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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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7
joystir59 · 21/04/2021 03:52

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond
Glad your are unpicking that "mustn't bother the Dr" trait Flowers

RickiTarr · 21/04/2021 15:07

Glad you got them to listen.

I would use the waiting time to batch cook, fill the freezer, pack a hospital bag, arrange child/pet care, (or get your wife to Smile) in case you suddenly get busy with treatment or they decide to admit you and find yourself time poor for a little while. From what I gather, just draining fluid is repetitive and time consuming.

Justwingingit2005 · 21/04/2021 15:22

I'm so glad you are getting some answers.

While the low ca125 doesn't completely rule out ovarian cancer it is certainly a positive thats its not over the normal range of 35.

Miaowse · 22/04/2021 16:47

Hope you don’t have to wait very long for the ultrasound appointment. At least the new GP is taking your concerns seriously.

SedentaryCat · 22/04/2021 16:59

Just want to say thanks OP. I saw your thread and realised my symptoms were similar to yours. I've now had bloods, been booked in for an ultrasound and have follow up bloods for next week.

My CA125 is slightly up at 38 and there are some other abnormalities with my blood results. I wouldn't have bothered the doctor if I hadn't seen this thread - I'd have just put it down to IBS.

I hope you get to the bottom of what is causing your symptoms. Flowers

joystir59 · 22/04/2021 19:03

I'm not trying to spread alarm, but raise awareness- ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed as IBS. Also it is often picked up at A&E, often at an advanced stage as it doesn't cause symptoms until advanced.

itsmschanandlerbong · 22/04/2021 19:09

It could be a large ovarian cyst. I was SO swollen when I had one. It can also mess with your hormones. It will show up in a pelvic ultrasound.

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 22/04/2021 19:19

Hi all, thank you again for your concern Flowers

@SedentaryCat good luck with your scan, I’m so glad it’s helped someone else!

I had my ECG today (and my second vaccine too) which was completely normal. So just waiting for the scan now. A friend of mine said she had a friend whose urgent scan was under a three week wait, so fingers crossed...

OP posts:
joystir59 · 22/04/2021 19:36

Hoping for diagnosis asap for you OP and that it's simple and fixable

Stepawayfromdrgoogle · 22/04/2021 20:59

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond that’s good you had a normal ecg. Keeping everything crossed that you don’t have a three week wait for your ultrasound. 💐

FizzyOrange · 25/04/2021 20:41

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond hoping you have your scan soon, I have been offline for a few days as I had to go into hospital but I have been thinking of you.

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 26/04/2021 11:27

I hope you're "okay" @FizzyOrange ? Obviously not okay-okay, but that it's nothing too painful or uncomfortable. Flowers not heard anything about my scan yet, but I've just emailed the hospital in case they have been having trouble phoning me (my phone blocks the hospital for some reason)

OP posts:
SedentaryCat · 26/04/2021 12:51

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond

Hi all, thank you again for your concern Flowers

@SedentaryCat good luck with your scan, I’m so glad it’s helped someone else!

I had my ECG today (and my second vaccine too) which was completely normal. So just waiting for the scan now. A friend of mine said she had a friend whose urgent scan was under a three week wait, so fingers crossed...

Thanks @ThisIsSimplyBeyond. I've got an ultrasound this afternoon and have had to provide samples to rule out/identify any bowel issues.

My doctor likes to do all the tests (which can be worrying sometimes), so I've more bloods tomorrow to check for iron/vit D/goodness knows what else, plus follow up LFTs.

I hope you get an appt for your ultrasound soon and don't have to wait for 3 weeks.

FizzyOrange · 26/04/2021 14:12

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond yes thank you I am ok, I had my ovarian cancer surgery and it went well. I am just tired and sore but I am pleased to be home. You could try ringing the CT department and asking to be considered for a cancellation (if you would be ok with that obviously) as these come up regularly. In any case, ring every few days to see if you have an appointment. One thing I have learnt with all of this is to make as much of a pain of yourself as possible - you seriously won't care when you get what you want. Don't worry about making a nuisance of yourself or them not liking you. So what? You don't like not having a scan. My mother always drilled into me the need to never bother the doctor and that attitude has stuck.

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 26/04/2021 15:48

I'm already a week and a half into the waiting, @SedentaryCat, so hopefully won't be long now.

Good idea to ring the CT dept and ask for cancellations, @FizzyOrange - I'll make sure they know I can travel to the other nearby hospitals if it makes it quicker too. Glad you're home now and the surgery went well Flowers

OP posts:
FizzyOrange · 26/04/2021 15:55

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond thank you. Yes, being able to take a cancellation at another hospital may speed you along too. How are you feeling at the moment, are you very uncomfortable?

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 26/04/2021 16:04

"Luckily" (ha) I got terrible sunburn on Saturday, all down my knees and shins. And I'm in so much discomfort from that, it's distracting me from the discomfort in my belly! But yeah, it's pretty uncomfortable 😕

I've just put 99% of my clothes in the attic as they won't go round my belly, and seeing them is just depressing. Especially as I have no idea how long it will be like this! Took the last of my provera today, so according to the doctor I'm going to have a giant bleed to make up for my 18m of not bleeding properly. I'm doubtful though, they haven't had any effect on me at all while I was taking them...

OP posts:
fudgesmummy · 26/04/2021 17:54

I had a very swollen stomach and just put it down to being fat. An MRI scan for something else picked up a massive mass in my abdomen.
5 weeks later I had major surgery for stage 1 ovarian cancer.
I had a complete hysterectomy and an ovarian tumor removed that weighed 50 lb 😳

MorriseysGladioli · 26/04/2021 17:56

It seems a strange idea that all the periods you've not had are somehow 'building up'.

RampantIvy · 26/04/2021 20:05

I had a complete hysterectomy and an ovarian tumor removed that weighed 50 lb

Goodness. I hope you are OK now. Is that a typo? 50lb is three and a half stone. Did you mean 5lb?

fudgesmummy · 27/04/2021 09:15

@RampantIvy
No, not a typo!
The tumor weighed 50lb.
Amazingly it was benign so no further treatment needed 🙂
It was a very surreal experience, I had absolutely no idea it was there!
Unfortunately I have been left with permanent muscle damage in my stomach which affects my back but apart from that I'm doing just fine!!

ThisIsSimplyBeyond · 27/04/2021 11:08

Wow that's huge! Shock

Just rang to ask for cancellations and I was actually next in the queue! So scan is booked for next Thursday (they did have an earlier appt but I couldn't make it)

OP posts:
FizzyOrange · 27/04/2021 11:24

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond that's great news, I'm so happy you have it organised.

RampantIvy · 27/04/2021 18:04

Good luck for next Thursday

Sebw · 27/04/2021 18:18

My stomach was very similar to yours. I had a 17lb benign ovarian cyst. Hope you get sorted soon.