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What Causes Flushing, Eosinophilic Oesophagitis And Vocal Cord Dysfunction?
I m a 38 year old woman weighing 202 pounds. I have been gaining weight and inability to lose for a few years now. In 2007, after having severe lower left side pain, flushing, hair growth on face, I went to see my OBGYN. After doing bloodwork and finding my testosterone levels to be very high, he did surgery and removed my left ovary. I had a total hysterectomy two years prior and removal of my right ovary. He also sent me to an endo doc who did more blood work. And an MRI of my adrenal glands. The MRI was ok. The blood work showed high levels of seratonin in my blood. They had me do a 24 hour urine test. Those were negative for carcinoid syndrome. Since then, I have still had several bouts of debilitating pain on my lower left side. I have also had for 7 years, unexplained reactions to food and alcohol. Flushing, difficulty breathing, vocal chord disfunciton, and eosiniphil espohagitis. (All the above symptoms could be from the eosin. eso. and vocal chord dys). A week ago, m y aunt was diagnosed with a very rare type of neuroendocrine cancer! We also just found outthat my grandmother died from a neuroendocrine cancer! WHen I googled it, it showed carcinoid cancer!! My heart sank! I am SO scared now!! I have had MRI s, and CT scans of my lower left side. I have had endoscopies, and a colonoscopy. None showed any sort of mass or growth. Do you have any advice?
Fri, 22 Aug 2014
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Serotonin and other chemical mediators are elevated in carcinoid syndrome.
Carcinoid syndrome is caused by carcinoid tumor.
The commonest site of carcinoid is the gastrointestinal tract or the lung.
However, all the investigations have come out to be negative thus, ruling out carcinoid tumor.
A follow up is required since you have family history of neuroendocrine tumors.
A clinical assessment is required to know the cause of vocal cord palsy.
Eosinophilic esophagitis can cause many symptoms like difficulty in swallowing, pain etc.
You need to take appropriate medication when the esophageal symptoms become prominent.
Stay in contact with your treating doctor.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Serotonin and other chemical mediators are elevated in carcinoid syndrome.
Carcinoid syndrome is caused by carcinoid tumor.
The commonest site of carcinoid is the gastrointestinal tract or the lung.
However, all the investigations have come out to be negative thus, ruling out carcinoid tumor.
A follow up is required since you have family history of neuroendocrine tumors.
A clinical assessment is required to know the cause of vocal cord palsy.
Eosinophilic esophagitis can cause many symptoms like difficulty in swallowing, pain etc.
You need to take appropriate medication when the esophageal symptoms become prominent.
Stay in contact with your treating doctor.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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