Weird bloating and moving stomach - worried

[Ilikeviognier]

Just that really. Last two weeks I’ve been getting that weird popping feeling you get in your stomach when you’re about 4/5 months pregnant. I’ve done 5 pregnancy tests - all negative. Am also early 40s and taking the mini pill. I’ve missed none and am very meticulous about taking them.

Since yesterday I’ve also noticed a new feeling- like a heavy dragging bloating feeling in my stomach - this is brand new and I’ve never experienced this before. It’s pretty constant and doesn’t seem to be going away.

Doctor google has helpfully suggested ovarian cancer.

So it seems like my only two options here are a random cryptic pregnancy, which would definitely not be a welcome surprise, or worse still, ovarian cancer.

Are there any other suggestions here?

Got a gp appointment but not until next week. Pretty worried. Thanks for any thoughts.

Could be the start of peri-menopause, which can cause all sorts of delightful wind and bloating issues.

Yeah? Even when taking the pill? Doesn’t it mask menopause symptoms?

@Ilikeviognier

Yeah? Even when taking the pill? Doesn’t it mask menopause symptoms?

Well, I developed the most appalling painful wind and bloating episodes while taking the mini pill. I had no clue it might be menopause related because I had no idea wind and bloating could be a symptom and (being on the pill) I was not getting periods. Then I stopped the pill to see what my cycles might be like and the wind and bloating ramped up plus I got other meno symptoms. The mini pill is progesterone only, so while it will stop bleeds I don't think it can affect any symptoms you might get due to fluctuating oestrogen.

Glad you're going to the GP but I do think a possibility less bad than either of your two options could be realistic.

Thanks for replying. How did you help to ease it/get rid of it(if at all?)

I had similar symptoms, similar age. Turned out to be a large (ish) ovarian cyst. Don't panic yet. Your gp should do some bloods, possible ultrasound referal & then hopefully send you to a gynae consultant. It'll go from there.

I had a weird moving stomach in the week before I had appendicitis!

But, I do also suffer from ovarian cysts, and one was seen when my appendix was removed.

Thanks - I hadn’t really considered a cyst, would that make your stomach pop etc? I can only liken the feeling to pregnancy

After diagnosis if I hadn't known it was a cyst I would have sworn I was pregnant. I met someone else who said the same.

Yeah, got similar at the start of peri, could actually see my small intestine moving when lying down, so weird! Didn't do anything for it, don't really get it much anymore now I'm a few years into peri.

Hmm interesting. Yes that’s what it feels like! I feel about 5 months pregnant so I’ve concluded that the test must be coming back negative due to being too far along.….or something! The new heavy dragging feeling is akin to being at least 6 months along and is pretty constant

Can you feel any, not felt before, lumps/bulges lower than your belly button, a bit to the left or right?

RE Pregnancy tests. You could try diluting your urine and testing again. Sometimes if you're far along, the hormone can be too high to get a positive reading. Try 1 part wee to 10 parts water or something. Or drink a lot before testing.

I’ve heard that before re pregnancy tests but I’m not convinced. Last pregnancy I did one at both 11 weeks and 35 weeks for a laugh and they were always positive. The last test I did was at 10.30 at night too.

Re bulges - the One thing noticeable here is that if I try to do a sit up I’ve suddenly noticed my stomach looks wonky - like there’s a slight bulge to the left but I can’t say how long it’s been there for or if it’s connected

Show us a side view, OP.

Hernia?

Proving hard to get a pic of it. Tbh it feels like muscle anyway so I dunno

@Ilikeviognier How are you?

Saw the doc thanks - he definitely couldn’t feel my womb which he said he would be able to do if I was pregnant and feeling kicks so given the 5 negatives am thinking pregnancy is out!

Have tried to lay off the Diet Coke and been taking buscopan which may have helped. Having blood tests too to rule anything else out which is a bit scary

You mentioned pregnancy, have you had a child and if so was it by c section?

Apologies for asking a very personal question but post section movement is very common. Like kicks.

Yes I did - but last child was born 5 years ago by c section so surely that’s not related?

I had same symptoms last week. Doctor thought it was diverticular disease and told me to go on a very low fibre diet for 3 days. I felt much better after that.

Thanks that’s interesting - worth considering for sure!