Alex Visker is allergic to all kinds of food, specifically the proteins present in food and he has been sick for most of his life.
From the time he was very young, he had symptoms that included constant nausea, stomach pain, headaches, bone and muscle pain, sudden drops in blood pressure, chest pain, hives, and fatigue and later on, stomach convulsions.
He also frequently went into anaphylaxis for no apparent reason. Using epi-pens became a common event for the teen.
"I'm hungry and I want food all the time, but I know it's not worth it," Alex tells PEOPLE. "It's not worth my life. I feel lucky to be alive."
Since Alex is unable to eat any food, he is currently living off of an elemental diet. He receives EleCare formula through a permanent feeding tube. If he takes his medication and avoids the other factors that trigger reactions, Alex said he feels better than he has for years.
Teen who is allergic to food: 'I remember what it tastes like, that will have to be enough' https://t.co/UpSYbtOkIF pic.twitter.com/6ecewyQTUB
— People magazine (@people) July 28, 2015
"I can't even put something in my mouth just to taste it," he says, "and that's hard because I remember what food tastes like. The sight of food and the smell of food – especially something I used to love – can make me crave it. But I don't want to feel miserable."
According to Utah Food Allergy Network: "Food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates specific antibodies to it."
"The next time the individual eats that food, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, including histamine, in order to protect the body."
"I'm just grateful to wake up each morning and know that I'm alive and feeling better," adds Alex. "Everything in our society revolves around food, but I've learned to live with it. I remember what it tastes like. And that will have to be enough."
Although Alex may have learned to deal with his rare allergy, it doesn't mean things are easy. While struggling with his health, Alex continued to tackle schoolwork. He recently graduated from Lehi High School, but he didn't feel well enough to make it to the ceremony.
