Hello,
I’ve been suffering from very severe allergic reactions, to the point where I was in ER almost on a weekly basis, and after seeing one specialist after the other, I was told I had systemic mastocytosis. Even though bone marrow biopsy confirmed it, it’s still a very tough diagnose to accept, me being 46, with two teenage kids. So far, all the treatment I got is to deal with the symptoms, most importantly I have an EPI pen at all times with me, and I’ve been given ranitidine to help with stomach issues, but the problem I’m hoping to find at least some solution for is my troubles with occasional balance loss and dizziness. It just happens out of nowhere, even on a good day it’ll come out of nowhere – it looks like I’m drunk or something. I can’t walk in a straight line. So far I haven’t found any info that would confirm this is related to mastocytosis, is maybe one of my meds causing this?
Hello,
your balance is controlled by a small organ in your ear, as well as, of course, neurons that help link it to the brain centers and limbs. If you're taking any anti-allergen medications such as Benadryl it is possible they'll make you drowsy, but as far as ranitidine is concerned - it shouldn't have any effect on your balance whatsoever. But, what can happen is that sinus infection or sinus inflammation caused by allergic reaction affects the inner ear, as well. And, with mastocytosis being your main problem, there is also a chance that mast cells are affecting the neural pathways involved in the whole balance control process. So, what i'd recommend you to do is to report this to the specialist who is managing your mastocytosis, just to make sure that there is no permanent damage done.