I look pregnant..and I'm not!

[Jenilee619]

I have been sick for 6 years.  I am 28. My symptoms are: extreme urinary frequency, burning, and urgency; absent period; weight gain; and a very large, distended abdomen that never goes down!  I look anywhere from 5 to 6 months pregnant.  I am 5"8 and 140.  I have always been 125 until about 3 years ago (half-way into this all).  My distended abdomen only gets bigger-usually by the end of the day.  It is so large it feels like I could stick a pin in it and it would pop.  It is not your usual bloat that moves around, but instead I can use my fists and pound on it (lightly) as it feels like a inflated ball.
I have had every test imaginable-MRI, CT, etc., etc.  I have been tested for ovarian cancer via a sonogram and a CA-125.  I was told I may have Lyme Disease although all the tests are indeterminate.  My immune system is definitely suffering as my WBC and my CD-57 are very low, as well as my Neutrophils and IgG subclasses 1-4.  Why though?  Strangely, I am never tired and instead have lots of energy (I have been like this my whole life however).  Please, any thoughts????

[karmaa]

The ONLY thing known to lower CD57 NK levels (natural killer) cells is Lyme disease! I too have been sick and undiagnosed for over 4 years with indeterminate tests that showed numerous bands but not enough for the CDC criteria for treatment. IF you are still suffering, try a website like MDJunction or Lyme Net for more info and resources about finding a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor. A film about Lyme called Under Our Skin is out now that also is quite informative and you may relate to a lot of things in this film.

I should have been treated 4 years ago - now my skin is atrophying, I also have a huge bloated pregnant looking stomach and numerous neuro and other systemic symptoms - a total nightmare that could have been avoided so easily if any doctor listened. Lyme is insidious - evades a lot of tests - invades tissues so does not show on tests a lot of the time. IT IS SUPPOSED to be a CLINICAL diagnosis - like depression - symptoms - treat. Blood work can be negative - there is seronegative Lyme disease.

I hope you are well now - I hope I am on the way there too!

[DaGord]

Hi,

The first thing that comes to mind given your symptoms is Polycystic Ovarian Disease...lack of periods can also be related to Pituitary Gland Issues when there is weight gain.  

Questions...are you experiencing Hirtuism (sp?) [unusual hair growth]; are you lactating [I still am and my kids are 15 and 19!],   It's great that you got checked for Ovarian Cancer but please don't stop having your CA-125's read.  My mother-in-law went through Ovarian Cancer and she developed ascites, which is a large build up of fluid in the abdomen.  She said the exact same things as you..."Help!  I look pregnant and my abdomen is sooooooo bloated I look like a float in the Macy's Day Parade."

Keep looking, ovarian cancer is unfortunately one of the most insidious, hard-to-diagnose of all the cancers.  You've done all the right things, but because of my mother-in-law, I feel a responsibility to tell every woman to have her CA-125 levels checked.  You have an initial baseline number of yours so now you can see if it changes, becomes elevated, lowers, etc.

Good luck