Hi All,
Here is some basic information about mast cells, and how mast cell issues are associated with microscopic colitis:
What are mast cells?
How are mast cells associated with microscopic colitis?
How do I know if mast cells are causing problems for me?
How are mast cell issues treated?
Tex
Mast Cells And Microscopic Colitis
Moderators: Rosie, JFR, Gabes-Apg, Joefnh
Mast Cells And Microscopic Colitis
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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MBombardier
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1523
- Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:44 am
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Joanne,
I'm aware of only about a half-dozen or so members who have actually been diagnosed, but IMO that's primarily because mast cells aren't even on the radar for most GI specialists — they don't know anything about them, and they're unaware of the role that mast cells play in digestive system diseases. That's also true for most allergists — they are aware of mast cells, and how they affect IgE reactions, but they know nothing about how mast cells can affect digestive system issues, so they typically are of no help for treating mast cell issues associated with MC.
The members who actually have a diagnosis, tend to have rather severe cases, and they were so motivated that they sought out mast cell specialists, in order to get a diagnosis. There are only a handful of specialists in the country who are qualified to diagnose mast cell disorders, and most of them were trained under the direction of Dr. Maria Castells, of Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston.
I would guess that more than two-thirds of us have at least some degree of mast cell issues, but for many of us, mast cells are only a minor problem. So some of us can ignore the problem, while others are forced to treat their mast cell issues in order to achieve remission from their MC symptoms.
Tex
I'm aware of only about a half-dozen or so members who have actually been diagnosed, but IMO that's primarily because mast cells aren't even on the radar for most GI specialists — they don't know anything about them, and they're unaware of the role that mast cells play in digestive system diseases. That's also true for most allergists — they are aware of mast cells, and how they affect IgE reactions, but they know nothing about how mast cells can affect digestive system issues, so they typically are of no help for treating mast cell issues associated with MC.
The members who actually have a diagnosis, tend to have rather severe cases, and they were so motivated that they sought out mast cell specialists, in order to get a diagnosis. There are only a handful of specialists in the country who are qualified to diagnose mast cell disorders, and most of them were trained under the direction of Dr. Maria Castells, of Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston.
I would guess that more than two-thirds of us have at least some degree of mast cell issues, but for many of us, mast cells are only a minor problem. So some of us can ignore the problem, while others are forced to treat their mast cell issues in order to achieve remission from their MC 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.
I have been eating only meat and baked potatoes for a week. I really feel like it hasn't helped at all. Last week I tried the zantac and it helped for the first day. The next day, I had WD and for me, my MC usually only causes loose stools and not complete water. So I was worried the zantac made it worse. My problem with MC is the abdominal pain and nausea. My worst day is 3 WD, but endless cramping. So this morning I decided to try zyrtec and my stomach seems to be slowly calming down. Has anyone had any experience with antihistamines and remission? I took only half the total zyrtec I could take, and am going to take the rest at bedtime just to see how I wake up in the morning.
Martha E.
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Hi Martha,
Many of us have found that if we have been following a strict diet for long enough that we should be seeing some improvement, taking an antihistamine can break the stalemate and bring remission. It's possible that your results may seem inconsistent because you are not quite far enough along in the healing cycle. The cramping is something that many of us have to deal with until our gut actually begins to heal. It normally takes much longer than a week to see substantial improvement from the diet changes.
Note that antihistamines can also help to suppress/prevent nausea. While MC can develop relatively quickly in some cases, in many others it typically takes months or years for the inflammation that causes MC symptoms to grow to the point at which we begin to show the clinical symptoms associated with the disease. Similarly, it's unrealistic to expect a rapid recovery, because the gut heals surprisingly slowly from the damage caused by the inflammation. But patience and perseverance and attention to details will allow us to get our health back.
Tex
Many of us have found that if we have been following a strict diet for long enough that we should be seeing some improvement, taking an antihistamine can break the stalemate and bring remission. It's possible that your results may seem inconsistent because you are not quite far enough along in the healing cycle. The cramping is something that many of us have to deal with until our gut actually begins to heal. It normally takes much longer than a week to see substantial improvement from the diet changes.
Note that antihistamines can also help to suppress/prevent nausea. While MC can develop relatively quickly in some cases, in many others it typically takes months or years for the inflammation that causes MC symptoms to grow to the point at which we begin to show the clinical symptoms associated with the disease. Similarly, it's unrealistic to expect a rapid recovery, because the gut heals surprisingly slowly from the damage caused by the inflammation. But patience and perseverance and attention to details will allow us to get our health back.
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.
thank you Tex! I thought surely I would find a little relief after a week of diet. I got a little discouraged, thinking oh no foods aren't my problem. I am not a medicine taking person and could handle a diet a lot better than meds. But that antihistamine is really helping the cramps, so I will continue diet and meds.
Martha E.
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
A few people do see big improvements within a week or 2, but that's not common. We all seem to have different response rates. Without a corticosteroid to mask the symptoms, it typically takes most of us at least a month or more to see a significant improvement.
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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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Hi Tex,
I know a person who had a colonoscopy in July of 2016, but they didn't do a tryptase stain test at that time. She is telling me she wants to request another colonoscopy to have them do that test.
Have you ever heard of:
https://labtestsonline.org/understandin ... e/tab/test
Or would the results be more reliable from a colonoscopy?
Personally, I don't ask for colonoscopy tests but will do them if 5 years or more have lapsed.
I know a person who had a colonoscopy in July of 2016, but they didn't do a tryptase stain test at that time. She is telling me she wants to request another colonoscopy to have them do that test.
Have you ever heard of:
https://labtestsonline.org/understandin ... e/tab/test
Or would the results be more reliable from a colonoscopy?
Personally, I don't ask for colonoscopy tests but will do them if 5 years or more have lapsed.
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 Paula,
That's a totally different test. It has nothing to do with tryptase stains on biopsy slides. The Labtestsonline test you referenced tests for tryptase levels in the blood as a way to monitor mast cell activation for diagnosing systemic mastocytosis.
Tex
That's a totally different test. It has nothing to do with tryptase stains on biopsy slides. The Labtestsonline test you referenced tests for tryptase levels in the blood as a way to monitor mast cell activation for diagnosing systemic mastocytosis.
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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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Tex, can you help me "refresh" my memory on the H1 vs. H2 antihistamines. Isn't it the H1 antihistamines that are recommended (Benedryl at bed time, and then Claritin during the daytime, for example)?
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."
Yes, that's correct. But remember that long-term use of first-generation antihistamines such as Benedryl is not recommended because of their anticholinergic effect, which has been associated with age-related dementia, Alzheimer's, and other possible problems. Occasional use is usually OK. The second-generation antihistamines (such as Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec) do not have anticholinergic effects.
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.
-
humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
If a person finds that by using these H1 antihistamines their D goes away, isn't that a sign of having mast cell issues? If yes, wouldn't it be recommended they continue taking those antihistamines? Or is there a different avenue they should be taking such as avoiding high histamine foods? From what you're saying, it appears the antihistamines should be taken only on a short-term basis.
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."