Welcome to the NETs Group! Come say hi.

My name is André. My caretaker and best friend, Stephanie (wifey) live near the Sanford/Orlando Airport.

I started getting sick approximately fourteen years ago. Roughly seven years ago, my illness went into overdrive. I have countless ambulance trips with hospital stays. My attacks began by presenting as anaphylactic shock. A local allergist treated me for two years and ultimately sent me to Mayo Clinic. My first appointment was October 16, 2017. It was the best thing that ever happened to me with this journey. On December 21, 2017, I was officially diagnosed with NETs and Carcinoid Syndrome.

The biggest battle that I have is there are no physical indications of tumors. My diagnosis came from signs and symptoms, positive bio-markers and positive response to SSA’s.

On August 01, 2018, my second opinion with another Florida NET Specialist theorized when my appendix ruptured in the 1990’s, it scattered cells throughout my system.

I am so blessed and beyond thankful for the Mayo Staff and fellow patients, who continue to support me throughout this battle.

I am currently on Lanreotide, Creon, Xermelo, Enterade and several other medications to give me some quality of life.

One day, Steph and I want to work for Mayo Clinic so we can help other patients feel the same warmth and love that was given to us.

Always glad to help. Please feel free to reach out.

What is this doctor's name and where in Iowa does he practice?

@wordnoid I'm glad that you have found such good treatment. I've heard about the doctor in Iowa before.

Thank you so much!! It has been such a horrible last few years. When I started at Mayo on Oct. 16, 2017, they had just lost Dr. Elizabeth. They sent me to a NET Friendly hem/onc in her place. He started me on Sandostatin 30mg and 100mcg of Octreotide. I kept getting more sick, so the dosing of Sandostatin increased and maxed out at 90mg.

I was so fortunate when I met my battle buddy, Nigel Vaughn-Williams. He was being treated by Dr. Pashtoon Kasi. I immediately switched to Dr. Kasi and started on Lanreotide 120x28 days, plus increased the Octreotide to 300mcg. I got instant relief but the diarrhea and occasional carcinoid attacks and crisis continued.

Once Dr. Starr took over, he increased my Lanreotide 120mg to 21 days. On that routine, I was still requiring “rescue shots” but had huge improvement comparatively. He increased me to my current, 180mg x 21 days. It has been amazing!!! In the last 11-12 weeks, I have needed only one rescue shot.

When Dr. Kasi took over, he put me on 24,000 units of Creon but quickly increased it to my current 36,000 units. I do 3 at each meal, 9 per day. Just adding Creon brought my diarrhea from 20-21 x a day down to 13-15. He also started me onto Xermelo. That did the best for me, putting me down to 3-5 x a day.

Roughly two months ago, Dr. Starr’s Physician Assistant, Ashton Ritter told me about Enterade. She gave me a one month sample. I took it as instructed, 2 bottles a day for 5-7 days, then transition to 1 a day or every other. Once you get the initial 5-7 days under you, most can take it as needed. If you go too long without use, you need to restart the cycle. Our local, Enterade Rep, Cynthia has been amazing. She was a guest speaker at one of our support group meetings as well. The best news about Enterade is I’m now down to 0-1 or 2 times of diarrhea per day.

Hopefully this information will help somebody along this journey. I’m so thankful everyday for being a part of Mayo Clinic and this group.

Take care ~ André

Hello, @andre1221 and @amandafl, I am pleased to join Colleen, @colleenyoung, in welcoming you to Mayo Connect. It is good to have more Floridians in our discussion group!

It sounds as if you have both went full-circle with this carcinoid disorder. I'm especially intrigued by @andre1221's story of no visible tumors. I can't imagine how difficult it was to find the correct diagnosis. It sounds as if Mayo in Florida was really amazing to help you figure out this mysterious situation. I can tell you are grateful.

Andre, you say, "I am currently on Lanreotide, Creon, Xermelo, Eneterade, and several other medications to give me some quality of life." Which of your symptoms have been helped the most by these treatments"? Also, I have heard of the benefits of Eneterade before. How much do you use each day, or do you only use it when you are having symptoms?

My name is André. My caretaker and best friend, Stephanie (wifey) live near the Sanford/Orlando Airport.

I started getting sick approximately fourteen years ago. Roughly seven years ago, my illness went into overdrive. I have countless ambulance trips with hospital stays. My attacks began by presenting as anaphylactic shock. A local allergist treated me for two years and ultimately sent me to Mayo Clinic. My first appointment was October 16, 2017. It was the best thing that ever happened to me with this journey. On December 21, 2017, I was officially diagnosed with NETs and Carcinoid Syndrome.

The biggest battle that I have is there are no physical indications of tumors. My diagnosis came from signs and symptoms, positive bio-markers and positive response to SSA’s.

On August 01, 2018, my second opinion with another Florida NET Specialist theorized when my appendix ruptured in the 1990’s, it scattered cells throughout my system.

I am so blessed and beyond thankful for the Mayo Staff and fellow patients, who continue to support me throughout this battle.

I am currently on Lanreotide, Creon, Xermelo, Enterade and several other medications to give me some quality of life.

One day, Steph and I want to work for Mayo Clinic so we can help other patients feel the same warmth and love that was given to us.

Always glad to help. Please feel free to reach out.