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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:
maddening · 04/02/2020 22:36

I. Have diastis recti (and repaired double hernia, thanks ds) and borderline underactive thyroid and my stomach looks like this. Whilst you should ask the GP if it is diastis recti then they can offer physio and things like pilates are helpful, however only surgery (not available on NHS) would correct it.

Swimslikeamole · 04/02/2020 22:37

Hi HarleyQuinn. I had a benign ovarian cyst that made me look very overweight around my stomach, nowhere else was affected which helped me realise it wasn't just extra weight. My other main symptoms were digestive problems and fatigue. I would bloat up each day and especially the three days I worked (and drank lots of coffee!) and then be 'normal' again when I returned to work the following week, only for it to start all over again.

I've had a caesarean too, and open surgery for the cyst; my tummy looks like yours as the muscle wall has been damaged. The explanation could be as simple as that. However, please do go to the GP. Take a written diary of symptoms, length of time this has been ongoing etc, and ask for an ultrasound at the very least. Good luck. And do not feel 'disgusting'. You are not!

Marbu · 04/02/2020 22:37

My stomach used to look like that and it turned out to be a gluten intolerance.
Best to go to the GP to get it checked out.

KoalasandRabbit · 04/02/2020 22:38

You can ask to see a female GP if that would help. GPs are used to seeing all kinds of things so really wouldn't worry and its not disgusting at all.

Aridane · 04/02/2020 22:40

My belly looks like that too

aintnothinbutagstring · 04/02/2020 22:42

It's not disgusting at all, it's a just a belly. You could see a GP as it does pop out somewhat. It doesn't look flabby really, more bloated and popping out, I also would have said pregnancy. Could be IBS, cysts, fibroids, issues with your meds causing weight gain in that area. Not all of those things have symptoms.

Jackiejack · 04/02/2020 22:42

Hi OP,

How does your tummy feel? Soft? Hard? Or hard in some places?

I had a grapefruit sized fibroid (uterine tumour), with no symptoms besides occasional abdominal bloating, most pronounced when my bladder was full.

I’d really second all the advise suggesting a check up…xx

BlimeyCalmDown · 04/02/2020 22:44

I know someone this happened to and it was cyst, get yourself to GP.

INeedNewShoes · 04/02/2020 22:54

I know of someone whose tummy was disproportionally big. The culprit was a big growth, but not a cancerous one. She had surgery to have it removed.

You say you can’t get to the GP for a few weeks. Do you know that most surgeries now offer some evening/weekend appointments?

cuparfull · 04/02/2020 22:55

Please go and see your GP, you need an examination and ultrasound and some bloodtests.
Don't wait, book the appointment in the morning ask least you'll get on the list.
Honestly if you're a 12 elsewhere this is not normal, maybe a hernia, a cyst or muscles given way after having children or whatever... but really get it checked for your own piece of mind..
Don't for one moment feel embarrassed, your GP will be interested in making a diagnosis.
Take it from me Medical professionals have seen it all, everything just becomes another problem to solve, a bit like a car mechanic of humans beings....Good Luck

okiedokieme · 04/02/2020 22:56

Mine looks similar, since having kids (very long time ago) bit less bloated unless I've had an ibs flare up

cuparfull · 04/02/2020 22:57

Hurrah to evening and w'end appts... Our docs do those now.. do it tomorrow OP!

kateandme · 04/02/2020 22:57

its not disgusting at all.i instantly liked your belly because you seem like a sweetheart for even feeling like this about yourself.DONT!but i know that wont help until you feel ok with it.
are you on any other meds.i only ask as i have seen this happen on some mental health meds?and it IS a symtom unfortunately of many of them.

Justaboy · 04/02/2020 23:02

Come on OP Justa here is requesting you go see the GP:)

For christs sakes they won't make you feel embarrased there're there to Help you not criticise you, HELP YOU got that!!

Now Please go and make that appiontment! there, I'ev asked you nicely:)

illandBored · 04/02/2020 23:02

Random question but how is your posture and how is your pelvic floor ?

Yddraigoldragon · 04/02/2020 23:05

Also possibly an endocrine issue like cushings, tummy shape is one symptom. Also rapid weight gain. Lots of other seemingly unconnected symptoms as well.

It is rare and often discounted.

Holdingtherope · 04/02/2020 23:05

Please go see your Gp. Liver nurse here and normally see that with ascites

illandBored · 04/02/2020 23:08

I found that due to bad prolapse meaning my organs weren’t held in shape, and bad posture (also connected to prolapse), I wasn’t using my core muscles like I should and so they weren’t burning fat and getting wasted and so were surrounded by fat tissue..

This all happened after birth so check if possible how to fix your posture and exercise your core muscles

Angelw · 04/02/2020 23:09

Could it be you’ve got fibroids Or Ascites? The latter is sometimes caused by liver cirrhosis and The only way you will know is by asking your GP to investigate.
Good luck Flowers ( could be any of the things mentioned in all the above posts)

Maisie17 · 04/02/2020 23:10

I'm a doctor (an oncologist actually) and I can think of about 100 fairly minor things that this could be and a few that are a bit more serious. You really need to go to your doctor if this isn't normal for you, I cannot say that loudly or clearly enough. No one in the world can diagnose you by looking at these pictures.

Also if you had any idea what the average GP sees on a weekly basis you really would not be worried about showing them a perfectly normal part of your anatomy! Please don't worry... your GP could not care less and will be flabbergasted that you feel embarrassed. All they want to do is get you sorted in a timely fashion before their next patient.

Please go - I guarantee you'll feel better!

SpruceTree · 04/02/2020 23:13

Cushings?

Bowerbird5 · 04/02/2020 23:34

I had a CS with my first. Three more my tummy is the worst bit of me. Mine is saggier than yours but then I am getting on a bit. I also hate looking at myself in the mirror so try and avoid that.

brittabot · 04/02/2020 23:34

OP please don’t be embarrassed - see your GP. I have thyroid issues and have a big belly but I am overweight.

caringcarer · 04/02/2020 23:35

OP I have underactive thyroid for 23 years and I have very gradually put on weight much of it on my tummy but I also had a C section. Please listen to the doctor Maisie 17 and get yourself checked out. I hate going to doctor as well especially as I know how busy mine is but you have to do it. Come back and let us know how it goes.

brittabot · 04/02/2020 23:35

Also had a CS and an overhang ☹️