Never Bet Against Occam

Mast Cell Activation Disease and the Modern Epidemics of Chronic Illness and Medical Complexity

By: Lawrence B. Afrin

Narrated by: Lawrence B. Afrin MD

In 2008 Dr. Afrin started coming to understand that a newly recognized type of mast cell disease, now called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), was the underlying diagnosis in many patients he was seeing who were each suffering large assortments—quite different from one patient to the next—of chronic multisystem inflammatory illnesses of unclear cause.

Dr. Afrin soon gained experience that MCAS is far more prevalent than the only mast cell disease previously known to medicine (the rare disease of mastocytosis) and that most MCAS patients, once accurately diagnosed, can eventually find significantly helpful medications targeted at the disease.

The frequency and magnitude of the improvements Dr. Afrin has seen—even the relief that comes from finally having a unifying diagnosis other than "psychosomatism"—have spurred him to focus in this area, not only tending to the needs of his patients but also pursuing research to advance our understanding of the disease and helping to educate other professionals who in turn can help even more of the many people who have long been suffering not only the symptoms of the disease but also the natural concern of not understanding why one would be so "unlucky" to have acquired so many medical problems.

As it turns out, such patients are not so unlucky and truly have just one root issue (and a very common one at that), which has the biological capability to develop, directly or indirectly, into most or all of their previously diagnosed problems. There is a great deal yet to learn about this, but even with just the present very limited understanding, the opportunity to diagnose and help patients with MCAS seems to be enormous and Dr. Afrin felt a description of the disease, written for the general public, might help lead some MCAS patients on a journey to diagnosis and improvement sooner rather than later.

Dr. Afrin hopes this book will help people who might have, or do have, MCAS.

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A more complete understanding of MCAD and what it can be responsible for in the body and mind.

Some is over my head as far as medical terms but I understand that this is also for medical professionals. I feel the passion that Dr Afrin has to help patients like me. I pray that physicians and all medical professionals will purchase and study this book.
I feel more validated with the information he explained regarding Neuropsychiatric Symptoms. I’m a complex case and luckily I have a pretty good doctor but I am suggesting this book for him and his staff on my next visit. I know he’ll study it.
Thank you for caring enough about people like me and my now adult children & grandson who deal with these issues. I’m excited to share this everywhere to spread correct information and awareness as well as possibly help family members not dealing with this disease to understand this learn how to support us. I listen to every podcast, YT seminars, etc that Dr Afrin takes part in. I’m 46, late diagnosed and am finally gaining a better quality of life through some of these teachings. You’re a blessing Dr Afrin thank you for all you do for our community.