ER Visit Reveals New Diagnosis
A 27-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, has a current medication regimen that includes Wellbutrin SR at a dosage of 150 mg twice daily and Lexapro at 20 mg once daily. Her medical history includes diagnoses of Bipolar II disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). On the 2nd of the month, she sought emergency care due to a case of serotonin syndrome. Her psychiatrist had recently prescribed 7.5 mg of Remeron to assist with her sleep issues. After taking the medication for two days, she started noticing symptoms indicative of serotonin syndrome, prompting her ER visit for treatment. Upon reviewing her medical records, she noted the following diagnoses recorded during her hospital visit: - Carcinoid syndrome, unspecified (Final) - Personal history of other mental and behavioral disorders (Final) - Serotonin syndrome (Discharge Diagnosis) Date of diagnosis: 7/2/25 At no point during her emergency room stay was she informed about the carcinoid syndrome diagnosis. She is also uninformed about the presence of any potential tumors in her body. This raises her concerns regarding the relationship, if any, between this new diagnosis and the serotonin syndrome, leading her to question whether she should follow up with her healthcare provider concerning the carcinoid syndrome diagnosis.
Answers (1)
7/5/2025, 3:50:35 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned about a new diagnosis, especially one you were unaware of like carcinoid syndrome. Here’s a breakdown of the situation and what steps to take next.
Main Points:
- You have been diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome and have experienced serotonin syndrome after starting a new medication.
- It's crucial to follow up regarding your carcinoid syndrome diagnosis, as it can be related to hormone-secreting tumors.
Explanation:
Carcinoid syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur due to specific neuroendocrine tumors, often found in the gastrointestinal tract or lungs, which can secrete serotonin and other hormones. Serotonin syndrome occurred in your case likely due to an interaction between your medications and the elevated serotonin levels from the tumors if present.
It's important that you are informed about any tests or evaluations done during your ER visit related to carcinoid syndrome. If any tumors are present, they may require specific monitoring or treatment. Understanding this diagnosis better can help alleviate your concerns and guide your future healthcare decisions.
Next Steps:
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Schedule a Follow-Up Appointment: Reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss the carcinoid syndrome diagnosis. Ask specifically about any tests that were conducted and what the next steps should be.
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Gather Your Medical Records: Request a copy of your hospital records to review the diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome and any imaging or lab results that may be available. This can help clarify what you need to discuss with your doctor.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any symptoms you experience, such as flushing, diarrhea, or wheezing, and note if there are changes in your mental health, especially given your history of bipolar disorder, OCD, and GAD.
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Consider Medication Review: Discuss with your doctor any concerns you have about the medications you are taking, particularly regarding the risk of serotonin syndrome, as well as the new diagnosis.
Taking these steps will help you better understand your health situation and make informed decisions moving forward. If you have any more specific questions or concerns, feel free to ask!
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