a little setback....

Fish2575 · Post by **Fish2575** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:33 am

Hi Monique,

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I think that Claritin takes a while to start working. I take Zyrtec(shich supposedly works immediately), and actually tried switching to Claritin and it didn't work for me. I take the liquid Allertec from Costco because it doesn't contain the lactose that the pill contains. I also split the dose and take 5 ml in the morning and 5ml in the evening because I got very drowsy with the full dose.

I am sorry your tapering off entocort wasn't working. I am still on 9mg (for a year) and still cannot get a normal BM. I just stopped taking the Lialda and I think I was having an adverse reaction to it because I feel much less tired now. I had tried going off of it a few months ago, and I thought it greatly affected my BMs to be off of it, but now I am not so certain.

Keep us posted on what you end up doing. Hope something works for you soon!

Susie

wmonique2 · Post by **wmonique2** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:22 am

Hi Susie,

Thank you so much for posting your experience. It helps to see what others are doing...Well, I did take claritin yesterday and I had no nausea at all all day, I still had cramps in mid-afternoon (which is when i usually get them, after lunch and after I take my lialda)..

You said claritin takes a while to work, I am testing that (that's what I had at home so i took it). I'll run to the store and get me some zyrtec.

I am looking at your food intolerances and wondering what the heck you eat.

Monique

Fish2575 · Post by **Fish2575** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:21 am

Not much right now :( Buffalo, Zucchini, Duck, and Carrots to be precise!

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 3:41 pm

The claritin worked the first day I tried it
Leah

wmonique2 · Post by **wmonique2** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 3:51 pm

Hey Leah,

Thanks, Leah...I am taking claritin too and it worked on day one. No more nausea and no more cramps in 3 days now. It leaves my throat scratchy though and I have a little hard time swallowing sometimes...I got the other one too(zyrtec) in case I need it too...

Monique

tlras · Post by **tlras** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 8:47 pm

Monique,

That is great news that the Claritin is working so well already! I wonder why that is. If I had not come to this forum a few month's ago, I would have not found out about the use of anti-histamines in regards to MC symptoms. Totally blows my mind. Definitely not something my doctor would have brought up.

I will keep that in mind once I get off the Pepto....though I've been slightly nauseous a couple of times while on it but very mild and probably from overindulgence more than anything. Total pig right now!

I hope it keeps working so well for you and that you will never need the Entocort again!!

Terri

wmonique2 · Post by **wmonique2** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:11 pm

Hi Terri,

there was a long conversation a couple of months ago about why antihistamines work for us. Polly had a lot to do with that, she's a doctor. And Tex as well did contribute to the conversation.

If you're interested maybe Tex can send you the link to that conversation...

Yeah, I hope it keeps me from going back to entecort and maybe I can wean myself from that too...

Monique

tlras · Post by **tlras** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:50 pm

I believe I had read where it stopped the D in some but didn't realize it would help the nausea. Nice to know. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around mast cell issues. One day I will understand all this.

I do hope you don't have to go back on Entocort! Wishing you the best!

Terri

Post by **tex** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 6:36 pm

Monique,

We've had quite a few discussions about antihistamines. Could it be one of these?

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16766

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16781

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16928

Tex

wmonique2 · Post by **wmonique2** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:45 pm

Terri,

I just got Tex's book and I've been reading on the mast cell issue...I think the book will answer all of your questions...

Monique

wmonique2 · Post by **wmonique2** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:26 pm

Tex,

Thanks for all the links. I am reading your book. It's a page turner!

Monique

Post by **tex** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:35 pm

Monique wrote:It's a page turner!

Well thank you.

Tex

tlras · Post by **tlras** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:12 pm

I honestly need to read back over a few things in Tex's book. I read it all at once and got overwhelmed....lol! I kind of skimmed over the mast cells issues but am just now starting to read pages over again in hopes that the information sticks in my head this time.

Yes, it's a page turner alright.

Terri

fatbuster205 · Post by **fatbuster205** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:04 pm

tex wrote: Do you ever notice any histamine-related symptoms, such as a runny nose, or a little throat congestion (do you find yourself clearing your throat now and then) after eating? Or do you have any itching after meals (especially on the face or upper part of the body)? Sometimes an antihistamine will help even in the absence of any symptoms, but that's difficult to predict.

Hi Monique,
This is a really interesting conversation (I will have to re-read the chapter on mast cells myself) - particularly given I am always clearing my throat and have been itching a lot in the last few weeks. Tex, I took anti-histamines and the itching stopped on one dose of fexofenadine hydrochloride (180mg), which is what I take for hay fever! Another conversation with my Doctor!!

But, Monique, I hope you feel better soon.

On another note I have been on 9mg budesonide since July - as prescribed by my consultant! His thinking - he is very progressive - is that I will be on it for another 6 months, although I hope I can start reducing the dosage soon as it has put my BP up! Obviously staying on steroids long term is not desirable but as I am finally improving I guess it is worth a long prescription.

Now that I have stopped Asacol and gone GF I have had a dramatic improvement in my gut symptoms until today when I have had RHS pain and been pooping a lot although all normal (just a lot reminiscent of a Labrador!!). I suspect the "Dream Topping" my Mum served yesterday - the packet said "produced in a factory which handles wheat & gluten products", although none is actually contained in the mix. However, it is the only thing I took a gamble on - everything else was GF. My Mum is being really supportive and helpful - she sees the dramatic improvement me! Hopefully I will be OK tomorrow! I am still new to the diet and feeling my way but the improvement in my symptoms has been truly dramatic - I am very lucky!

Anne

Post by **tex** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:31 pm

Anne wrote:Tex, I took anti-histamines and the itching stopped on one dose of fexofenadine hydrochloride (180mg), which is what I take for hay fever! Another conversation with my Doctor!!

Tex