I would suggest evaluating the common causes of stomach pain first - including GERD, dyspepsia (ulcers or inflammation) or an upper GI tract mass.
If some of the pain killers are of the non-steroidal variety (i.e. Motrin, Naprosyn, Voltaren), this places your father at an increased risk of ulcers or GI tract inflammation.
An upper GI series or upper endoscopy (a more comprehensive test) would be the initial tests to consider. A blood test for H Pylori (a bacteria associated with inflammation and ulcers) should also be considered.
Regarding the constipation, many of the narcotic pain medications (i.e. Vicodin, Perocet, Morphine) causes constipation. A laxative program should be discussed with your physician if this is the case.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
did he tell the surgeon ??
i would think the surgeon would know if this is from his surgery??
may be you or your mother should find out what are the common problems after such surgery??
He told him- was told perhaps medication is upsetting his stomache- so he has completely stopped taking all of the pain meds for his shoulder/neck problems. He feels like he wants to die- between the pain in his neck, the pain in his shoulder and now is stomache feels like its on fire.
He should be in touch both with his regular doctor and his surgeon. There are ways to take pain medication without irritating the stomach; a patch, is a good choice. And he should at minimum have something prescribed for his burning stomach, and if it doesn't respond as expected, have it looked into further. Getting a patch for pain medication, and something to reduce stomach acid ought to help a lot.
Do you have a recommendation for something for his stomache?
And what do you attribute the white bowel to? The Milk of magnesia maybe?
Sorry, in my first post I missed the white stool and orange urine; I read too fast. Dark urine may just indicate dehydration; but it's also possible there are liver or gallbladder problems going on, especially combined with pale stool. If it was only one clump and subsequent stools are normal, it might not be significant; but continued pale stools and dark urine definitely needs evaluation. It sounds like he needs to actually be seen and examined further.
something you and your mother should keep in mind-in and out of hospital,surgery etc could bring on bacterial infection,so keep an eye out for that possibility
I just talked to my dad and he said only the white color that once. He says he has a lot of nausea - feels constantly like he's gonna throw up. The burning in the stomache comes and goes.
Thanks for your help.
FYI- my father was admitted to the hospital and it looks like Hepatitis A. They will do the rest of the tests today but that is what they are focusing on.