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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel so disgusting and to ask strangers for advice?

194 replies

HarleyQuinnRocks · 04/02/2020 21:48

I am so embarrassed by these pictures, but I have no one in real life I can ask. And I'm too ashamed to visit my doctor, plus I'd just be wasting their time.

I have an underactive thyroid which is managed by medication. I am not overweight in other places, yet my stomach is huge and round, but also saggy.

I have no idea how to even begin to find ways to solve this.

Has anyone had experience with this?

Why is my belly so big when the rest of me is a size 12.

I feel so ugly, disgusting, gross. Tops barely fit me anymore and I'm scared to move in case my top rides up at work and the belly is shown. My coat won't fasten up anymore. I look horrible in everything I wear. I just don't feel happy with my body at all.

Please don't be too harsh with me.

To feel so disgusting and to ask strangers for advice?
OP posts:
ferretface · 04/02/2020 22:06

Yes another one saying please go to the GP for this. I work in the NHS and no GP would ever make you feel bad for going to see them about localised weight gain like this. As PPs have said there are a range of potential causes and you would want to rule out any of the serious ones.

FizzyPink · 04/02/2020 22:06

Do you have this permanently OP? I also have an under active thyroid and am a size 8 but by the end of the day I am so bloated I look pregnant and am very uncomfortable. I find it’s usually because I’ve drunk a lot of water weirdly, food doesn’t seem to make a difference

foodiefil · 04/02/2020 22:06

Ovarian cancer causes bloating. Have you had any nausea?

Wildorchidz · 04/02/2020 22:07

A bloated swollen stomach is one of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Please go to your gp so that you can be checked properly. Nobody on Mn can diagnose what is the issue here.

NotALurker2 · 04/02/2020 22:07

Could be something you're eating. Maybe keep a food diary and see if there is a pattern to when you're bloated or not.

InvisibleWomenMustBeRead · 04/02/2020 22:09

Go to the doctor Op & get checked out.

SushiGo · 04/02/2020 22:10

I met a guy on Saturday who was telling me he had been doing loads of exercise, running every day, couldn't work our why his stomach just kept getting bigger and bigger.

Turned out to be a medical problem, which was very effectively fixed, belly looks totally different now.

Honestly, just go to the gp, there really is nothing to be embarrassed about.

RLOU30 · 04/02/2020 22:10

OP, there is a lady on another thread who is considering showing her bumhole to a complete stranger so she can change the colour of it.

This is your belly, genuinely for your health, and your GP would be delighted to help you. Go and see them x

^ THISS!!!

And also mine is apronesq since my c-section :(

hellywelly3 · 04/02/2020 22:13

It will properly be down to your thyroid. I’ve put on 5 st since I’ve been put on medication. Consultant just keeps telling me not to worry

Original poster
HarleyQuinnRocks · 04/02/2020 22:14

My stomach is like this all of the time. Some days it will be more rounded whereas today its hanging if that makes sense.

No nausea.

Surely cancer would have other symptoms too? Ditto ovary issues?

I can see my GP but not this week and possibly not even next. You have to call from 8am and its a nightmare to get through. I also can't take any time off work at the moment as they are very strict.

And if I see the doctor whilst I'm bleeding I'm sure they will just blame that?

But yes you are right. I do need to get checked out just to make sure.

How do you tell the difference between fluid or fat? I have gained a lot of weight in a short period of time too.

I'd understand if the rest of me was fat too, but it's just not in proportion at all.

OP posts:
toomanyleggings · 04/02/2020 22:14

Lots of scary comments here about cancer. You look like you have severe diastasis recti and youve got loose skin. If you join some tummy tuck groups on Facebook you will see hundreds of women your age and younger with similar pics and I'm pretty sure they haven't all got cancer. Stomachs like this are very common. Mine wasn't too far away from this before my tummy tuck. Now I'm not saying you should have one as it is an incredibly brutal procedure but you will not get rid of that with exercise or diet. Do not feel ashamed or disgusted -you are definitely not alone in having an overhang

Serin · 04/02/2020 22:15

I'm the same OP.
I went to GP recently and had scan and tests for ovarian cancer.
Turned out it is "just" IBS and I have been so much better since altering my diet.
Get yourself off to the Dr.

thegreylady · 04/02/2020 22:17

Please get checked as a matter of urgency. I think the other lady was TwitterQueen and her thread was in General Health. You should be able to advance search for it.

Whynosnowyet · 04/02/2020 22:19

Separated stomach muscles most def. Mine is the same. Weight loss and specific exercises can help. Do not do sit ups though. Youtube has some great tutorials op...

OnceUponAFairyTime · 04/02/2020 22:21

Mine looks like that too, and ditto out of proportion to the rest of me. For me it’s c-section, med side effects causing weight gain there, and chocolate...

MikeUniformMike · 04/02/2020 22:21

It is probably a side effect of the medication. Get it checked out by the GP.
It probably isn't cancer but it might be a cyst or maybe your prescription needs changing.

Worrying about it won't do you any good, so make that appointment first thing.

You have no reason to be ashamed. See your GP.

changeuser · 04/02/2020 22:22

God know how to scare a lass (and me). Don’t search for twitter queens posts OP -just see a dr soon and get them to take a look just in case.

DariaMorgendorffer · 04/02/2020 22:23

You are not disgusting op! Please don't be so hard on yourself.

As the weight gain is in one area, and disproportionate to the rest of your body, I would also urge you go to your gp. There are many reasons why a tummy might be bigger or more bloated than the rest of you. Take the time to talk it through with a medical professional irl.

You have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed of Thanks

cavabiensepasser · 04/02/2020 22:27

Go and see the GP to rule out medical problems.
Dieting and exercise will make your belly go down a bit, IF you haven't got anything sinister going on there, but the apron will stay to an extent, dieting and exercise alone will not fix it, only surgery will.

SunsetBoulevard3 · 04/02/2020 22:27

I agree with others that you should go to the GP and get it checked out, but it could be food intolerance. Gluten may be one culprit. It's worth thinking about.

Interestedwoman · 04/02/2020 22:28

Get another check up just in case. xx

CaptainNelson · 04/02/2020 22:31

OP, unless you have medical training, you're not going to be able to diagnose this or work out why it's happening. You need to see a GP. I get that it's difficult, that you feel disgusting (which you're not, really you're not) but try to look for reasons why you should go, not why you shouldn't (and there are lots on here):

  1. it could have a medical cause
  2. that medical cause could be serious
  3. the doctor can start some investigations
  4. you and she may quickly find some things to help you Please try calling in the morning and book a time. Flowers
MollyButton · 04/02/2020 22:36

Go and see the Doctor and get a gynaecological referral. Thyroxine will not cause that and it could be something sinister. Especially if your BMI is normal/near normal.
And I'd say it is an emergency, you need to be referred to rule out anything sinister.

KoalasandRabbit · 04/02/2020 22:36

I would go to the GP and get it checked. I'm not sure what it will be, know a lady who has always had a rounded stomach since pregnancy and think just the way hers is.

When I had a scan mine found fibroids those are really common and large ones can make you look pregnant. They are harmless but just give you a bigger stomach. Mine were smaller so not sure how larger ones look. GP can refer to a specialist who can help and /or run some tests.

ViserionTheDragon · 04/02/2020 22:36

Hi OP, YY to seeing a GP ASAP. My mum has the same type of problem as you, enlarged belly but slim everywhere else, she has Crohn's. However in your case it could be anything, I hope you get checked out and get to the bottom of this Flowers.

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