Can anyone advise on what this might be please?

[Pisces]

Over the past year I have gained nearly 2 stone and when I went to GP about 8 months ago, he just said it was my age as turned 40 now. I am quite tall so most people don't even realise that I have put weight on. My main problem now is my stomach. I look 9 months pregnant (and it would be impossible for me to actually be pregnant!). It protrudes like a huge basketball and is very hard. I am feeling very sick all the time, tired and now, quite depressed with it all. I am so bloated and uncomfortable. Any ideas?

[Han4Dan]

could be water retention?? go back to your gp.

[JakeysMummy]

I have been to gp with something similar,i've gained a lot of weight and am constantly tired. GP did blood tests for underactive thyroid, and hormone deficiency (i.e. early menopause). These came back negative so i'm now waiting for a scan of my ovaries which could be polycystic (cysts growing on them). Do you feel at all tired or rundown - some days I can't physically get out of bed and get so tired in the day I have to have a sleep else I get very bad migraine.

[Pisces]

I find it very hard to concentrate. I feel totally drained most the time. I think what is frightening me the most is my stomach. I just cannot believe it is so big. It sticks out all on its own, just like when I was pregnant.

[thirtysomething]

sounds like could be underactive thyroid, iron deficiency and possibly ovary problems like others have said. With such discomfort you should definitely see a GP as you don't feel at all yourself. Most things can be identified with a blood test but I would insist on thyroid tests and make sure they tell you the results as if you're borderline they usually say it's negative but six weeks later you could be just over the threshold for treatment.

[JakeysMummy]

My concentration level is pretty low too. I've found i've become more and more forgetful as well, big things and little things. My stomach isn't as bad as that though - think you should definately see gp again and tell him/her how much its getting you down

[hester]

I also suspect thyroid. Also, have you had a scan to check for fibroids?

[tissy]

It would have to be a pretty massive fibroid to look like 9 months pregnant, but agree you should go back (and see another GP if necessary)and ask for a referral to check out the swelling. It could be any number of things but is NOT a normal consequence of age. That's just daft!

[JakeysMummy]

Just found a website - www.ecureme.com, free to register and you answer questions about how you feel and it comes up with possible diagnosis. Maybe give it a try?

[Pisces]

I think I will go back again. I had Cin-3 with cervical cancer when I was 25 and had an op for that. My smears have been clear up to 3 years ago (they said I did not need testing quite so much now) but at the back of my mind there is a niggle. I don't think I will let them fob me off. I will ask for the thyroid test too. Thank you so much.

[JakeysMummy]

Hope you can get it sorted out, if gp won't listen perhaps try a different one? Good luck x

[Pisces]

Thanks Jakeysmum. And thank you for the website address. I will go tomorrow - will stop me worrying then.

[VTired]

About 4 years ago, a friend of mine suddenly started to put on weight for no real reason. She really did look pregnant but all the tests were negative. Eventually she went private and was diagosed with an ovarian cyst. It weighed over 8lbs when they finally operated to remove it!

She absolutely fine now. Don't let them fob you off.

[JakeysMummy]

Hi Pisces how are u feeling? Did you manage to get to docs today?

[Pisces]

Saw my GP. She is lovely but very, very strict - no time wasters in her surgery. She examined me very thoroughly, told me it was DEFINITELY nothing to be worried about. She has put it down to my coil having expired (having new one in a few weeks) and to my general dreadful lifestyle. So basically, very kindly, she gave me a kick up the bum, has told me to STOP smoking, to drink less and to get some regular exercise and to eat a lot more healthily. She did laugh when I told her the other GP said it was my age - she said "My arse". She weighed me and wants me back in 4 weeks but did say, if at ANYTIME I was still concerned, I was to go back immediately. She also prescribed some antacid medicine as she thinks I am highly stressed and the sick feeling and all the bloatedness is all bile building up in the stomach. Never know, it might turn into a new, slimmer healthier me. Just wish the medicine would work a bit quicker though.

[JakeysMummy]

At least you know there's nothing to worry about anymore - that must put you a bit more at ease! Well done for going to gp it can be difficult if you're nervous about going. Give the new lifestyle she suggests a try and see how you feel in a few weeks time. If by chance it is no better by the time you go back at least she'll see for herself! Good luck Pisces let us know how you are getting on x

[sagimom]

hiya
im not sure if u've found a cure but I have had similar symptoms. I began using Nordic DIDA herbal tablets which help kill off Candida (yeast) in the stomach.
I find im not so bloated now, my tummy has decreased in size and i feel better in myself. Oh and I have cut down on bread/wheat products too. (yeast)
The tablets are about £20 from Holland & Barrett and although i have alot of other things goin on with me, I found these really help. Good luck!

[Pisces]

My tummy is a lot better now thank you. I have stopped feeling sick thank goodness. It was really getting me down.

My GP told me to avoid bread and wheat products so I have not had any since Tuesday and have to say I do feel a difference. I will look into the tablets too, thanks!