Hi everyone - nice party!
Carol - you mentioned a mast cell reaction when eating certain foods like bananas. What type of noticeable reaction do you get?
I have been working so hard on understanding what foods I can eat only considering gluten and casein as foods I know I can't tolerate. I have done some reading on mast cells, but still have not been able to wrap my head around it. Is this the same as histamine reaction?
I do think it is probably something I should understand as I am not seeing Norman here either...
Paula
A slide backwards :(
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humbird753
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wmonique2
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a slide backwards
Carol will answer you I am sure...but a mast cell reaction is exactly what you said it is. It is a histamine reaction from foods high in histamine. For me symptoms are nausea and cramps.
I have it too and I am on a low histamine diet as well as low fiber and GF, SF, DF...name it I don't eat it ;-) I didn't start getting better until I eliminated all the high histamine foods. You may want to try an antihistamine to see if you feel better. If you do, then for sure you know that you have a histamine issue.
Jean posted on this thread at the beginning a great list of high histamine foods. You may want to download it.
Monique
I have it too and I am on a low histamine diet as well as low fiber and GF, SF, DF...name it I don't eat it ;-) I didn't start getting better until I eliminated all the high histamine foods. You may want to try an antihistamine to see if you feel better. If you do, then for sure you know that you have a histamine issue.
Jean posted on this thread at the beginning a great list of high histamine foods. You may want to download it.
Monique
Diagnosed 2011 with LC. Currently on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
Jon - muscle response testing is a technique used to identify food and chemical sensitivities. You can learn all about it on Dr. Nambudripad's website. Just google NAET, and you will find it.
Carol - your post made me laugh - thanks :). Yes, giving up chocolate is worthy of a lot of self-pity :(. I reintroduced it a couple of months ago when, to my delight, I discovered a local store called "The Chocolate Therapist". They make delicious GF/DF/EF chocolate in a GF environment!!! I tested low green to cocoa on MRT, so I figured it was time to give it a whirl. However, I've since had to give it up again
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Paula - I really do believe that mast cells/histamines are a big part of why some of us can't seem to achieve remission, and right now allergy season is at its worst, which may explain why so many of us are having a difficult time. I'm having a colonoscopy done in the near future, and as Tex recommended, I will ask to be tested for excess mast cells.
Love,
Kari
Carol - your post made me laugh - thanks :). Yes, giving up chocolate is worthy of a lot of self-pity :(. I reintroduced it a couple of months ago when, to my delight, I discovered a local store called "The Chocolate Therapist". They make delicious GF/DF/EF chocolate in a GF environment!!! I tested low green to cocoa on MRT, so I figured it was time to give it a whirl. However, I've since had to give it up again
.Paula - I really do believe that mast cells/histamines are a big part of why some of us can't seem to achieve remission, and right now allergy season is at its worst, which may explain why so many of us are having a difficult time. I'm having a colonoscopy done in the near future, and as Tex recommended, I will ask to be tested for excess mast cells.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
At least we can laugh and commiserate about our pity party, right? 
Paula, whenever I used to eat bananas within minutes my stomach would start to burn and I would get itching around my mouth. The burning was intense-- punishing enough that I will never eat one again. I don't remember having it as a kid but as a young adult it came on. I didn't get the itching with the chocolate but I notice I get a heartburn kind of feeling, and I believe it is a similar reaction. I don't seem to get that strong reaction to any other fruit fortunately. I mentioned the reaction once on this site and Tex felt it was a classic mast cell reaction. Definitely something I need to be aware of.
C.
Paula, whenever I used to eat bananas within minutes my stomach would start to burn and I would get itching around my mouth. The burning was intense-- punishing enough that I will never eat one again. I don't remember having it as a kid but as a young adult it came on. I didn't get the itching with the chocolate but I notice I get a heartburn kind of feeling, and I believe it is a similar reaction. I don't seem to get that strong reaction to any other fruit fortunately. I mentioned the reaction once on this site and Tex felt it was a classic mast cell reaction. Definitely something I need to be aware of.
C.
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
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humbird753
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Thank you for your comments Monique, Kari & Carol. I don't believe I've had a histamine reaction to any foods. At least I don't have anything as noticeable as what you're mentioning Carol. I think I will try Clariton Redi tabs as I've seen those mentioned frequently here. So... I'll see if it will show any improvements. Does it take awhile to see results?
