For the past month or so, I've noticed that my eyes and upper face (from about my upper lip to eyebrows) have been swelling up.  I've noticed this every day, and although they start out minorly swollen in the morning (say 10%), it increases during the day (to maybe 25% bigger than normal).  It's not major, but with the crazy fatigue I have, it's hard enough to keep my eyes open . My eyes are also itchy as they swell, and I can feel the weight of my eyelids on my eyes. Anyways, the only thing that I can think of that could be causing this is the cromolyn sodium.  I've started taking it a few days before this started, and it was the only change in diet/meds/environment that would have happened.  I didn't notice this on the lists as a common side effect, but has anyone else experienced this as well?  I'm also on Singulair, Ranitidine (2x daily), Reactine and Allegra, but have been taking all of the others for 3 months to years.  Thanks!

Yes, it's so much fun, isn't it?  You never quite know what to expect!!

Now since I'm still in the "is it really going to help" stage with the cromolyn, if I stopped and restarted is that like starting from scratch all over again?  My understanding is that it can take 2-3 months to see full effect, and I'm only a month or so in...

There could be other issues going on like problems with your kidneys or something else.   Have you any other edema going on or urinating more, or something of the sort?  It doesn't seem like the chromolyn to me - there should be other symptoms of your rejecting the chromolyn - this doesn't sound like a typical rejection of chromolyn, so it could be a coincidence.   Yet, because you've added another medication, this is what makes me wonder if this might not have something to do with your liver or your kidneys instead, which is why I think going to your doctor a very good idea.   This doesn't seem like normal swelling and it doesn't seem to be typically masto related to me.  But here's the trick, so very often before we can point our fingers at masto as the bad guy, we have to rule out other possibilities first.   So, let's rule out the others and if everything checks out fine, then it's the masto and the chromolyn.   But before you just pull off the chromolyn, presuming it as the problem, go see your doctor so you can have his/her help in figuring it out.   It's safer that way.

Lisa

The itching might indicate that it's mast cell or allergy-related. Still, I agree that you should consult your doctor asap regarding this new symptom.

Facial swelling is a listed possible side effect of gastrocrom.  The duration of the med's effects in the body is listed as 6 hours.  So, you might be able to go off it for a few days and see if the symptoms disappear.  If the symptoms don't go away after going off it, then the cause might be something else.  If you're off the it for only a short time, it shouldn't mean you have to go back to square one.  However, do check with your doctor right away about the itching and swelling and any medicine changes you're considering.

Wow, thanks so much everyone!  I'll touch base with my doctor and see what she says.  I think I'm getting used to all of these weird things, and I tend not to get too concerned unless it feels serious - so thanks for the push to check in with my doctor.

Larken,
I have almost given up on waking up with normal looking face.  I can't seem to figure out what the trigger/multiple triggers are.  
Pam

It's funny that some of you wake up swollen, as mine definitely gets worse as the day progresses.

I spoke to the immunologist about the swelling, and mentioned that it did start around the time I started on the Gastrocrom.  She said, "that's weird", to which my husband replied, "What in our lives isn't"? LOL. So true!  Anyways, she wasn't super concerned since it was isolated to my face, but I'm now started on Ketotifen and hopefully can find some stability on that and then try coming off the Gastrocrom. So, at least we have a plan!!