Q. Is it normal to feel severe fatigue when recovering from a back surgery?
Hello doctor,
My mother is 79 years old. She had major back surgery five weeks ago. She has been very fatigued. I ordered blood tests last week. She is on daily pills. She is on Aspirin 81 mg, Oxybutynin 5 mg, Docusate 200 mg Vitamin D3 at 2000 units, Estradiol 0.5 mg, Folic acid 1 mg, Centrum Silver daily tablet, Gabapentin 1200 mg, Lialda 2.4 g, Senna two tablets, Lorazepam 1.5 mg, and Oxycodone 10 mg three per day. Her albumin is 3.3, AST 46, ALT 90, hemoglobin 10.7, hematocrit 33.1, iron 19, and saturation percent is 7. Everything else is normal. She is scheduled to go see a doctor in two days. Is it fine for her to wait for two days? She has started on iron supplements. Are there any suggestions? Lab reports have been enclosed.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have gone through the reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity), and I understand you are worried about your mother's health. She has got surgery, and due to that, too, there is also some weakness in this phase of convalescence.
Her blood tests show a little lower than normal hemoglobin. But this is all that we can expect after major surgery.
Iron supplements will cover up her deficiencies, but it will take some time to kick in.
This is not something that needs urgent attention unless there are severe symptoms that warrant a blood transfusion. Some of them can be shortness of breath, extreme and debilitating weakness, unable to move around, etc.
Her liver enzymes AST (aspartate transaminase) and ALT (alanine transaminase) are on higher sides. This increase in liver enzymes can be due to any reason ranging from surgery, medications, or prior liver disease. Her physician can guide her better in this regard.
To me, it is fine to wait for her next appointment and keep taking medications as prescribed.
Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and with their consent, continue the medicines.
Hope it helps.
Was this answer helpful?
|Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions:
How to evaluate the reason for low hemoglobin?
Also, look for iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency ... Read full
I noticed white strings in my stool. I hope it is not parasites. Please help.Hello doctor, My wife is 28 years old, and her weight is 49 kg. She is on Thyronorm 75 for past one year. We did some blood tests a year back as per our gynecologist's advice in view of positive ANA two years back which came normal in the same year.... Read full
I am anemic even after taking iron supplements. Why?Hello doctor, My wife is 28 years old, and her weight is 49 kg. She is on Thyronorm 75 for past one year. We did some blood tests a year back as per our gynecologist's advice in view of positive ANA two years back which came normal in the same year.... Read full
Also Read Answers From:
Comprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case
Also Read
Coronavirus Variant Arcturus: | Omicron XBB.1.16 Variant
Arcturus is an emerging variant of the Omicron virus that causes various symptoms and spreads rapidly across the world. ... Read more»
Adrenaline Rush - Symptoms, Causes, Effects, and How to Control
Adrenaline is a hormone responsible for fight or flight response. It is also a neurotransmitter and medicine. It is also... Read more»
Fatty Liver - Types, Symptoms, Stages, and Treatment
The liver is the largest gland in the body. Its primary function is to process the food and drinks we consume. and filte... Read more»
Ask your health query to a doctor online?
Ask a General Medicine Physician Now* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.
