Hi Tex and others in the MC community,
I've had some ups and downs with MC and now realize that diet and antihistamines can really help. I feel a bit foolish since after reading some comments in one of the forums regarding diet, I stopped milk and wow, I have so much less gas and discomfort. I really felt that most foods would not be a problem.... I had a really bad day yesterday and its not about Diarrhea, its about feeling like I have a 5 pound stone in my gut and it lasted all day.
I think milk and citric acid (oranges) seem to be bad foods for me. I'm still not sure that gluten is an issue but have stopped bread consumption as well for now. I love grapes but have stopped that as well, but plan to re-introduce at some future point.
The question I have is whether the antihistamine Cetirizine HCL (Zyrtec or Aller-Tec) is safe for long term use for brain health. The other question I have, is whether I can reduce a daily antihistamine to once every 2 or 3 days or is that foolish?
I'm happy I found this site as I have learned so much from many of you.
Best regards,
Ken
Antihistamine question - update on food
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Ken
milk (and most dairy products) are an issue for most MC'ers, especially if they are flaring
regarding the oranges - both citric acid and fibre is an issue for MC'ers, again especially when we are flaring. (regardless of histamine issue)
grapes tend to be to high in fibre and fruit sugar
regarding long term use of antihistamines - what sort of period are you talking about? longer than 2 years?
something of interest is that the body needs small amount of histamine for healthy digestion so long term use (ie longer than 2 years) of anti-histamines is not ideal
I have been able to resolve my life long (over 44 years) chronic histamine type issues since fixing my Magnesium and Vit B6 deficiency.
hope this helps
milk (and most dairy products) are an issue for most MC'ers, especially if they are flaring
regarding the oranges - both citric acid and fibre is an issue for MC'ers, again especially when we are flaring. (regardless of histamine issue)
grapes tend to be to high in fibre and fruit sugar
regarding long term use of antihistamines - what sort of period are you talking about? longer than 2 years?
something of interest is that the body needs small amount of histamine for healthy digestion so long term use (ie longer than 2 years) of anti-histamines is not ideal
I have been able to resolve my life long (over 44 years) chronic histamine type issues since fixing my Magnesium and Vit B6 deficiency.
hope this helps
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hi Gabes,
Thanks for the reply.
My antihistamine question assumes that once you have MC, it's not likely to heal and give you the same healthy colon we were born with. I don't know if this is an incorrect assumption or not. I would prefer if I could use an antihistamine daily for a week and then taper off to once every two days for 3-4 weeks and then taper further to 2 a week or so. I have no allergies so I've rarely taken antihistamines except during colds or to promote sleep.
I'm about half-way thru Tex's book so maybe it's in there, but I'd simply love to know if others have used antihistamines successfully and tapered off their use.
I'm considering the stool testing from Enterolab but I'm a bit confused by the number of options presented. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Best regards,
Ken
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
to answer the antishistamine question as to if you can taper off and not be dependant daily - it depends
- it depends on how much contact with histamine triggers you are having. keeping in mind that there are external histamine triggers, it is not just about food and drink
- depends on your Vit D3, Magnesium and B6 levels, how much inflammation there is in the body and how your body it is reacting to histamine triggers.
I did use antihistamines daily for about 12-18 months and then was able to stop when I resolved the magnesium and B6 deficiency
regarding the enterolab testing - lots of discussions and info in this section of the forum
http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=67
- it depends on how much contact with histamine triggers you are having. keeping in mind that there are external histamine triggers, it is not just about food and drink
- depends on your Vit D3, Magnesium and B6 levels, how much inflammation there is in the body and how your body it is reacting to histamine triggers.
I did use antihistamines daily for about 12-18 months and then was able to stop when I resolved the magnesium and B6 deficiency
regarding the enterolab testing - lots of discussions and info in this section of the forum
http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=67
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hi Ken,
To add to what Gabes posted, yes, what you are considering for antihistamines may work for you, though it may take longer before you will be able to taper the dose. Many people who use antihistamines to treat MC find that after 2 or 3 months they can wean off the antihistamine. When antihistamines help, it typically means that at least some of the inflammation is due to mast cell activation. A significant amount of high-histamine foods in the diet is usually the main cause of symptoms caused by elevated histamine levels. Reducing the total intake of high histamine food can help at least as much as taking an antihistamine, in many cases. A deficiency of diamine oxidase enzyme (which is used by the body to purge excess histamine) can also lead to a histamine buildup. These issues are discussed in Chapter 14 in the book.
Most members here order the combination of the A1 and C1 Panels. The A1 panel includes tests for gluten, dairy, soy, and eggs which are the main food sensitivities. The C1 panel includes tests for 11 additional foods that cause many of us to react, including several other grains, the most common meats, nuts, etc.
