Carcinoid syndrome symptoms similar to withdrawal.

[mammaP]

I've been wanting to post this for quite a while here but didn't want to worry anyone.  I had a carcinoid tumour which was discovered during surgery for burst appendix.  It is quite rare and doctors rarely look for it and diagnose the symptoms as depression/menopause or anything else BUT carcinoid! 

 

Most doctors don't have a clue how to test for and treat it. The tumours produce hormones, namely serotonin, histamine and more. This is carcinoid syndrome.  A lot of symptoms are the same as withdrawal or side effects of AD's. The tumours themselves cause no symptoms until their size causes pressure. It is the hormones that produce symptoms.  I had symptoms that were put down to menopause, and those symptoms were much reduced after my surgery. 

 

Flushing of the skin ( no rise in temperature or sweating ) diarrhoea, wheezing, palpitations, high or low blood pressure and mental changes are a few symptoms. 

 

There are several websites to look at, this one explains in laymans terms but search and you will find the medical sites and studies. 

http://www.medicinenet.com/carcinoid_syndrome/article.htm

 

I've decided that I really should be sharing this, because I see over and over again people with all the symptoms I had then and indeed have now when withdrawal hits. The thing  is that the symptoms I had then, although similar, were different but I couldn't tell you why! I just know if FEELS different.  It might be worth getting checked out if that's possible. Here in the UK it is very very difficult to get the tests and referrals but in other countries it's easier. 

 

Alto please feel free to delete this if you think it is irrelevant. 

[dunerbug]

I appreciate you sharing this.

 

Your post could really help someone.

[MaryKA]

I also appreciate you sharing your news.

 

I appreciate you sharing this.

 

Your post could really help someone.

 

me too. And in the end, I hope this helps you and doesn't worry you even more

[Altostrata]

There are many medical conditions affecting the nervous system that generate symptoms similar to withdrawal syndrome.While carcinoid syndrome may affect a few people reading this site, it is not something everyone needs to worry about.Here's a good discussion of carcinoid tumors http://www.carcinoid.org/content/carcinoid-tumors-and-carcinoid-syndrome-what-they-are-how-thay-behave-and-how-they-are-diagn 

We have learned from various studies that there is a vast pool of clinically insignificant carcinoids. In other words, for every single carcinoid that causes symptoms and comes to medical attention, there are 2 to 4 more that haven't. Because they haven't caused any problems, they may last a lifetime and not at all come to anyone's attention. Sometimes these are found accidentally. At any rate, in a study just published this past spring from Dr. Modlin's group at Yale, Dr. Modlin reviewed over the preceding five decades over 13,000 cases and came to some interesting statistical conclusions. First of all, over the past 10, 20, and even 30 years, every decade the frequency with which these tumors are being diagnosed has almost doubled. Originally, it was thought to occur in only 1 to 1 ½ cases per 100,000 per year in the United States. Now, it's up to 3 to 4 new cases per 100,000 in the general population....Putting it in another perspective, most people have heard of Crohn's disease, an inflammatory disease of the bowel, which has received a great deal of attention and in which progress is being made in treatment. Carcinoid occurs at a frequency of about 50% that of Crohn's....

 

 

Please -- those of you who tend to have health anxiety, keep this in perspective. If you seem to have symptoms of carcinoid syndrome, by all means have a thorough medical evaluation. Also look carefully at your habits and improve anything that might be affecting digestion. If your symptoms clear up, most likely you do not have these relatively rare tumors to worry about.

[katieb]

I had all the symptoms of carcanoid syndrome but thankfully the tests were negative. It was a very debilitating and scary time . Withdrawl manifests in a lot of bizarre ways I will be do glad when all of this over.