Bloating/ascites/fat stomach. (?)

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Hi

I have a problem with my belly atm. I am concerned it is ascites, yet I feel I am having my concerns minimised because I am also fat. To be clear though, bigger or smaller; my fat has always been on my arse (except for the apron left from post DC), whereas this is all on my abdomen.

So, I am also hardly eating because it makes me feel sick. I basically feel like I'm seven or eight months pregnant, it feels heavy, puts pressure on my bladder, and I can't lay on my front cause it's like lying on a ball. It is so uncomfortable, and it sometimes makes me need to catch my breath. My thyroid has been checked and is fine. Results are the top end of fine, but fine.

I spoke to the dr at the end of March about it and was sent for the bloods for my thyroid. They also checked if I am in menopause as my periods have pretty much stopped (some spotting, that's all). I have now had a second lot of bloods today to (apparently, I didn't see what they are testing) check for PCOS. By the time I actually see a doctor (i have an appt for the end of next week), it will be nearly a month since I first spoke to her. In this time, no one has examined me.

Am I right to be concerned? I feel that because my BMI is high they aren't taking me seriously when I say this "swelling" (or whatever it is) is new. They're just thinking I'm fat. Then with the eating, I know how common it is to assume the fat person is lying when they say they don't eat 🙄
I am worried that my weight is staying pretty stable, despite me not eating enough because of the increased swelling. Even allowing for meds affecting my metabolism, I eat less than one meal a day, and my BMR alone is near 2000 (I'm tall). It is this problem with non-weight-loss that makes me think it is not just bloating (as obviously air wouldn't weigh anything)

So I know it's covid-times and everything takes longer, but IABU to think it should be taken more seriously?

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

By the way - before someone suggests it - I am one hundred million percent not pregnant 😄

[Floralnomad]

Sorry to be blunt but you need to get back to your gp as a matter of urgency and ask them to investigate for ovarian cancer .

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Shit, I had a feeling you were gonna say that.
Though I was definitely hoping for "don't be so dramatic, beyond" 😕

The doctor feels (over the phone - without physically feeling...) that it might be a build up of endometrium due to my non-period, caused by PCOS.
That I have literally no symptoms of.
And my testosterone levels are normal.

Shit. Worse than suspecting the C word is a doctor who is absolutely convinced (again, without seeing me) that it is something else.

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Means I have to have the conversation that goes "stay away from dr google". Like I'm some sort of illiterate sponge.

[Elzbells]

I'm sorry but I agree with the previous poster. Hope you can get seen ASAP and it turns out to be nothing that can't be easily sorted

[Justbetweenus]

Came on to say the same thing. It’s truly awful that we have to battle to be listened to, but go go go, OP.

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

I'll get my wife to call as soon as she's home, she's more forceful than me!

[mrsed1987]

I don't want to scare you as it could be something a lot less serious but my mum experienced this and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Please request a ca125 test x

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

I know my liver is okay (liver function tests done with the thyroid ones) and my kidneys should be as I had them scanned recently.

I have complicated health, so my main concern is that a specific heart problem (mitral valve prolapse) that can be related to my other issues has been missed when I was examined for it a few years back, and now it is failing.

Then it being linked to cancer is second on my list of worries - I'm only 35 but my Nan died young of NHL, and I'm on a medication that increases risk of cancer. Oh and is also possibly linked to increasing risk of heart failure 🙄

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

'Scuse the mess...

[CrotchetyQuaver]

I'd be requesting a face to face appointment with a belly like that and your pain/lack of appetite. Something is clearly not right

[Northernsoullover]

I think asking your wife to help or at least be near by is a good idea. You don't look fat but your stomach looks a bit disproportionate. Don't panic, there could be a completely benign explanation for this. I tend to Google 'benign causes of xx ' and every time it says your GP will need to rule out xyz so them fobbing you off is outrageous.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Your tummy does look swollen there.
I am also interested in what your “top end of normal” thyroid results were, did they tell you the figures ?

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Thank you all

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Yep sir, I have a copy of the whole thing...

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Iirc I worked it out as top end of normal as per the ones of the hypothyroid experts, not the "normal" given on the printout.

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

I can't remember though, that could be wrong. I'm bloody knackered and my head is all over the place ☹️

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Called the GP and told them it was worsening and I'm uncomfortable waiting a whole week until my appt. just waiting for them to call me back...

[Floralnomad]

Just don’t be fobbed off at the very least you want the appropriate bloods and a referral for an emergency scan .

[kfcismyfamily]

When they ring you back offer to send them the photo of your swollen abdomen. They can receive via email and some have a fancy text service photos can be sent to

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Didn’t need to offer to send a photo - I’m now seeing her first thing in the morning

[Floralnomad]

Good luck with that

[Elieza]

Google SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) and see if any of that sounds familiar.

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

Ah thanks, it’s certainly a possibility.

Dr is pretty convinced it’s gynaecological cause of my lack of periods, but my mum went into early menopause (which also showed as “not-menopause” on her bloods for years), so I’m hoping that is just that

[UpTheLaganInABubble]

The first thing I thought of when reading your posts was SIBO, then I got to the end and saw someone has already mentioned it. I've been suffering it for years and my stomach looks like yours... I've also frequently described it as feeling like carrying round a bowling ball in my stomach. It's diagnosed with a Breath test, but most only test for 1 type of SIBO (Hydrogen) whereas I have both types (Hydrogen + Methane).

I think you definitely need Ovarian Cancer ruled out properly though, just in case