B shaped belly, not pregnant

[AMY676767]

Hello, I was just looking for some advice. So my stomach is currently shaped like this. I'm not sure why and recently it is bloated 24/7 even when I wake up. I sit down and it's rock hard, it's so uncomfortable. When I went to the doctors in 2020 I think it was I was told it is IBS, but now bloating has not gone down and won't go down. I appreciate I need to loose a bit of weight but you can even see how bloated and not very nice it is.
I'm not sure what to do or how to fix it to be honest. The last 4 days I've been exercising and eating better but it just isn't helping with my bloat. Even in the mornings it is still there, any advice is greatful thank you

Hi OP do you have any pain? Any other symptoms?

The absolute first thing is to arrange an appointment with your GP and have your abdominal area checked over. I wouldn't think IBS would be boated all the time?

I have endometriosis and call this kind of bloating endo belly, it's an inflammatory disease and causes bloating like this, but it does come and go, it's really uncomfortable and rock hard. But again would have potentially associated other symptoms, like pains, some endometriosis sufferers have heavy periods etc.

The other suspects like you say would be IBS and then I would I say the GP should be looking at fibroids and other gyane issues just to eliminate anything worrying.

How often do you go to the toilet? Do you have wind as well?

definitely back to GP and insist of proper investigation, incl a scan. Don't be fobbed off.

*ON proper investigation

@applecrumbleforteaagain

Hi OP do you have any pain? Any other symptoms?

The absolute first thing is to arrange an appointment with your GP and have your abdominal area checked over. I wouldn't think IBS would be boated all the time?

I have endometriosis and call this kind of bloating endo belly, it's an inflammatory disease and causes bloating like this, but it does come and go, it's really uncomfortable and rock hard. But again would have potentially associated other symptoms, like pains, some endometriosis sufferers have heavy periods etc.

The other suspects like you say would be IBS and then I would I say the GP should be looking at fibroids and other gyane issues just to eliminate anything worrying.

I've had an ultrasound done and that's all clear where they have checked my ovaries and things so I'm not too sure. Periods are fine and normal

@tintodeverano2

How often do you go to the toilet? Do you have wind as well?

Sometimes I have an upset stomach and sometimes I can't go, and not more than usual

I agree with getting your GP to investigate, however, that picture could be me when I eat certain foods. I would start with FODMAP protocol where you exclude gluten, lactose etc and then add certain food types back one by one to see if you can identify triggers.
Assuming no underlined conditions, I would make a guess that you are gluten or dairy intolerant. If that's the case FoDMAP should give you very quick results. Just to give you am example, my waist was 105cm , within 2 weeks it went down to 92cm.

Sometimes I have an upset stomach and sometimes I can't go, and not more than usual

Hmm if you're experiencing constipation then that can certainly add to bloating. Going between the two extremes isn't great. Definitely follow this up with your GP. It might be a good idea to start taking some pro and prebiotics in the meantime.

@letmesleep123

I agree with getting your GP to investigate, however, that picture could be me when I eat certain foods. I would start with FODMAP protocol where you exclude gluten, lactose etc and then add certain food types back one by one to see if you can identify triggers. Assuming no underlined conditions, I would make a guess that you are gluten or dairy intolerant. If that's the case FoDMAP should give you very quick results. Just to give you am example, my waist was 105cm , within 2 weeks it went down to 92cm.

Okay thank you:) I will try that

@tintodeverano2

Sometimes I have an upset stomach and sometimes I can't go, and not more than usual

Hmm if you're experiencing constipation then that can certainly add to bloating. Going between the two extremes isn't great. Definitely follow this up with your GP. It might be a good idea to start taking some pro and prebiotics in the meantime.

Yeah I got some gut health yogurts too:)

This is a really interesting thread, I have a B shaped belly and I was so conscious of it at secondary school, even when I'm slim it's still this shape, I was diagnosed with IBD 7 years a go but I just thought the B shape was 'my' normal, not due to IBD. I'm going to have a Google of endo belly now.

@BusterGonad

This is a really interesting thread, I have a B shaped belly and I was so conscious of it at secondary school, even when I'm slim it's still this shape, I was diagnosed with IBD 7 years a go but I just thought the B shape was 'my' normal, not due to IBD. I'm going to have a Google of endo belly now.

IBD what is that and how would that be diagnosed please? It's getting me down, the bloat doesn't go at all and I don't know what to do.

