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What Causes Sternum Tenderness, Dark Stool, Extreme Pain On Cheeks And Tongue?
Hi! I had a long road of multiple surgeries over the past 2 yrs. These include 6 shoulder (L) surgeries and the 7th was a total reverse joint replacement on 07 Apr 15, two lower lumbar surgeries and a carpal tunnel release (L). I also have a cervical spine injury with bone spurs from c4/c5, c5/c6 that includes the start of pushing my spinal cord in two different direction. This NO ONE will touch. Recently I had dental work completed, a couple cavities filled however one tooth split in half resulting with surgical removal of said tooth. I had to return back to the dentist due to extreme pain and cutting sensations on my cheek and tounge, they found several fragments which were removed. In between these appointments, I had been taking 800mg IBU and 5mg/325 Perc that didn t last 4 hours. I now have the same issue as before and have identified further fragments via simple finger sweeps and continuing the 800 IBU and Perc 5/325 every 4 hours. I NOW have extremely dark pasty stool accompained with tenderness on my sternum. Any idea what could be going on? I feel very cold despite the warm weather and eatting solid foods is not an option at this point.
Tue, 20 Sep 2022
Hello,
You had plethora of surgeries and i appreciate your positive attitude towards Life. Coming to the symptoms of tenderness on sternum and dark pasty stool, both may not be connected. Let me first mention the causes of dark stools:
1) Taking iron supplements
2) Eating foods like black licorice, chocolate cookies, blueberries etc.
3) Medicines containing bismuth
4) Gastric ulcer bleeding after administration of NSAIDs, alcohol and others
5) Gastric and intestinal cancer: this condition will have many other symptoms like loss of appetite and weight etc.
6) Intense coughing and vomiting would cause tear esophagus and can cause bleeding
7) Esophageal variceal bleeding
Tenderness on your sternum is most probably due to costochondritis or inflammation of the cartilage that connects rib to sternum.it usually occurs after a trauma. Other causes are:
1) Muscle strain
2) Rib fracture
3) Osteoarthritis of rib joints
As you are already on pain medicines, i would not prescribe one again. But I would suggest to go to a physician and get examined thoroughly to evaluate the causes of your symptoms and for appropriate treatment.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
You had plethora of surgeries and i appreciate your positive attitude towards Life. Coming to the symptoms of tenderness on sternum and dark pasty stool, both may not be connected. Let me first mention the causes of dark stools:
1) Taking iron supplements
2) Eating foods like black licorice, chocolate cookies, blueberries etc.
3) Medicines containing bismuth
4) Gastric ulcer bleeding after administration of NSAIDs, alcohol and others
5) Gastric and intestinal cancer: this condition will have many other symptoms like loss of appetite and weight etc.
6) Intense coughing and vomiting would cause tear esophagus and can cause bleeding
7) Esophageal variceal bleeding
Tenderness on your sternum is most probably due to costochondritis or inflammation of the cartilage that connects rib to sternum.it usually occurs after a trauma. Other causes are:
1) Muscle strain
2) Rib fracture
3) Osteoarthritis of rib joints
As you are already on pain medicines, i would not prescribe one again. But I would suggest to go to a physician and get examined thoroughly to evaluate the causes of your symptoms and for appropriate treatment.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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