Weight-loss-induced angioedema.

I've been diagnosed with angioedema. I've been taking antihistamines (Claritin and Zantac), and they seem to have reduced recurrence. However, I continue to have flare ups every time I try to lose weight. It doesn't seem to matter what kind of diet and exercise is involved -- as soon as the pounds start coming off, my angioedema becomes a big problem, and it doesn't go away until I stop losing weight. It makes sustained weight-loss impossible. It's as if my body is reacting to something stored in my fat cells, and when they shrink, that substance gets dumped into my system and I have an allergic reaction. Has anyone else had this problem?

Don't know about the weight loss contributing to angioedema episodes. But anything which adds "stress" can certainly contribute to a flare-up. Exercising is a mild form of stress on the body; lack of adequate rest; and even "stressing" in your mind about trying to drop those extra pounds can all contribute to your swelling. Mine's idiopathic, so beats me what's causing it. I have noticed a pattern, however, in the amount of extra stresses I experience and the amount and severity of swellings. And as a side note, many of those anithistamines used regularly can add weight to you, too. Good Luck!

I have had the same problem - every time I lose a few pounds, I am in the hospital with a throat swell, and none of my doctors seem to think that there is any correlation (even though this has now happened FIVE times!!).

While I don't know what the trigger is, it's for sure real in me. Glad to know I have company!

I read that weight loss can cause mast cell degranulation, which releases histamines, which can cause allergic reactions. I then read that spirulina stopped mast cell degranulation in rats, so I gave it a try. With a combination of one Claritin and 150 mg of Zantac, along with three teaspoons of spirulina per day, I seem to have fixed the problem. I've lost 18 pounds on my current diet without a single reaction. Before I added the spirulina, I couldn't drop five pounds without serious swelling. I'll keep you updated, but so far so good.