Back Again

[AKLynx]

Hello All,
I've been around before. I was diagnosed with LC in 2013 after a lot of D. Entocort helped; I think I was on it too long but I eventually weaned off of it. I avoid gluten, milk products, most soy, and coconut with decent success. I’ve tried a couple of GI doctors but mainly see an integrative ND.

D, nausea, bloating/discomfort and migraines aren’t unusual for me but I was generally ok. I had SIBO at one point. Then in 2020 I had a cecal volvulous (intestine turned into a balloon animal) and a partial colectomy. After that a lot of the bloating/discomfort was actually better. D was rarely a problem. But I did still get nausea and headaches and such, and some weird bloating last fall/winter that randomly resolved itself without knowing what happened.

In 2021 I had a weird allergic flushing reaction to something I ate. The allergist ruled out standard allergies and decided to look at mast cell disease. Only one test came back positive and eventually I found I have Hereditary Alpha Tryptasemia, which is a cousin of mast cell disease that no one knows a damn thing about. But there’s a syndrome associated with it that explains quite a lot.

In March I had a colonoscopy and everything was clear---no sign of anything at all.

In August I caught Covid. Then as I was starting to feel better I either glutened myself or something just flared and I have felt crummy every since. Mostly bloating, discomfort, etc. But one night was caught in the rain and ran home and ended up in so much pain I went to the ER, and another night I went for a walk and was miserable after. The ER doc said there seemed to be constipation and colitis and he wondered if surgery scarring was constricting flow. My latest gi doc ordered a stool test and a flex sigmoidoscopy. Digital medical records has let me know that the LC has returned, and I've been impatiently waiting for a week for the doctor's office to call and tell me that.

ANYWAY. All that to say that scouring the boards it seems like magnesium and vitamin D are recommended for C---does that sound right? I've been taking the vitamin D but Covid broke me of my magnesium habit. The doctor before knowing the diagnosis recommended miralax and fiber. Someone else suggested senna tea. They both seem to help but I think the tea is causing a bit of cramping and excessive going.

Besides any suggestions on that, any thoughts on whether it's the constipation or the colitis itself causing the pain? I've been afraid to exert myself in any way since those two episodes. I want to go for a walk. And I'm pissed I wasted the last two months of biking season--it snowed and got cold this week. I also missed a conference for work because it was before my procedure and not knowing what the issue was, it was advised that I not fly.

My theory is HaT + Covid + Job stress = no more remission. But that doesn't help with feeling better. For the most part knowing it's LC again is a bit of a relief that it's not something else worse, but the symptoms being opposite of what they've always been has thrown me off. I’m curious what the doctor will suggest.

[Gabes-Apg]

best suggestions for constipation

be wary of mainstream medicine fibre products - they tend to bulk the stool and make it harder to pass

MC safe type things to help constipation
- Vit D3 magnesium as mentioned
- increase water intake
- increase oil/fat intake. fatty meats, spoonful of coconut oil
- gentle fibre, peeled apple, watered down pear juice,
- breathing exercises and gentle yoga to help stomach muscles
- good sleep and rest (if I am overtired and constipated extra rest sleep will help)


My theory is HaT + Covid + Job stress = no more remission.
not necessarily - I have five auto immune issues and am managing to work full time and have reasonable remission
in regards to the HaT. principles that we suggest for mast cells will help
Zinc, Vit C, Active B6 will help moderate histamine/ allergies

low inflammation eating plan and low toxin lifestyle will also help.

what sort of products are you using on your body and hair? are they free of gluten, oats, soy, excess chemicals?

for me contact with cleaning chemicals or getting my hair dyed can increase histamine/inflammation
other toxins like mold are also triggers for me

If I have contact with some of these, I will do magnesium foot soak and other things to help detox things from the body

[AKLynx]

Thank you for the tips Gabes. I’m getting the impression it’s the constipation that caused the big pain, which is the more manageable option. Though it does sound like finding the right kind of fiber might be tricky. My doctor has recommended Healthy Origins Healthy Fiber in the past. I’ve also been doing Nerva. I think I’ll try some yoga soon.

My hair/skin products are pretty clean—I don’t like the chemical stuff and have sensitive skin. I’ve tolerated certified gf oats on occasion but avoid them in products.

So you have HaT also? It sounds like a lot of people with mast cell disorders have it. It’s a recent diagnosis for me. I’ve mainly been taking OTC antihistamine for it and was prescribed an epi pen. I’ve wondered about H2 antihistamines but have found that adding stomach acid actually helps so I’m wary. I’ll look into the zinc/C/B6. In the end I’ve only missed one day of work, but I could be a lot more comfortable. Anyway, thank you for the reply and sorry for the bother.

[Gabes-Apg]

I haven't had HaT. but over the time being part of this forum we have had many people with histamine / mast cell issues

prior to my MC diagnosis I had chronic allergies for 40 years of my life I could not go anywhere near horses or cats
had issues with cut grass etc

since adopting the low inflammation eating plan and fixing key nutrient deficiencies I have resolved these issues and do not react to these items

using antihistamines is a bit of band aid, and not best long term solution.
healthy digestion actually needs small amount of histamine, and taking antihistamines can hinder stomach acid production (which will contribute to constipation)
B6 and magnesium are key nutrients for balanced stomach acid so it is interesting that these two nutrients are also key in histamine moderation in the body

if you use oral MC and magnesium soaks this will help reduce the pain and optimise magnesium levels in the body.

[AKLynx]

Holy cow I think you helped a piece fall into place—too much antihistamine. Thank you for that…