Does this sound like porphyria?

[jheilman2931]

Recently i watched a program on tv called mystery diagnosis. There was a lady who had this disease called porphyria, and almost all of the symptoms she had my wife is currently having. She has severe abdominal pain, night sweats, twitching at night, nausea, vomiting, panic attacks (no history of), chest pain, problems breathing, severe anemia, shes taking birth control for the anemia, nexium for the abdominal pain along with hydrocodone. No purple urine, though i have not put it in the sun. This has been going on for about 6 months now. Anybody with any ideas?

Thanks
Justin

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Porphyria occurs due to overproduction and accumulations of porphyrins and you are right whenyou say your wife’s symptoms are similar to patients with porphyria which is characterized by abdominal pains, vomiting, neuropathy, seizures, hallucinations, anxiety and constipation but diarrhea can also occur. Diagnosis is made by biochemical examination of blood, urine and stool.
I would suggest you to discuss this possibility with her PCP as it need clinical evaluation. Take care!

[aiMelissa]

Pophyria is easy to test for.  You could always try setting it in the sun, lol.  Or just have a lab test done.  She'll have to pee in a cup and keep the urine protected from sunlight.  Results take about a week.