Mark’s own story of his severe reaction to tyramine/histamines on the blog. “Reading all these replies are interesting, I too have gone to ER not knowing what happened to me, or why my blood pressure shot up over 200/120, sudden chills and shaking, why I felt sick in the stomach, felt anxious, sometimes my vision seemed to get cloudy, had that niacin flush feeling, tight chest, labored breathing. I ate all the foods I have eaten for years and all of a sudden am getting these allergy like symptoms from these same foods. No more cheeses, red wine, pizza, hot dogs, even oatmeal with dried blueberries and bananas. The reactions seem to be getting stronger as well.
After being in cardiac area of the hospital for days as they try to figure out what happened to me. Which they never did. I couldn’t figure out the relation of foods to the high blood pressure. It wasn’t salt intake. So I thought maybe it’s time to see an allergist. Then after an allergist visit, which most tests came up negative or very low in allergy reaction, they told me to go to a nephrologist (kidney doc) because the high blood pressure just didn’t fit in with the allergy effects. Right now, i’m undergoing tests for 5HIAA, which is a detector possibly for carcinoid tumors, a type of cancer. I’m pretty bummed out, and hoping for the best. But if you look at the types of foods, and symptoms, it all fits with the same tyramine/histamine sensitivities. Anyways, some of you with the same symptoms should ask your doctor about carcinoid tumors. It’s not that common, but catching it early can save a lot of people. I”m still undergoing tests so i’m hoping for the best, but I just thought i’d throw this out there as it’s relevant to people with the same symptoms. And on low amine foods, I do feel better, day by day it’s an adventure if i’m going to be feeling good and productive or my days shot because i’m on so many antihistines that I can’t function. But so far benydryl has saved me many times when my BP has hit that 200/120 mark. Hopefully these tests i’m undergoing finally get me the right treatment to get rid of this once and for all. I hope none of you have this either, but it’s good to understand that there are other illnesses with the same symptoms.”
Dear Mark, Thank you for giving us another experience of tyramine sensitivity. The variation in different people is a problem as most medical conditions have particular symptom groups that allow diagnosis. Food sensitive people, on the other hand, all have their own version of their symptoms. It is no wonder that you were not diagnosed easily! It is also confusing to realize that foods you have always eaten have become suspect when they used not to cause any problems! I see many food sensitive people who have new symptoms at particular times of their lives for no apparent reason, so it is understandably frustrating!
It is an adventure to manage the reduction of tyramine. You can look at all the information I have put together on this site to give you many ideas to then apply in your own diet detective work. See Amines https://foodintolerancepro.com/category/amines/
Thanks also, for reminding us all that you need to persist in following possible medical causes of your symptoms. This is important as you can have tyramine sensitivity and another medical condition at the same time. As well do keep asking your doctor about non-sedating antihistamines so you get the benefit without the sedation so you can function as well as possible. You may find that using a daily dose, at the level your doctor suggests, helps your body cope better, and this means you do not have to be so very strict with diet.
Using the Family Sensitivity History questionnaire [in all of my books] is helpful as you can see all the other food sensitivity symptoms that often occur in susceptible families. As well you get information on which foods, and environmental factors, affect you and your family members, and can be used by you in your own “diet detective work”. Maybe someone in your family hates the smell of overripe bananas and you get a clue about one of the usual amines that cause reactions in some. I wish you well in your ongoing adventure managing your diet in your own way. Warm regards, Joan
This letter and many others sharing severe reactions are on my blog in the category Tyramine Sensitivity. To read how different different people’s reactions are go to http://blog.foodintolerancepro.com/category/tyramine-intolerance/
Eighteen months ago I went through issues with very high blood pressure. I was put on BP meds, but my symptoms worsened. I was hospitalised three times in the space of six weeks with BP at 218/115. Once the BP came down I was sent home and nobody could explain it. In hospital I ate very little. In between I spent days in bed with chest pain, back and neck pain and breathlessness, brain fog and headaches or migraines. I could barely function. I had every scan and blood test, etc. but everything was normal. Then I decided to stop the BP meds. Over the next few weeks my BP went back to acceptable levels. I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity so struggle with a wide range of foods and I now have to avoid all drugs. I manage to take a few separate supplements so dose up with magnesium, omega-3, vit. D, folic acid and liquid vit. B. Gluten, salicylates, sulphites and amines are still a big issue and I am eliminating as much as possible and for the past four weeks I have been feeling much better and can finally enjoy life again, though I still get headaches some evenings. I am still trying to find other triggers. A pity that doctors just don’t know how to deal with these issues. I did find an allergist early this year who confirmed my issues were caused by MCS>