that's been different from my daily regime.

So please have a look at your stock.
I've got a strong stomach - so should hopefully sleep this off when I get home in the morning.

But it’s very concerning, that shellfish, which could be off - can be on your store floors.

I'd appreciate feedback in this regard.

I've already discarded the receipt and packaging at this time - but its not that I want to make a fuss and be thrown silent with vouchers - just to help my fellow consumers out there.

I look forward to your response.

Kind regards
*************

Sent it via their website.
Checked on HelloPeter if there were any similar complaints - None.
Didn't wanna lodge a complaint there - as I don't agree with Peter Cheales' way of "doing business" as it were.

I did a bit of googling earlier and tonight I had at least 3 of the following symptoms.
*note I was feeling (and still am) this way before I read about the symptoms - so its not a placebo thing.

http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/fo...sh-toxins.html

Paralytic poisoning or Neurotoxic poisoning seem to fit the bill tonight:

Paralytic poisoning

This is the most common type of shellfish poisoning. It is caused by the consumption of shellfish which contain a number of chemicals that are derived from saxitoxin.

Saxitoxin is a neurotoxin which when consumed, attacks the nervous system within humans as well as causing gastrointestinal illness.

Symptoms of paralytic poisoning include:

• Tingling
• Burning
• Drowsiness
• Lack of co-ordination/clumsiness
• Slurred speech
• Dry mouth
• Choking feeling in throat

[Those highlighted in red are what I'm experiencing]

This also includes the usual symptoms of food poisoning, for example nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

These symptoms appear 30 minutes to an hour after consumption and can cause serious damage such as muscle paralysis and respiratory failure which can be fatal. This poisoning is particularly serious in children.

[Did start feeling that way about half an hour or so later]

Neurotoxic poisoning
Another type of poisoning which occurs following consumption of infected shellfish. In this case, the shellfish contain a type of toxin called ‘brevetoxins’which cause symptoms very similar to those of paralytic poisoning or ciguatera poisoning.

Symptoms of neurotoxic poisoning include:

Numbness/tingling in the mouth, arms and legs
Dry mouth
Poor co-ordination
Slurring of the speech
Drowsiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
This also causes both neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Recovery takes 2 to 3 days from neurotoxic poisoning.

Anyway - so its a toss up between the two.
No nausea - but I'm groggy like a moer, tingling like I'd imagine some bad ecstasy would have me tripping.
Trying to down some coffee, splashed my face. Still no real change - so its just not general fatigue.

I've slept well on all of this shift rotation - from 7am till 1-2pm each day.
Which is normal for me.
Its just been on these days when I've had the canned mussels from PnP that I'm left feeling this way. Grrrr!

[DJ...]

Sounds to me like you're sleep deprived. If you had food poisoning, you'd know all about it and it lasts quite a lot longer than it seems you're suffering. Being sleep deprived results in the same symptoms you mentioned and even though you are sleeping, you can still suffer from sleep issues if you don't have the right kind of sleep. If you don't have REM sleep for example for a while, you'll feel as if you never slept at all, which is why caffeine is so bad for you leading up to bed time.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is a very serious thing. It's not a mild feeling of weirdness that simply passes after a few hours. You will get very nauseas. You will probably throw up. You will hardly be able to move properly. You will appear drunk as a skunk for the next 24-48 hours.

Neurotoxic poisoning would have you constantly throwing up. Without a doubt. Unlikely you have that.

You definitely don't have amnesic poisoning as the onset of symptoms is too quick.

So it doesn't strike me as shellfish poisoning at all. Also, the likelihood of two separate purchases from different stores at different times containing the same type of toxin is slim. If this were the case, people all across the country would be getting sick and there would be no doubt as to the cause.

As someone who suffered from ciguatera poisoning and having researched this sort of thing, I doubt you have shellfish poisoning. As a fellow insomniac though, it does sound to me like you are suffering from a distinct lack of sleep. Or at least a lack of quality sleep, which can manifest itself physiologically, and quite seriously. The sudden onset of drowsiness is called microsleeping and sounds to me like what is happening with you. Maybe try to get some serious rest for a solid 8 hours or so. Or however long it takes for you to wake up naturally. Get your circadian rhythms right.

Or maybe you just did pick up a very, very mild paralytic poisoning, but it doesn't seem very likely...

[Shake&Bake]

Thanks for the input DJ.

I reckon I get enough sleep though - I wake up naturally - I dunno
It's just a little disconcerting to say the least.

[hugo69er]

All cases of food poisoning that i have had or seen have involved quite a bit of vomiting...

[Shake&Bake]

Well its something - I been working nights for 5 years. Not a constant nightshift - but it varies.
I've had my fair share of crashes - but that usually involves some partying after work and then crashing for 12-18 hours.

Just not a good feeling, tis all.

[DJ...]

Best advice you will get out of this entire thread: ignore all posts (including my previous one) and see a doctor. They can actually measure your blood pressure, breathing patterns, heart, stomach echoes etc. We'll all just sit behind keyboard stethoscope-guessing...

[marine1]

Had food poisoning before and I could not stop throwing up

[Shake&Bake]

Well - gonna go home - see how I feel when I wake up - but may as well go for a general checkup.

[DJ...]

Maybe try Spar's smoked mussels on your way home. Just to be sure...

[YingYang]

Have you considered the fact that you may in fact have a slight allergy?

[EnchanterG]

Yeah the tingling makes me suspect an allergic reaction. I agree with DJ, go get a doctor to check you out. If you describe the symptoms you have, you may be given an allergy panel.

Good luck, hope it works out.

[samr1wp]

yeah i had food poisoning once from pick n pay ..

i bought the creamed spinach and was expired by few months and i didnt notice

i couldnt stop vomiting and had very bad Diarrhea ....

so what you have i think is not food poisoning ....check it up like others say

[YingYang]

yeah i had food poisoning once from pick n pay ..

i bought the creamed spinach and was expired by few months and i didnt notice

i couldnt stop vomiting and had very bad Diarrhea ....

I would pay good money to see this

[samr1wp]

I would pay good money to see this

hahah what me schitting ....i was suffering lol

its bad ...and was at tygervalley PnP...no one bothers to look at expiry dates at a busy store

[Hemi300c]

You allergic to it more than poisoning.