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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.

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Profile picture for oakbourne
oakbourne | @oakbourne | Mar 9, 2019
In reply to @lelia "I can't remember the test for SIBO. But, I think the test for fructose malabsorption would..." + (show)
Profile picture for CL @lelia

I can't remember the test for SIBO. But, I think the test for fructose malabsorption would be more important for you. FM can cause IBS-C and acid reflux, and if you have FM you can't digest wheat because it has chains of fructose in it called fructans. Also, if you have FM bad enough, the low FODMAP diet is worthless because it still has too much sugar in it. If you want more info on FM, I started a discussion on fructose malabsorption on Mayo Clinic Connect. It isn't very active right now, but the info is still pertinent because I started it around December. It contains info on what to eat and not eat, identifying sugars in foods and drugs (there are about 30 words for sugar), etc. Good luck! It is so hard to sort all of this out.

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I'm a diabetic and when the chronic explosive diarrhea stops, I'm sending in a stool sample to Enterolab - Dr. Kenneth Fine - GI specialist and researcher. I already know I have Microscopic Colitis and probably Celiac disease from childhood. Many people with chronic watery diarrhea, bloating, nausea, fatigue and depression have MC and don't know it. It's diagnosed by a biopsy and can be performed when you have a colonoscpy performed. Don't get me started on Gastroenterologists. After a while we won't have doctors, just nurses telling us what's wrong and they haven't been to medical school. Nurses don't diagnose, I know...I'm a RN. I was informed by a doctor that the last time you'll see a doctor in a decade or sooner is when you're dead. Very depressing! Doctors have had it. All paper work and less time for patient one on onel We are in a World Of Hurt. All Manufactured to destroy our healthcare...And They're Winning.

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bl3ss3d | @bl3ss3d | Mar 9, 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

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Hi @oakburne! I suffer from severe bloating as well. I have gastroparesis and SIBO so this contributes. Have they considered a HIDA scan to see how the organs are working? Meantime, I use mega poly ten for the bloating. Also ginger and peppermint. This helps me tremendously. Good luck in your health. 😌

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htocco | @htocco | Mar 9, 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

Hello! I have not found ginger or peppermint of assistance. I tried to look up mega poly ten and could't find it. It that short for something?

REPLY
Profile picture for bl3ss3d
bl3ss3d | @bl3ss3d | Mar 9, 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 am so sorry I meant to type mega-polyzyme. It is made by InterPlexus. As for the ginger, I have found that raw minced ginger works better than ginger tea packets.

REPLY
Profile picture for htocco
htocco | @htocco | Mar 10, 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

Thank you so much! Do you make tea with the ginger? I will follow through with the meg-polyzyme.

REPLY
Profile picture for bl3ss3d
bl3ss3d | @bl3ss3d | Mar 10, 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 usually sip it in water throughout the day or I will add it to my food. I drink a lot of bone broth and will add it to that as well as turmeric. I hope these will help you too. 😌

REPLY
Profile picture for htocco
htocco | @htocco | Mar 10, 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

Will try everything! Thank you!

REPLY
Profile picture for htocco
htocco | @htocco | Mar 11, 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 should have said from the beginning. I have a small blanket that heats up and I put it on my abdominal area. That really feels great! I work on a computer at home quite a bit, so I am able to somewhat recline, work and get
some relief at the same time!

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1 reply
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beanglow | @beanglow | Mar 15, 2019
In reply to @oakbourne "You may have Microscopic Colitis. The only way for your GI specialist to diagnose this monster..." + (show)
Profile picture for oakbourne @oakbourne

You may have Microscopic Colitis. The only way for your GI specialist to diagnose this monster is through a BIOPSY. I had severe explosive diarrhea, bloating, nause, and fatigue. It's easy to do when you have a colonoscopy. The only way to treat safely is through DIET! This disease is treated like the Red Headed Step Child of inflammatory bowel diseases and doctors don't know what to do.

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@oakbourne My GI never mentioned Microscopic Colitis but I'm going to do some research on it. Thanks and good luck to you.

REPLY
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frozsquash | @frozsquash | Mar 16, 2019
In reply to @sue225 "Just curious, what kind of testing is done for small bowel bacterial overgrowth? I am in..." + (show)
Profile picture for sue225 @sue225

Just curious, what kind of testing is done for small bowel bacterial overgrowth? I am in Canada. In 2015, a gastroenterologist in his report said he suspected SBBO, (in addition to my IBS-C, celiac disease, and acid reflux). However, at that time, no tests were done. I was told to follow the FODMAP diet, take a mixture of Restoralax and Metamucil daily and take probiotics. The restoralax and metamucil aggravated the bowel, and the probiotics did not help.
Anyway, I am no

Jump to this post

there are several ways to test for SIBO, but the standard is a breath test. they will have you breathe into a sample bag and test the levels of hydrogen and methane. Hydrogen and methane are the gases produced by the bacteria that have taken up residence where they don't belong (small intestine) and then you are given a little cup of syrup with a mixture of sugars (all of this on an empty stomach with some fasting requirements prior to the test, and a very limited diet the day before) and then they take more breath samples every 30 to 45 minutes after that. I had this done in January (after completing a round of steroid for microscopic lymphocytic colits about 6 months earlier) and my results came back as two GI docs said "VERY" positive. so I was prescribed another antibiotic which required pre-authorization. between the time I was TOLD the Rx was sent in and when it actually WAS sent in, and then the delay while it went through the denial and appeal process, I investigated a non-pharmaceutical treatment for SIBO. I am currently following the Amy Myers MD SIBO Breakthrough plan which goes for 5 weeks. Basically, the diet involves starving the bacteria of any carbs, or sugars - which a low FODMAP diet can do as well, but also taking an herbal preparation with antibiotic properties for 30 days. I have to say, although I spend an inordinate amount of time doing food prep because of all the vegetables (all FODMAP friendly) I am feeling better day by day. I've lost a little more weight, but since I do feel better, I'm not so concerned. Just wanted to share, that if you try to research some of these things, you'll find all sorts of conflicting information. I think the best course of action it to pick a plan (I like the Amy Myers one - check our her website) and stick with one plan. Once you start mixing and matching plans - they are not as effective. Good luck!

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