I hope this helps,
Tex
To add to what Gabes posted, yes, what you are considering for antihistamines may work for you, though it may take longer before you will be able to taper the dose. Many people who use antihistamines to treat MC find that after 2 or 3 months they can wean off the antihistamine. When antihistamines help, it typically means that at least some of the inflammation is due to mast cell activation. A significant amount of high-histamine foods in the diet is usually the main cause of symptoms caused by elevated histamine levels. Reducing the total intake of high histamine food can help at least as much as taking an antihistamine, in many cases. A deficiency of diamine oxidase enzyme (which is used by the body to purge excess histamine) can also lead to a histamine buildup. These issues are discussed in Chapter 14 in the book.
Most members here order the combination of the A1 and C1 Panels. The A1 panel includes tests for gluten, dairy, soy, and eggs which are the main food sensitivities. The C1 panel includes tests for 11 additional foods that cause many of us to react, including several other grains, the most common meats, nuts, etc.
I hope this helps,
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.
I'd like to jump on this train... I've been meaning to research what the negatives are to anti-histamines. What's the downside to taking them for a few months? Just wondering if anybody knows off the top of their head?
-Kelly
I thank God that He led me to this forum and I thank Him for you.
Heart Palpitations 12/2013
Urticaria 2015
Symptoms for 5 years prior to 6/2016 diagnosis CD & LC
I thank God that He led me to this forum and I thank Him for you.
Heart Palpitations 12/2013
Urticaria 2015
Symptoms for 5 years prior to 6/2016 diagnosis CD & LC
Hi Kelly,
One thing to keep in mind for medium to long-term use is the fact that some of the older (first-generation) antihistamines that have anticholinergic effects have been shown to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's or other age-related dementia. The limiting factor is the total number of lifetime doses. If I recall correctly, any use exceeding something like 180 doses (over a lifetime) puts one in the higher risk category. (Someone please correct me if they know the exact number — I didn't bother to look it up to verify it). Note that it doesn't double the risk, but it can increase it something like 50%, so it's significant, but not huge.
This applies to most first-generation antihistamines, including Benedryl and Chlortrimeton. Second-generation antihistamines (such as Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra) do not have anticholnergic properties, so they do not pose a dementia risk (at least that's the current medical position). The increased risk also apples to tricyclic antidepressants.
Other than that, there shouldn't be any significant risks associated with using a second-generation antihistamine for a few months (other than the common side effects, such as dry mouth, etc.).
Tex
One thing to keep in mind for medium to long-term use is the fact that some of the older (first-generation) antihistamines that have anticholinergic effects have been shown to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's or other age-related dementia. The limiting factor is the total number of lifetime doses. If I recall correctly, any use exceeding something like 180 doses (over a lifetime) puts one in the higher risk category. (Someone please correct me if they know the exact number — I didn't bother to look it up to verify it). Note that it doesn't double the risk, but it can increase it something like 50%, so it's significant, but not huge.
This applies to most first-generation antihistamines, including Benedryl and Chlortrimeton. Second-generation antihistamines (such as Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra) do not have anticholnergic properties, so they do not pose a dementia risk (at least that's the current medical position). The increased risk also apples to tricyclic antidepressants.
Other than that, there shouldn't be any significant risks associated with using a second-generation antihistamine for a few months (other than the common side effects, such as dry mouth, etc.).
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.
Thx Tex.
I found some articles that talk about the dementia stuff. I'm not excited about taking any medications, but it's so hard to focus on low histamine and MC friendly at the same time. I took Zyrtec for about a week to see what it would do and it did help making things better. I'm thinking of picking that up again until I hit remission and then swapping out the Zyrtec for the b-vitamins when I am.
BTW, welcome Ken, sorry to hijack your thread, but I've been thinking about the same topic.
I found some articles that talk about the dementia stuff. I'm not excited about taking any medications, but it's so hard to focus on low histamine and MC friendly at the same time. I took Zyrtec for about a week to see what it would do and it did help making things better. I'm thinking of picking that up again until I hit remission and then swapping out the Zyrtec for the b-vitamins when I am.
BTW, welcome Ken, sorry to hijack your thread, but I've been thinking about the same topic.
-Kelly
I thank God that He led me to this forum and I thank Him for you.
Heart Palpitations 12/2013
Urticaria 2015
Symptoms for 5 years prior to 6/2016 diagnosis CD & LC
I thank God that He led me to this forum and I thank Him for you.
