Paging Tex, Zizzle, Marybeth, Mast Cells

[wmonique2]

Tex,

I didn't know we had such a list...none in Atlanta, though...there is one in Charleston,S.C, might be worth the 6 hour drive if things get bad.

Thanks, Tex.

Monique

[Gabes-Apg]

Monique
just like there are triggers to our digestion that cause MC symptoms - it is the same for histamines /mast cells.

keep a journal of what you do, where you go, time of day, season, etc etc and track the symptoms.

- maybe a certain tree in the neighbours yard irritates you when you hang washing on the line
- maybe the carpet in a friends house triggers you
- maybe the breeze from a certain direction in a certain season causes issues....
- maybe the shower cleaner causes issues.
etc etc

like MC management, once you minimise/eliminate triggers. Or if you cant avoid a trigger you protect yourself with antihistamines, in most cases you can self manage this stuff.

[tex]

Gabes,

I believe that rather than to lump all the treatment types into one article (the way I started), I'll put the mast cell information into a separate article. I have to work on some grain handling equipment most of the week, so it may be the weekend before I get enough time to try to sort out those articles.

(and I am surprised you dont you want to write another book???)

Actually, I'm already working on (believe it or not) 5 or 6 of them, about different subjects, but it seems to be difficult to find enough free time to do much writing, these days. I keep coming up with good ideas, and so I'll format a new book and start writing, but before I get very far I'll get sidetracked with another idea, so I'll stop and set up another book, before I forget the idea. I'll write on one for a while, and then an inspiration will come along, and I'll write on another. But it's tough to get much accomplished that way. I may have to hide out for a while, or re-aggregate my priorities.

So far, I haven't been tempted to write a book about mast cell issues, though, because for one thing, researchers have only discovered the tip of the iceberg as far as mast cells are concerned, and from what I've seen, there aren't enough reliable data available to form any solid conclusions (backed up by scientific research) about the topics of interest to us. It would almost have to be a book of theories, practically devoid of facts. The other thing is that immune system issues in general can become pretty intense, when one gets down to the nitty-gritty of the details, and it would end up being so technical (read that "so boring"), that probably few people would have the time or the inclination to read it.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

Tex
no rush - our paying jobs take priority!


sometimes it is good to ponder the ideas and the format/layout comes with time.

I will do a rain dance so you get a bit more than dust settling rain.

take care

[tex]

Monique,

We also have a list of doctors who have demonstrated that they are qualified to treat conventional MC (not associated with mast cell issues). IOW, these are physicians who "get it".

Tex

[wmonique2]

Thanks Gabes...

And thanks Tex.

Yes, I was aware of that one but not the one on mast cells. I gave you my own doc's name who is listed there. I haven't seen him since I started taking anti-histamines or since I started on this board. Without health insurance, I'm not inclined to run to see him every time I have a question ;-)

I find that most of my answers are found here, better yet, I can talk to folks who actually live with the condition... I sometimes wonder how he'd feel if I told him that I am almost to the point of not taking any meds at all except for the anti-histamine. He is open-minded and very caring but he never could figure out why I had such debilitating nausea.

BTW, lucky you that you still feel inspired to write another book. I no longer have the fire in my belly after that first one.

Love,

Monique

[Gloria]

Interesting article, Deb.

Histamine intolerance is unlike other food allergies or sensitivities in that the response is cumulative, not immediate.

In addition, histamine intolerance is closely related to SIBO and dysbiosis, which suggests that curing the latter may alleviate the former. Many integrative practitioners, including myself, believe that a primary cause of histamine intolerance is an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria that make histamine from undigested food, leading to a buildup of histamine in the gut and overwhelming the body’s ability to catabolize the excess histamine. This causes a heightened sensitivity to histamine-containing foods and an increase in symptoms that are commonly associated with allergies.

