Things are going so well I am truly blessed that I was able to self diagnose and heal myself regarding my histamine intolerance by doing dedicated research until my eyes went crossed! I've said it before but I'll say it again, I wanted to start this blog to make it a one stop shop for all of those with histamine intolerances so they could find valuable info all in one place without having to search the web for months. I hope I was able to help at least one person through my journey.
It has probably taken me a total of 1 year (after I self diagnosed) to heal my gut and be able to start eating those things that I once enjoyed. I can happily say that I now eat anything I want without having to take a Histame pill prior (these little puppies were expensive as well as hard to get because they were always sold out.) So I now am able to eat tomatoes, avocado and items that contain baking soda/powder. Eggs and chocolate. I'm too scared to have any alcohol without at least popping a zyrtec prior but I hardly ever drink so it's not a big deal.
I have started to dwindle off of supplements recently just because I haven't had a histamine issue in 6 almost 7 months now plus the fact they are just a pain in the ass to have to take. So at 1 year of treatment this is what I now take:
1 Probiotic before bed every night
6 Vira Stops before bed every night (although I will be dwindling that down to just 3 per day, by having one in between meals)
6 borage oil capsules (I mostly take these more religiously just before and during that time of month because of my endometriosis, but because it's for inflammation in the body in general I try to take it during other times too).
I just stopped taking my Digest Gold last week, honestly because I ran out (lol) and too lazy to reorder...I know I know stop judging me. LOL. But I believe that these were enzymes that mostly worked on carbs etc. My downfall was almost entirely because of undigested proteins in my gut so the ViraStop's take care of that and take care of it well. So I am just going to take those from now on. Not to mention it saves me a shit ton in money using just one type of enzyme per day.
I haven't taken any Zyrtec in the last several days and have been fine, so I am thinking I will stop those too only to resume during allergy season which here in Florida is around February and October, so I guess I will be taking them again next month...ugh!! I have noticed I sleep much better now that I am no longer taking the Zyrtec. I used to wake up several times a night like anywhere between 3-6 times. I'm not sure if there is a correlation there or not but I've been sleeping through the night now that I'm off of them.
I can only hope that this remission or complete healing that I am experiencing continues and the histamine never returns. I will keep you updated further if things change. Thanks for visiting my blog and if you know of anyone that has this condition please forward them here for all the info they need to start on the road to healing. It is a long process but well worth it to be able to enjoy the foods you love and stop having your eyes and face swell up!! Until next time my little sickos!!!
Histamines are linked with the release of seretonin and control of the circadian rhythm from what I have read, so yes, it would affect your sleep patterns. I am on Montelukast and because it was only ever trialed at night, you have to take it at night, which stops me sleeping. So I take half at bedtime and half when I wake for the loo around 4 a.m. ish. Now the pollen season is over I may revert to taking it in the mornings though.
ReplyDeleteJust going through the first week of a low-histamine diet, and hoping it will help, along with a good course of Probiotics.
Glad to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is possible to eat the bad things (tomatoes!) again.
Hey Dani! I just wanted to know what is the signs that you can start decreasing your supplements? I have been on a low-hist diet since December 2013 and have not had a major episode since before that. The only thing I have had since I changed my diet is malaise, headaches & fatigue. I havent even had any of that in about 3 months and actually feel great! I am scared of cutting back to soon and my symptoms coming back, I had 4 of those migraines you mentioned in another post at the height of my illness and it scared me every time! During my vacation I wasn't able to eat as well as I normally do and even indulged a little and no reactions at all either. I got a small headache but I was in the sun all day so it could have been from that. I am still taking all the supplements on your list except Zyrtec and also taking Quercetin & Slippery Elm...its exhausting! Everyone called me "pill popper" on vacation, lol! Good news is I stopped taking DAO at every meal and seem to be doing fine, so one less expense!
ReplyDeleteSo just wondering do you think I am ready to cut back? I'll probably continue to take them for a few more months, I would like to just start taking less...I appreciate any insight as always!
