I'm curious as to whether there's been any research on whether or not antibiotics can HELP to stabilize mast cells. I recall a study, but may be wrong...

I've been taking 250 mg of doxycycline daily for rosecea. The benefits have gone far beyond my skin & I've been hesitant to stop taking them even though my skin is quite clear.  My overall health seems to have benefitted. Since I've started therapy, my pain has lessened and my overall endurance and stability have increased. Because doxycycline causes photosensitivity, I've been trying to take them every other day with the intention of stopping therapy. My MCAD symptoms have been out of control. My throat is actually swelling up especially when I'm exposed to any stress. What's the deal? I've been taking extra zyrtec & atarx which has helped. Could lowering my doxycycline dose be making my MCAD worse?

Thanks for any help-

Julie
MCAD in GA

Hi Julie,

There has been a bit of study on this, but not much.  There is perhaps ONE antihistamine which does contribute to stabilizing mast cells, but the contribution is rather insignificant which is why they don't really give much value to the antihistamines as for it's function for MC stabilization.  

If they contribute, then their contribution is indirect in that they help to keep us stable and not react so much.  By not triggering so much, then it helps to give you that stability, but the moment you diminish your antihistamines then because your MCs are still just as instable, you're going to react. So, the stability is a false stability.  It's like having the faucet on the barrel opened up wide to compensate for the flood coming into the barrel.  You've not stopped the flood, you've only compensated for it and as long as you can continue compensating for the flood, you won't have any mess to have to clean up, but the moment you can't compensate, or the flood increases, then you've got problems.  

Mast cell stabilizers work on the flood - or, the input factor and not the output.  Antihistamines deal with the output, or the flow leaving the barrel, but MC stabilizers help to regulate the input, or the flow going into the barrel, and they bring stability by diminishing the amount of flow that goes into the barrel and thus brings stability to the overall situation.  So, when there is more activity which increases the influx, the barrel is not so very full so we're able to use our antihistamines to compensate and deal with the situation.  

I'm on Ketotifen.  It's an excellent MC stabilizer and it has indeed helped improve my situation.  Last year we took my dosage from 2mg up to 6 mg and added singulair to my regimen as well.  I went from shocking once a week to now shocking perhaps once every 2 months or more!  I'm finally beginning to feel NORMAL!!   It's GREAT!   I'm certain that the Ketotifen is a major player!

I hope this helps you!

Lisa

I also take doxy daily for years now. Pre masto days when the urologist couldn't figure out my bladder problems....but was aware the doxy helped,  agreed it was ok to take daily. I just never stopped. But you are right I feel better when I take it. I have tried at times to stop, just hate taking so many meds....but feel better on it.

Tetracycline is also a known trigger for lupus.  I tried it as a teenager (for acne)... big mistake.  IMO, if autoimmune disorders run in your family, it's not a good idea to use this class of antibiotics.

Just my two cents.  I'm sure for other people they can be very useful.

Heather