What is wrong with my stomach?? Help please I’m really scared!

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Sorry, I am posting here for traffic.

I am a 31 year old mum of two DD’s. In the last few weeks I have gained a few pounds which is really unlike me. I have been eating a reasonable amount of chocolate though so I put it down to that.

I’ve noticed my stomach protruding but I just put it down to the weight gain. I am slim (size 8-10) so I suppose I notice bloated ness quite quickly.

I do have a history of health anxiety so I’m not sure if my brain is going into overdrive here with all this lockdown stuff going on.

Anyway, I feel as though my stomach has is swollen on either side. It feels soft in the middle and then a little swollen either side of that. You can see if you look carefully that the sides stick out more than the middle.

I am taking iron tablets. Not sure if that’s relevant.

My DH is deployed with the Army just now so it’s just me and the kids. I just need some advice because I’m really scared.

The second and third photos are what happens when I lean my shoulders to one side (if that makes sense) and then when I lean my shoulders to the other side.

Please help me, I’m petrified.

Speak to the practice nurse at your surgery. Actual medical advice is better than here or dr Google. It may take a while to be seen but definitely see them.

Another vote for calling your GP surgery.

Diastisis recti. Your tummy muscles have a big gap in them. It’s common after pregnancy and you should see a specialised women’s health physiotherapist to help you.

Iron can make you very constipated...?

But speak to your practice nurse.

Honestly, from the photos I can’t see anything odd - just looks like a tummy! So speak to someone professional.

My stomach does this if I lean my shoulders from one side to the other, it’s just my stomach muscles

That said, please call the gp but there really doesn’t look like there’s much wrong here (to my medically untrained eye!)

Could be a hernia. Less common women but happens.

Any pain? Or diarrhoea/constipation?

Sorry, I didn’t meant to post there.

I really don’t think it could be Diastisis Recti. My youngest is almost 4 and I’ve had a pretty flat stomach since then until now.

I am wondering if maybe I should try not taking the iron tablets and see what happens?

I'd second diastasis recti, made more obvious by the slight weight gain. You do need to speak to an actual medical professional if you're concerned though

No pain, no diarrhoea but I do feel bloated and a bit constipated.

I do have some movicol sachets in the medicine cupboard I could try?

This is probably a very obvious question but.... any chance you could be pregnant?

The most likely is that you are bloated die to slight constipation. I can go from perfectly flat in the morning to looking 8 months pregnant in one day due to IBS.

Definitely take some Movicol and see how that helps.

I’ll be honest, without any other symptoms I wouldn’t bother the GP at the moment.

Well I’m on the pill and i take a 7 day break every few months. I took a 7 day break a few weeks ago and had a normal period so I’d assume not.

Prob a hernia but please talk to your GPs practice.

When I've taken iron tablets they give me quite a bit of trapped wind but that could just be an individual thing , I don't know whether it's a known side effect.

And constipation I meant to say

This seems to coincide with you starting to take iron tablets. They are known to cause constipation and bloating, so very likely to explain and more noticeable because of the weight gain.

You're constipated.

You might indeed be constipated. But you might not be. You really need to speak to a GP. They are obviously busy but you can't leave this. Its unlikely to be something sinister but you need to have this ruled out rather than accept a blanket 'you're constipated' over the internet.
I am extremely constipated at the moment due to poor diet and lack of exercise in confinement. My stomach is still flat.

Don’t listen to the amateur doctors on here, speak to your GP.

My belly does this if I 'inflate' it with my tummy muscles, the left protrudes more than the right. I am also naturally slim and I have a 4 year old. It's been doing it for years so I I haven't thought anything of it and I don't have issues other than the occasional constipation from time to time - not enough water

Gps are very busy. If there is no pain personally I would carry on with the iron tablets if you've been told to take them and wait and see what happens. But that's me personally.

I’d go with diastasis recti or bloating from wind. Or possibly a mix of the two.

I took iron tablets and they didn’t agree with my tummy at all. Personally, I’d stop the iron for a few days and treat any constipation.

I have diastasis recti and the look of my tummy varies a lot. Some days it will look reasonably flat and ok, but other times it will look quite odd. It sticks out more at the sides - like you said - which is why I thought of it.

I had this last summer, I sympathise because it really was quite alarming...it came on quickly and lasted a good few months I had recently started on a heavy regime of supplements including iron, and my gp did think it was the iron. The iron dose was quite a high one so I now take it every other day or so instead and the bloating is a lot better. I think I googled iron and bloating and it seemed common-ish.

In the pictures taken from above, the right side sticks out while the left is flat and then the other picture the right side is flat and the left side sticks out.
Are you leaning a certain way that makes the raised bit change sides?

The other photo looks completely normal to me.