Bloating/ascites/fat stomach. (?)

[ThisIsSimplyBeyond]

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?

Please go to A&E @ThisIsSimplyBeyond

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond

Doing my “way of dealing with the fact I may actually be quite ill” routine of making sure my hair is washed and my legs shaved. It’s ridiculous, I know, but makes me feel like I’m doing something. And I seriously don’t cope with being under-prepared, so win-win

Ha! Recognise that. Leg shaving and buying extra pyjamas.

I do hope you get answers soon, though.

If I have no joy from the doctors in the morning (when they're open), I will. That's only just over 24 hours, it can't make that much difference.

If you are in the uk @ThisIsSimplyBeyond would 111 help? You might be able to see an out of hours gp. If they do a physical and confirm it’s ascites you will typically sent to a separate admissions ward rather than needing to battle a and e.

They possibly could help, but I'm hoping I can wait it out til morning now. ObviousLy it's an ASAP thing, but time wise, a few hours can't make that much difference?

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond I agree with you, a few hours won't make any difference.

Thanks @FizzyOrange
In other news, I was doing some reading last night:

Remember the dr said my SG in my urine showed I was dehydrated? And I queried that in the appt as I am drinking plenty (which I showed her)?

Well it turns out, hypovolemia will also show as a high SG. Hypovolemia, which can be caused by fluid in a "third space".
Like ascites, for example.

I wonder if it's a cyst? I knew someone years ago who had one on their ovary. It was benign and simply water, but they looked very pregnant.

Good luck tomorrow Op, I hope you finally get some answers.

Good luck tomorrow OP

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond I have been told by several hospital doctors that ascites becomes part of your whole 'system' if that makes sense. For example, my blood tests show I am low in protein but I have had the ascites drained 5 times. The fluid contains protein so this means that each time I have lost that from my general system. I am constantly reading and trying to become better informed about my condition, I find it reassuring. You sound very knowledgeable about it all. However, I have found out the hard (and embarrassing) way that sometimes, what I have 'diagnosed' myself with is way off though.

With hindsight, I would say that if you feel able to cope today, then wait until you have all the information from the GP tomorrow and go from there. I have re-read your e-mail to her - so you're hoping she orders a CA125 test and an ultrasound for you? Obviously you may have to wait several days for the results of these. If you feel unable to manage during this time, I would still head to A&E. They can drain you in hospital (if it is ascites) and the relief is immense! Eat little and often if you can as it means it is more likely to stay down.

I like to read, bit of a know-it-all purely from reading
Info online about ascites is annoying though as it's predominantly liver-based, and I'm positive that whatever it is, isn't my liver.

Still keeping my fingers crossed that it is something simple - however whatever it is caused by, I'm 99% sure that this swelling is fluid. My waist is another 0.5" bigger than it was mid-week. Unfortunately I have a very good record for self-diagnosis, as I've had my fair share of shite medical care.

But yes, I agree. Even if I get an amazing doctor who tests for every minute possibility, I will go to A&E if it gets unbearable.

Also, thanks for the good luck :)

Good luck tomorrow , hope you get some answers

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond yes, most of the information I read was concerning the liver and that didn't apply to me either. My diagnosis came about from an incidental finding on a CT scan to look for something else, but by this time, I had the indigestion and the ascites. I started scouring the internet and most of the information concentrated on the liver and I was sure this didn't apply to me either.

I've not much to useful to add here OP other than send good vibes and hope that you get sorted out asap. Your care has been atrocious. I have PCOS and when I was younger I went without periods for 18 months or so and I am astounded that the GP thought it could be that. WTF! Not that they helped me but still WTF! Hope you get some sort of help tomorrow.

Thank you everyone

Luckily I have both call the midwife and line of duty to keep me busy this evening!

To have ascites youd be a big drinker and you would have alcoholic liver disease.
I tell you its amazing how much fluids you can take off someone's belly. I saw 17 litres on one regular.

Incorrect and unhelpful @Torvean.

@BoreOfWhabylon

Incorrect and unhelpful *@Torvean*.

No its not. The main cause of ascites is liver cirrhosis of all 3 main reasons. The area i worked in the main cases of cirrhosis was alcohol.

And I did see 17 litres drain with albumin cover.

I've not read the thread but wS trying to give encouragement if the op did not drink.
The liver is amazing at healing itself if problem area can be reduced.

My late dp had ascites due to cirrhosis of the liver, he over the space of a week expanded from a 36 waist to a 54, he looked like he was expecting quads. I ended up buying him some maternity jeans with the stretchy panel at the top. Like you his arms & legs were really skinny, he lost all his muscles. He had 7.5 litres drained off in one session. He struggled to eat, was frequently sick, had breathing problems & wet himself because his bladder was so squashed. I would demand a scan & if your doctor refuses, ask for it to be put in writing. Private scans aren't that expensive, I would think less than £300, alternatively I would go to A & E, tell them you can't eat & are being sick. In the meantime, eat a high protein diet, cut out salt, get weighed every day & measure your waist so you know if you are expanding any more, you could also keep a record of what fluid you take in & how much you wee out.

Doctors just called; I have more bloods being taken this afternoon, then a doctors appt in the morning. :)

Just to say my dad had ascites due to cirrhosis of the liver and he had to be drained at the hospital every other week, through A&E, utterly awful. I would demand a scan today op, you need to know what is going on. I find it unbelievable this hasn't already been suggested by a medic.

Ovarian cancer doesn't necessarily show up on a blood test, you need a physical examination and a CT scan.

I'll remember that Joy thanks

For now, confirmation of ascites (or a diagnosis of whatever it is, if it isn't that) would be a good start!