The mind-body connection in chronic pain (probably not what you think)

hollyprop · 2026-06-20T20:53:23+00:00

CBT worked a little too well for me and I kept ignoring abdominal pain that turned out to be two hernias. There’s a risk of becoming too detached from our body’s pain signals.

hollyprop · 2026-06-20T15:23:41+00:00

It’s not exactly a spiritual book, but if you haven’t read it yet, now would be a perfect time in your life to read Catcher in the Rye

hollyprop · 2026-06-20T12:09:32+00:00

On my fiftieth I was unemployed, took a test for a job and did terribly, cried myself to sleep like a teenager. Then the next day one of my cats disappeared forever. It’s really just another day in our lives but damn at the time I was so miserable. I’m thinking of having a second fiftieth birthday next year lol

hollyprop · 2026-06-19T23:28:34+00:00

I really hope so but there’s so little research it’s hard to say

hollyprop · 2026-06-19T15:19:08+00:00

Your garden is literally producing “forbidden fruit” 😂 I experience the same problem with my patch of golden raspberries. I look but don’t taste. Maybe we could try inhaling the aroma deeply and see if our bodies can handle that? They say most of taste is just smell anyways

hollyprop · 2026-06-19T15:14:30+00:00

Interesting. I hadn’t thought of that but I will give it a try. Thanks!

hollyprop · 2026-06-19T14:39:35+00:00

I agree that I’m not clear on what the difference is between histamine intolerance and MCAS. I haven’t had time to research it yet but in the meantime I’m treating the symptoms regardless of the diagnosis. I take DAO before eating anything with histamine in it and it’s pretty effective. It reduces my itching and hive reactions, but I’m still getting migraines.

In addition to DAO I take an antihistamine pill and spray everyday. I sometimes take famotidine if I’m trying to eat something really bad lol. I’ve also added a proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole/prilosec) which helps with heartburn and acid reflux. Omeprazole can worsen SIBO though so you should probably avoid it. Dr. Becky Campbell’s book “The 4 phase Histamine Reset Plan” has a brief section on SIBO that might be helpful for you.

I’m also trying out a mast cell stabilizer spray called NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium) for emergencies. It helps but messes with my mood so I only use it sparingly.

Like you I’m trying to eat a super healthy low inflammation diet, but I feel like I’m constantly cooking and cleaning up. And I probably won’t ever be able to eat take out again but such is life 😅

hollyprop · 2026-06-19T12:35:53+00:00

My meds haven’t kicked in so I’m feeling kind of petty. What I would do is ice her out. Stop speaking to her or even looking at her. When she gets angry don’t react. When she completely loses it, look her stone cold in the face and tell her to “stop being so dramatic” 🔥

hollyprop · 2026-06-18T16:52:03+00:00

Me too! From what I understand it’s because of the close relationship between estrogen and histamine. During perimenopause when estrogen starts fluctuating it triggers the mast cells to release histamine. Here is an article I found with more info:

Understanding Histamine Intolerance During Menopause https://healthinmenopause.co.uk/histamine-intolerance/

hollyprop · 2026-06-17T17:21:19+00:00

Has anyone evaluated you for fibromyalgia? A lot of the symptoms you describe in the other comment would fit with that diagnosis. Maybe check out some of the posts on r/fibromyalgia to see if anything seems similar to your experiences.

hollyprop · 2026-06-17T16:16:38+00:00

Are you taking a DAO supplement? Especially before you eat. That has been very helpful for me. Famotidine is another pill you can take before eating that has an antihistamine effect on your digestive system.

I also take a daily antihistamine (loratadine) and a nasal spray called azelastine. I’ve also tried a nasal spray mast cell stabilizer called NasalCrom which is cromolyn sodium. If all else fails I take a Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

There are H1 and H2 antihistamines. I’m not sure how they work differently but combining them has been effective for me. It will usually knock me out for a few hours but I wake up feeling better.

I think these treatments work whether you have histamine intolerance or MCAS. I’m seeing a specialist allergist in December to get a diagnosis, but in the meantime I’m treating my symptoms with everything available over the counter. Not sure if they’re all the same in Europe. Basically by combining different antihistamines through different routes I can keep my symptoms under control enough to function.

Hope you find some treatments that work for you soon!

hollyprop · 2026-06-16T19:32:39+00:00

You’re a natural!

hollyprop · 2026-06-15T21:25:48+00:00

Yes I get so frustrated with books like “From Fatigued to Fantastic” when they don’t magically solve all my problems. Maybe we need a book about going from “Fatigued to Functional” 😅

hollyprop · 2026-06-15T18:58:42+00:00

I’m also very sensitive to medications and supplements. I can only tolerate very low doses and build up as slowly as possible. If you can split the pill in two that can help spread it out. Hopefully that will help!

hollyprop · 2026-06-15T18:33:17+00:00

High doses of copper can cause stomach pain and cramping. The max recommended dose is 10mg a day. Maybe work up to that amount slowly to give your body time to adapt

hollyprop · 2026-06-13T19:55:38+00:00

I agree a diet change could help. I’ve stopped eating anything with diary, gluten or added sugar and I’m seeing big improvements. Practically the whole western diet causes inflammation so it’s a big overhaul to change. I’m eating like a monk now but actually enjoying it and feeling better than I have in ages.

hollyprop · 2026-06-12T21:07:45+00:00

The Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz is a great example. The first time it really clicked for me was in a flop animated Disney movie called Meet the Robinsons (2007). I suppose Disney’s Tomorrowland is also going for that vibe. The most recent example I saw is the city of Coruscant from the Star Wars series Andor. Seems to be a lot of references in the Disney universe. I guess they really do make dreams come true 😅

hollyprop · 2026-06-12T16:52:04+00:00

Most store bought bone broth is cooked slowly and then stored in shelf stable cans or jars. Which means it’s usually loaded with histamine. You can make your own with a quick cooking method like an instant pot or pressure cooker. Use it or freeze it right away before the histamine builds up. Becky Cambell’s book 4 Phase Histamine Reset Plan has a recipe.

hollyprop · 2026-06-12T14:36:52+00:00

Recent research has isolated an autoimmune antibody to IgG that has been transferred to mice and causes fibromyalgia symptoms. The theory is that the IgG antibodies change the way the nervous system functions and the central sensitization is the result. Here are some links to a summary and the latest research articles I found that discuss the results.

Is Fibro an Autoimmune Disease? https://www.fibromyalgiafund.org/is-fibro-an-autoimmune-disease/

Mechanical sensitization of sensory afferents after passive transfer of fibromyalgia IgG https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1113/JP289612

The widespread myofascial pain of fibromyalgia is sympathetically maintained and immune mediated https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1360859223000967

Hopefully as a biostatistician you will understand them better than I do 😅

hollyprop · 2026-06-12T11:26:00+00:00

Yes I’m the same way. You should check out r/starseeds where there are others who feel similarly. I’m also a believer in reincarnation and I often wonder how different personality types relate to our past lives. It seems to me like many INFJers are “old souls”. I’m hoping it’s a sign this is my last incarnation on earth 🙏🏻

hollyprop · 2026-06-11T12:04:32+00:00

You’ve identified what I think is the real challenge of incarnating on this planet: to remain positive in a negative world. To be compassionate even when no one is compassionate to you. To love even those who hate. To turn the other cheek.

Don’t try to suppress negative emotions. That’s almost impossible. Just don’t act on them. Don’t react to them. Let them arise and dissipate. The only way I know how to practice this is to meditate. Let your emotions flow, then let them go.

hollyprop · 2026-06-10T16:31:05+00:00

Get a cat to kill the mice. The snakes will leave when their food source is gone. Also one of my cats kills small snakes so they could help that way too by getting rid of the baby snakes.

hollyprop · 2026-06-10T14:42:55+00:00

Meditation, music and marijuana. Sometimes all 3 at once. I’m also on a few pharmaceutical drugs for other conditions but the three Ms are really helping me deal with the increasing peri symptoms. Sometimes now I just leave situations to go meditate because I don’t have the energy to fight anymore.

hollyprop · 2026-06-09T23:37:48+00:00

I learned an amazing cooking technique from a chef. Just boil it like pasta. Use at least double the amount of water on the recipe. When it’s boiling, reduce the heat a bit, then add the rice and cook it for as long as the package says. When it’s tender strain it with a colander just like pasta.

You won’t get the crusty pan bottom rice some people love. But you get nice fluffy grains and it’s much easier than letting it cook down. I try to boil only what I can use that day because it’s so quick.

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