What Causes Severe Abdominal Discomfort And Brown Discolouration In Urine?

Posted on Wed, 8 Jun 2016

Question: I have stomach discomfort, brown urine and mild itching. I can touch the spot on the stomach that feels irritated. Past history of ulcer in same spot, 2 years ago. Am taking oxy and opana for nerve pain management. High doses of both drugs to control pain. Lft's slightly elevated 6 months ago on blood work prior to surgery. At time of surgery no one mentioned the slight liver enzyme increase.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Blood tests and ultrasonography

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/60 - not visited Doctor - taking purple pill - complains of discomfort in stomach - brown urine - mild itching - past history of ulcer 2 years ago in a spot that is irritated on touch now also - taking *Oxy and Opana for nerve pain - LFTs slightly elevated 6 months ago - prior to *surgery -

My thoughts: as per the history you have provided.
Stomach discomfort, brown may be deep yellow urine and itching are suggestive of hepatitis.
You are taking high dosages of opioids for the pain.

I would advise you the following:
Please consult your Doctor for clinical evaluation and urgent investigations particularly the Liver Function tests and other blood parameters.
Urine routine, microscopy, bile salts and pigments.
Ultrasonography of the abdomen to be followed by CT Scan or MRCP (MRI) as required, as guided by the blood and urine reports.
And to start appropriate treatment.

I would like to know a few details:
- What sort of surgery was done and when?
- Why is the need to take such high dosages of opioids? What exactly is the problem and where exactly is the irritation?
- Any other information that you would like to share.

I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to give to give further information and ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (23 minutes later)

I am on high doses, 60 mgs oxy daily along with 80mgs of Opana to control nerve damage as a result of a botched 2 hour long TAB. The jackass the screwed me up never biopsied the artery. He sent a non diagnostic piece of vein to pathology for analysis. He left me with extensive facial paralysis and nerve damage. I have had 7 operations to restore facial function and I'm still blind in my right eye even though I underwent ocular reconstruction. The TAB was conducted March 2013.

I've been through hell and am worried that I might have pancreatic cancer because all of the symptom checkers on line seem to point in that direction.

Your thoughts as they relate to CA? Perhaps liver CA from all of the drugs. Maybe stomach ulcer again?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sorry to know. Please get investigations at the earliest.

Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to know that you had to undergo such a physical and mental trauma.
May I please know what was exactly done in TAB Surgery?

Since your LFT was raised 6 months ago and still are carrying on, cancer is least likely.
Yet on a safer side please get all the investigations I mentioned above to come to an early and proper diagnosis.

As for the pain management, I hope you might have tried with alternative therapies like acupressure or acupuncture, yoga, meditation or so.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

As far as the TAB, the vascular surgeon just mucked around in the danger zone in front of my right ear for two hours looking for an artery to biopsy to rule out giant cell arteritis. He never found the artery so instead chose to biopsy a vein!! He ruined my life and I am now partially blind and on disability. Prior to the botched TAB, I was the department head of a very prestigious college and ran educational programs all over the world. Now I'm bed bound with a huge list of health issues and blindness.
I sure hope pancreatic cancer doesn't appear. I also fear some sort of liver damage that will end my life soon. The opiates have to negatively impact my liver function. Yes?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, opiates do.

Detailed Answer:
The tests mentioned above can tell us the extent of liver, gall bladder and pancreas problems if any.
You may please do regular liver function tests.
Another better option is to try the alternative therapy for pain so that you requirements of opiates are reduced .
May I please know the details related to the pains so that I may be of some help to you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (4 hours later)

I'm going to dr tomorrow and will get blood work and radio scans of whatever type she suggests. I will suggest your list of tests.
I will be in touch with results if you are interested.
Thank you.
TL XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please tell me the reports.

Detailed Answer:
Surely, your feedback is most welcome.
Waiting for the reports.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar