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Bloating/ascites/fat stomach. (?)

278 replies

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 14/04/2021 12:55

Hi

I have a problem with my belly atm. I am concerned it is ascites, yet I feel I am having my concerns minimised because I am also fat. To be clear though, bigger or smaller; my fat has always been on my arse (except for the apron left from post DC), whereas this is all on my abdomen.

So, I am also hardly eating because it makes me feel sick. I basically feel like I'm seven or eight months pregnant, it feels heavy, puts pressure on my bladder, and I can't lay on my front cause it's like lying on a ball. It is so uncomfortable, and it sometimes makes me need to catch my breath. My thyroid has been checked and is fine. Results are the top end of fine, but fine.

I spoke to the dr at the end of March about it and was sent for the bloods for my thyroid. They also checked if I am in menopause as my periods have pretty much stopped (some spotting, that's all). I have now had a second lot of bloods today to (apparently, I didn't see what they are testing) check for PCOS. By the time I actually see a doctor (i have an appt for the end of next week), it will be nearly a month since I first spoke to her. In this time, no one has examined me.

Am I right to be concerned? I feel that because my BMI is high they aren't taking me seriously when I say this "swelling" (or whatever it is) is new. They're just thinking I'm fat. Then with the eating, I know how common it is to assume the fat person is lying when they say they don't eat 🙄
I am worried that my weight is staying pretty stable, despite me not eating enough because of the increased swelling. Even allowing for meds affecting my metabolism, I eat less than one meal a day, and my BMR alone is near 2000 (I'm tall). It is this problem with non-weight-loss that makes me think it is not just bloating (as obviously air wouldn't weigh anything)

So I know it's covid-times and everything takes longer, but IABU to think it should be taken more seriously?

OP posts:
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ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 04/05/2021 07:02

Thanks for asking Joy - I'm bloated and feeling sick, but no worse. Random pains are still random, but nothing I can't cope with.

If I ask radiology, do you think they would send the report straight to me as well as to my gp?

OP posts:
BillieSpain · 04/05/2021 08:51

No idea, OP, but when I had an MRI, I asked the man what he could see. He instantly said 'you must see your consultant, but there is nothing urgent, you have a small scar on your liver though' (I knew about this, been there since birth)

I live in Spain though. I would ask the radiologist what they can see. They are usually very nice.

FizzyOrange · 04/05/2021 12:00

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are. The radiologist here (England) wouldn't tell me anything at the time but with my experience with my cancer, if you don't ask you don't get. I would think it is worth asking if you could have a copy of the report.

Hoping the next couple of days pass quickly for you and then you will feel a little bit better that something has finally been done for you Flowers.

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 04/05/2021 18:09

I'll ask then, and cross my fingers.

Thanks for thinking of me fizzy :) I'm uncomfortable and noticing a definite "something" more so on my right side still. Could well just be trapped wind though, so I'm trying not to focus on it too much. Also been making sure I take my daily movicol religiously (I'm on long term pain meds that have a tendency to block things up) as the last thing I want is constipation masking the problem Grin - I think I'd be mortified to be told that my "phantom pregnancy" is in fact just a load of shite!

Ex has brought the DCs home early, so they are here to distract me. Only one more full day to wait...

OP posts:
ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 04/05/2021 18:09

I of course meant to also ask how you are doing at the moment?

OP posts:
FizzyOrange · 04/05/2021 18:20

I'm recovering well thank you, I've had a few issues with bleeding but am hoping it settles soon. Thank you for asking.

I think you're wise to not focus on anything in particular, my mind goes into overtime with all the 'what ifs' and it is horrible. Hoping Thursday comes round quickly for you.

Miaowse · 04/05/2021 18:24

Did the medication to bring on your period work/bring any relief? At least not too much longer to wait for the scan and the turnaround seems to be pretty fast even if they don’t divulge anything on the day.

SinkGirl · 04/05/2021 18:38

Hi Beyond. Have read all your posts but not all the comments.

Does the distension stay the same / worsen only, or does it go up and down? When my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer it had gradually worsened over months but never went down. In the end they removed 24 litres of fluid the first time, then about the same again before putting a permanent drain in.

I have endometriosis and lots of endometriosis sufferers experience distension and it can be quite severe (mine can be too, and it always feels quite solid, but then calms down again).

Hope you get some answers, it’s awful not knowing what’s wrong.

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 04/05/2021 19:22

Miaow, I had the tiniest amount of spotting (tmi - the dark-dark brown little liney bits of lining? No "blood") the day after I finished them, and wondered if that was the beginning of it then... nothing. If there's still nothing by Friday (or maybe Monday to give my US chance to get sent over?) I'm going to ring and let the dr know - apparently the majority of women bleed within 8 days of finishing at most, if they are going to.

Yeah sink it only stays the same, it doesn't go down overnight or anything. It does seem to get a bit more irritable with food, so in the evening I'm suffering awfully with indigestion, but the swelling itself doesnt change.

OP posts:
supercritter · 05/05/2021 06:53

Good luck today. Hope you get answers

Cuntryhouse · 05/05/2021 07:06

Hopefully you'll finally get somewhere. Good luck.

Olivebrietomato · 05/05/2021 08:30

Good luck today OP x

Candleabra · 05/05/2021 08:44

Is your scan tomorrow? I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's a disgrace you're having to fight for basic diagnostic tests. Thinking of you.

supercritter · 05/05/2021 09:03

Duh my bad don't know what day it is. Tomorrow!

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 05/05/2021 12:16

Yes it's tomorrow, first thing in the morning.

OP posts:
FizzyOrange · 05/05/2021 13:11

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond I will be thinking of you tomorrow. How are you feeling today?

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 05/05/2021 17:03

:) thanks. Feeling pretty much the same 🤷🏼‍♀️

Still no sign of bleeding either and it's now nine days since I finished the provera. Which according to my reading means whatever the problem is, isn't just a case of me not ovulating due to PCOS (which I was fairly sure of anyway, given lack of other related symptoms). Apparently next comes what's basically some HRT for a month to see what happens then. Assuming the scan draws a blank, that is.

OP posts:
BillieSpain · 05/05/2021 17:18

Good Luck tomorrow x

joystir59 · 06/05/2021 00:47

Good luck for later today Flowers

Notavegan · 06/05/2021 06:08

Thinking of you today Flowers

Sleepybunny21 · 06/05/2021 08:17

Good luck for today OP Flowers I hope they can find some answers for yoy

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 06/05/2021 09:40

Morning :) scan been and done, they wouldn't let me have a copy of the report but did say ovaries and uterus are fine, but I do have gallstones. Which doesn't explain all my symptoms, but is better than having no idea what it is

OP posts:
Weenurse · 06/05/2021 09:52

I hope you get an answer soon

TheVolturi · 06/05/2021 10:09

I've just been reading your thread op, I really hope you get answers soon and are feeling better! Flowers

BillieSpain · 06/05/2021 10:57

Brilliant, I really hoped they'd tell you (I think they only don't if there is a big problem) if it's fine, my experience is they smile and say 'all ok'

So ovaries and uterus fine! This is brilliant as was your big worry.

My guess is gallstones are interfering with your liver function temporarily, somehow. I am so glad you are on the way to getting answers.

Beware of gallstones affecting your pancreas temporarily, also, it happened to me. I got pancreatitis. Happens to lots of people.

All in all good news! Just a complete pain in the arse! Smile