Is your belly flat sometimes and like this at other times? Or is it always like this? When you get hold of it is it solid or like a roll of fat?

@Alayalaya

Is your belly flat sometimes and like this at other times? Or is it always like this? When you get hold of it is it solid or like a roll of fat?

Belly is constantly like this now. Always rock hard

Inflammatory bowel disease, crohn's or colitis. So stomach issues, bowel issues, mouth ulcers, skin issues, painful joints, tiredness etc.

@BusterGonad

Inflammatory bowel disease, crohn's or colitis. So stomach issues, bowel issues, mouth ulcers, skin issues, painful joints, tiredness etc.

The doctors have done a stool sample and it's not chrons disease x

Sorry, I didn't answer your question! You need to get a stool sample checked, a faecal calprotectin test, this will determine if its IBD or another issue.
I first had a CRP blood test, another blood test for ovarian cancer, a chlamydia test (!) the finger up the bum test 😵 then the stool sample and then when that was positive for crohns a colonoscopy (positive) than finally a MRI to determine the amount of damage.
These may not be in exactly the right order but the stool sample followed my colonoscopy and MRI are my final 3 tests.

@BusterGonad

Sorry, I didn't answer your question! You need to get a stool sample checked, a faecal calprotectin test, this will determine if its IBD or another issue. I first had a CRP blood test, another blood test for ovarian cancer, a chlamydia test (!) the finger up the bum test 😵 then the stool sample and then when that was positive for crohns a colonoscopy (positive) than finally a MRI to determine the amount of damage. These may not be in exactly the right order but the stool sample followed my colonoscopy and MRI are my final 3 tests.

Thank you so much, I have had a stool sample but that is all

Sorry, my phone didn't update.

I second getting all the possible tests to rule out medical issues.

Then add probiotic supplements twice daily and really look at diet, l would start by cutting out all gluten and dairy, white foods, bread, rice pasta and only eat fresh unprocessed food to start with lots of steamed vegetables for fibre...

15 years ago l had a couple of years of permanently upset or erratic stomach issues, although without the bloating .....for me it was not a problem with dairy or gluten just too much sugar, and processed foods. Sugar is in almost everything unless you cook from scratch but it is a huge problem and very damaging....

After every test under the sun, l looked at my diet and followed the Louise Parker method and all my symptoms went in a month ( plus l lost a stone and a half)
I loosely follow it now, ( my steamer gets used daily and l get through a lot of vegetables) and have not had any issues since, despite being far less strict ...

Good luck

@Dragongirl10

I second getting all the possible tests to rule out medical issues.

Then add probiotic supplements twice daily and really look at diet, l would start by cutting out all gluten and dairy, white foods, bread, rice pasta and only eat fresh unprocessed food to start with lots of steamed vegetables for fibre...

15 years ago l had a couple of years of permanently upset or erratic stomach issues, although without the bloating .....for me it was not a problem with dairy or gluten just too much sugar, and processed foods. Sugar is in almost everything unless you cook from scratch but it is a huge problem and very damaging....

After every test under the sun, l looked at my diet and followed the Louise Parker method and all my symptoms went in a month ( plus l lost a stone and a half)
I loosely follow it now, ( my steamer gets used daily and l get through a lot of vegetables) and have not had any issues since, despite being far less strict ...

Good luck

Thank you so much for your response, I will look at cutting down on my sugar and processed food. I definitely need to make more home cooked foods.

@Dragongirl10

I second getting all the possible tests to rule out medical issues.

Then add probiotic supplements twice daily and really look at diet, l would start by cutting out all gluten and dairy, white foods, bread, rice pasta and only eat fresh unprocessed food to start with lots of steamed vegetables for fibre...

15 years ago l had a couple of years of permanently upset or erratic stomach issues, although without the bloating .....for me it was not a problem with dairy or gluten just too much sugar, and processed foods. Sugar is in almost everything unless you cook from scratch but it is a huge problem and very damaging....

After every test under the sun, l looked at my diet and followed the Louise Parker method and all my symptoms went in a month ( plus l lost a stone and a half)
I loosely follow it now, ( my steamer gets used daily and l get through a lot of vegetables) and have not had any issues since, despite being far less strict ...

Good luck

Also what probiotics do you suggest? Thank you

Personally l am a fan of acidophilus twice a day