Histamine Intolerence?

Hey,

For those of you (like me) who suffer allergies and I.C, this article may be of interest! I think it might provide a strong clue regarding the allergy/I.C/Histamine connection...

http://www.allergyuk.org/fs_histamine.aspx

Notice how all the foods and drinks which contain high histamine levels, are also those which cause I.C flares! Is this coincidence? Or does it explain why such a high number of mast cells are found in most I.C bladders??

I'm by no means an expert, but I just thought I would share, and hope that some others may find it useful too.

Take Care,

Jem xx

[Jem]

Another factsheet on 'Allergy/Intolerance and Chronic Disease'

Also very insightful!

http://www.allergyuk.org/fs_disease.aspx

Jem x

[cmclien]

Jem,
Thats a really good article!!!! It all fits for me other then chicken. It also explains why some people here have no problem with alcohol and chocolate. It of course explains why antihystamines are so helpful to people with IC. I noticed coffee is not on the list though! I wonder why.

Whats interesting is I was diagnosed with non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis)years ago. I had full blown allergy symptoms but I wasn't allergic to anything and this would fit right in with the intolerance or sensitivity to foods vs being actually "allergic" to them.
Thanks!

[Jem]

Hey Cindy! Am really glad you found it helpful too. :-) I also have rhinitis and GERD! I was never sure whether I had the allergic or non-allergic variety, but I think I have the non-allergic type... (Can you have a mixture of both types? I find it quite confusing tbh!) I still suffer from it now and find it really stressful. I've always been an 'allergic person' - As well as the rhinitis I also have asthma, hayfever, cat and dog hair allergy, very sensitive skin. (I get sweat rash when I exercise for example) And now I have I.C.

You're right about the chicken! I didn't spot that! Maybe all the foods don't match, but the vast majority seem to, don't they? And the I.C diet list varies so much for differrent people.

I think that coffee isn't listed because it is the caffeine and acid in it which affects the bladder, rather than histamine? Maybe this is the case with certain other foods/drinks too?

Here's another really good link that I found yesterday that you might find useful. I found the list of possible causes for Persistent non-allergic rhinitis really illuminating.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Rhin...sistent%29.htm

Have a great day!

Jem xx

[cmclien]

That is good and yes you can have both! I take a 12 hour mucinex-d which has sudafed in it every day of my life to keep my sinuses clear otherwise I end up getting an infection which is much worse. I also use a steroid spray every day, as long as I keep up with this combination they're pretty good.

I think you're right about the coffee and some other things and I think the article said something about that, I need to re-read it and print it out. That lists matches up real close to the one my UG gave me and the main trigger foods too.

I have GERD too and I take meds for that every day too though there is only one food that will cut straight through the meds and give me heartburn...chicken. Funny right?

[Jem]

Ah, so you CAN have both! That makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks Cindi. I've always felt that I fall partly into both categories.

That's funny about the chicken. With me it's the tougher red meats like steak which I can't digest. And chips/fries are a nightmare - they cut right through my meds!

I actually think sometimes that omeprazole makes my nose really stuffy and contributes to my rhinitis - do you find that? I'm not sure why. I'm trying to stay off it just now but I never seem to manage without it for long before I need to start taking it again. Longest I managed was 2.5 months! It's so hard to find the right balance with foods and meds etc. For example, my GP told me that omeprazole might be making my bladder worse, but I have no idea if he's right.

Jem x

[cmclien]

I've never heard that about the omeprazole and IC and that would be sad if it was true because I really can't go without it. I'm on the lowest dose possible (10mg) which works most of the time, sometimes I have to take another. I have tried pepcid and stuff but they're just not the same as the PPI's and don't work for me.

I compared that list to the one my UG gave me and they are virtually identical. I think I am going to follow it and see where it goes.

[Jem]

I am the exact same. Nothing else but Losec works for me. I was/am on 20 mg. I did try Tagamet for a while but it just didn't work as well....

