MY TUMOR STORY TIME PART 1: PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA SYMPTOMS

"It's psychosomatic" ... every doctor's favorite sentence!

Omg, I'm so sorry to hear all of this! It must have been terrible! I'm sure you are so happy this is all behind you now!

Your health sounds like it was miserable!!!! I thought I went through a lot, and I did, but this is just so much! You are such a strong woman and it's so important for you to share your story.

Really appreciate what you are doing. Not just raising awareness, but telling the story from a patient POV. It helps medical students A LOT.

I'm sorry you went through so much. Thank you for sharing your story, this will help so many people

This was am amazing video, I can't believe all the things you have gone through ! I'm so happy you are healthier and happier now, and I look forward to the next video 💗

I am 21 and just found out I tested positive for this. My mum just had it removed 6 months ago after 18 months of misdiagnosis! Thank you so much for this video, it’s so nice to know other people going through the same thing and understand ❤️

I watched this video a few months ago and your story resonates with me so much. I have been ill for 6 months trying to get to the bottom of my issue. I have felt the “impending sense of doom” since i was a kid. I have never been able to even tolerate someone yelling without my adrenaline going crazy. Seeing an endocrinologist in a month after seeing multiple specialists. Thank you for your story, Katrina. I hope you are well! ♥️ It would be crazy if a surgery would be able to fix my extreme anxiety.

1. You’re gorgeous. 2. I’m sorry you had to go through the run around like that. Doctors can be...🙄 don’t even get me started. 3. I feel for you. You’re amazing and so so so strong girl. This has really touched me.

Darling girl thank you from the bottom of my heart you have just described so many symptoms my son has been experiencing for such a long time. Now having been told that there is the tumour on his kidney we are beginning the path of discovery you have experienced. My mind is on overload so shall replay your diagnosis section before reading further. Sweet blessing honey.

Wow I can't even imagine going through all this for most of your life.. I'm so glad you finally got it taken care of!!

Amazing video! So sorry that you had to go through this.. About to watch part 2, 3 and 4!!

You have been through so much! No one could ever know by looking at you. You look like the picture of carefree, lifelong health and happiness. Thank God you finally, finally got a diagnosis. My son has so many of the same symptoms and is going through hell (I have too, not as bad). Because pheochromocytoma is rare, I doubt that is the cause - but we will be bringing it up to the doctor next week. Thank you for being so open and honest about your symptoms and your struggle. It helps so much to have people like you tell the world that these symptoms are caused by something REAL. So many friends just dismiss it as "psychosomatic" or something you are making up to get out of doing work or whatever. THANK YOU!!!

I think I can relate to 95% of the things you said. I'm currently in the process of getting an allergy test done. I'm on a gluten free diet which is helping in the mean time but hasn't completely cured me. I feel the frustration you felt, I'm living it right now. It's just so hard. My family physician doesn't believe me either and just thinks it's a mixture of depression and me being a hypochondriac. Thank you for making this video, it's comforting to know I'm not the only who feels like this.

Wow the fact that you went through all of that and lived to tell the tale is amazing. Good for you

I was 19 years old and a Freshman in college when I had my left adrenal gland removed along with my 14 cm pheo (size of a softball). It was and still is the largest pheo removed by my surgeon at Wake Forest Baptist hospital. I experienced almost the exact same symptoms and went through the same stuff with all the different doctors. With what I went through I think it’s so fascinating to find someone that went through the same thing. Incredibly blessed to still be alive. Glad you are okay as well!

watching you talk about your illness makes me feel less alone. my doctors don't believe me either yet.

Watching your video just gave me goosebumps. I have been dealing with about 95% of the symptoms that you described! Nobody believes me or thinks it’s anything more than just “trauma” or “depression”. I just had an MRI with contrast to check my pituitary tumor and nothing was found. -Next step (I hope) is checking for an adrenal gland tumor. I am praying and so eager to find an answer to all of this. Thank you SO much for sharing your story, it made me so emotional and also gave me hope. It felt like looking at a mirror because I have been living with that for years now and have always been blamed for it and told to “be more positive” etc. I am now an adult in my mid-late 20’s and I feel like I am getting progressively worse….. I do think I have cushing’s along with this (which SUCKS). Just taking it one step at a time and praying I am close to getting answers.

Wow! Never heard an actual patient that had this diagnosis. I had an endocrinologist test me for this for a couple of years. I did Not have this. I was scheduled for a mastoid ear surgery at 14. I had a blood pressure reading of 260/180 the day of my surgery. It explained the horrendous headaches I had been having and No One believing me. I was a textbook case for this and didn't have it. I am very glad that you finally had a diagnosis and are no better. We are at the mercy of hormonal system..So sorry you had to go through this terrible ordeal.

Watching this is so eerie. My timeline is almost the exact same as yours. I just realized I am having the heart symptoms and will see a cardiologist tomorrow. My dad died of a NETs cancer when he was 48. I truly believe this is what I have. Like you, I am skinny, but my sister has all of this plus the Cushing's symptoms. I am hoping so hard for a real diagnosis and not just more drugs to manage my symptoms. If you know of any support groups for those not yet diagnosed I would appreciate the tip. All I can find is for people with a diagnosis, which doesn't help with the feeling crazy all the time.