Stool Test/Histamines Convergence

[Eric]

I've been away from the forum for awhile and upon return noticed more talk about antihistamines. I had an email drafted to my doc to ask about using an OTC product when my most recent Genova comprehensive stool test results came back. Charcot-Leyden crystals were found which is considered rare and, according to the report, are a breakdown product of eosinophils and could possibly indicate various allergic phenomena. For this, my doctor recommended a histamine enzyme product HistDAO (DAO - diamine oxidase). Based on all the reports I've read on this forum, this treatment recommendation makes sense and we'll see if that helps at all with my recent flare. I'm also thinking that I should remove any high-histamine foods that might be in my already restricted diet.

After two years of researching and doing, I found it interesting that two cases for antihistamines were presented within hours from different sources. Sometimes the universe makes sure we get the message.

[wmonique2]

Well, Eric, there has been an enormous amount of conversation on antihistamines in this forum and Tex can certainly direct you towards the links. Many of us are taking anti-histamines (including me) and we find that it helps with nausea and makes it easier to eat a varied diet.

Some of us here find that it is the one thing they needed to get off real meds and the last piece of the puzzle so to speak. They only take anti-histamines. I believe our wonderful Leah is one.

You'll find out that MOST foods are high in histamine and that makes it impossible to find anything to eat. The list of high-histamine foods is dizzying.

I take allegra daily.

Try it. You'll know immediately if it works for you or not.

Monique

[Leah]

Well, I don't know about the "wonderful" part :) , but you're right, I am one of us who saw immediate results from taking Claritin. And I also agree with staying away from high histamine foods. We already have to stay away from so many things, I just wasn't ready to give up avocados!

Leah

[wmonique2]

Leah,

You ARE wonderful and everybody knows it


And I still eat avocados. Can't give them up! Sorry.

Monique

[wonderwoman]

I too gave up avocados, bananas and strawberries.

[Leah]

I eat them also Monique. What I meant to say is that I HAVE NOT given up high histamine foods and opted for taking the Claritin instead. life is just too short to give up everything....BUT if you are having noticable histamine reactions, maybe you should look into not eating them.

[Eric]

Thanks all for the info. I think I'm going to start with the histamine enzyme recommended by my doc. I have some claritin in the house though so maybe I'll take that until the enzyme arrives. I'm in the middle of such a bad flare right now though I'm not sure I'll able to notice any difference.

[Polly]

Eric,

Just a word of caution.....Histame is made from pig kidneys, so if you are sensitive to pork like me, you may not tolerate it. I am like Leah - found a good response to histamine blockers like Claritin.

Good luck!

Polly

[Eric]

Good thoughts Polly. I've had a few other porcine products and don't think they bother me but I'll keep it in mind. Might be tough to tell since I'm in a flare now. Thanks!