
Palpitations,EKG,normal Blood Work,low Potassium,high Lipase,black Stool,shoulder Blade Pain

Thanks for the query.
Malenic stools (bleeding from upper gut) is usually jet black, shiny, foul smelling and difficult to flush. So if your stools XXXXXXX all these characteristics then you had bleed atleast 50 - 80ml into your stomach or your upper intestine and it has stayed in your guts for atleast 8 hrs.
High dose aspirin is a common cause of stomach / duodenal ulcers that bleed. Further since you take alcohol bleeding could also have been from the esophageal dilated veins (varices). Aspirin can induce this also.
Pain in the (Right) shoulder blade with some pain along the (Right) costal margin and may be in the tip of shoulder occurs in gall stone diseases. Pancreatic diseases cause epigastric or periumbilical pain with radiation to back.
Either way it would be wise to stop alcohol as alcohol can cause palpitation as well as pancreatitis
Consult your gastroenterologist to discuss about your problems. Further testing and evaluation can be helpful.
Hope my answer is adequate. Should you have more concerns, I will be available to address them.
regards


How much longer should I wait for the stool to become normal before I should go see my doctor about the problem?
If I am having a gallbladder attack, can it clear up and return to normal on its own if i don't drink alcohol and continue to eat a lowfat diet?
Thanks for writing back.
Alcoholic hepatitis takes months to recover after absteinence.
Hence it is too early to say that it is not because of hepatitis.
If you are too concerned about gall stone disease then get an ultrasound abdomen and a stool examination including occult blood to clear doubts of malena.
It is good if you stop taking alcohol and fatty diet.
Normalization of stools after a diarrhoea takes about a fortnight. Hope this clears your doubts.
Regards,

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