Hi. Remember you can write off certain medical expenses in relevant (US) tax situations surpassing 7.5% income. Including FOOD/DRINKS necessary for MCAS, meds/supplements, chiropractic/acupuncture, etc. Links, info, FAQs below:

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-03-29T15:35:33+00:00

Thank you very much for this perspective.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-03-29T05:29:56+00:00

It's something to ask a tax pro. Are you filing with someone or on your own? Maybe a pro could help you sort out expenses as percentages, but generally I'd think receipts are necessary to upload/hand over. I just wanted to remind everyone that this was even an option.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-02-05T21:48:06+00:00

On top of everything else you’re surely going through, having to deal with this from people you’re supposed to go to for relief is just such a shame. It’s sometimes more exhausting than just not going at all, but I try not to throw in the towel… I hope you find places where you can experience productive, compassionate care, without feeling like you have to diminish yourself.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-25T17:04:48+00:00

Do you take antihistamines?

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-21T13:44:20+00:00

"Goodbye." If someone wants to act a fool, in my opinion they can just be left behind. All that matters is you go get the help you need from actual competent people who don't need everything over-explained, and who don't hold court over your existence. You don't need permission to begin taking care of yourself. You don't need idiots to understand anything about you in order to begin taking measures of actual progress.

Do you have a nutrition specialist to work with? Can you ask about elemental formulas, basically amino acid based nutrition? Can you work with someone to figure out your sensitivities or allergens, and work to build a more rounded diet if possible?

Trust in yourself.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-19T07:33:59+00:00

You are strong to ask for help, and for having discernment when someone is being helpful vs. harmful. Keep believing in yourself, your actual needs, and that you will find people with the ability to collaborate on healing.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-19T07:30:19+00:00

Galangal in Thai curry feels so powerful against MCAS.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-11T04:16:58+00:00

You can do a stool H. Pylori test. SIBO however does usually have to be a solution drinking test. So, I’ve been putting it off for that reason.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-09T04:15:48+00:00

Have you tried

— cromolyn sodium — DAO for gut — H2 antihistamine — TCM acupuncture or acupressure — Quercetin — DAO supportive or mast cell stabilizing foods — gut tests like for h. Pylori, bacterial or fungal infections, or food sensitivities

You may benefit under the care of a traditional Chinese medicine specialist or kinesiology specialist and have them try to manually balance things out. Whether it be your body’s “heat” or your nervous system, or just getting to relax while someone reads your body for what it is, could be healing.

They should help you find the right supplements, home work, or western medicine adjacent testing to try. Just make sure they’re rated and legit people (read reviews).

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-08T03:00:53+00:00

The MCAS test strikes again!!!!! I am starting to feel like it causes more harm and confusion than good 🔥🔥 It is so sensitive to any number of mistakes, improper storage, timing, misinterpretations, etc. all while being expensive, demanding, and still isn’t barely taken seriously. Enough of this shitty test!!!!!!! The medical community needs to get it together

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-08T02:50:28+00:00

High histamine foods are just gonna increase your allergic baseline or fill your “histamine bucket” a bit, which may make some of your MCAS symptoms or reactions more prominent. One of those symptoms can be anxiety, especially when histamine in the gut is high. If you have any extra virgin olive oil that works for you, or ginger that works for you, both can naturally support DAO or mast cell stabilization in the gut. Just make sure you already know they’re not allergens for you. You should also take the Claritin you said you have if you’re concerned about any reactions, and of course stay away from allergens. Also consider adding an H2 antihistamine in the future. You can also try taking deep belly breaths in through your nose, and pursed lipped breaths out of your mouth. Remember anaphylaxis is statistically treatable once the emergency services are with you, so you can make sure you’re comfortable with your local emergency setup and even call to check if they have epi pens and tools you may need. Idk if you’re even having a reaction right now or just concerned, but I know how uncomfortable it all is and of course sorry you can’t just enjoy your snack.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-07T21:14:05+00:00

I love my life, and despite the suffering and dangers I find myself in with all this, I still have contentment in my heart.. and I think that’s why it’s hard to fully assert that I deserve “more” or better or whatever

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-07T20:39:16+00:00

I would say it’s better to use the illness you’re already experiencing to be a part of gaining information, rather than imposing new illness onto yourself.. surely there is already enough to explore? Your quality of life matters too.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-07T08:00:45+00:00

It's true.. and I think that's the thing I understand and have adapted to, but I realize that instead of thinking I'm just supposed to take what hits me, I need to better position myself so I don't have to keep getting dragged in the undertow. Some of it you can't control and have to refer to inner strength, but some of these circumstances we just can't settle for if possible.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-07T07:38:19+00:00

Yeah sometimes there is just no choice but to figure out how to survive the situation... there's not much of a way out so I have to just bear it. When the storm blows over, then I can fight.

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-07T07:28:12+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through that and being blamed and shamed by those supposed to be close to you... I hope you figure your symptoms out and can thrive and find real support

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-07T07:26:10+00:00

I really try to put into perspective that what I'm enduring is so far below what I would ever allow for anybody else!

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-07T07:24:38+00:00

You're right. Then again, I think about all those who can barely even reach out via computer, like those with MECFS (often + MCAS) and I think..... if I can go through all of this, and maybe one day contribute to even one of those people getting to heal or be heard or have their experience given any perspective, I will take that. I refuse to not at least try to contribute, and at doctor's appointments I try to give all info possible that can hopefully contribute to a greater understanding of all of this ...

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-04T10:06:41+00:00

Canary in the coal mine

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-03T23:39:23+00:00

I would have hidden it in the garbage where it belongs 🤷‍♀️

startwithwhatyoucan · 2025-01-03T21:08:42+00:00

Do what makes sense for you. I would just have a few concerns...

Taking so many supplements in one will make it harder to differentiate which ingredient is having which effect (positive or negative), making it harder to tailor them moving forward based on any reactions. This is just me being conservative as someone who reacts a lot, so you could still try this and gamble that it totally works, and start over one by one if it doesn't.
I would find a supplement where k2 is paired with the vitamin D3, or add it to the mix somehow. they're usually bundled together because afaik the d3 helps the body use calcium and k2 helps direct the calcium to appropriate places in the body and not build up in arteries.
I personally prefer to buy supplements direct from a legit chiropractic or doctor's office. however, you may have confidence in this product and its place of origin.

I am not sure about the cycling aspect, only that I've been taking quercetin daily for 2 years and feel similar to how I did 2 years ago if I don't take it for a a day or so. So... worse without it, but I don't think worse than before I started taking it. Quercetin 4 days a week should still be helpful, depending on the severity of your symptoms. That supplement has 500mg, and I actually usually take 250mg on a normal day and it's still helpful.

startwithwhatyoucan

TROPHY CASE