Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Diarrhea And Abdominal Pain When Diagnosed With Carcinoid Tumors?
Question: I was previously diagnosed with carcinoid tumors. The tumors were removed earlier this year but the symptoms still occur. Along with frequent/chronic diarrhea and vomiting, I have been experiencing midway through meals abdominal pain, bloating with a kind of a rush sensation then extreme chills. After eating, I become extremely exhausted and must physically get warm. If I cannot immediately get warm, many times the diarrhea will begin. The attacks of diarrhea also happen when I have not eaten. I am having at least loose stools almost every morning before I leave for work. Other symptoms I am having: Frequent headaches, extremely dry skin, extremely brittle nails on hands and feet. The nails on my hand are ridging and breaking. I have dry mouth. I have experienced several occasions when my heart rate goes up at resting and it feels like it is pounding . Although, my blood pressure is usually very low but I do take prinivil, lasics atenilol and aspirin therapy (previous double bypass). I have this gasping thing that frequently happens but it really doesn't feel like it comes from my lungs. It feels like it is from my diaphram. I also have bruising that has appeared on both of my legs but I have not had any type of incident occur that would cause bruising. Please note I have been previously diagnosed with heart decease, sarcoidosis, diabetes, blepharitis, reflux, and carcinoid tumors. I would like to know whether or not all of this could mean there are more tumors. If not, what could it be. Please also note my last Chromogranin A ECL was the highest it has ever been (82).
Brief Answer:
Most likely a separate problem termed as the Irritable Bowel.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
I've gone through your details and I appreciate your concerns.
Most likely you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with overlapping problems.Carcinoid diabetes etc increases the intensity of this problem. Actually, IBS is not a disease rather its a collection or clustering of symptoms of the gut and when despite all possible investigations we can't find any anatomical or structural problem we label the problem as functional and all symptoms are clustered under a name IBS.
Firstly small briefing for Irritable bowel syndrome and why every patient is a unique case when we deal with IBS.
Recent studies by French scientists have indicated that the most important mechanisms include visceral sensitivity, abnormal gut motility, and autonomous nervous system dysfunction. The interactions between these three mechanisms make bowel's function susceptible to many exogenous and endogenous factors like gastrointestinal flora, feeding, and psychosocial factors.
Some patients have symptoms of unformed stools some have bloating and some may have severe constipation. Some patients have occasional symptoms whereas others may have symptoms for a long period of time.So as seen above every patient is different. Intensity of symptoms in every patient is different as so is the response to medicines and life style change. A patient may respond good to one medication while other patient is totally unresponsive to the same.
Have you ever had a colonoscopy done? After the age of 50, it is recommended that all individuals should have a colonoscopy every 5-10 years. Even if you have had this test in the last 5 years it might be recommended to repeat it.
All symptoms can be interrelated to each other.
Due to loose motions, a large amount of fluid is lost along with electrolytes which causes nausea cramps fatigue lassitude.Most of the minerals and vitamins are absorbed by intestines.In IBS due to poor absorption and digestion body becomes deficient in vitamins and essential minerals causing a number of problems like rough skin, broken nails. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance causes palpitations.
So, initially, I'd suggest going for a colonoscopy if it turns up to be normal then you may have IBS and treatment would be started on protocol.
Treatment would be:
Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic drug. An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. Anticholinergics inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses by selectively blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptor in nerve cells.
Mebeverine is an antispasmodic medicine and is very useful in IBS and is well tolerated by the patient with minimal side effects. Mebeverine works on certain muscles in the wall of your intestines, causing them to relax.
Clidinium bromide is an anticholinergic which may help symptoms of frequent stools.
Along with it, plenty of fluids and juices has to be taken.
Please discuss all these with your doctor.
Hope I explained to you things in detail. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you!
Most likely a separate problem termed as the Irritable Bowel.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
I've gone through your details and I appreciate your concerns.
Most likely you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with overlapping problems.Carcinoid diabetes etc increases the intensity of this problem. Actually, IBS is not a disease rather its a collection or clustering of symptoms of the gut and when despite all possible investigations we can't find any anatomical or structural problem we label the problem as functional and all symptoms are clustered under a name IBS.
Firstly small briefing for Irritable bowel syndrome and why every patient is a unique case when we deal with IBS.
Recent studies by French scientists have indicated that the most important mechanisms include visceral sensitivity, abnormal gut motility, and autonomous nervous system dysfunction. The interactions between these three mechanisms make bowel's function susceptible to many exogenous and endogenous factors like gastrointestinal flora, feeding, and psychosocial factors.
Some patients have symptoms of unformed stools some have bloating and some may have severe constipation. Some patients have occasional symptoms whereas others may have symptoms for a long period of time.So as seen above every patient is different. Intensity of symptoms in every patient is different as so is the response to medicines and life style change. A patient may respond good to one medication while other patient is totally unresponsive to the same.
Have you ever had a colonoscopy done? After the age of 50, it is recommended that all individuals should have a colonoscopy every 5-10 years. Even if you have had this test in the last 5 years it might be recommended to repeat it.
All symptoms can be interrelated to each other.
Due to loose motions, a large amount of fluid is lost along with electrolytes which causes nausea cramps fatigue lassitude.Most of the minerals and vitamins are absorbed by intestines.In IBS due to poor absorption and digestion body becomes deficient in vitamins and essential minerals causing a number of problems like rough skin, broken nails. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance causes palpitations.
So, initially, I'd suggest going for a colonoscopy if it turns up to be normal then you may have IBS and treatment would be started on protocol.
Treatment would be:
Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic drug. An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. Anticholinergics inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses by selectively blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptor in nerve cells.
Mebeverine is an antispasmodic medicine and is very useful in IBS and is well tolerated by the patient with minimal side effects. Mebeverine works on certain muscles in the wall of your intestines, causing them to relax.
Clidinium bromide is an anticholinergic which may help symptoms of frequent stools.
Along with it, plenty of fluids and juices has to be taken.
Please discuss all these with your doctor.
Hope I explained to you things in detail. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you!
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
