Why does my belly keep exploding?!

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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....

What's in the Slimfast? Have you checked the ingredients?

It was always big but became more bloated at different times during the day. I went from a size 10 to a 16 but only in my stomach!

Please go and see a different gp and insist on a pelvic exam.
I remember the other thread too.

If it was something like endo, wouldn’t I have symptoms other than bloated stomach though surely?

My female GP is on maternity leave, I will call to see who else I can see.

Oh and slim fast is no way ‘healthy’, it has milk powder in it which I know defeats the object of me not having dairy but I find milk powder/whey doesn’t affect me like a glass of cows milk. I just wanted to see if not having physical food (ie porridge/eggs etc) in my stomach made a difference as it normally isn’t this bad this early. It’s notmally ok ish first thing before anything to eat or drink and then gets big but the last week it’s big when I wake up.

Yeah OP that's why I said about the periods. There can be lots of others too though, it's different for everyone. Just thought I'd mention it as that's what my belly looks like too.

Being on cerazette means no periods. Could cerazette mask any period type related problems?

You have some red flag indications that would suggest you need to request an investigation. Feeling full and bloating can be signs of ovarian cancer and, despite ruling it out a while ago, you should definitely ask again.

Ok thank you. I do get hungry, but when it’s bloated it feels full but I guess that’s to be expected?

I’m guessing blood tests and internal scan is likely?

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...

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.

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

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

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

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!

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)!

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.

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

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.

Mines the same. I have subconscious aerophagia

Yeah I know about the slim fast

user, what is that?!

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.

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.

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?!

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