Why does my belly keep exploding?!

[llmb]

I’m a size 8-10 and short. My stomach keeps expanding and I look pregnant. Iv been to the doctors in the past about it and they just say IBS which I don’t believe it is as medication made no difference and I don’t get constipated or get the runs etc. Some foods make it worse like wheat and dairy so I avoid these. It’s particulary bad at the moment and I don’t know why. Can anyone help?! I’ve attached a photo of me this morning. I have NO physical food in my stomach, iv already opened my bowels (sorry tmi) iv had a slim fast with almond milk and a coffee. Just to see....

[Nazdarovye]

Intestinal worms?

[Wisterical]

So your doctor keeps telling you it's digestive, has given you tests to rule out other stuff and has given you a probable solution. But you're not willing to try it

[llmb]

So a blood test can’t show a cyst, just a scan? I’m sure they will just tell me it’s digestive again... every time iv been to doc they say ok have a blood test, shows nothing wrong and I look like a hypochondriac

[Ropsleybunny]

I had a scan and the blood test. The blood test was normal but the scan showed a mass on my ovary.

[kissmelittleass]

Sorry I meant a internal scan and not a pelvic ultrasound!

[kissmelittleass]

I am just like this size 8 with a bloated belly looks like a little pregnant belly at times and other times it goes down. I'm a vegetarian also and eat low carb so knew it wasn't from carbohydrates. I had it checked out this summer as I started to get pressure in the pelvic area which was unbearable like my bladder was constantly full even after going to the toilet. Bloods and urine were checked, I asked for a CA125 test which I had to push for as the G.P. didn't want to do it, it came back as normal. I also had a ultrasound and a pelvic ultrasound, my ovaries which I was worried about were fine but I was told my uterine lining was thickened so I'm waiting to have a biopsy under G.A.
I also suffer from terrible acid reflux and this might be the reason for me having the bloated belly with all the gas build up, do you get acid reflux at all?
I would definitely ask for a scan and blood test for the CA125.

[llmb]

I did not know that.... so if a blood test came back clear... do the doctors still carry out another test eg scan etc?

[Ropsleybunny]

Just to mention, the CA-125 test cannot be used to diagnose ovarian cancer. My test came back as normal but I had cancer.

[llmb]

Interesting..... I always thought there were a lot of problems with gall bladders IF there was something wrong? I know someone who ended up with jaundice and lots of pain and quite a while before it was removed etc.....

[BettysCandle]

I had this and it turned out to be my gallbladder. I never had the crippling pain people talk about, just very uncomfortable bloating especially at night. Getting it removed solved the problem

[llmb]

I had some allergy tests done years ago and came up with random things I’d never eaten, like trout.

All high carbohydrates cause me problems so my diet is low carb but no intentially as in I’m not on an actual diet IYSWIM.

I don’t believe I gulp..... I’m a stickler for not talking when eating... always on at the dc so would like to say I don’t gulp...: maybe I do?!

[ThoseFlapsInsideYourCheeks]

This really looks like some type of food allergy. Could you perhaps have some allergy tests done? You say you’re sensitive to wheat so that’s already one red flag.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you have some gluten intolerance. It’s really a case of eliminating and reintroducing.

[user71017]

Subconsciously gulp huge volumes of air when talking, eating, drinking. Not aware I do it. A gastroenterologist diagnosed it. I take medicinal charcoal tablets to hoover up the gas.

[llmb]

Yeah I know about the slim fast

user, what is that?!

[user71017]

Mines the same. I have subconscious aerophagia

[Wisterical]

If only it were that easy!
Slimfast contains milk, soya and artificial sweeteners, all of which are not fodmap friendly. My bloating went from awful to zero after a week of the fodmap exclusion diet. If bloating is your only issue and you don't feel ill then I can see that's not enough incentive. However as your GP is aware of fodmap and thought it could help, perhaps ask her/him to refer to to local fodmap clinic (these are being rolled out throughout NHS as it's so effective) or at least to dietician.

[llmb]

I’d happily take a pill for the rest of my life to get rid of it!

[llmb]

I was given a good website to look at. The trouble was it was hard for me to follow avidly because I’m vegetarian and it meant cutting out so much and as a LP with dc I found it too hard to do completely follow it.

[Wisterical]

Have you tried the fodmap diet that the doctor gave you? I'm wondering exactly what you were given as it is a hugely effective solution to gut problems but difficult to follow without detailed info and then ongoing support from a dietician. I was eventually lucky enough to get this on the NHS and after 20 years of issues, too many colonoscopies and a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis I am pretty much totally cured (though it is really tricky to stick to fodmap)!

[Janika]

I had bloating in the summer- it was a 7x7 cm abscess on the ovary with no pain attached. Was seen on a CT scan. Had keyhole surgery after a week on antibiotics all good now!

[VioletHornswaggle]

I am not sure how they investigate OP but bloods and a scan sound like likely options.

[Pandoraphile]

Honestly, take this very seriously. You need to see a GP and soon. Ask for a CA125 test. If it's nothing then at least you know.

The other thread was started by TwitterQueen

[llmb]

I was in and out of outpatients about 5 years ago having LEETZ etc from abnormal smear/hpv but all clear. I don’t mess around with my health but feel I have spent a while asking about the bloat and they always say it’s digestive as apposed to gynae

[Ropsleybunny]

I suffered with bloating. A scan revealed a 6cm x 9cm tumour on my left ovary. I hope to god you haven't got cancer OP but bloating needs proper investigation. They sometimes call ovarian cancer the silent killer because symptoms can be very vague.

[llmb]

Looking at the nhs website for symptoms of ovarian cancer, the only symptom of the list I have is the bloated ness... I’m a LP and not in any relationship at all so as I haven’t slept with any one for ages (sorry tmi again) so I wouldn’t know about the other symptoms relating to after sex...