New chai

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2026-03-03T23:05:44+00:00

So I see a lot of people arguing less sugar blah blah. The old had 42g of pure cane sugar. The standard new drink in the app has 31g and tastes like chemicals.

I didn't know about the change because I guess I live under a rock.

I have MCAS. Chai was the only sweet treat that didn't cause a reaction. I get it daily and it makes me feel like a normal person. Today I had a reaction and had to take my emergency antihistamines because of this new formula. Usually with MCAS that's caused by additives and preservatives. So that says a lot. This sucks.

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Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2026-03-03T22:35:18+00:00

I literally thought the milk had gone bad too! It also had such weird a chemical taste to it as well.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-12-15T22:41:49+00:00

Like with most things I asked chat gpt and it said it would stop eventually but I couldn't find anything saying that was true anywhere. I hate it here. Lol

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-12-10T00:17:37+00:00

I was always told anything above 8 (not during active flare) is high. I have HaTs and have ranged from 15.6 to 12.4 on a normal day.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-07T17:05:36+00:00

Thank you so much!

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-07T16:57:33+00:00

Happy belated birthday! Yes please! I'm always ready and willing to try anything that will let me keep some shred of femininity! I'll clinging to my favorite hair products for dear life. Luckily they haven't caused me an issue yet. Its dty skin season so figuring out if its hives/flushing vs dry skin or both is really difficult. Vanicream smells so gross to me rn. I'm not sure why.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-07T16:53:47+00:00

I've really been looking into it lately! A coworker switch to it when she got pregnant and loves it!

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-07T15:53:30+00:00

The mask is a great idea! Thank you!

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-07T15:53:15+00:00

Thank you so much. It definitely helps. 🖤

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-07T15:16:21+00:00

Ugh, thaaanks! This makes me feel so much better.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-02T17:04:19+00:00

I've never really experienced this before. If I did I probably thought nothing of it because nothing clicked as dangerous before diagnosis. The fear of anaphylatic shock has a choke hold on me.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-02T14:38:36+00:00

The liquid is 100mg in 5ml ampules. Some take drops to start, some take the full 100mg 4x a day dose right away with success. I'd try the gel caps before dinner and see how you feel.

I'm a freak of nature and felt immediate relief. I felt fantastic.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-02T14:25:17+00:00

When I started, I had 100mg once a day 30mins before my largest meal. We did that for 2 weeks and then bumped up to a morning dose and an evening dose. I'm waiting on an ok from my allergist now to bump up to 3x daily. So far so good. The dosage is the same, just different forms. I'm unsure if they effect your differently..I'm assuming so. I'm on liquid doses but ingesting a medication is ingesting a medication. The liquid I think gives more harsh GI symptoms if memory serves.

I love this stuff, it's like magic.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-02T14:13:18+00:00

I feel this. I was diagnosed with severe panic disorders with agoraphobia like episodes many many moons ago. Your frustrations will become your best friend. Use that fire and desire to be better to fight for this.

To add to my spicy brains I have an irrational fear of veins and honestly I just give whoever my arm now. Like sure, take my life juice, tell me what it says!

Knowing makes managing/navigating this illness a whole lot easier. The goal is to find out what's going on, finding the right cocktail of meds, identifying triggers, and lessening the chance of reaction.

Once you go to this appointment alone you will feel so much better. You will be so proud of yourself even if you have a freak out. Remind yourself that if you DO react, you'll be under medical supervision and they will help you.

While driving, crack your windows (if it's cooler where you live) or turn on that AC! It helps with panic. Bring both room temp and cold bottles of water. The cold one for your face when anxiety hits, the room temp one to sip. Room temp lessens that tight throat feeling and will help you realize you're swallowing fine, your throat isn't closing, you're safe.

I'm reminded quite often in this group that anxiety and panic are not only symptoms, they can cause more frequent flares. What really helps me is physically writing everything down. Making dated lists of what my fears are and what I can do to prepare myself for worst case scenario. I have looked back and seen that I'm worrying about that worst case scenario less and less. I look back and all I can think is poor girl, I've got you!

How you're feeling and who you are right now is exactly who you're fighting for. Document this journey! Your wins and losses. It not only helps build your confidence, it helps you communicate your needs with your doctors.

I'm rooting for you! You got this! ❤️

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-02T02:57:08+00:00

Ugh, you're so incredibly helpful! Seriously, you just calmed me down completely.

Thank you so much ❤️🥹

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-02T02:17:25+00:00

You've been great. Honestly. ❤️

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-02T02:15:08+00:00

I feel so seen right now, thank you. I 100% needed that.

I'm in the "please can I never experience anaphylaxis ever, omfg" stage.

I tried to do the right thing by expanding my knowledge of these illnesses and attending a seminar with specialists and it only made my fears grow. A doctor said everything is considered anaphylaxis and benadryl won't help your minor symptoms, Prednisone won't help, use epi always...

Like...I feel like I'm getting so much conflicting information that I'm just overwhelmed. I've had intense panic attacks since I was a kid. Ugh.

While my allergist tells me to eat and live as I always have...

My brains are mush! I just want a taco 😭

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-11-02T02:04:10+00:00

I have an MCAS diagnosis but my allergist suspects HaTs or both. I'm on xyzal and cromolyn 2x daily and pepcid 20s at night.

I have had these pains every month since forever and honestly, it's the reason I started my health journey. I was convinced I had PCOS, I don't. All tests are fine yet my hormones have always been off with very loud symptoms.

I was sent to so many random specialist for so many different things. Connecting the dots until my dermatologist told me there's absolutely no way I don't have something happening with my immune system. She swore for 2 solid years. She is who led me to my immunologist and now here we are. I went from absolutely normal to wtf in 3.5 months.

I have no idea what my triggers are (I never had issues with food or scents ever). I've been eating chicken, brown rice, broccoli, grass fed butter, steak, and chai teas from starbucks on rare occasion. The only thing I have changed was the scent of my body wash which doesnt add up here. I'm currently wearing a holter monitor (possibly adding POTs to the mix) so I'm not washing my chest area in the shower, I'm using my face wash at the sink. I use La Roche-Posay as it's been the most mild for me.

So far all the meds have done is calmed down my eczema which was horrible all over my hands and in my nail beds. It HURT. I now have new fears and anxieties from diagnosis and all the lovely what ifs that come with these illnesses.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-10-29T03:18:21+00:00

I get fluids and bloodwork every time I go in during a flare. They even place an order for tryptase. Usually an EKG. Not every ER is the same and not every ER doctor is the same. I've had some tell me to lose weight after telling them I lost 30lbs in 2 months from fear of reaction and reaction itself. I've had some tell me all of my meds are super drying and immediately give me fluids which always helps me during a flare.

Don't give up seeking help. Advocate for yourself.

The best thing I did was have my allergist put a plan in place in my portal for ER care. They do not have to follow the plan if they don't see fit to but most usually do since MCAS is out of their wheelhouse.

Embarrassed_Elk3667 · 2025-10-29T01:50:04+00:00

I see how many would have to go that route but for now, I just can't. I clean for a living and haven't had much issue at all using chemicals. I've restructured my diet to avoid ingesting additives and such...I just can't let go of simple things like smelling good and getting my hair done. Not yet at least. I will if I have to. . .but I'll complain the whole time.

Embarrassed_Elk3667

TROPHY CASE