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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:
Thread gallery
7
SirVixofVixHall · 06/05/2021 11:47

Good news about your ovaries and uterus.
Gallstones are really common and often found when scanning for something else. Mine were found during an ovarian scan too, I had no idea I had them and they said that they see them all the time.

joystir59 · 06/05/2021 13:15

Good news on your ovaries and uterus! Hope you get a clear diagnosis soon and some treatment and start feeling better. At least one big worry eliminated.

FizzyOrange · 06/05/2021 13:33

What a relief on your ovaries and uterus. I also hope you get a proper diagnosis soon Flowers.

Namechangedforthistoday · 06/05/2021 15:43

Hope you finally get some answers. 💐

Justwingingit2005 · 06/05/2021 22:05

Great news about your scan - glad ovaries and uterus are both ok.

SedentaryCat · 07/05/2021 07:17

Brilliant news about your scan! Such a relief that your ovaries and uterus are OK.

Hopefully you'll get some answers soon.

Miaowse · 07/05/2021 08:41

How are you feeling today? What a relief the ovaries look fine, but also frustrating you are still none the wiser about what is causing the discomfort. Were they able to rule out ascites?

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 07/05/2021 09:43

I didn't ask as she said she wouldn't tell me anything right at the beginning - it was only right at the end of the appt that she mentioned the gallstones

I feel sick still and I'm still huge-of-belly, and today my side is very sore from being prodded by the US! I've just emailed the doctor to let them know I haven't bled, and hopefully will have some idea what comes next soon.

OP posts:
Miaowse · 07/05/2021 09:46

You poor thing Flowers - really hope you’re feeling better very soon and your GP has a plan for next steps.

BillieSpain · 07/05/2021 10:33

You poor thing, I didn't mean to minimise anything, I just think we were all worried about OC.

Gallstones DO cause you to feel full very quickly and very sick.
They block the flow of bille needed so do cause/can cause swelling. I am really, really hoping it is just this and you get reassurance soon.

This has not been easy for you. Flowers

I think her telling you about the gallstones was telling you that was the problem TBH. It's all anxiety inducing though.

Let's hope you hear very soon.

Namechangedforthistoday · 10/05/2021 18:01

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond how are you feeling?

Miaowse · 12/05/2021 17:19

Did you manage to speak to your GP again? Hope you have a plan for next steps to get to the bottom of the discomfort and bloating. Flowers

crabb · 15/05/2021 06:57

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond, has there been any progress? Are you feeling any better?

olympicsrock · 15/05/2021 07:16

Hello , I’m a doctor and really concerned having read your thread . It sounds like you have massive ascites ( technical term). They need to be taking this really seriously, and should have been investigating this rapidly to exclude cancer.
I am cross on your behalf.
Let us know the outcome and Mumsnet will help you kick butt with PALS if necessary

Sleepybunny21 · 15/05/2021 10:41

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond I hope you are okay and there has been some progress 💐

ODFOx · 18/05/2021 22:54

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond
I hope you are ok and that no news is good news. Such a worrying time for you: I hope they have got to the bottom of it and that you are feeling better.

MorriseysGladioli · 19/05/2021 16:08

I keep checking back for an update, but as has been said, hopefully no news is good news.

Elephanttrunk · 19/05/2021 16:32

Hope you are ok OP and have at the very least had some answers

TooMuchTooLittleTooLate · 08/06/2021 08:57

Hi, did you find anything out about this?
Hope all is ok

joystir59 · 11/06/2021 09:18

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond
How are you?

Bellabluea · 13/06/2021 12:29

Hope op is ok x

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 28/06/2021 12:58

Sorry I haven't been back - haven't been on mn for a couple of weeks

My bloating is still there, but they have now reassured me that it is not ascites. Apparently as well as gallstones, I have a fatty liver. Which the dr seem unconcerned by tbh.

I'm waiting for more blood tests to check for other androgens (my testosterone is low side of normal, and the US of my ovaries was fine, but the dr still thinks it's PCOS...? 🤷🏼‍♀️). Sorting out that blood test has taken ages as I've been away to see family, then when I did have an appt I was ill and had to cancel 🙄

Then to be helpful, the advice I was given re my fatty liver was that I need to lose weight ffs. Oh and that if everything comes back fine, my periods have possibly just stopped because of my obesity! So I am still eating one largely salad/veg based meal a day, while not losing any weight. I'm exercising around my pain levels - which is a pita and doesn't seem to help - but I don't want any potential criticism of my attempt to make my body healthier, so I do it anyway.

I guess the next step, assuming my androgen levels come back as normal, is to see a dietician? Figure out what is going on to fuck up my calories in vs calories out? My best guess atm is back to either thyroid (just with normal bloods?) or perimenopause.

OP posts:
LadyEloise · 29/06/2021 18:02

Thank you for the update @ThisIsSimplyBeyond.

Glad you got some results to put your mind at rest.

By the way how do you pronounce ascites ?
Is it ah seets or ah sites ?

SuperMoonIsKeepingMeUpToo · 30/06/2021 08:04

A-sigh-tease

LadyEloise · 30/06/2021 08:36

Thank you

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