Supplements

  • posted by Sunnybunny
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    Hi
    I would like some advice on supplements. I have been told that I have Histamine Intolerance by a Functional Medical Practitioner.The theory is that Mast Cells are causing inflammation and that causes me to have recurrent urinary infections. These are treated with long term antibiotics. My symptoms are relieved by antihistamines and so I do believe histamine is involved. I also have apparently got SIBO…the breath test came back very high, due to the amount of antibiotics. Gut wise I have constipation and bloating.
    I would like to know anyone’s opinions an supplements for SIBO. I have already spent a lot of money on these and have just been prescribed many more. I follow a low histamine diet but would love to get more variety of food in my diet. It is very restrictive .
    Am I just wasting my money And time ? Should I just boost my health with healthy diet. My symptoms of Histamine intolerance are absent when not taking antibiotics. I have just finished a course of
    Does SIBO exist? What are opinions on Histamine intolerance.

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    Lots of questions …

    What are the credentials of your alternative practitioner? Are they qualified to diagnose medical conditions and/ or to prescribe drugs or supplements? Are they registered/ licensed to practice by a recognised regulatory body (eg. General Medical Council, Health & Care Professions Council)?

    Are you certain you have bacterial cystitis and not interstitial cystitis? Are urine samples being sent to microbiology each time? Have you been referred to a urology specialist?

    Do antihistamines allow you to eat a more varied diet? Has a medical doctor or registered dietician analysed your detailed food and symptom diary?

    Supplements should be just that: supplement a properly balanced and varied diet, not a substitute for wholefoods. They are fine in moderation, where there are medically diagnosed nutrient deficiencies/ insufficiencies, food allergies/ intolerances for example. But the only people who should be ‘prescribing’ are medical specialists or registered dieticians.

    HTH.

  • posted by Sunnybunny
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    Dear Firefox, Thanks for the reply.
    My Functiional practitioners credentials are Diploma in Nutritional Therapy from College of Naturapathic Medicine, London.and Is a certified FM Practitioner of only 15 in UK.
    The supplements she prescribes are only obtainable from certain outlets that will only supply with practitioner permission. Most I cannot obtain. Often sourced from USA.
    I definitely havebacterial cystitis. I am under a fantastic consultant in Urology who practices in a London teaching hospital but I see him privately as his NHS list is full. He checks my urine under the microscope . He is very cynical about testing methods for UTI and believes too many false negatives . He has just published research to support his theories.
    The antihistamines definitely dampen down or remove the symptoms which are hives, breathlessness, rash, burning, and low blood pressure.These symptoms are greatly reduced or absent when no infection or antibiotics. So, not sure if it is the antibiotics or the infection which is the trigger. The symptoms occur after a few days of therapy.
    I was seen by a NHS allergy clinic and had oral challenge to Cefradine. this was negative to IGe mediated. They gave me no alternative explanation.I had no infection at the time.
    I am seeing my GP today and would like to be seen by a immunologist to exclude Mast cell involvement. I have noticed that I get gut problems immediately before a UTI….possible that the infection causes irritation before I get symptoms. I understand that the bowel and bladder have a lot of mast cells.
    I will also ask to be seen by a dietician but I understand the NHS is cynical about SIBO and Histamine intolerance. I would just like a diagnosis/ explanation. The FMP believes the mast cells cause immflammation that then causes UTI. My urologist believes that short term antibiotics cause an embedded BioFilm infection that causes UTI (as layers of bladder lining are shed).

    Thanks for your interest.

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    Rather than a naturopath, I would suggest having your detailed food and symptom diary analysed/ supplements recommended by someone with an honours degree or masters degree in dietetics or nutrition from a mainstream university. Whether you see an NHS dietician or a private dietician/ nutritionist is your call. Even privately you may well save money by not being ‘prescribed’ an arsenal of pills and potions! Your urologist or other consultant doctor might be able to recommend a colleague who has the appropriate qualifications and experience?

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