Mast cells

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Thu Oct 17, 2013 9:23 pm

Soooo. A while back, we were speculating about whether I could, in fact, have mast cell involvement. After a period of travel during which I was not willing to rock the boat, I have been experimenting with daily Claritin plus Betaine. Big improvement, although I still have a runny nose and may try Allegra if that persists. I have also been paying attention to what happens after I eat higher histamine foods like red wine, beef, tomatoes, canned tuna. Sure enough, there are effects, though I am not, at present, willing to completely give any of those things up.

Not sure whether I have asked this question previously, but I notice that when I am out walking, my hands get very red/tingly/itchy. Is that indicative of anything mast cell-related?

Post by **tex** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:36 am

Suze wrote:I notice that when I am out walking, my hands get very red/tingly/itchy. Is that indicative of anything mast cell-related?

Yes, that's definitely a type of mast cell reaction. It could be caused by exercise (increased blood flow or temperature increase), exposure to the sun, exposure to chemical or natural vapors, physical contact with an antigen, or a combination.

Does that happen when you dip your hands in warm water, or take a warm/hot shower? Increased temperature raises the potential for mast cells to become more active.

Tex

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 11:05 am

Suze,
When I walk for exercise in cold weather, I get EXTREME itching and redness on my thighs. It's torture. Never thought of it as a mast-cell related issue.

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:16 pm

Zizzle, that happens to me too, mostly in colder weather. I wear a layer of silk long underwear when I walk outdoors so the fabric in the pants doesn't rub so much.

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:44 pm

this happens to me which is why I hate going outside in the winter - is this truly a sign of mast cell issues? I also get extremely itchy in hottubs !!! can't handle more than 5 mins!!

Post by **tex** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:48 pm

Barb,

That sure sounds like a mast cell problem to me.

Tex

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:24 pm

WOW - so I was reading Tex about 2 different histamine blockers : Zyrtec and Zantac both OTC and then singulair which is a prescription. Instead of trying LDN should I maybe first try Zyrtec? I heard Zantac isn't good if you possibly have SIBO as it may make things worse??

Post by **tex** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:24 pm

Barb,

Singulair is an inhaled treatment for asthma. You don't want that (unless you have a serious asthma problem).

Zyrtec is a type 1 antihistamine, and Zantac is a type 2 antihistamine. Don't try any type 2 antihistamines unless you can't find a type 1 antihistamine that helps. Yes, type 2 antihistamines can cause SIBO and/or trigger an MC flare, so they should be tried only if you can't find an H1 antihistamine that helps, and you're willing to accept the risk that they might cause an adverse reaction. H2 antihistamines are not for everyone.

If you want to try an antihistamine, do that before you try LDN, because you will know whether an antihistamine is helping in 1 day. For many of us, it can take weeks or months before we will be able to tell if LDN is helping.

Tex

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:24 pm

Once again Tex THANK YOU! you are a wealth of information. I called my drugstore and they have Zyrtec so I will try that first. I have to wait a week though until go to allergist as not allowed any antihistamines for a week prior to the visit. I now understand why sometimes I can tolerate yogurt and other days or times of day I can't - my histamine load or bucket runneth over!! I will also take your amazing advice and do the antihistamine first before the LDN.

In your opinion is Zyrtec a good choice?

thxs

Post by **tex** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:38 am

Zyrtec may work OK for you. It does contain lactose monohydrate however, which may cause problems for some members here who are very sensitive to dairy products. And Claritin also contains lactose. The Claritin Redi-tabs are safe for most of us to use though (no lactose). I take Allegra, because it's also free of lactose.

Tex

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:25 pm

I don't think I can get Claritin redi-tabs in Canada - will have to look into further - what is the difference between that one and regular Claritin? I guess I may have to pass on the Zyrtec - I think I am intolerant to lactose but don't know for sure.

Went to my dr. today and he agrees could be a mast cell issue and he also agreed to try fecal transplant on me with my hubby's stool LOL

anyone any luck or any feedback on fecal transplants for MC??

Post by **tex** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:25 am

Barb,

In the U. S., regular Claritin contains lactose and Claritin Redi-tabs do not.

Fecal transplants work very well for resolving C. diff infections, but they do not appear to work for IBDs. Several members here have tried to resolve their MC symptoms by using that treatment, (numerous times), but so far, no member of this board has ever been able to detect any significant improvement in their MC symptoms after utilizing fecal transplants.

It sounds good in theory, but it simply doesn't work in the real world — not for MC, anyway. If you should decide to try it, please let us know how it goes, because we are always eager to learn more about treatment possibilities.

Tex