IBS and urticaria

Post your questions about histamine here.

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hannahbenini
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Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:33 am
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by hannahbenini on Sun Apr 29, 2018 11:33 pm

IBS and urticaria

I suffer from constipation-based IBS with inflammation and manage it ok by following the FODMAPS program and have done for 8 years despite not much being known about the effects of long term adherence. I've tried to re-introduce highly fermentable carbs but it's too symptomatic. I have at times wondered if I'm suffering from SIBO and just read about a link between that and histamine intolerance online. I'm not even sure though if SIBO is recognised by the medical profession proper?

I also suffer from
-Solar urticaria
-Dermatographic urticaria
-What I would call general urticaria where if I don't have antihistamines in my body my skin is incredibly itching and develops hives, worse with excess heat
-rhinitis that seems to be triggered by traffic fumes which is very irritating as my inner ear canal on one side seems to close up whenever I'm out and about in the city!

When I went about 20 years ago to a specialist and told them about the skin symptoms - they said to take 20mg of cetirizine hydrochloride a day. I felt like this was a lot. I used to be able to take them just in the summer and then come off for winter but after I was on that higher dose I couldn't do that. I reduced the dosage down to 5mg a day which I'm still on but itch too much to come off them now over the winter.

I've never considered that I have a 'histamine intolerance' or overload as I'm understanding from reading your posts. Just thought of myself as an 'allergic' person. I'm still very unclear - do allergies cause high histamine or does high histamine cause allergies?

I'm curious how, if I have got a histamine intolerance how that might be interplaying with my gut and diet.
but the thought of cutting out more foods is something I'd rather not battle with - or could it be that if I cut out high histamine foods that I wouldn't be so reactive to FODMAP foods?

Sorry one last thing - are there any research studies linking anxiety and histamine. There's a lot coming out pointing to a feedback loop with IBS and anxiety and this feels like such similar territory...? My anxiety does feel worse when my IBS/bowel inflammation has kicked in.

THANKS!

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Dr Janice Joneja
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Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:31 am
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by Dr Janice Joneja on Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:19 am

Re: IBS and urticaria

Your history does suggest that excess histamine may be contributing to your symptoms. Urticaria, some types of IBS, anxiety, and rhinitis are all associated with excessive levels of histamine. You can find details about the role of histamine in these conditions in my publication, "The Beginner's Guide to Histamine Intolerance", which may be accessed here: https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide- ... B07258TX34

Some patients with IBS find that they achieve significant relief of their symptoms by avoiding foods high in histamine in addition to the diet prescribed to control their IBS. Details about this approach can be found in my article in the latest newsletter of the Action Against Allergy (AAA) association. I would strongly recommend that you try my combined FODMAP and histamine restricted diet, details of which you can obtain from AAA. While following the diet it is very important for you to eat a good range of the foods allowed to ensure complete balanced nutrition. A registered dietitian will be able to assist you in this process.
Dr Janice Joneja
Medical microbiologist / immunologist

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... tamine.php

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