Monique - thanks for letting me know that I do have some understanding of it (I wasn't sure - lol)
Leah - I hope you are doing well.
Paula
Monique - thanks for letting me know that I do have some understanding of it (I wasn't sure - lol)
Leah - I hope you are doing well.
Paula
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
Hi Leah, sorry so late to the party.
I'm sorry that you're relapsing and I wish I had some encouraging words.
Reading everyone's post just now totally depressed me. I am still in denial of the foods I cannot eat and here I'm reading that high histamine foods may be a problem as well (avocado's) my fav.
My thoughts are with you Leah and I hope you find relief soon.
I'm sorry that you're relapsing and I wish I had some encouraging words.
Reading everyone's post just now totally depressed me. I am still in denial of the foods I cannot eat and here I'm reading that high histamine foods may be a problem as well (avocado's) my fav.
My thoughts are with you Leah and I hope you find relief soon.
Joanne
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
Paula,
We are all different about our symptoms and reactions. When I first took Claritin Reditabs it was for a constantly runny nose. The day after I took the first pill, and for the next several days, my BM's were vastly improved. That's how I concluded that I was having problems with mast cells/histamines.
Love,
Kari
We are all different about our symptoms and reactions. When I first took Claritin Reditabs it was for a constantly runny nose. The day after I took the first pill, and for the next several days, my BM's were vastly improved. That's how I concluded that I was having problems with mast cells/histamines.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
Gosh...I've been off this board too long! Leah...sorry to hear about your recent backslide. Are you improving any?
I don't seem to have histame issues YET! I eat an avocado almost every day and I eat leftovers constantly. Have been doing this all through healing. This thread scares me a little...have to admit. Luckily I don't suffer with allergies of any kind. I did have some nausea this week but chalked that up to nerves (stressed this week) and gorging on corn chips which has finally sunk in that I need to quit doing that. Everything in moderation for me.
Carol....I feel for ya with the chocolate. I eat those bars every now and then and now that I've read this thread I'm craving one. It's weird as my doctor told me NO chocolate due to the fact it is high in acid. But for some reason those don't give me heartburn at all. So I'll keep eating them!
Someone mentioned being tired of starches and proteins....ME TOO!! Too scared to eat more veggies (increased fiber) and more fruit. Actually the only fruit I eat is a banana and avocados. Too chicken to try anything else.
Okay....so here's what is bugging me. One of my friends told me last weekend that avocados are very bad for the colon! Her nutritionist father told her that. WTH! I don't want to give those up as I'm pretty positive they have upped my good cholesterol to 70. And I need the calories! Has anyone else heard this about avocados?
@Monique....glad you are still feeling better! That Elavil rocks!
Terri
I don't seem to have histame issues YET! I eat an avocado almost every day and I eat leftovers constantly. Have been doing this all through healing. This thread scares me a little...have to admit. Luckily I don't suffer with allergies of any kind. I did have some nausea this week but chalked that up to nerves (stressed this week) and gorging on corn chips which has finally sunk in that I need to quit doing that. Everything in moderation for me.
Carol....I feel for ya with the chocolate. I eat those bars every now and then and now that I've read this thread I'm craving one. It's weird as my doctor told me NO chocolate due to the fact it is high in acid. But for some reason those don't give me heartburn at all. So I'll keep eating them!
Someone mentioned being tired of starches and proteins....ME TOO!! Too scared to eat more veggies (increased fiber) and more fruit. Actually the only fruit I eat is a banana and avocados. Too chicken to try anything else.
Okay....so here's what is bugging me. One of my friends told me last weekend that avocados are very bad for the colon! Her nutritionist father told her that. WTH! I don't want to give those up as I'm pretty positive they have upped my good cholesterol to 70. And I need the calories! Has anyone else heard this about avocados?
@Monique....glad you are still feeling better! That Elavil rocks!
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Terri,
I don't understand why avocados would be bad for the colon. I suspect that someone is confused, with that recommendation. They are low sugar, and most importantly, low fructose. Even Dr. Loren Cordain recommends avocados.
