mast cells and opiates

[dminton]

Does anyone know if it's true that opiates can "activate" mast cells, thus worsening IC pain? Now if that isn't the worst scenario you can imagine, I don't know what is. I'm very curious about this. Thanks.

[ICNDonna]

I've never heard of that one. Did you see it in an article in a medical journal?

Donna

[dminton]

Actually, I have read it in a couple of different medical articles about pain management for IC; I don't remember what they were. All mentions were very brief, a line and no more. I also know that my local uro got wind of this concept and uses it to NOT treat his IC patients' pain because he "isn't comfortable treating pain." This is what I'm stuck with in the area where I live! (Actually, I go out of the area for most of my IC care). The concept goes something like this: (and I think it was an article by Lowell Parsons): opiates cause mast cell activation and so are not the best idea to use when trying to heal IC.