Suggest Treatment For Stomach Pain, Abdominal Swelling, Nausea, Swelling In The Legs, Arm, Hand And Neck In An Elderly Woman

Posted on Mon, 7 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 7 May 2018 Answered on

Mon, 8 Jan 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : My mother is 84 years old. For about 3 days she has had stomach pains, swelling in her stomach and abdomen and nausea . She has also had swelling in both legs, the left is worse than the right. Also swelling in left arm, hand and neck. The stomach problems seemed to start the same time she started a prescription of Prilosec. I know that is a coincidence. She is diabetic and had a triple bypass in 2000. Any thoughts on what might be ailing her (other than me?).

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Clinical evaluation, investigations as there are multiple problems

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history about your 84 year old Mother and understood the concerns.
Please give additional information for me to assist you better:
Any loose stools or constipation/not passed stools?
Vomiting, fever?
Any urinary complaints, low output of urine?
Any additional information.

My thoughts:
Pain in abdomen, swelling, nausea indicate more towards intestinal problems.
But the swelling of the limbs as you have mentioned needs further clinical evaluation, examination and investigations to come to a proper cause so that a proper management can be done.
Also needed is to know the present cardiac status as there if a history of triple bypass and status about control of diabetes.
The problem could have started with one system and thence affecting others to give the present situation:
Hence get the clinical evaluation, an actual examination and investigations.
Tests of blood: CBC to know the Nb as anemia can be a reason, WBC to see for infection; Kidney, liver (with serum proteins) and thyroid functions. Status of diabetes control.
X-ray of abdomen and ultrasonography of the whole abdomen.
Tests of urine and stool.

This way a proper cause can be found which is very important to have proper management, further investigations and so on.

Stop Prilosec at the moment as this has coincided with the symptoms.
If there is swelling of abdomen with nausea it is better to stop orally till seen by a Doctor and investigated to be treated properly.

I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

With regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj