Stomach bloated three years

[Uglyduckling1585]

I've had a bloated looking stomach for about three years now, it makes me look about six months pregnant, I've been very slim my whole life and this looks awful. I've been house and bed bound for almost four years and can't eat much so I don't know why I have this awful gut. I'm 58. Before this I was just under ten stone now I'm over eleven, it seems the weight has gone straight to my stomach. Would post a picture but can't get the hang of doing a selfie pic.

I had thought it might just be the menopausal belly, from what I've read. I've never had a baby or been pregnant but thought it was just something that most women get, or so I've read.
I've contacted the surgery via the online form (had no idea you could do this before).

Do you have a condition which is keeping you bed bound?
If so, are you not being treated for this?

So many things can cause bloating.
Gluten, lactose, some medications including pain relief, and then there are things that could be more serious.

Can I ask what you mean when you say a private doctor couldn't help. Do you mean a house visit?

Okay, you said that your partner was trying to get help for you, but you still haven't told us what is wrong with you that has made you bed or housebound. That may be crucial to understand why you feel you've not been listened to. It may also be crucial in how your GP responds to a e-consult request.

Ok one of the most important things when you speak with the surgery is to use the correct terminology. You need to tell them you are bed-bound and "unable to leave your bed/home even with assistance".

If a face-to-face visit is refused, you need to request a telephone consultation with the duty doctor that same morning. GPs are required to triage, and if they deem a visit unnecessary, they must offer a phone call or other consultation.

You also (as well as getting GP assessment, not instead of) need to ask the surgery about being referred to the district nursing team. They can help assess you for things like pressure sores, managing medication and general health checking.

Please do contact your local council for a care needs assessment to bring in external care support. You can find their details through Google.

You sound extremely vulnerable and you are entitled to health and social care for your needs. This current situation is no good! Especially with your partner being so ill too.

If the surgery still refuses a home visit (they won’t, if you use the right words), then it’s a formal complaint to the practice manager. Mumsnetters can help you draft something if you’re not able to do it or to use AI to draft.

You might also want to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) - they can offer advice and assistance for issues with GP services. https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/patient-advice-and-liaison-services-pals/

Come on OP, we are all rooting for you - please, please call the surgery and local council today to get help. You can do it!

Of course they do.

Great post.
@Uglyduckling1585 please read the above and follow this excellent advice.

It is extremely worrying that you have been bed bound with no medical support. Unfortunately being passive won't achieve anything. You need to be politely assertive to get the help you need.

If you state that you cannot walk and can't get to the surgery then the doctor will have to come out to you.

They may not come out if the "medical condition" that is making the @Uglyduckling1585 housebound is something that is not affecting her mobility. On the other thread she's started about this she's indicated that it's a very common condition that most people can ignore. We can only guess what it might be, but if she's asking her surgery to send someone out to visit her because she is suffering from something that is not physically limiting her mobility, then it may well be that the surgery is telling her she has to come in instead. Without us knowing what this "medical condition" is that has made her bed/house-bound for 4 years we really can't help her very much.

Her current ailment of a bloated stomach and diarrhea are symptoms that any medical professional would consider urgent. But if the OP is refusing to disclose to us (and presumably to the GP receptionist) what the real issue is why she cannot leave her house/bed, then I fear she will not be able to get help with that either.

Just phoned the surgery THEY WILL NOT COME OUT TO ME

What did you say about WHY you needed a GP to come to you rather than you going to the surgery?

Is there no-one at all who can take you? Are you unable to walk?

Could you not arrange a telephone appointment instead?

The issue is possibly that you are talking to the surgery about your mobility issues and lack of independence.
You may find it more useful
to contact Social Services for an assessment of needs. You should be asssessed by a physio/occupational
therapist for eg personal care, managing food and eating, mobility based on your needs. They can also liaise with the GP to assess your medical needs and also the community nurse to assess your physical needs in the community.
Do you have any fears about contacting social services @Uglyduckling1585?
How old are you?
When you say you are housebound, what is it that is actually stopping you getting out?
what are you able to do?
Someone here may be able to help point you in the right direction if you give a little more info.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services

Then, as I posted upthread, assuming you used the terminology to accurately describe your situation, it’s a complaint to the practice manager.
I say this gently, MNers have been trying to help you on both your threads, and so just shouting at us that the surgery won’t come out to you, without saying the actual content of the conversation, is sort of creating a dead end.
Assuming this is a genuine thread, reading between the lines, there are possibly some underlying mental health issues or additional context to your situation.
I really do wish you well, OP. I don’t have anything further to add than what I’ve already said - you do have options. Real life help is available for folk in your situation - I implore you to reach out for it. 🙏🏼

What have you actually said to them?

Maybe they dont class you as home / bed bound then. Cause this is just a little weird

You do need tests-I'm not medical but know there's many things it could be. Ring your GP/111 to ask advice if you aren't able to travel to the surgery.

If a doctor was to come out and tell you that you need tests. How could you get to the hospital? If you couldnt get to the hospital, then i guess there isnt much point in a referral

I am sorry to say it OP, but sometimes you just have to try to help yourself.

As you haven't mentioned what your condition is, I'm going to assume it's a mental health disorder. You have been able to make two posts about this, so perhaps this is a good start.

It's a physical health problem

And I've been trying to get help for this for well over three years. My teeth have been falling out since summer 2022 as I've been house bound. Missed a number of health check ups as I'm house bound

What is the condition which leaves you housebound?

Do you not clean your teeth? Your teeth shouldn’t be falling out even if you’ve missed the dentist.

Of course I brush my teeth, always have twice a day. I've read it can be due to genetics and also a symptom of menopause. My sil has receding gums and was told by her dentist that it was down to genetics.

Have you phoned 111? I can't really believe the GP won't come out to you if you are housebound. There must be something else to the story.

I phoned the surgery on Tuesday, they said someone would phone me on Wednesday - nobody phoned. I

Then phone 111