Hi Kay I'm so so happy to hear how well you are doing!! I think cutting down on supplements depends on each individual everyone is so different. I, personally began to cut down around the 6 to 7 month mark and then dramatically cut down/deleted most supplements altogether around 9-10 months. I only take 1 Virastop before bed and 1 probiotic if I have them around per day (generally I don't take them especially lately, lazy I guess lol). So, depending on how you feel or want to try is a personal choice. I however would not suggest totally getting rid of the ViraStop though. But taking just one per day will make them last forever and still save you a ton of money. I honestly need to get to the store and get some more probiotics because they are just good for you all around and everyone, not just sickos, should take them. So you may want to try cutting back and just see what happens unfortunately it's not a one size fits all situation. You will have to be your own guinea pig on this one. lol. I do take Zyrtec during regular allergy season here in Florida which is February and October, just for the sneezing etc. that comes with seasonal allergies and not for histamine intolerance because I no longer suffer from that. Good luck and I wish you continued success so glad this all has worked for you too! Pizza here you come!!!!
DeleteHi Dani!!
ReplyDeleteSo it is finally here, month 7 of taking your supplements and almost 12 months sticking to low-hist diet (which is SO hard and I am tired of being the irritating chick at the restaurant table with all the special requests, lol!) I have to say I am feeling GREAT. I still get a little fatigue after I eat (so I cut down on portion sizes as you suggested in another post) but nothing crazy like before, but haven't had a migraine in about 9 months, brain fog and moods are so much better. I am still a little scared to go back to a normal diet but at Thanksgiving I had a little bit of stuffing, turkey and pumpkin pie and felt fine!!! :-))
At this point I am taking about 3-5 virastops, 4 probiotic, 3 digest golds, Zinc, Borage Oil (I have actually also used Evening Primrose Oil when I couldnt get my hands on Borage and it seemed to help too) & I still take Quercetin as an antihistamine and it also gives me natural energy, I pretty much cut off everything else and it seems to be working for me, I am so excited!! Thanks for all your help and advice during this journey, I dont think I am in the clear just yet but I know I am so much better thanks to you. I have also significantly cut back on grains and am now OBSESSED with Quest Bars! :-D
This blog has been like a bible for me ever since I found it and have referred back to it on countless occasions on my road to recovery and I am so grateful to you. I was drowning in the excess of contradicting "studies" and I just needed someone who had been there to tell me what the F to do. So thank you so much for taking the time. I still will take my supplements for a bit more and slowly start incorporating normal foods and see how things go.
Anyway just wanted to update you and everyone else that your process also worked for me too, I wish everyone else luck on their journey!
I am so happy for you!!! Reading this really warmed my heart thank you so much for the update I appreciate you keeping me in the loop with your progress!! I just jumped in with both feet when I added the foods I missed eating but I understand your apprehension but I'm super excited for you and can't wait for you to start eating whatever the hell you want!!! Good job!! Continued health and God bless!! Happy holidays !!
DeleteAw, you are to kind but the thanks goes all to you! Just wanted to touch base again, perhaps I spoke to soon?? I tried to go back to eating some normal foods and within a couple days I was in bed sick again!! Argh! While my migraines / headaches / eczema has not returned I had MAJOR fatigue brain fog like I could not get out of bed or stay awake and just can not function as normal. Thank goodness I am self employed! Symptoms last only about 2 days (i do still kinda crappy a few days later but I can get out of bed and function) rather than previously I would be sick for a couple weeks.
DeleteI am just wondering, I read that some people have temporary HIT and for some it can be permanent (tell me it ain't so!) do you think this might be a concern for me or do you think I am on track since there is some improvement but my gut just may not completely healed?
I have been on a low hist diet since Nov 2013 but have only been on your supplements since May 2014 (so 8 months) and I see you did not decrease the supplements until the after one year? I am hoping that maybe if I continue on for 4 months with the supplements than maybe then I will be cured?
As always any advice or insight is MUCH appreciated!
Maybe you cut down on your supplements too soon, yes. I would definitely continue taking them at full protocol for an additional four months as you indicated. If you cut down on those enzymes at all you will have to work your way up slowly again to the amount you were taking as you will experience die off all over again :(. You may also want to look into more on what you're eating. As it is very different for everyone. Are you eating ANY foods that are a no no on the German food guide I have listed as a link on here? Also since we are all different with what affects us you may want to start eliminating some of the foods that you are currently eating. Did you ever incorporate that 4 day rotation diet I recommend here on my blog? Perhaps you are eating alot of the same foods daily and your body has made itself allergic to that food (this happens all the time) if so I highly recommend eliminating that food once detected and start on the rotation diet. Did you ever incorporate L-Glutamine Powder to your regimen? You may want to try that as well and drinking 2oz of Aloe Vera Juice 2 times a day to help with elimination and cleaning out your intestines. This helps very well with rashes etc as well. Whichever you choose, I would definitely recommend sticking to the supplements hardcore for the next four months though. Keep me posted! I wish you well!
DeleteThanks so much for your quick reply! I haven't really cut down too much on the supplements too much except I only take 4 probiotics mainly because I have a hard time keeping them in stock only thing I have done differently is try to add normal foods to my diet. Before that and even now I feel fine, I just am not able to eat normally. I also pretty much cut out grains except on those rare occasions when I am out and rice is the only thing I can eat without a reaction. After over a year of low hist diet I am pretty good about rotating and have created a bunch of recipes that I can eat with no reaction and yes i based it on the German food guide you posted which I found SUPER helpful. I have tried L-Glutamine powder as well but got bad side effects from it which is why I went on to Slippery Elm instead. I also tried to Aloe Vera gel pills but got spooked when I read somewhere that there was a link to cancer when taken internally, I still have them, maybe Ill finish the bottle and see if it helps.
DeleteI also do what you said and eat small meals because when I eat big meals (even if its low-hist) sometimes I get a feeling of malaise. If I am on low-hist for a while usually I can eat one meal and feel totally fine (like I did during the holidays, and i thought I was cured) Maybe I just need to continue on for 4 more months like you said and try to test eating normal again at that point. Ill try to look on the bright side till then and be happy that my reactions are not as bad as they used to be :-)
Yes definitely stick with it for four more months I don't know how many Vira Stops you are taking or if you're taking them at all but remember those enzymes are key to what is going to heal you. I was taking 8 per day so you may want to up your dosage slowly of course. Also wanted to say that if you are having "immediate" symptoms following eating a food and have previously felt fine then you are actually allergic to that food ...remember that's how you determine if you have an allergy or a true histamine intolerance. Immediate symptoms: allergies ....slowly starting to itch or have symptoms over days is a histamine intolerance think back to that histamine bucket becoming full it's an accumulatory reaction. Keep us all posted and wish you much health!
DeleteOkay, will do! Typically I take 5 to 6 virastops before I go to bed maybe I'll Increase that and see how it goes. I also take digest gold anytime I put anything in my mouth, if I have five small meals I take five digest gold. I definitely do not have immediate reactions to food so I know I'm not allergic it usually takes a couple hours or sometimes even the next day for me to feel the effects. I just went through two days of eating/drinking green smoothies (rotated ingredients of course) to take it easy on my digestive system and I feel great. I have found that DAO supplements don't help me that much anymore I used still take them at every meal but now I don't and I'm also back on Zantac. As I mentioned my symptoms have decreased they are just not gone so I'm going to power through the next three months and hope for the best! Thank you again :-)
DeleteI'm curious why you haven't tried SAMe or other methylation supplements to activate the HNMT enzyme which is the other way (besides DAO) that helps break down histamine.
Delete???
Also wanted to mention that I dont get eczema, dandruff, anxiety, or arrhythmia anymore either..woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteDani...I did not see the food rotation post...please let me know where it is.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where it's located I myself have gone back through and can't seem to find it either, strange as I never delete a blog entry. Basically you just rotate your foods every 4 days is all. Whatever foods you're able to eat make a menu and put it on your fridge. Example: breakfast: chocolate quest bar. Lunch: lentils and rice. Dinner: cabbage and ground beef.....then day 2 list three different entrees for each meal than the day before. And so on until day four where you can eat the same line up you had for day one. Hope that helps.
Delete