My stomach is round and bloated, and it makes me look pregnant

Posted by Seeking answers @bosnianbeauty, Jan 10, 2012

I have been having problems with my stomach for quite a while now.

My stomach is always round and bloated ,as if i am pregnant.
I have pain most days and have severe cramps and vaginal muscle cramps/contractions during my period. I also bleed a lot.

I eat healthy,take multivitamins and drink water and no sodas or fruit drinks just fruits and veggies. I know most people have flatter stomachs even those who don't eat as well as me.

I have done research and have come to some conclusions that could fit. I think i might have a uterine fibroid or cyst,something that is making my stomach big.
I also have ugly stretchmarks even though i have never been pregnant and am not pregnant,but at times it looks like it.
If anyone has anything similar or knows anything,i would really appreciate the feedback.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi, @munga - what I would suggest related to the topic of chilaiditi would be to go to the Digestive Health Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/ and start a discussion there (see right below the search box). That would be great to try to connect people with this condition.

If you'd like to chat with others who have had or will have hiatal hernia surgery, please check out this discussion:

Has anyone had surgery for a hiatal hernia? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-surgery-for-a-hiatal-hernia/

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I click on the link and it says it’s not found

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Profile picture for munga @munga

I click on the link and it says it’s not found

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Apologies, @munga. I fixed the link. Please try again.

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Profile picture for denisemarys @denisemarys

I am in the same situation. I had to take Vancomycin for 4 months to get rid of a C-Diff infection caused by an antibiotic. I lost hearing and now I have a bloating problem that makes me look pregnant. I was told by the Gastroenterologist's P.A. that it takes a long time to recover from a C-Diff infection. I'm still experimenting with the correct amount of fiber and what I should eat. I have multiple bowel movements throughout the day. At least they are solid. Hahaha.

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You have my utmost empathy. I found that taking Florastor twice a day has helped me immensely. I buy it very inexpensively online at WellSpring Meds. I wish you the very best! Good to hear from you!

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Profile picture for htocco @htocco

Hello,
I have chronic bloating and distention of the abdomen and am very uncomfortable all of the time. I have had a colonoscopy and endoscopy (both negative), have tried a low FODMAP diet for several weeks, with no change. I do take probiotics as well a ginger root and peppermint. I rarely have cramping, except after a bowel movement. After a BM, the distention is more severe for the entire day. My GI doctor is at a lost as to what to do now. It seems much of the GI field is mysterious, and, unfortunately there are no answers for many conditions, including this. Is there anyone out there with similar symptoms? Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Thank you!
Helen

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It sounds like SIBO. Gastroenterologists are just now figuring it out. Naturopaths have been treating it for much longer and know what to do. The easiest way to start is to have a gastroenterologist order a SIBO breath test (so health insurance will pay) and prescribe Rifaximin, the generic for Xifaxin which is very expensive in the US. Rifaximin is available in Canada at a reasonable price. The naturopath can prescribe herbal remedies to be taken in connection with the antibiotic.

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Profile picture for supip @supip

It sounds like SIBO. Gastroenterologists are just now figuring it out. Naturopaths have been treating it for much longer and know what to do. The easiest way to start is to have a gastroenterologist order a SIBO breath test (so health insurance will pay) and prescribe Rifaximin, the generic for Xifaxin which is very expensive in the US. Rifaximin is available in Canada at a reasonable price. The naturopath can prescribe herbal remedies to be taken in connection with the antibiotic.

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Hello. 1.5 years ago, I ordered my own SIBO breath test from a private lab. Results came back negative. Then my G.I. doc #2, said that there are many false negatives and he treated me for it with xifaxin. I could not complete the prescribed course due to bad side effects, which is always typical of me. Since then, I have read consistently that it is not worth treating for SIBO, as it comes back frequently in many cases. And who wants to be on those drugs frequently?!

I may be a "rarer" person who has , after giving many drugs the 'ole college try," decided to take no drugs. I pop a pure simethecone gel cap when the gas buildup is too much. In the meantime, my IBS-C and daily bloat haunt me. I mentioned in an earlier reply to someone, that I am done with G.I. docs. Period. I have been to 6. They have no clue.

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Profile picture for htocco @htocco

Hello,
I have chronic bloating and distention of the abdomen and am very uncomfortable all of the time. I have had a colonoscopy and endoscopy (both negative), have tried a low FODMAP diet for several weeks, with no change. I do take probiotics as well a ginger root and peppermint. I rarely have cramping, except after a bowel movement. After a BM, the distention is more severe for the entire day. My GI doctor is at a lost as to what to do now. It seems much of the GI field is mysterious, and, unfortunately there are no answers for many conditions, including this. Is there anyone out there with similar symptoms? Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Thank you!
Helen

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Someone may have mentioned this in a similar post, but for anyone suffering from severe bloating distention without a g.i. diagnosis, please have appendix &/or ovarian cancer ruled out. I know the appendix is part of the g.i. tract, but the cancer may not be obvious when looking for typical g.i. causes of the bloating. Good luck to all of you battling any of these issues.

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Profile picture for bkatz43 @bkatz43

Hello. 1.5 years ago, I ordered my own SIBO breath test from a private lab. Results came back negative. Then my G.I. doc #2, said that there are many false negatives and he treated me for it with xifaxin. I could not complete the prescribed course due to bad side effects, which is always typical of me. Since then, I have read consistently that it is not worth treating for SIBO, as it comes back frequently in many cases. And who wants to be on those drugs frequently?!

I may be a "rarer" person who has , after giving many drugs the 'ole college try," decided to take no drugs. I pop a pure simethecone gel cap when the gas buildup is too much. In the meantime, my IBS-C and daily bloat haunt me. I mentioned in an earlier reply to someone, that I am done with G.I. docs. Period. I have been to 6. They have no clue.

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It’s my understanding that SIBO often comes back if not properly treated. My naturopath has told me that the level of methane in my gut indicates I may need a longer treatment. You also have to treat the underlying cause whatever that may be.

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