Successful treatment of a female with chronic pseudo-intestinal obstruction with sympathomimetic amines and thyroid hormone replacement.

PURPOSE

To determine if a defect in sympathomimetic amines, which is a common cause of various undiagnosed pain syndromes in women could be the cause of chronic pseudointestinal obstruction. Furthermore to determine if this life-threatening illness may similarly respond to sympathomimetic amines as in other pain syndromes, e.g., pelvic pain and interstitial cystitis.

METHOD

A 23-year-old, five foot, female with chronic pseudointestinal obstruction, who lost 35 pounds down to 75 pounds, was treated with 15 mg dextroamphetamine sulfate and 50 microg of L-thyroxin (her TSH thyroid hormone level was markedly suppressed in the face of a slightly low free thyroxin level.

RESULTS

Her abdominal pain lessened then completely disappeared within a few weeks. Within one year she gained 25 pounds.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic pseudointestinal obstruction is another way idiopathic orthostatic edema (a condition found predominantly in women) may manifest. Similar to other gastrointestinal pain syndromes and pain in other areas, e.g., pelvis, bladder, head and joints, treatment with sympathomimetic amines results in dramatic improvement.