Heart Palpitations 12/2013
Urticaria 2015
Symptoms for 5 years prior to 6/2016 diagnosis CD & LC
My anti-histamine and diet results
Hi Tex, Gabe and others,
After joining this support group, buying the book and learning as much as I can, here are my very positive results:
1) I've consumed milk my entire life and now realize that a major problem with my gut involved drinking milk after being diagnosed with MC. The milk created lots of painful gas that has now stopped after dropping milk.
2) The only other major change is that I've started taking an antihistamine daily.
The antihistamine seems to be a wonderful change to my body. My symptoms were generally pain in-the-gut every morning, before elimination and typically 4-8 visits to the bathroom.
Now, after adding the antihistamine and dropping milk, I feel like I'm 95% good. No pain in the morning and I can now drink black coffee again without my stomach or gut reacting and very few visits to the bathroom The only vitamin I've added at the same time based on Tex's book, is Magnesium and B6.
I seem to be able to consume bread, eggs, oranges, grapes, carrots etc. without any impact. I still avoid cruciferous vegetables and beans. I'm so thankful I found this site and I want to be careful about assuming that this antihistamine is a magic pill. I will probably taper off the antihistamine in 30-60 days to see if I can wean myself off it. If not, I'll resume.
Life is so much better feeling this way!!
Thank you Tex!!
Best regards,
Ken
After joining this support group, buying the book and learning as much as I can, here are my very positive results:
1) I've consumed milk my entire life and now realize that a major problem with my gut involved drinking milk after being diagnosed with MC. The milk created lots of painful gas that has now stopped after dropping milk.
2) The only other major change is that I've started taking an antihistamine daily.
The antihistamine seems to be a wonderful change to my body. My symptoms were generally pain in-the-gut every morning, before elimination and typically 4-8 visits to the bathroom.
Now, after adding the antihistamine and dropping milk, I feel like I'm 95% good. No pain in the morning and I can now drink black coffee again without my stomach or gut reacting and very few visits to the bathroom The only vitamin I've added at the same time based on Tex's book, is Magnesium and B6.
I seem to be able to consume bread, eggs, oranges, grapes, carrots etc. without any impact. I still avoid cruciferous vegetables and beans. I'm so thankful I found this site and I want to be careful about assuming that this antihistamine is a magic pill. I will probably taper off the antihistamine in 30-60 days to see if I can wean myself off it. If not, I'll resume.
Life is so much better feeling this way!!
Thank you Tex!!
Best regards,
Ken
Ken,
You are most welcome, and I hope you continue to feel better and better.
Thank you for the update. We love to read success stories.
Tex
You are most welcome, and I hope you continue to feel better and better.
Thank you for the update. We love to read success stories.
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.
Dear Tex,
I am wondering if my high malapsorption from the enterlab test results could mean mast cell activation.Then I would start taking allegra.
My diet I have cleaned up,gf,df,soy free etc.,so I assume that in a year from now my numbers will go down.My other numbers were not that high to merit a high malabsoption.
Since I am more careful,4weeks now in my diet I do not notice any changes yet,I guess that takes more time,or if my antie evident.giadin was really high [mine was 25]maybe more change would be evident.
I was wondering if the bulking agent Bentonite Clay is of help to M.Cers,if anyone has tried it?[Jini Patel Thompson GutGuide]I am grateful for members responses.
Thank you
I am wondering if my high malapsorption from the enterlab test results could mean mast cell activation.Then I would start taking allegra.
My diet I have cleaned up,gf,df,soy free etc.,so I assume that in a year from now my numbers will go down.My other numbers were not that high to merit a high malabsoption.
Since I am more careful,4weeks now in my diet I do not notice any changes yet,I guess that takes more time,or if my antie evident.giadin was really high [mine was 25]maybe more change would be evident.
I was wondering if the bulking agent Bentonite Clay is of help to M.Cers,if anyone has tried it?[Jini Patel Thompson GutGuide]I am grateful for members responses.
Thank you
Antihistamines help for some people, but I hate to recommend to anyone to eat dirt (bentonite clay is not really clay— it's a fine sand). I don't believe that it will hurt you, but eating dirt is not my idea of a practical treatment.
Tex
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.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
I have used Diatomaceous Earth (similar to Betonite) it was great
it is like a natural colostryamine - it mops up biotoxins, mycotoxins, and helps to clear excess metals
I would only encourage the use of this via guidance of a practitioner. They should not be used long term.
I have not heard of them referred to as Bulking agents -
it is like a natural colostryamine - it mops up biotoxins, mycotoxins, and helps to clear excess metals
I would only encourage the use of this via guidance of a practitioner. They should not be used long term.
I have not heard of them referred to as Bulking agents -
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama