So I haven’t talked a great deal about this, but enough so that some of you know I’m having some severe allergy issues. And I’m not talking about this for sympathy—just to raise some awareness about a little known condition and also to make you aware of one of the main reasons I cannot travel right now except for short-distance day trips.

The past few months have been challenging, at best. My allergy reactions have been getting worse and more frequent. And they’re becoming more worrisome. I’ve been having frequent breakouts of hives. My lips and nose will start tingling after eating. Or I will start to itch, and I mean drive-you-nuts itch on my face, head, and chest.

My doctor and I are trying to get the reactions under control while we examine the strong possibility that I have a condition called histamine intolerance, which is kind of worse than it sounds in some ways. It’s also a syndrome, and hard to actually diagnose.

What happens is that reactions like the above (along with stomach issues, asthma, all the way to anaphylaxis) are triggered when the body is pushed over its histamine limit. It would explain so many of my symptoms that I have had for years, like being unable to handle hot showers or like sunlight making me itch, as well as the food issues.

Now, everyone has histamine in their body and it’s a necessity for our health, but some people have a very low threshold for histamine before it triggers alarm bells, and that’s when trouble occurs. There are a number of reasons for this, which I’m not going into here because it’s long and convoluted, and while some can be controlled, other issues can only be managed through strict diet and lifestyle choices. When you add my actual allergies into that, it’s a tangled mess.

Until we figure out what Is going on, I am on a very limited diet, and under orders to try to keep my stress down. I’m eating a rotation diet consisting of: elk, buffalo, duck, turkey, lamb, cucumbers, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rice, rice milk, pears and apples. I can have limited amounts of honey and maple, and I use olive oil. I’m taking a histamine blocker with every meal. I can’t have leftovers—everything has to be freshly prepared (the rice can be a day old but that’s pushing it).

I’m probably going to be on this till the end of the year to get the symptoms under control. At worst case, I’ll be on a similar diet for life. Best—I’ll be able to add more foods in as we go, but will probably always have to be cautious. And I have to make sure I always have my Epipens (or equivalent) and Benadryl near. Obviously, this cuts out almost all long-distance travel at this point—my body can’t handle the stress I’m under now. Travel makes it worse.

It’s not fun but my reactions are too numerous and too scary, and I am tired of losing days to Benadryl hazes. I hope we figure this out soon because this is a PITA—in more ways than one. And it’s expensive. The diet and Epipens are not cheap. (warning blatant self promo ahead: Buy my books, peeps!).

And please, no unsolicited medical advice, right now the last thing I want is to try something that adds to my issues…and it’s too dangerous to try something I haven’t had before at this point.

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A Whole New Ball O’Wax

10 thoughts on “A Whole New Ball O’Wax

  • 09/29/2016 at 11:54 pm
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    Sending loving and positive thoughts for your health Yasmine. Thank you for everything you do. <3

    Reply
  • 09/29/2016 at 8:37 pm
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    Allergies this year have been worse for everyone. Last year’s winter was so mild, it didn’t kill off all the junk. I’m on three different allergy meds. It’s ridiculous. I’m lucky that my food allergy list is pretty small, at least to my knowledge. Hopefully it will be better next year and you will feel better.

    Reply
  • 09/29/2016 at 7:48 pm
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    I hope you and your Doctor find a happy medium with your meds and food consumption. Good luck. Soft Hugs

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  • 09/29/2016 at 6:27 pm
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    Hoping that you get to feeling better soon! Can’t wait to actually go and buy most (if not all) of the books you’ve written. I might have to ask my family to get them for me for Christmas/ Yule!

    Reply
  • 09/29/2016 at 6:20 pm
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    So sorry you’re going through this. Thank you for sharing. If it rings a bell and gets another person or more proper care you’ve done a wonderful thing for someone. I hope you get everything under control quickly. I am excited to buy the C & C series for the Kindle. I love the new covers! You and Samwise are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  • 09/29/2016 at 5:36 pm
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    Sorry to hear your allergy issue is getting worse. I hope you and your health team can get it diagnosed and medically managed to a point that you’re not constantly itchy and worried about a reaction. I’ve purchased two copies of Shadow Silence and am looking forward to the C&C series. That’s one I’ve never read

    Reply
  • 09/29/2016 at 5:19 pm
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    I am so so sorry to hear this. Do you still get your coffee or did you have to stop that also?
    My daughter is battling similar issues.
    The itching on top of the other symptoms is driving her insane.
    We have the epipens and benydril game down pat now but she is not happy about having to get knocked out on benydril just to eat.
    The foods she can tolerate are very expensive and yes all fresh.
    Just food prep is over whelming.
    With your schedule I don’t know how you do it all.
    Please take care of you!
    We have been promoting your books like crazy!
    So excited about C&C series. That opens a door for people that read more tame reads.
    (Some family peeps)
    Take care
    Jenni

    Reply
    • 09/30/2016 at 2:44 am
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      Does she have a mast cell disorder or histamine intolerance, or *just* (it’s never ‘just’) a bunch of freakshow food allergies to deal with? No matter what you have, it’s all so hard at times.

      Reply
  • 09/29/2016 at 5:17 pm
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    *hugs* hoping for a swift (positive) resolution .

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  • 09/29/2016 at 5:03 pm
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    I hope that you are able to get things under control. Food allergies and the effect they have is absolute no fun. I will keep you (and Samwise) in my thoughts.

    Reply

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