Mast cell activation and pregnancy

Posted , 2 users are following.

So I am getting tested for mast cell disease after many years of illness. I think my parents assumed I had severe allergies, but as I matured I have had more and more health problems, including multiple anaphylactic reactions, even to medications. I also have chronic hives, daily, especially at night, itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, etc. I vomit more often than most people, and can’t eat many foods or use many products. I have been diagnosed with endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia, migraines, stomach problems, intestinal problems, and of course asthma and allergies. Sometimes I have been helped by prednisone, Enbrel, xolair, antihistamines, etc. I have a niece who has Ehlers Danlos and I was reading sometimes mast cell disease goes along with it, so I mentioned it to her and she said, I have mast cell. I really am starting to wonder if I do, too. My allergist had mentioned the possibility before. I guess the biggest reason I want to know is because I would like to get pregnant, but I have repeated miscarriages, hemhorraging, preterm labor and infections and the specialists can’t figure out why. Could this be from mast cell activation? It is hard to decide when the doctors don’t know why I have had these problems. Please help if you know anything about this. I am getting the serum testing and I guess from there I could see my niece’s specialist at U of M.

0 likes, 1 reply

1 Reply

  • Posted

    Hi, Hope4all.  That sounds like Mast Cell Activation Disorder to me.  I was recently diagnosed with all the same types of symptoms you report- hives, anaphylactic reactions, migraines, fibromyalgia, migraines, digestive problems, asthma and general allergies as well as super odd infections.  I also have elhers danlos like your niece and an unusually large number of birthmarks (no one knows for sure if this is related, but pigment development in the womb seems to be mediated by mast cells, so maybe).  

    I have been trying to get pregnant for about 8 months. My doctor thinks that the anaphylactic reactions I've been having were causing low progesterone which can cause fertility problems.  She put me on a progesterone supplement during my luteal phase and I was able to get pregnant, but I miscarried the day after a bad reaction.  I'm currently on Xolair every 4 weeks and that seems to have calmed everything down.  I'm currently 5 weeks and hoping this one will stick.  

    I would definitely talk to a Mast Cell specialist along with a sympathetic obgyn. I'm wishing you all the best!

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.