Allegra and Diet Are Working For Me! The Home Page ROCKS

[drdebc]

I have been a member here for some years. Sometimes I am not always active. I am sure the Home Page changed last year. However, every time I visit the site, I go directly to the forum page to research something.

I have had microscopic colitis for 32 years. It first occurred after the birth of my son. The diarrhea was initially diagnosed as a hiatal hernia, over the years it was re-classified as IBS. Finally, in 2007 it was classified as microscopic colitis. This site has provided invaluable assistance to me! Thank you Tex Et Al!!!

My MC has always resulted in an urgent run to the potty. I changed my diet and eliminated gluten, sugar, soy, dairy, eggs and night shades. (as a child, I was allergic to wheat and eggs) I tried the pepto bismol 6 week plan. It worked as long as I was taking so many pills a day. When I stopped, the D came right back! The one prescription drug that helps me is diphenox w/atropire and I hate having to take so many of these opium including pills!

I have always taken Allegra for chronic sinusitis. In the past, I carefully followed the dosing instructions of one per 24 hours, even though my nose was stuffy many hours earlier than that.

After going to the home page and reading about antihistamines and mast cells, I figured why not give it a shot. It WORKS! On occasions when the D re-occurs, I take another Allegra. I checked the side effects and I am confident they will harm me less than some of the other options.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Orchids and roses to you

[tex]

Wow! After 32 years of dealing with this disease, that's an impressive accomplishment, to say the least. Good for you for never giving up your search for a solution. I hope that your treatment plan continues to work well, and eventually, after your intestines are able to heal for a while, you may not need the Allegra as often.

You're very welcome, and thank you for posting such an inspiring update. Stories such as yours bring a bright ray of sunshine into an otherwise dreary winter day.

Tex

[drdebc]

For dinner last night, I had scallops with onions and mushrooms along with 2 wine glasses of Yellow Tail Cabernet. I cannot tolerate the sulfites in most USA wines. In the past, I have been able to have a glass of Yellow Tail with no ill effect.

Oops! I forgot to download the link on the home page that listed histamine-rich foods and histamine-releasing foods. I woke up this am to D and cramps. It took me two Allegra tablets- a few hours apart but I am good as new!
Once again, I have proven the connection between Mast cells and histamine-rich foods. And once again, for me, Allegra is the treatment.

The histamine food list is now on my refrigerator!

Thanks again, Tex!

[tex]

That's an impressive response to treatment, and as you say, it certainly verifies that histamine is the primary source of the problem.

Some authorities provide slightly different lists for histamine sensitivities. For example, you can find more extensive lists provided by the International Chronic Urticaria Society at this link:

Histamine-Restricted Diet

As always, you're most welcome. And thank you for another update with additional evidence of how effectively the treatment works for some of us.

Tex

[drdebc]

When I clicked it on the home page it did not work for me.

[tex]

The International Chronic Urticaria Society was in the process of updating their website when I set up that page. Apparently they subsequently changed the URL for that link, and I didn't realize it.

I have corrected the link, so it should work properly now.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Tex

[JFR]

This is the most comprehensive listing of histamine containing foods that I have found:

http://www.histaminintoleranz.ch/downlo ... 8EN%29.pdf

Jean

[drdebc]

thanks so much, Jean. This is very helpful.

[rachdemots]

I missed the protocol for taking an Allegra when D is bad. How many can you safely take in 24 hours???4

[drdebc]

I have taken as many as 3 in a day/night. I take one, wait a few hours and if needed, I take another one. After doing this for a couple of weeks, there are days I don't need one, and other days in which I need 2. Tex seems to think that as one's intestines heal, one might no longer need to take Allegra. The home page of this site has some valuable information about mast cells and histamine releasing foods and beverages. Many of things I love like avocados, shellfish and pineapples are culprits. Eliminating them has really helped me.
Welcome to the site! You will find supportive assistance from others who can empathize with what you are experiencing. There is also much valuable information.
Hang in there,
Deb

[rachdemots]

So you avoid histimine producing foods as well as you standard gluten,dairy,eggs,and soy right? Man seeing avocados on that list really gets me too...I have been putting them on everything since I can't have cheese/sour cream. Do you avoid corn as well or does that not seem to bother you?

[drdebc]

I do my best. Sometimes I cheat a little. Tonight, had a slice of Domino's pizza during the Super Bowl. It was the Hawaiian with cured ham, and pineapples and of course gluten and cheese. I just had to take an Allegra and I have indigestion. I avoid corn because I don't love it and because of the MSOs in corn. I miss pineapples, shell fish, mushrooms, avocados, sour cream and cheese. I find if I have a slight amount of one of these products, I am okay. But everyone is different. I figured one slice of pizza would be okay. Wrong! I think it was the combination of those foods.