Constant bloated abdomen

[Ilikecats]

Please help!!! My mental health is on the floor. Ive had a constant bloated stomach since early 2024 (mainly upper -mid abdomen). Ive had colonoscopy, endescopy, h-pylori test (negative), SeCHat test (awaiting results) and an pelvic ultrasound which have all come back ok. Im so scared its Ascites or some type of cancer / organ failure as nothing is shifting it. I lierally wake up like this every single day. No real issues with bowel habits and a GF diet doesnt seem to be helping. Has anyone had similar and found the cause? Im 46, F and from UK. Thanks.

If it was ascites or cancer or organ failure you would know about it by now. Has anyone suggested health anxiety to you?

Health anxiety doesn't give you bloating.

OP keep going back to the GP, I imagine blood tests have already been done?

My only other suggestion is our shapes can change during menopause in quite an alarming fashion.

The reason I asked is that I'm not seeing anything other than a normal looking stomach profile, albeit in a stance that exaggerates the abdomen.

I do have health anxiety. Its out of control right now. However, this is a definite change and I dont know why.

I have had blood tests done, just so confusing that nothing will shift it.

Tbh it doesn't look particularly bloated and you're 46,there's a reason they call it The Change.

I agree .

I also see nothing abnormal and it looks as though OP is leaning back that makes the stomach less bigger.
OP do you feel ill or uncomfortable? Are you able to do day to day things without worrying about your health?
Has anything else happened to you recently?

I don’t think it looks bloated particularly; is it simply that you’ve put in weight? I can definitely make m stomach look like that if I stand in the way you’re standing and I’m just a bit podgy.

Could it be linked to a particular food? Exercise is the only thing that helps me with mine.

Hi, I am twisting a bit to get the photo. It feels swollen and hard at the top and almost like a pressure. I am able to do day to day things but this is really bothering me. Its reassuring that people cant see anything abnormal as to me it looks huge and not like myself.

I get bloating and I have endometriosis. Could it be that- any other signs?

I am hoping thats all it is. It just feels a bit different, like heavy at the top or distended in some way.

I have a coil and my periods are all over the place at the moment. Doctor said IBS but this is constant, never goes. Gets worse at certain points. I think ive gone down a rabbit hole and its my own fault for googling it constantly

Thank you to everyone whose commented so far. I just wanted to see of anyone else has this problem

Yes me. I’ve been worried too but as I have no other symptoms of ill health I think it’s lack of exercise use (on my part) and post menopause ☹️

I had this. Out if nowhere I developed a dairy allergy. I cut it all out and now I am fine. No bloating

Have you considered SIBO? I was diagnosed with this after years of similar symptoms, same area (sometimes it would feel like pressure up under my ribs). It’s a lot better now, trial and error with a combination of antibiotics and herbal supplements. Worth checking out

I had this and it freaked me out a bit too. I almost stopped eating as I was so uncomfortable and bloated. Went to my GP who checked my CA125 to rule out ovarian cancer-was normal thank goodness. I also had an abdo ultrasound and endoscopy which were both normal. My GP
also checked my thyroid which came back very abnormal! My TSH was 69! I started treatment for an underactive thyroid which made a huge difference. I felt I could digest food again! I also switched to lactose free milk which helped loads and switched to a loose gluten free diet (stopped eating bread and pasta). Finally I think peri menopause was partly to blame too and I’m now on HRT which I think helps.
I’m going to be blunt as this is an anonymous forum-I don’t think you look bloated, I think you just look like you need to lose about a stone in weight. Sorry I know that’s rude but if you take it on board it may help you.

Thank you for commenting, in my logical moments this is something I do believe I could have. Im only worried because I wake up like this every day. If it came ans went I wouldnt feel so panicked. I am hoping I will get tested by the GI consultant im now under. Glad you managed to find the cause

Hope you find some answers soon. Its horrible just wondering whats happening to you. As someone else said it could be the change due to hormones

Thank you for your comment and thats ok, im not offended 😂. Im eating less than I ever have and also doing strengthening exercises 3 times a week, walking everyday and still wake up looking like my abdomens full of cement. I started HRT in August to see if balancing hormones might help.

Ive switched to lactose free milk and currently gluten free so dairy is the next step. Im already vegetarian so I feel pretty reatricted already. Im trying to educate myself on better nutrition but its not easy. Glad you managed to feel better x

Have you had your thyroid bloods checked?

When you say you’re eating less, is that just because you’re trying to lose weight or is it because you’re feeling full more easily? Feeling full can be a symptom of ovarian cancer, as can persistent bloating. (The other two most common symptoms are needing to wee more frequently and tummy pain.) Even if you just have bloating, your GP should be offering you a CA125 blood test and ideally a pelvic ultrasound too. The nurses on Target Ovarian Cancer support line would be able to talk some of this over with you if you’re concerned.