Elimination diet for Histamine challenge - outcomes?

[lotsofgirls]

Hi gals,
The dietician at the pain center has had me on an elimination diet for 10 days, directed at determining if histamines are a problem with my IC. Basically I have been eating foods that don't cause histamine reactions such as turkey, rice and pears, sweet potatoes, squash and not alot else. It has been a severe diet for 10 days and tomorrow we start the histamine challenge whereby we overload my system with histamines and document the reaction. I think the idea is to see if I react to histamines and then if yes, treat that with anti-histamines.

Has anyone else ever gone through this, and if yes, what happened? Also, if you are on anti-histamines for IC what made you decide to take them, and how do they work?

Thanks for helping with this,
Cath

[blue]

I'm taking Benedryl for IC. My doctor suggested that it might help. I had a tumor, he said that was made up of mast cells. He said mast cells are affected by hystamines.

[theclownster]

Hello! I have not been through what you are describing. It sounds quite challenging. I have always had sensitive skin and had a prescription for Zyrtec that I would only take when I got hives. Well, when I went to the first urologist and she mentioned IC, I did my research and found that a lot of people have been helped with anti-histamines. I decided on my own to start taking the Zyrtec daily (it was prescibed for daily use as needed). I noticed a significant difference, so I continued to take it.

When I visited the second urologist, he was impressed with how much I knew about IC and said it was a good idea to be on a regular anti-histamine. He took my off the zyrtec and put me on the atarax 25mg at bedtime. It helps a lot I think. I sure notice when I accidentally forget to take it. Then, the symptoms become worse -- so, I continue to take it nightly.

Good luck with the process you are going through. It sounds interesting, but could potentially be painful if you have a reaction. Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Take Care!
Jennifer

[blue]

Keep us updated with the outcome!

[ad8123]

Good Luck, I did something similar when I was a child to help better identify my allergies (after a skin pric test). I had a bad reaction to rice, had to take a full dose of benydryl and got sent to bed (not school though!) so I hope it goes well, if histamines are a problem though there are a ton of antihitimines out there so you should be able to find one that workd for you!

Angela
Florida