Mast Cell Disorders Forum

Mast Cell Disorders Forum
http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl General Mast Cell Disorders Discussion >> Mast Cell Triggers >> Crowded place - is that possible? http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1314026071 Message started by MastoGem on 08/22/11 at 04:14:31

Title: Crowded place - is that possible?
Post by MastoGem on 08/22/11 at 04:14:31

I went to Disney Village this weekend and had a nice dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe. I'm still not sure why I reacted. I don't believe it was the meal as I played it super safe (and the timing of the reaction didn't seem to relate to the meal).

Anyway it was a ZOO in there. It's not that I didn't find it really neat. But I felt overloaded what with the huge mechanical apes going off, the kids screaming, the place erupting into fake rainstorms, etc, etc. It really wasn't such a problem until I had to go to the back of the restaurant (deep inside the crazy). I felt trapped in the back of the huge, crazy place and overwhelmed by so much going on in such a small space. Even after I got out of there, there were wall to wall people outside. Anyway, I'm not sure what to make of it. My sense is that I reacted to the crowd, but I guess technically I just allowed myself to get stressed.

Has anyone else found that crowds and/or loud places make them react? Is this something that I can train myself to deal with so it doesn't happen? I've never really enjoyed crowds but I'd hate to be limited by this such that I felt I couldn't attend an event or something.

Title: Re: Crowded place - is that possible?
Post by Joan on 08/22/11 at 07:14:08

Anything that's stressful can be a trigger, and delayed reactions are not uncommon. Mold is also a trigger for some people, and Rain Forest sounds like mold could have been possible. Travel is stressful, too, so it can be a trigger.

You probably know the bucket analogy. Every trigger adds to the bucket until it's full. Then, even one more drop can cause it to overflow, and you feel the reaction.

A lot of mast cell patients find they are super-sensitive to bright light, loud sounds, physical stimuli all kinds, especially when under stress or flaring. Sometimes I feel like uncomfortable shoes can trigger my mast cells! Your doc can prescribe something to try. Sometimes I take half an Ativan to get through a stressful situation along with some extra anti-histamines. Hydroxyzine is supposed to have a relaxing effect as well as being an H1 antihistamine.

Title: Re: Crowded place - is that possible?
Post by Patricia on 08/24/11 at 06:38:06

YES!!! my husband doesn't do well when there are too many people, confusion and especially loud noises. He's gotten better but when he was really sick and under medicated just being in a long line at whole foods would make him react...along with a panic like feeling.
Its gotten better now that his symptoms are under control but we try to make sure to avoid anything with big crowds ect...

Title: Re: Crowded place - is that possible?
Post by Traceyr on 09/30/11 at 07:34:01

I called it sensory overload, yes I get this too. My brain doesnt process it all well so it triggers me into anxiety, nausea, disorientation.... its no fun.... :(

Title: Re: Crowded place - is that possible?
Post by Enko on 09/30/11 at 22:16:05

I hear you Tracey, I have that too.. my friends call me party-killer because I'm always the first to go home, since people gatherings make me exhausted after just a short period of time. Brain overload.

Title: Re: Crowded place - is that possible?
Post by lynda51 on 10/20/11 at 12:40:14

I have the same reaction to being in places with too many "stimulants". I have trouble even at home when the tv is on and my husband is on the phone and the radio was left on downstairs. I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder before I saw a mast cell specialist so I thought it was neurological. Now that I know I have a mast cell disorder, I really think it has to do with a release of chemicals that DO cross the brain barrier and cause all sorts of "mis-signals," . I also have the same problem when there are flashing lights and noise (or looking at an IPad while it does its crazy thing)!!

I makes me super sensitive and sometimes it almost feels like an "out of body" experience. Does that make sense? :o