Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

July 26, 2022
Bateman Horne Center has partnered with the University of Utah Health to conduct a Long COVID and Post-Viral Syndromes ECHO (Project ECHO). This series delivers information to healthcare professionals utilizing short didactics and case-based learning to enhance their ability to manage patients with long COVID, ME/CFS, FM, and related comorbid conditions.

Brayden Yellman, MD, addresses the assessment & management of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS):
- Review of mast cells and their function
- Mast cell mediators and associated symptoms
- Mast cell activation/hypersensitivity triggers
- Symptoms of MCAS
- Clinical criteria for MCAS
- Relevance of MCAS to Long COVID and/or ME/CFS
- MCAS treatments

Note to community members: We advise viewers to always speak with their medical care team prior to making any adjustments or changes to their current regimen.

Bateman Horne Center’s involvement in this program is made possible with the additional support of the Open Medicine Foundation.

TIME STAMPS
00:00 Review of Mast Cells and Types of Dysfunction
04:13 Mast Cell Activation Triggers and Symptoms
08:42 Diagnostic Criteria
12:29 Relevance of MCAS to Long COVID and Other Associations
20:53 Treatments
26:50 Question and Answer

[Lucky_AL]

This channel is a treasure trove. What the hell. A lot was not taught when I was at uni. Love it!

[annab]

If only the drs were subscribed to your channel

[catc]

Wow, this talk explains so much of my symptoms: fibromyalgia, severe allergies, exercise-induced asthma, migraines, sun rashes, IBS, heat sensitivity, food issues, concussion/neck whiplash … I need to try some of those treatments he listed!

No wonder my decade plus of allergy shots haven’t worked out for me. I’ve only experienced minor decreases in allergies and have had new ones pop up.

[loriz.]

Spot On Dr. Bateman. Well stated.
Dr. Yelling you did a wonderful job of explaining in terms that were very clear and concise. I was diagnosed with Mastocytosis 12 years ago. I see mcad symptoms in people who have had Covid in my family, and others.

[charlottestandage]

I have hEDS, POTS, hayfever, and now diagnosed with hives...just developed wheezing to certain smells. This is so interesting. I never learned any of this at university when i did a biomedical science degree. Thank you for this info!

[nicolettealleman]

To add to my last comment as a Mast Cell Activation patient - the commented medications have changed my life! Especially compounded ketotifen, cromolyn sodium, and Xolair. I literally take almost every single med. in the slides. But if I miss taking my ketotifen I have severe stomach pain no Gi doc can fix., plus too many issues to list.
Xolair - My GI doc tried to get me Xolair for years. But it was only prescribed to me when my very knowledgeable Dermatologist saw the massive hives caused by a simple scratch on my back when looking for moles.
I fully support the use of Xolair to treat mast cell issues. It made my life go from almost unbearable to Pain that can be handled.
A pain free existence for those with this issue may not be a possibility.

[DS-nbcz]

This is an excellent series, comprehensive, digestible, without controversy. Bravo!

[jedg]

Agree - alcohol intolerance in the tiniest amount is a no-no. Also, caffeine intolerance. These two together are an MCAS diagnosis on their own. They deplete vitamin B1 - see alcoholism. Large group of MCAS patients using high dose vitamin B1 for improvement and claimed cure. Start very slowly (important) with more-natural vitamin B1 (Eg. thiamine hydrochloride) before the less powerful synthetic analogues (eg. Benfotiamine) and only then the very powerful analogues (eg. Thiamine Tetrahydrofurfuryl Disulphide TTFD, or Sulbutiamine). Must be taken with a standard vitamin B complex of all the B vitamins. All of these are widely available vitamin B1 supplements. If you initially react badly to ordinary B1 high dose then scale it back until you can cope. Move forward by increasing dose/analogues if improvements ensue. Lots of info videos on YouTube.

[nicolettealleman]

Thank you so much for posting this video! I think this helps explain my illness and relevant issues. And why I am concerned with getting COVID. There has been a lot of research for other minor illnesses causing CHS, fibromyalgia, etc. that are virus connected.

Most physicians in the past 20 years did not know what caused severe and debilitating pain and other issues for many that ended up being a Mast Cell issue. I am very thankful for the progression and understanding of Mast Cell illnesses.

Thank you!

[rayreineu]

This has been so helpful as I explore my new unfortunate pending diagnosis

[tinobarbati]

Thank you for the detailed information. If we could put it into a pill to open the minds of so many healthcare professionals. I would love to visit one day for treatment. Happy holidays.

[stevierusso]

Natural support? not add more chemicals.

[mrstudio]

Do you see out of state patients? I’ve been with Cleveland clinic for 22 months since my vax day. I need help. I have high tryptase. Having episodes.

[kim.in.nature.]

Great talk!
Thank you for posting this video!

[RunningWithSauce]

You can have both issues regarding too many mast cells AND mast cell activation syndrome at the same time. If I just had the clonal issues and no inappropriate reactions I’d have a super power. I have Systemic Mastocytosis and I started reacting to laundry fragrances very poorly. The reason is my spindle shaped mast cells activate inappropriately which then imprint on the healthy mast cells and now over time I’ve become chemical intolerant. I’m 49 and only ever started reacting to fragrances at 48.

Alcohol destroys me entirely.

I had a phlebotomist trying to get an IV started at WashU wearing fragrance, dump my BP, sending me into shock. It’s fragrance free…..

Gotta love healthcare people wearing fragrances.

[littleangelsphoto]

This is such great information on MCAS. Thank you BHC. Xolair has cured my MCAS about 80%. My life was pretty miserable before Xolair. Now I can eat anything I want and rarely react.

[SamiMusicyou]

I got it in urinary tract as well. What is the the treatment in this case?

[maricamaas]

There is a connection between intense exercise and intestinal permeability/ leaky gut.

[maricamaas]

Had asthma for decades, which is now thankfully in remission, after addressing deficiencies and deliberately inducing detoxification... Mucus excretion in sinusses, and brochospasm with wheezing were mainly triggered by grass pollen, and house dust, but was also sensitive to secondary nearby smoke, and to some preservatives - especially when in combination with sugar.

[SamiMusicyou]

I would advise anyone suffering from MCAS to go to allergies and immunology Dr. Many doctors are specialist in both.