Since my bout with the itchy rash last fall, I'd have to agree with the first quote. I believe I overloaded my system with amines, even though I eat a fairly low-histamine diet, and it erupted into a rash. I am fortunate that I get mouth sores as a warning within a short time after eating a high-histamine food. Not everyone is warned and the buildup of histamines continues.

I agree with Gabes' suggestion. Although other web sites exist for mast cells, not many of them connect MC with the condition. From what I've read on those sites, diet isn't emphasized as much as medications. I think there's a real need on this website for a thorough list of foods which are high in histamines. I know that we have posted a pretty general, well-known list of high-histamine foods/triggers, but there are many less-known triggers, such as cinnamon. I truly wish a reliable, researched list existed. There are so many inconsistencies between the lists I've seen. I haven't looked at Mary Beth's links; hopefully she's found the list I seek.

I still don't know what mast cell issues are affecting me, or to what degree, because I generally feel good other than the skin rash

I feel good most of the time, too, but I'm pretty sure that my rash was due to mast cells. I never felt sick when my skin broke out, other than to itch intensely. Dermatologists are in the dark ages about mast cells, just like GIs and most doctors are. I think the only reason to see a dermatologist is the same reason to see a GI for MC: to get the script. Other than that, we're on our own to figure out what caused it and what diet will keep it from returning. Sounds a lot like MC...

Gloria

[tex]

Monique,

Unfortunately, as you're well aware, there's a long stretch between feeling inspired and actually finishing a book.

I'd like to see you writing again. Maybe you just need a little nudge to get you started again. How much work would be required to get that book into a text file of some sort?

Before I finished my book, I decided to set myself up as a publisher, so that I could retain full control of my book/s. (IOW I own the ISBNs). Now that I'm a gen-u-wine publisher, I can publish books for anyone, and if it will inspire you to start writing again, I would be happy to publish that book for you, free of charge, if you'll do the work of getting it into a digital text file of some sort that I can work with. I can handle it from there. (Well, except that either you or we would need to decide on a cover, and the preface, etc.)

IOW, you would be listed as the author, and Persky Farms would be listed as the publisher. We can do either paperback or digital or both. My cut would be zero, and all of the royalties would go to you, with absolutely no printing or publishing costs. I'll even donate the ISBN if it will inspire you to start writing again.

Call me skeptical, but I just can't believe that a belly dancer no longer has any fire in her belly.

Love,
Tex

[tex]

Gabes, Zizzle, Mary Beth, Gloria,

If you will decide on what should be included, and how it should be organized, I'll be happy to set up a section dedicated to mast cell issues.

Tex

[wmonique2]

Tex,

I just read your new addendum----looks great and sounds great. Good job!

Monique

[jgivens]

My Dr. was very interested in the mast cell thing and seemed to understand that it was important. Being very new to all of this, I am just starting to pay attention to mast cells and what it could mean. I think that there is SO MUCH to learn about it, that it can be daunting to get too much information at first. When one is still in brain fog, as I feel that I am, all of the info feels like a fire hose coming at me. I love knowing that there is a specific spot to go to where I can read about it all. I just feel like I cannot get a handle on it all and that the more I try, the more I am grasping at air. There is always something else I should have thought about. Makes eating anything just scary!

I am very grateful to all of you who are patient with my questions even when you have probably already answered them hundreds of times.

[wmonique2]

Tex,

YES, YES, YES to your offer! I can't believe you'd do that! (but then again, I do believe it knowing you...)

Maybe it is the nudge I need like you said. Since it's been 10 years since I wrote it, I need to get in there and make some changes. The world has changed since then and it is fiction based on current events. (Never write fiction, it's a bear!)

I also need to have somebody read it for plot holes and things like that. Somebody other than my girlfriends...

That last line of yours had me knee-slapping! VERY CLEVER!

Love,

Monique

[tex]

Great!

I don't normally read fiction, so I'm not qualified to help with plots and story lines, but I'll bet we can find someone willing to critique the manuscript.

Let me know when I can help.

Love,
Tex