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Taking Treatment For Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Feeling Hungry. Worried For Scleroderma

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Posted on Thu, 25 Apr 2013
Question: I put my question under LUPUS because I wanted someone familier in rheumotology

Hello My name is XXXXXXX im 26 year old female and have been diagnosed with something called autonomic nervous system - that primarly affects blood flow. At the same time I got POTS I developed a problem absorbing nutrients. Particularly Fat Malabsorption. I will be undergoing a second colonoscopy later in April to try to figure out my problem But here is my concern. I heard of a diagnosis called Diffuse Scleroderma- a type of sclerederma that affects JUST the organs. And am wondering the chances of me having that WITH postural orthostatic tachy cardia syndrome. (It is also known POTS can cause gastroparesesis small bowel overgrowth exe due to blood flow, decreasted mobility due to pots).

I have had many tests my lab work Rheumo wise so far has been XXXXXXX 1:80 speckeled pattern
Sed rate of 29
CRP of 0.1
Skin Biopsy to check for peripheral Neuropathy- Negetive - that was tested at the cleveland clinic when I was diagnosed with POTS.
CBC's and BMP's have all been normal
I have had an EGD that showed gastritis in november- Nothing more
I had a colonoscopy that showed "congestion and edema"
they did biopsies during the EGD and Colonoscopy- and found nothing.
I have had a chest angiogram to look at lungs- normal
Xray of back and abdomen- negetive (except constipation)
I have had RUQ ultrasound that was negetive
CT of Abdomen/Pelvis- Negetive
MRI Head- Negetive
chest Xray- negetive
Hida scan - negetive and a good working gall bladder.
Urinalysis- negetive and shows nothing.

I do not have any skin issues- my heels get dry sometimes but thats it
I do not have reynards syndrome.
I do not have any problems swallowing food or drink.
my biggest issue with my stomach is I always feel hungry and it growls alot after I eat.
But I am worried about sclerederma due to the fact that it seems very fatal.

All of this started the 2nd week of november after the loss of my baby due to a placental abruption (the POTS and the belly problems)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (4 hours later)
Hi and thanks for the query,
Systemic or diffuse Scleroderma involves lesions in XXXXXXX structures of the body like the heart, kidneys, lungs and digestive tract. Gastrointestinal involvement is the most common organ attained (90%) of cases. The decision to rerun endoscopic examinations on the gastrointestinal tract is very reasonable.
However, common associated signs and symptoms seen when the gastrointestinal tract is involved are not seen in your case(reflux, distention/bloating, diarrhea, fecal soilage, constipation, bacterial overgrowth).
The malnutrition especially problems with fat absorption you developed (Steatorrhea) warrant a critical investigation of the possibility of gastrointestinal involvement. The eosophagus could also be involved without apparent clinical signs. The diagnostic procedures like esophageal manometry, 24-h pH-metry, esophageal and gastric radionuclide transit studies, H2-breath tests, barium enemas, anorectal manometry and endoscopy should be done to appreciate the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. Anti-centromere antibodies, anti-topoisomerase I, anti-RNA polymerase III, and anti-Pm/Scl antibodies should be done to actually increase certainty of the diagnosis of systemic Scleroderma.
The opinion coordinated management roles of a Rheumatologist and Gastroenterologist, in my opinion, are most welcome.
Thanks and hope this helps,
Luchuo, MD.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (11 minutes later)
i do not have fecal solige diarrhea or reflux or bloating just bloating on occasion depending what i eat.. i dont understand your answer though. so you think its very likely to have this with it being so rare? MY pots Dr seems to think its very unlikely- stated that since when i was pregnant i was given zosyn zyvox and zithromax for 3 dyas when i was pregnant- and i never had infection- and probably wiped out flora- he also thinks that it might my a dismobility problem due to POTS *the autonomic nervous system" not working. i did have endoscopy done it showed gastritis- and im under extreme stress and worry. they also think the stress from since november plays a role but i dont understand . my XXXXXXX according to another doc isnt that high ; i just am scared and dont want something so scary like systemic scleroderma- also im not saying i have sclerederma its just something i saw on the internet- im looking for the possibility bc it scares me, also do you know what postural orthostatic tachy syndrome is? bc its hard bc thats suppose to affect gi system too leading to things like small bowel overgroweth and dismobility :0/
doctor
Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (6 minutes later)
Hi and thanks for the query,
With raises Anti Nuclear Antibodies, nutrient reabsorption and fat malabsorption in my opinion, deserve an in depth evaluation to exclude Systemic or diffuse Scleroderma.
I understand it could be worrisome, but an appropriate management depends on an exact diagnosis. I suggest this in depth investigation be done with respect to Scleroderma. I think its a possibility.
Thanks and best regards,
Luchuo, MD.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (14 minutes later)
My question is - Do you know and or understand Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and its affects on the digestive system, that is all? thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (19 minutes later)
Hi and thanks for the query,
Yes off course. But I do not think the symptoms you are experiencing are characteristic of POTS. They are more in the direction of systemic scleroderma. Excluding Scleroderma, before thinking of the possibility of POTS is my humble suggestion.
Thanks and best regards,
Luchuo, MD.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3092 Questions

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Taking Treatment For Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Feeling Hungry. Worried For Scleroderma

Hi and thanks for the query,
Systemic or diffuse Scleroderma involves lesions in XXXXXXX structures of the body like the heart, kidneys, lungs and digestive tract. Gastrointestinal involvement is the most common organ attained (90%) of cases. The decision to rerun endoscopic examinations on the gastrointestinal tract is very reasonable.
However, common associated signs and symptoms seen when the gastrointestinal tract is involved are not seen in your case(reflux, distention/bloating, diarrhea, fecal soilage, constipation, bacterial overgrowth).
The malnutrition especially problems with fat absorption you developed (Steatorrhea) warrant a critical investigation of the possibility of gastrointestinal involvement. The eosophagus could also be involved without apparent clinical signs. The diagnostic procedures like esophageal manometry, 24-h pH-metry, esophageal and gastric radionuclide transit studies, H2-breath tests, barium enemas, anorectal manometry and endoscopy should be done to appreciate the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. Anti-centromere antibodies, anti-topoisomerase I, anti-RNA polymerase III, and anti-Pm/Scl antibodies should be done to actually increase certainty of the diagnosis of systemic Scleroderma.
The opinion coordinated management roles of a Rheumatologist and Gastroenterologist, in my opinion, are most welcome.
Thanks and hope this helps,
Luchuo, MD.