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What Causes Mild Abdominal Pain And Chest Pressure?
Question: I had a kidney stone removed 4 days ago with ureterscopy and stent placement. I seemed to do well afterwards until yesterday morning when I woke up with a feeling of slight pain but mostly tightness and fullness in my upper abdominal region. I also find it difficult to take a deep breath...like there is pressure on my diaphragm, particularly unless I am sitting in a forward and upright posture. I did experience a day or two of slight constipation following the surgery which resolved by the second day after taking a stool softener and a laxative. I attributed this to the surgery and the opioid painkillers I was given for the renal colic prior to and after the procedure. Following this I had two days of normal bowel movements but today I had some diarrhea. The fullness/tightness that I feel seems to get worse when I eat...even a small amount. There is a constant dull ache that at times pulses up into my chest on the left side. This makes me nervous as I had a MI about a year ago and had a stent put in. I flew through cardiac rehab last year and have had no problems since the heart attack...in fact, I just saw my cardiologist about a month ago and although I remain on Plavix, Lisinopril, and Metoprolol....I don't need to see him for 6 months. I'm also on a few antibiotics for treatment of Lyme disease. I recognized the symptoms of a heart attack last year and got myself to the hospital in minutes. This does not feel like that but does feel somewhat akin to how I felt when I was released...ie the tightness fullness in the chest and upper abdomin. My BP is slightly elevated from what it normally was pre surgery, and I have no fever. I don't see the urologist til this wed. My question is could this be related to the kidney stone removal procedure....or is it something I need to have addressed right away.
Brief Answer:
Common symptom after Ureteroscopic-lithotripsy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Fishbag and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist, i can assure you, it's a common experience.
Though not mentioned, i'm assuming the stone was on the left side.
But, if the stone was on the right side, you must see a cardiologist soon.
As you've had a MI in the past and are on cardiac treatment, it's always safe to get a cardiologist to clear the doubts, you're having.
Hope your Aspirin / Clopidrogel( Plavix), have not been re-started yet.
Higher blood pressure is likely to be, due to the pain stimulus.
But it can also be common, after a stent movement inside.
The stent moves freely inside, and this movement causes pain in the region.
After stone fragmentation(lithotripsy), pain and inflammation takes about 2-3 weeks to settle. Depending on stone size, the stent period is decided.
In the first week specially, the discomfort / pain, is maximum.
It can cause bleeding in some people,especially in you, as you were on Plavix.
Drink 12-15 glasses fluids daily.
Wish you well.
Common symptom after Ureteroscopic-lithotripsy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Fishbag and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist, i can assure you, it's a common experience.
Though not mentioned, i'm assuming the stone was on the left side.
But, if the stone was on the right side, you must see a cardiologist soon.
As you've had a MI in the past and are on cardiac treatment, it's always safe to get a cardiologist to clear the doubts, you're having.
Hope your Aspirin / Clopidrogel( Plavix), have not been re-started yet.
Higher blood pressure is likely to be, due to the pain stimulus.
But it can also be common, after a stent movement inside.
The stent moves freely inside, and this movement causes pain in the region.
After stone fragmentation(lithotripsy), pain and inflammation takes about 2-3 weeks to settle. Depending on stone size, the stent period is decided.
In the first week specially, the discomfort / pain, is maximum.
It can cause bleeding in some people,especially in you, as you were on Plavix.
Drink 12-15 glasses fluids daily.
Wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Drug induced gastric problems most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
There're several causes for the gastric disturbances.
Mainly, it's Ibuprofen,and the antibiotic, which you must be taking.
Certain gastric problems, like nausea and vomitting, are related to stone itself.
Once the stone obstruction is relieved, it reduces.
Ketrolac should now be taken, only if you're having severe discomfort or pain.
Wish you a speedy recovery and drink minimum 12 glasses liquids, to prevent recurrence.
Drug induced gastric problems most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
There're several causes for the gastric disturbances.
Mainly, it's Ibuprofen,and the antibiotic, which you must be taking.
Certain gastric problems, like nausea and vomitting, are related to stone itself.
Once the stone obstruction is relieved, it reduces.
Ketrolac should now be taken, only if you're having severe discomfort or pain.
Wish you a speedy recovery and drink minimum 12 glasses liquids, to prevent recurrence.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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