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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fat but not fat?

65 replies

Jonette · 07/06/2019 19:16

Or am I deluding myself?

I've got an extremely squishy fat belly, but it doesn't feel like fat. It feels more like everything inside is taking up room. The actual fat isn't there.

Is that fluid retention or something?

OP posts:
BIWI · 07/06/2019 22:01

Hopefully it will be something easily explained, and not serious - but please make sure that the GP takes this seriously as it could be something that needs to be examined more closely

Original poster
Jonette · 08/06/2019 16:51

I just came across this in googling another symptom (i.e. my skin feels like it's on fire on my face)

What are the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?
Signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome vary. People who have very high levels of cortisol for a long time are likely to have clear signs of the disorder, including

weight gain
thin arms and legs
a round face
increased fat around the base of the neck
easy bruising
weak muscles
Menstrual periods may become irregular or stop.

I've deleted the other symptoms that don't apply but I have all of the above. Is it something they routinely look out for or do you specifically have to ask them to look for it? I don't have much faith in the medical profession I'm afraid. I have a glaringly obvious condition which they blame everything on.

OP posts:
TwitterQueen1 · 08/06/2019 17:02

Thank you everyone for remembering!!!

OP, just go to the doctor and stop faffing around. I am THAT poster and I'm not doing so well right now.

Original poster
Jonette · 08/06/2019 17:07

I'm going, I just have to wait for the appointment next Thursday.

When you say you're not doing well, I'm sorry to hear that. What's your prognosis?

OP posts:
TwitterQueen1 · 08/06/2019 17:38

It's on the other threads but basically the ovarian cancer has now spread to the brain, where I have 2 mets. I start radiotherapy on Wednesday - specialised stereotactic radiosurgery, which I am lucky to get. It's very targeted and tumours have to be smaller than 3cm otherwise it's whole brain surgery, with more side-effects.

PotteringAlong · 08/06/2019 17:43

You don’t have to wait until Thursday - I would ring first thing Monday morning for an emergency appointment. I think this counts as urgent.

Original poster
Jonette · 08/06/2019 17:51

I don't have anything disastrously wrong with me. Certainly nothing that doctors (more than 2) have noticed in the past 2 months on examination. So unless I go in and suggest something, they're going to ignore me. I've had a scan done and apparently my ovaries are fine! Not sure what they can tell from a scan, but also have a clear smear, clear scan (womb and ovaries). I genuinely don't think it's my ovaries.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jonette · 08/06/2019 17:52

@TwitterQueen1 Can I ask how they diagnosed you? My scan was fine...

OP posts:
TwitterQueen1 · 08/06/2019 18:19

Please read the other threads OP. It's a long and complicated story that I really don't want to have to repeat.

kidsmakesomuchwashing · 08/06/2019 19:41

My aunt was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and her only symptom was bloating and a very minor difficulty weeing. Her scan was inconclusive 6 months prior - but CA125 was raised through the roof. She had bowel, stomach and liver mets and is now on a drugs trial of an unlicensed drug because nothing else touched it. She also has a colostomy bag.
You need to learn to assert yourself with you GP's, GP's are not god and you are allowed to be a bit forceful if you need to be. You need to clearly state your symptoms and you need to ask questions. If they shrug you off you need to ask them why they aren't taking you seriously.

Original poster
Jonette · 09/06/2019 00:48

I've had bloods and an internal scan to look at my ovaries. All of which is fine.
I'm not thick.

OP posts:
AsleepAllDay · 09/06/2019 00:57

I have been a similar height and weight and I would get this checked out. I had almost no fat on me - obviously weight distribution is different but this sounds like you need to rule out any growths or issues

AsleepAllDay · 09/06/2019 00:59

And I mean, keep pushing GPs for tests. They're under the stress of having you looked at in 10 minutes, they can easily miss so much

IncrediblySadToo · 09/06/2019 01:08

You need to do more than mention it.

Tell them you’re concerned that it could be cancer or cushings, be FIRM.

TQ I’m really sorry to hear that things aren’t good. I’ll speak to you on another thread. Love A WoollyHuger x

Teddybear45 · 09/06/2019 01:15

If you are otherwise healthy then you need to start exercising to boost your metabolism and help burn that fat - that means you need to gain weight through lifting / training. You will lose the belly fat eventually by combining the training with cardio. I also suggest reviewing your diet - calorie needs reduce the older we get, so your maintenance level may be much lower than when you were younger. Hence gaining weight even when your portions haven’t changed.

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