It seems like I post more when my reactions are up; but I'm just so curious about all of the ins and outs that we deal with and as many know; like so many others I am still learning so much about Mast Cells and their effects on our bodies

I responded to a post earlier and gave insight into a situation I dealt with yesterday; so I guess this is part two

So yesterday other than a little flushing and the normal DAILY symptoms I deal with as I am still under medicated and have not found that magic regiment yet I ended up with this pressure in my throat located at the bottom of the neck / top of the chest; the result of this pressure was throwing up a couple of times (the pressure actually did not let up until a little earlier this morning; approximately 7-8 hours after it initially started)...  The only other symptom I had yesterday was swelling around my wrists; which is something that I dealt with last year around this time.

Unfortunately for me with these symptoms; extra antihistamines do not seem to offer much relief (quickly anyway; maybe in working it just takes a long time for them to kick in and offer relief).  But with my wrist swelling; there were several hours where it was obvious they were swollen; but even this morning as they have started going back to their normal sizes; you can still touch the skin and see white spots from the light pressure.

So I'm curious with both symptoms (pressure in the throat) and (joint swelling); does anyone else experience either or both of these symptoms and if so, what do you do to relieve them?

I wish everyone all the best and hope that the morning has met everyone well...

~Lucas

Thank you for the response Ramona; I guess I'm going to have to start trying other things.  There are days where I take as many as 6 Zyrtec and 900-1200mg of Zantac...  I just can't seem to stop reacting...  I try to only take my Xyxal at night and I'm taking Singulair twice a day.

The doctor finally did call me back last week with the go ahead for Gastrocrom; but I have to wait until some $$$ from invoices hits the old bank this week before I can go buy it (Whoo it's pricey; but at least now he can say he has "Prescribed It"); I'm hoping that will help with the reactions once it builds up (I understand it can take several weeks to start noticing the effect)...

In the interim I have added back in a daily dose of Benadryl (with a warm beverage) -- "Here's to hoping"

I hope you are doing well today...

~Lucas

Hi Lucas,

I hope you're feeling at least a little bit better. Thank you for starting this topic.  

Do you have acid reflux at all?  That is often what causes my throat and upper chest swelling/tightness . . . I also have a small hiatal hernia from the reflux.  When these are really bad, I have trouble swallowing and keeping acid and food down.  You might have that checked out, too.

I've been having the same problems with joint swelling, too. My wrists and hands have been the worst.  Have you had your ANA or RF checked?  Mine just came back normal again, so the doctor's think that the swelling is either from enteropathic arthritis and/or just mast cells flaring up.  

Enteropathic arthritis is a seronegative arthritis that occurs in up to 20 percent of people with inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes, it can occur well before the IBD shows up.  

BTW, I officially have 'mastocytic enterocolitis' - but my growing group of doctors is now questioning if I have MCAD or SM.  

If anyone else has ideas on what to do with joint pain and swelling . . . please share with us.

Gina

Ramona -  I hope you feel better soon! UTI's are the worst ... I presume you have IC, too?  I've been trying unsweetened almond milk recently - it helps a little. Well, if you're not allergic to tree nuts.  I think it balances out the acid a little?

I'm just relieve to know I'm not nuts on the joint swelling. I find stuff about mast cells and joint pain online, but no one ever mentions the subsequent swelling.  Luckily, it was bad the last time I was in to visit the doctor and he saw it first-hand.  

I do love Allegra - I take it just once a day in the morning, 180mg. Haven't tried two/day because when I first started taking it I didn't sleep for three days.  Singulair has been great, too.

Do you or anyone have ideas on natural ways to reduce the swelling/inflammation?  The last time I was dumb enough to take an NSAID, my digestive system had a major revolt and my bowels tried to swell shut.  

Gina,

  Have you looked into Quercetin?  It has anti-inflammatory properties.  It should be taken with water and food, though, so it doesn't upset the stomach.  I can vouch for that personally.  Also, you might want to go back through your diet and see if any foods are exacerbating the swelling.

  Also, I agree with Ramona about trying more meds.  Most of my swelling and pain has left since I've been on the right dosage of antihistamines, although of course that might not work for everyone.  I take allegra in the a.m. and Zyrtec in the P.M., as Allegra is less sedating for me.  Sure wish it pumped up the energy, though.

Hi Lucas,

I have another ideas for you on the throat issues. I just came back from having an endoscopy to look into my throat closing, chest pain, and a few other issues. My GI doctor thinks I have something called eosinophilic esophagatis. I have some pretty strong signs in the endoscopy, including a classic ring like structure in my esophagus.

It is apparently an allergy caused problem, sounds to me like it could fit very easily into mast cell caused symptoms. I found a place that has a pretty good explanation of it. http://apfed.org/drupal/drupal/what_is_eoe They treat it with surface applied steroids and diet, if they can find what the allergy it about. Apparently my H1 and H2 blockers are also helping.

Can't say that I know a lot about it yet. I have to wait for the biopsy to come back to be sure. I'm supposed to get mast cell testing on the biopsies, too.