Here's another bit of info on the subject which you might also find interesting? I cut and pasted the relevant bit from another website -

Foods that stimulate the release of histamine

Certain foods (even food that is low in histamine) can stimulate the release of histamine from mast cells (a type of immune cell). These foods include bananas, tomatoes, strawberries, pineapple, nuts, peanuts, shellfish, spinach, egg white and chocolate. Eating these foods can thus have an indirect effect on rosacea.

Some of the most tasteful food is high in histamine. High histamine levels however, can cause headaches, runny nose, sneezing, stomach aches/cramps and flushing skin.

Maintz, L. and Novak, N. (2007) Histamine and histamine intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr 85: 1185–96.

Good luck with the diet! Let me know how you get on!

Jem :-))

[Lindeee]

WOW.....that is so helpful. My bladder got SO bad when I cooked fresh spinach the other night-I'm always trying to keep things alkaline by eating "green things". I guess not with the spinach. Also, when the first came on I was binging on strawberries constantly. I'm going to try this. Thanks

[ICNDonna]

Spinach is usually IC safe. I find I feel best when I stick with the food list on this site. The link to it is in my signature below.

Donna

[Landish]

WOW.....that is so helpful. My bladder got SO bad when I cooked fresh spinach the other night-I'm always trying to keep things alkaline by eating "green things". I guess not with the spinach.

I can't have spinach either. When I cook spinach is bad , when I eat it fresh is worst. I tried it to many times to be sure. I don't know if that is about histamine, oxalate or just to many vitamins but spinach is one of those foods I stay away because when I eat spinach, my bladder hurts.

[Jem]

Your welcome :-)

WOW.....that is so helpful. My bladder got SO bad when I cooked fresh spinach the other night-I'm always trying to keep things alkaline by eating "green things". I guess not with the spinach. Also, when the first came on I was binging on strawberries constantly. I'm going to try this. Thanks

Your welcome Lindee. I'm glad you found the article helpful. I know it's just a possible theory, but given how little is known about IC and the theory that it may be an allergic condition/more prevelant in those of us with allergies, anything is worth a shot right? Hope you get on well without the spinanch and that you don't miss it too much.

Jem x

[heidiho]

Very interesting. Thank you for posting the links. Since I went on the IC diet a couple of weeks ago I noticed that symptoms of bloating and gas which I have frequently have been greatly reduced as well. I am wondering if it is the histamine producing foods that created this reaction as well. I have had allergy problems all my life and have gotten frequent skin rashes during allergy season. I have also gotten sweat rashes or heat rashes in the past. I never thought this could be connected to IC but it makes sense.

[Jem]

You're welcome. :-)

[Lindeee]

Since I read this first post I have been doing research on histamine and IC. After many, many years of practically no symptoms, I started having a flare this past January. I noticed the first twinge on a day when I was wearing costume jewelry (ear rings and a necklace) that I was clearly allergic too. My skin was crawling, but I was on a train taking a short trip and I just didn't think to take the ear rings off or the necklace which was making a rash on my skin. Later on I noticed a bladder twinge and was like whoa...haven't felt that in a LONG time. The next time I noticed a twinge I had eaten a lot of mashed potatoes.....then full blown flare after eating spaghetti sauce which had burgandy wine in it (I didn't realize this) for three days straight. The allergic reaction to the jewelry, the potatoes and the sauce are all known to cause histamine in the body. I can't say if this is the whole puzzle, but I do think it could be a piece given all the research on mast cells, etc. I really don't agree with the acid theories because I've kept my urine and have had the worst pain-it does not seem to matter. The other question for me is hormones and what part they play. Anyway, in my last post I did say I am exploring supplements and foods that inhibit histamine. I am staying away from all histamine producing foods. I have had severe pain after eating spinach several times, so the lists make sense to me except for chicken which does not seem to cause a problem. Anyway....I'm grateful to at least have another avenue to explore.