I did read that it can cause an increase in appetite, but I am on a small amount. I only take 0.5 mg at night. However, it's usually after 2 to 3 days of taking it that I start to feel ravenous. By day 4, I am in the kitchen eating all day long and eating foods I normally don't eat. I ordinarily follow a low carb Paleo diet and as such, don't have cravings. But this is insane. It is now the third time I have gone back on it and the third time I have gone way overboard with food.
That is exactly what Claritin does to me, only much more intense.
I am also on Dr. K's Lyme cocktail so thought it may be die off, but I am thinking it's the Ketotifen. I am stopping it again today and will see how it goes.
He wants me on it for severe gut issues and leaky gut so I am not sure what to do if I can't take it.
I sort of relapsed today. I am recovering anorexic/bulimic but after eating a bunch of food earlier I took way too much Epsom salt in one dose. Totally reminds me of my bulimic days when I abused laxatives. This isn't quite as bad but it's not right either. Sigh!
Is there a more natural alternative? I have read Ketotifen is amazing for gut issues.
Posts: 165 | From TN | Registered: Jul 2011
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
There are herbal alternatives that won't give you the cravings.
Marshmallow Root, Slippery Elm Bark, DGL, Fenugreek are all mucilaginous herbs, which means they soothe and heal the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Antihistamine alternatives:
Pine Cone Extract, high doses of Vitamin C, Stinging Nettle leaf (also excellent for joint pain from Lyme), Quercetin, etc. are all good antihistamines.
Might also need to look up high histamine foods online and reduce your consumption of those things during allergy season.
Homeopathic Histaminum can also help with histamine reactivity to allergens. I've used it with some success for acute allergic reactions to things like pets or outdoor pollens.
Might also find some help from taking fish oil. The Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in the body.
And coconut oil also contains short-chain fatty acids that are excellent for the gut. And coconut oil also has natural anti-fungal properties, so I'd encourage you to use this in cooking instead of other veg. oils.
Edited to add: L-Glutamine can be helpful also for healing leaky gut, but you have to be careful if there is any seizure disorder, because L-Glutamine can increase seizure risk in those predisposed or with an already existing seizure disorder.
I hope this helps. Take care,
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4167 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Lymetoo - no problem. I am still learning about it myself.
Razzle - thank you for your suggestions. I am familiar with mucilagenous herbs, but is that the same way Ketotifen works? I did some searches on the interwebz and found tons of body building forum where people are using it to increase appetite (would love to give them mine!) and to bulk up. But not really much about *how* it heals leaky gut.
I have taken DGL and am currently on okra capsules. Dr. K also said eating okra would be good for me.
I eat about 3 to 5 tablespoons of coconut oil a day and have been for a long time...since 2003 maybe on and off. I don't use any vegetable oils for cooking, only animal fats. However, I am currently on a low carb AND low fat diet. Low fat for FL1953, the parasite that supposedly loves fat.
The thing is, I don't have your typical allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, etc. and my other symptoms don't flare up during allergy season. In September 2008 my stomach went from really flat to mildly pregnant looking in a matter of like 4 hours. It has stayed that way ever since. So I look about 3 months pregnant when I get up and anywhere from 5 to 6 months pregnant after I eat, depending on what and how much I eat. Every food does it to me, even a cup of clear veggie or chicken broth, but the more I eat the worse it gets and carbohydrates definitely are the hardest for me. So that is why Dr. K put me on Ketotifen....for the leaky gut issue and my gut issues overall.
I so wish I could take the Ketotifen, but I can't feel that crazy around food all day long. I talked about this in another thread about FL1953 last weekend. It's like I have lost all control over my actions around food when ordinarily I am so disciplined. It feels awful and so does my gut after I consume the quantities of food I consume in one day. ugh! Claritin does the same thing to me only worse. I tried Claritin last year and by day two I was in the store buying pork rinds, peanut butter and more, then started shoving both into my mouth while I was driving home. Totally insane!
As for Vitamin C, I make my own liposomal version and am taking 3 to 4 grams of that per day. I did think my food reactions weren't quite so bad although it's hard to tell, but now I am also on MMS enemas and read that you should avoid vitamin C while doing MMS. So confusing!
OK, I do have a phone appointment with one of my docs on Tuesday and will talk to her about it.
Posts: 165 | From TN | Registered: Jul 2011
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