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How To Manage Pain In The Sternum And Heartburn?
My brother had bladder cancer last wed they removed his bladder and replaced with a portion of his intestine. On Sat morning he had a hard time swallowing a pill he tried caughing it up but it wouldn t come up or wouldn t go down at that time he felt like it was in his throat they gave him some spray to numb his throat after quite awhile of caughing an throwing up liquid. Today he has been complaining that the pain has moved to his middle of his strenum it hurts when he presses on it. They gave him oxycotin for the pain which did nothing for it. He can t get comfortable he says it hurts when he coughs an sometimes even when he yawns. The dr on call says it is probably heartburn caused by not eating and the pill dissolving. If it doesn t get better in a day or two they might contact gi. Should we be concerned an press for more to be done what are your thoughts
Mon, 27 Apr 2015
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Your brother has undergone a major surgery involving removal of cancer affected urinary bladder and reconstruction with the small intestine. This will take a few weeks to heal and it is important to follow up with his surgeon regularly.
He should not try coughing up because this will increase the pressure inside the abdomen and is not good for him. Pain relief medicine is required and he should take semi solid foods which he can swallow easily. Please avoid solid foods that are difficult to swallow. Cough must be suppressed so that the operation area is not affected.
The burning pain behind the sternum is likely due to esophagitis or gastritis. This can be treated by giving medicines for gastritis. Do not give him spicy foods. Please do not worry.
Thanks for writing in.
Your brother has undergone a major surgery involving removal of cancer affected urinary bladder and reconstruction with the small intestine. This will take a few weeks to heal and it is important to follow up with his surgeon regularly.
He should not try coughing up because this will increase the pressure inside the abdomen and is not good for him. Pain relief medicine is required and he should take semi solid foods which he can swallow easily. Please avoid solid foods that are difficult to swallow. Cough must be suppressed so that the operation area is not affected.
The burning pain behind the sternum is likely due to esophagitis or gastritis. This can be treated by giving medicines for gastritis. Do not give him spicy foods. Please do not worry.
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