Re: Question about Mastocytosis and Gastrocrom

Posted By Sherry on February 08, 1999 at 10:17:06:

In Reply to: Question about Mastocytosis and Gastrocrom posted by HFHSM.D.-rf on February 06, 1999 at 07:31:37:






: I am a 50 yr. old female and have several autoimmune disease such as Lupus, cerebral vasculitis, Reynaud's Syndrome, CNS Involvement, GERD and now Mastocytosis. I have had a colostomy in the past three years due to a damaged sphinctor muscle. I have taken Prilosec and Propulsid for years for Gastro Intestinal problems and within the past year have added Actigall to my growing list. I've had every Gastric test there is and recently had an upper and lower endoscopy through my stoma. The findings were mild inflammation at the ileo/secum valve. I may not have spelled that right but Gastrocrom was prescribed to be applied to my stoma. My question is, in the research of the use of Gastrocrom it is only prescribed for Mastocytosis. Is this true? My doctor did not call it that but everything I've read on the internet on it suggests that my symptoms match. Hopefully this will stop the burning and pain I suffer with in my abdomen. In fact the diagnosis of mastocytosis is very similar in symptoms to lupus. On some of my medical papers from doctor reports years ago, I've noticed I had an unusual amount of Mast cells in my blood then so that does coincide with Mastocytosis. I guess what I'm really trying to say is could it be my lupus causing this or is it a firm Mastocytosis diagnosis since I'm taking Gastrocrom? Do doctor's prescribe it for other inflammations. The doctor said I don't have Crohn's.
Sorry I was so wordy but I thought you would want to know all the particulars about my medical history in order to advise me properly.
Thank you for your kindness.
____
Dear Sherry,
Please excuse the delay in responding to your question, but it was necessary to do some background research.
Systemic mastocytosis refers to a heterogeneous group of conditions in which there is mast cell infiltration of viscera sometimes with associated skin involvement.  The symptoms of mastocytosis are due to the release of the mediators in the mast cells e.g. histamine is one example.  GI symptoms include abdominal pain, vomitting, nausea and diarrhea.  Reports of mast cell accumumulation leading to colon polyps were also found.
Gastrocrom is one proposed treatment for mastocytosis because it stabilizes the mast cell membrane preventing release of mediators and the subsequent symptoms.
Do you have systemic mastocytosis?  Can't be certain.  You may want to consider obtaining a second opinion from a gastroenterologist and possibly from a hematologist.
This information is presented for educational purposes.  ASk specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: mastocytosis
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Thank you so much for your response. He didn't use the word systemic I just figured that since it was in my intestons that he took the biopsy from that showed the mast cells that it would be systemic. I have systemic lupus. Thanks again for your reply. Sorry I was impatient.