Tex
I don't understand why avocados would be bad for the colon. I suspect that someone is confused, with that recommendation. They are low sugar, and most importantly, low fructose. Even Dr. Loren Cordain recommends avocados.
Sugar Content of FruitNote that some fruits (avocados, lemons, and limes) are very low in total sugar and should not be restricted.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
HI Jon,
No I've not had reactions to latex. I react to things like perfumes or chemicals though. On me I'll develop a rash. if others are wearing them, my nose closes up. It's not a huge problem generally, just more annoying.
Carol
No I've not had reactions to latex. I react to things like perfumes or chemicals though. On me I'll develop a rash. if others are wearing them, my nose closes up. It's not a huge problem generally, just more annoying.
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
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wmonique2
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a slide backwards
Hello y'all,
Now that we all gathered under Leah's tent, I'll venture to ask a question that's been gnawing at me for a good while.
Has anyone's symptoms been WORSE since diagnosed? And more importantly, the more I eliminate THE MORE sensitive I seem to become.
Here's what my scenario is (I'll make it brief): after diagnosis I was put on mesalamine, got better immediately, ate EVERYTHING. Eight months later went to Italy and France, ate EVERYTHING, drank wine.
I come back, read on the condition and decide that I better go GF. I got GF and soon thereafter I start having symptoms of nausea and cramps.
It seems to me that the more I eliminate, the more sensitive I have become to everything else.
Now I am two years post diagnosis and I am NOT healing. Still on mesalamine, added elavil inspite of all the eliminations (GF, SF, DF, low histamine and low fiber) I AM NOT HEALING. Just trying to stay symptom-free.
Has anybody gotten worse since diagnosis? Has anybody gotten MORE sensitive? Does anyone have a theory about this?
Thank you all.
Monique
Now that we all gathered under Leah's tent, I'll venture to ask a question that's been gnawing at me for a good while.
Has anyone's symptoms been WORSE since diagnosed? And more importantly, the more I eliminate THE MORE sensitive I seem to become.
Here's what my scenario is (I'll make it brief): after diagnosis I was put on mesalamine, got better immediately, ate EVERYTHING. Eight months later went to Italy and France, ate EVERYTHING, drank wine.
I come back, read on the condition and decide that I better go GF. I got GF and soon thereafter I start having symptoms of nausea and cramps.
It seems to me that the more I eliminate, the more sensitive I have become to everything else.
Now I am two years post diagnosis and I am NOT healing. Still on mesalamine, added elavil inspite of all the eliminations (GF, SF, DF, low histamine and low fiber) I AM NOT HEALING. Just trying to stay symptom-free.
Has anybody gotten worse since diagnosis? Has anybody gotten MORE sensitive? Does anyone have a theory about this?
Thank you all.
Monique
Diagnosed 2011 with LC. Currently on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
Unless you have a histamine problem, avocados are great for you. I don't get that claim.
thanks Terri. No, I'm not improving and it's getting a little disheartening. I had WD 3 times already today. I know that if it is histamines, then it took a while for it to build up in my system. I guess that means it takes a while to rid the body of it once you cut down on those foods. ?????
I also e-mailed my GI doctor to update him and tell him my suspicions of Mast cell/histamine problems. He said that there really isn't a diagnosis for that . When I asked if my biopsy can be looked at with the tryptase stain, he said that they don't do that since it's not a real diagnosis and it's so "easily treatable". WTH? I don't understand what the hell he's talking about and told him so in my next e-mail. Easy?! I am so sick of my insurance. First they wouldn't test my T3 and T4 levels for my thyroid and now they won't test for over production of mast cells.
leah
thanks Terri. No, I'm not improving and it's getting a little disheartening. I had WD 3 times already today. I know that if it is histamines, then it took a while for it to build up in my system. I guess that means it takes a while to rid the body of it once you cut down on those foods. ?????
I also e-mailed my GI doctor to update him and tell him my suspicions of Mast cell/histamine problems. He said that there really isn't a diagnosis for that . When I asked if my biopsy can be looked at with the tryptase stain, he said that they don't do that since it's not a real diagnosis and it's so "easily treatable". WTH? I don't understand what the hell he's talking about and told him so in my next e-mail. Easy?! I am so sick of my insurance. First they wouldn't test my T3 and T4 levels for my thyroid and now they won't test for over production of mast cells.
leah