Are you histamine intolerant? Today’s episode features the quiz to determine whether it may be an issue for you.
Episode 006 - Created With a Purpose
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) patients have more conditions that they struggle with more than MCAS alone. Getting a MCAS diagnosis may be the gateway to the discovery of other conditions and how these could be tied to some of the recent events that involved rolling up sleeves.
The ties to Long Covid and POTS is being linked as having similar symptoms. Now more than ever more people being recognized as having symptoms they’ve never had that resemble MCAS flares. Sensitivities to foods, chemicals, scents, etc. have left people wondering why all of a sudden is their life so different? Many have found relief by adopting a Low Histamine Diet, understanding nutrition, and learning how to better adapt to the stressors we can’t change and removing ones that we can do something about. You can change more than you think. There is hope.
Take the Histamine Quiz
See how many of the symptoms you experience and see if histamines might be the culprit behind your health issues. Histamine intolerance is often referred to as a “bucket” that overflows…and not in a good way. The way to feel better is to understand how histamines affect you and what foods to avoid to limit the number of histamines in your food and thus limit the load in your histamine bucket. If you eat more than your body can tolerate the bucket “overflows” and you experience a reaction.
For me, when my histamine load is to much for my body I experience “night sweats” where I wake up around 3 AM with a nightgown soaked in sweat. The histamine raises cortisol levels which spikes in the middle of the night around 2-4 AM. Limiting the histamines in your diet and keeping regular waking/sleeping cycle.
Chemical sensitivities are a problem and many cleaning products, chemicals in makeup, pharmaceuticals, foods and diesel fuels or volatile organic compound products (paint, adhesives, sealers, etc.) for me. I never know what I’ll react to so it’s not easy to be “normal” for people like me…a zebra.
Shortness of Breath (SOB) can be due to a vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency. The B vitamins work together and should be taken as a B complex. B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, folate (B9) and B12 are often deficient as well as other vitamins and certain minerals. Some of us will benefit from amino acids in the right balance. There isn’t a one pill fix, the body is a highly tuned machine when in optimum health. The best sources are from food and learning which foods help and which don’t.
What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?
The main cause of histamine intolerance is MCAS but what is it? I share the information found in Mast Cells United by Amber Walker (link below).
My story started two weeks after birth when I nearly starved to death due to a condition that was diagnosed as pyloric stenosis. I share more about this condition and my experience in my post, I’m a Survivor. My autoimmune condition apparently was due to the surgery, antibiotics and the trauma of surgery at the tender age of 2 months old. For six weeks I couldn’t eat and not only did I not thrive I was losing weight and wasting away to near death.
My Mystery Symptoms and Mast Cells
The latest information regarding mast cells. Notice how both women asked about using their computer or other devices caused flares and how the doctor never answered them? Hmmm….
In this documentary, Theoharis C. Theoharides, MS, MPhil, PhD, MD interviews Lisa Kilt and Julia M. Stewart, RN – two individuals who have experienced mysterious symptoms that doctors are unable to diagnose. As they walk us through their struggles and experiences, Dr. Theoharides breaks down the science behind mast cells, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and the possible solutions to dealing with symptoms. While a mast cell blocker is still unavailable in the market, Dr. Theoharides encourages more clinical research to be made for complex illnesses like MCAS.
Key Points: 00:00
Introduction 01:08
Lisa Kilt recounts her mystery symptoms 06:06
Julia M. Stewart, RN, recounts her mystery symptoms 08:59
The struggles of getting a proper diagnosis 14:22
Emotional and social effects of the mystery condition 18:09
How the mystery symptoms can fall under different diagnoses 19:28
What are mast cells and mast cell diseases? 21:45
How to pinpoint mast cell diseases 26:13
What makes MCAS different from other conditions? 30:34
Possible medication for MCAS 32:23
The importance of shedding light on symptoms 39:50
Natural supplements for MCAS 41:30
Other actionable tips for people with MCAS 45:33
The effects of stress on MCAS patients 50:52
The importance of complex illness research Dr. Theoharis C. Theoharides joined Nova Southeastern University (NSU) on July 1, 2022 as Professor at the Institute of Neuro-Immune Medicine, and Director of a new Center of Excellence on Neuroinflammation Research at the Clearwater campus. He has been Professor of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine and Director of Molecular Immunopharmacology & Drug Discovery, Tufts School of Medicine (1983-2022) and will remain as Adjunct Professor there. Dr. Theoharides’ website
Find out more about the INIM here. 👉 https://www.nova.edu/nim/index.html
Storms
The rain reminded me of the storms in our lives. I learned to dance in the rain instead of waiting for the rainbows. The rainbow will come in time, along with the sun. This day I enjoyed the moments of the storm’s approach and the signs that nature offered to take shelter so I stayed inside when the rain came. It was a good day to watch a movie, bake some bread and find ways to enjoy the day despite the weather. I welcome you to sit down, relax and enjoy a few minutes of living in the moment.
The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies and More – December 10, 2019
by Dr. Becky Campbell (Author)
Millions of people suffer from allergies, migraines, skin issues, sleep disturbances, digestive ailments or anxiety due to undiagnosed histamine intolerance.
Dr. Becky Campbell, who has years of experience in the field and who suffers from histamine intolerance herself, has created a revolutionary four-phase program to heal your body naturally. What makes her approach different―and more effective for lifelong results―is that it looks for root causes and offers a well-rounded, holistic treatment plan that addresses diet, environmental toxins, lifestyle and more.
To help you uncover why your body is not processing histamine correctly, Dr. Campbell explains the eight most common factors and how to address them. Then she gives you a plan that includes a low-histamine diet, liver care, gut support and direction on how to safely reintroduce the foods that were once making you sick. Along with her wealth of delicious recipes, she also includes information on supplements, ways to reduce stress and much more.
Invest in your health and use The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan to heal your body for good.
Mast Cells United: A Holistic Approach to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
by Amber Walker
Two years of full-time research and over 500 pages of information about MCAS!
Faith and Hope
Living for over six decades with these chronic issues that doctors seemed to know little or nothing about often left me feeling defeated and with little hope. I found my courage and my strength through my faith. I found these daily devotionals by Sara such encouraging words that I hope reach out to you too, wherever you are and whatever you’re going through.
A Daily Devotional for Discovering a Meaningful Life in Christ by Sara Daigle.
Finalist in the 2019 TopShelf Book Awards, Women of Purpose offers 100 days of scripture-based devotions for an intentional and abundant life rooted in Christ.
Music
for The Lone Zebra is provided by my subscription to Epidemic Sound.
Today’s featured song is They Sing Hallelujah by the Wildflowers.
Musical Interludes that are features for the show are parts of the following songs:
Your Grace by Station Story (Theme Song for the podcast)
Shaving Grace by T. Morri
Come Be With Us by Joyspring
The Paper Birch by Johannes Bornlof
Our Early Years by David Celeste
I hope you enjoyed the show and share it with a friend! I’m not on some of the usual podcast platforms due to censorship that would not allow me to share the truth. I hope you will help me by sharing this podcast with your family and friends that you care about. There are many people out there struggling with chronic illnesses that can benefit by listening to some of the tips I share.
The Lone Zebra can be found here on Substack with no ads and all the links and show notes are here for your reference too. The episodes can also be found on:
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Listed platforms without links I have submitted my podcast to but have yet to list the show. This will be updated on future podcast episodes either with links or being removed from this list. Thank you for your patience.
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