Hey Everyone,
I have been doing fairly well MC-wise. I've just been super careful with my diet and things have improved.
However, I did some research on boswellia serrata (frankincense). I had read that it was a powerful anti-inflammatory and a couple places recommended it for inflammatory bowel diseases. So I thought I'd give it a try. I've been taking it for maybe a week---probably less. Just yesterday I started having my GERD symptoms. I don't get the usual heartburn---but a tightness/soreness in my neck upon deeper breaths. Last night I could barely sleep and this morning is just awful. The tightness is down into my chest and it hurts to eat---I almost feel like it's so tight I could choke easily. I started thinking on what I've changed and thought about the boswellia. So I looked into its side effects better and sure enough, reflux is a symptom. But it also talks about an allergic reaction symptoms being a tightness in the chest.
I'm trying to decide if it's just a bad case of GERD or if I'm having an allergic reaction. I don't know if I should be calling my doctor or waiting it out. Unfortunately I had a dose last night as well. I wish I would have thought to investigate that better sooner. Anyone have anything similar happen to them? If it's just GERD is there any way to make this lessen for a time? Is there an OTC I can take that won't cause a MC reaction? I'm obviously going to quit taking the blasted things, but I don't know how long this will take to subside and it's quite literally driving me crazy!
Melanie
Boswellia Serrata
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Melanie,
Your symptoms sound like more than just acid reflux, heartburn, etc. An anaphylactic reaction is possible from just about anything. While it's possible that your symptoms might be due to an infection, they are almost certainly due to the Boswellia serrata, so it might be a good idea to check with your doc. If you feel that you're having anaphylaxis, Benadryl will usually relieve most anaphylaxis symptoms within a few minutes. It can make you drowsy, though, so if you take it be careful if you do any driving.
Tex
Your symptoms sound like more than just acid reflux, heartburn, etc. An anaphylactic reaction is possible from just about anything. While it's possible that your symptoms might be due to an infection, they are almost certainly due to the Boswellia serrata, so it might be a good idea to check with your doc. If you feel that you're having anaphylaxis, Benadryl will usually relieve most anaphylaxis symptoms within a few minutes. It can make you drowsy, though, so if you take it be careful if you do any driving.
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.
Melanie,
The boswellic acid in boswellia serrata can inhibit the biosynthesis of leukotrienes. This can have a significant effect on immune system functioning, and inflammatory responses. Ordinarily, leukotriene inhibition would be a good thing, (if you have asthma, for example), but if something goes wrong in the process, adverse results can occur.
I don't have a very good understanding of the implications of this, so I would suggest that you check with your doctor immediately. Hopefully she or he will be able to shed some light on it. There may be some better treatments available to counteract the symptoms.
Tex
The boswellic acid in boswellia serrata can inhibit the biosynthesis of leukotrienes. This can have a significant effect on immune system functioning, and inflammatory responses. Ordinarily, leukotriene inhibition would be a good thing, (if you have asthma, for example), but if something goes wrong in the process, adverse results can occur.
I don't have a very good understanding of the implications of this, so I would suggest that you check with your doctor immediately. Hopefully she or he will be able to shed some light on it. There may be some better treatments available to counteract the symptoms.
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.
Thanks Tex. I guess it wouldn't hurt to call my doctor. I didn't even consider an infection. I don't have any other symptoms though such as fever or cold or anything like that. It seems to be tied to my digestion as I am quite gasy with it as well. It gets a little better after I burp. It's horrible when I bend down---lots of pressure. Feels like my neck will explode. I had these same symptoms while doing my prep for my colonoscopy. They got worse shortly afterwards and then they just went away. I had thought it was gerd because it was worse when lying on my right side and when lying flat. Raising the bed also seemed to help.
Melanie,
I don't doubt that you are having acid reflux issues as part of the reaction, but they are almost surely due to an adverse reaction to the Boswellia serrata. Apparently the prep that you used for the colonoscopy contains one or more chemical ingredients that also causes a similar reaction, (possibly the same ingredient/s).
Tex
I don't doubt that you are having acid reflux issues as part of the reaction, but they are almost surely due to an adverse reaction to the Boswellia serrata. Apparently the prep that you used for the colonoscopy contains one or more chemical ingredients that also causes a similar reaction, (possibly the same ingredient/s).
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.
No suggestions on your current problem but just wanted to say that I took boswellia serrata for several months and I had no adverse symptoms but I also couldn't tell that it was helping so I eventually dropped it. Another member (ant) was trying it also but I don't know if he is still taking it. Perhaps he will see this thread.
I wish you the best........
Shirley
I wish you the best........
Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
