1. < Women's Health
Profile picture for Seeking answers

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 Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @gab002 "Hello! I've had some gastritis/esophagitis periodically in the past. Some of the pain I have now..." + (show)
Profile picture for gab002 @gab002

Hello!
I've had some gastritis/esophagitis periodically in the past. Some of the pain I have now is also in my chest through to my back which was there before I had my gallbladder out. Cardiac was ruled out at that time. I was told I have a small sliding hiatal hernia seen on Endoscopy but can't seem to correlate anything with my symptoms. Nothing seems to make it worse or better. I just started IBGuard today and a Probiotic to see if these might help. I wish I could say I've lost weight but haven't.... just maintained! It's hard to know what to try first.
Thank you!

Jump to this post

Hello @gab002

Thanks for the added information. I'm glad that you mentioned the gall bladder surgery. As you know, Mayo Connect cannot diagnose health problems, but your symptoms did sound familiar to others that I've read who have had gall bladders removed.

Did you know that often after having a gall bladder removed some people have a problem with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD)? Here is the link to those discussions, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-sphincter-of-oddi-dysfuncfion-it-causes-severe-upper-abdominal-pain/?orderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header.

I encourage you to read them and talk to your doctor about the possibility. As you read these discussions on Connect, you will find that many doctors are unaware of this diagnosis so it might require a second opinion from a specialist who deals with it. Here is info on a Mayo doctor who has SOD as one of his specialties, https://www.mayoclinic.org/ar/biographies/topazian-mark-d-m-d/bio-20054524

Here is another website that may help you understand SOD, Cost-Effective Therapy for Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(17)30822-4/fulltext

Will you provide an update as you continue to search for answers to this problem?

REPLY
Profile picture for gab002
gab002 | @gab002 | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @htocco "Hello, I have chronic bloating and distention of the abdomen and am very uncomfortable all of..." + (show)
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

Jump to this post

I started taking a probiotic and IBGard this week and I feel better.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @gab002 "I started taking a probiotic and IBGard this week and I feel better." + (show)
Profile picture for gab002 @gab002

I started taking a probiotic and IBGard this week and I feel better.

Jump to this post

I'm glad to hear that, @gab002. I have used that as well and also Papaya enzymes.

REPLY
Profile picture for beanglow
beanglow | @beanglow | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @gab002, You may notice that I moved your message and combined it with this existing..." + (show)
Profile picture for Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira

Hello @gab002,

You may notice that I moved your message and combined it with this existing discussion. I did this as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to other members who are discussing much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

I’d encourage you to view these discussions on Connect, where @losthope @sue6408 @pines @annapocono @ngorman25 @musicflowers4u @jcarndt @jackiem95 @maryjax and others have shared some valuable insights about bloating, FODMAP and probiotics:

– GERD and IBS: Meds causing constipation, laxatives & FODMAP? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gerd-and-ibs/
– C. difficile -are your guts ever normal again ? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/c-difficile-are-your-guts-ever-normal-again/

Jump to this post

@kanaazper I have not been able to eat any regular food and have been existing on Boost for weeks. I have severe gas, bloating, distention, stomach cramps, pain, numerous loose BM's every day. I have an appointment at Mayo on March 29. I would appreciate any suggestion from you and the Community.

REPLY
4 replies
Profile picture for donnak142
donnak142 | @donnak142 | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @beanglow "@kanaazper I have not been able to eat any regular food and have been existing on..." + (show)
Profile picture for beanglow @beanglow

@kanaazper I have not been able to eat any regular food and have been existing on Boost for weeks. I have severe gas, bloating, distention, stomach cramps, pain, numerous loose BM's every day. I have an appointment at Mayo on March 29. I would appreciate any suggestion from you and the Community.

Jump to this post

My mom and aunts are prescribed a powder that they mix with water or juice every morning and drink. Cholestyramine 4g

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @beanglow "@kanaazper I have not been able to eat any regular food and have been existing on..." + (show)
Profile picture for beanglow @beanglow

@kanaazper I have not been able to eat any regular food and have been existing on Boost for weeks. I have severe gas, bloating, distention, stomach cramps, pain, numerous loose BM's every day. I have an appointment at Mayo on March 29. I would appreciate any suggestion from you and the Community.

Jump to this post

@beanglow

I see that your appointment at Mayo was today. Would love to hear how you are doing.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for beanglow
beanglow | @beanglow | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@beanglow I see that your appointment at Mayo was today. Would love to hear how you..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

@beanglow

I see that your appointment at Mayo was today. Would love to hear how you are doing.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 So sorry. My appointment is April 29, not March 29.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for beanglow
beanglow | @beanglow | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @donnak142 "My mom and aunts are prescribed a powder that they mix with water or juice every..." + (show)
Profile picture for donnak142 @donnak142

My mom and aunts are prescribed a powder that they mix with water or juice every morning and drink. Cholestyramine 4g

Jump to this post

@donnak142 Thanks for your suggestion. I made a mistake on the month of my appointment. It's an April 29 not March 29.

REPLY
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @beanglow "@hopeful33250 So sorry. My appointment is April 29, not March 29." + (show)
Profile picture for beanglow @beanglow

@hopeful33250 So sorry. My appointment is April 29, not March 29.

Jump to this post

@beanglow
I hope you find some answers. Mayo is a good place to deal with hard to diagnose problems.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 30, 2019
In reply to @beanglow "@kanaazper I have not been able to eat any regular food and have been existing on..." + (show)
Profile picture for beanglow @beanglow

@kanaazper I have not been able to eat any regular food and have been existing on Boost for weeks. I have severe gas, bloating, distention, stomach cramps, pain, numerous loose BM's every day. I have an appointment at Mayo on March 29. I would appreciate any suggestion from you and the Community.

Jump to this post

@beanglow @htocco Severe bloating, diarhea, cramps and excessive gas are symptoms of gluten issues. You can do an experiment to see if removing all foods with gluten helps. I cannot tolerate any gluten or this will happen to me. I felt better right away when I took gluten out of my diet. I also developed other food allergies because having inflammation from the gluten caused a leaky gut, and I did an elimination diet to figure that out, so I have to be careful now with food. There are blood tests for celiac disease which should still work if done soon. If you avoid gluten for a long period and then get tested for celiac disease, you might not be making the antibodies any more that the test is looking for.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/doctors-departments/ddc-20352229

REPLY
3 replies
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.