feel like a balloon

[discodiva75]

Hi, I have a question.  A couple of months ago I started feeling bloated occasionally, which was new for me.  Then the last couple of weeks it had started getting a lot worse, I do not overeat but still feel bloated or full.  I feel this way all day.  The best way I can describe it is I feel like my stomach is a ziplock baggie that needs the air pushed out of it, or like I am pooching it out all the time.  I feel it mostly in my upper abdomen.  I went in to my dr a couple of weeks ago (when it started to get bad) and told her what was going on, she did a pelvic exam (yes I am female) said everything felt fine, that I may be lactose intolerant, to try not eating dairy for a week and see what happens.  I did that, and nothing happened, my symptoms remained.  I went in again and told her that there was no change, and they did an x-ray.  This found that I was extremely backed up with stool, and she recommended taking magnesium citrate (a pretty powerful laxative).  I did this, and had many bowel movements that day (as you can imagine).  The next day I felt the same, and now I wasn't having bowel movements very much at all.  This occurred for about 2 or 3 days before I called my dr again, and told her it wasn't gone, and she ordered an ultrasound.  This came back normal.  Thyroid test came back normal.  I am not having any other symptoms except now I am a little constipated, and I just noticed my stools are thin.  I have a follow up with the dr, but it's not for a week and a half, and I am a little worried about what it could be.  I don't think it's cancer, but I don't think I am imagining it.  Does anyone know what it could be?  I am getting frustrated.

[ebjb]

You may need to have endoscopy and colonoscopy to check out your whole digestive system. Ask your doctor - could be something simple but best to have it all checked out. Bloating is often caused by Irritable bowel syndrome. Don't worry too much - just ask for the tests. Good luck

[helpergirl]

I'd be asking for blood tests as it could be coeliac disease (gluten intolerance). Huge symptom of this is the constipation. It is often overlooked by doctors as it can be tricky to diagnose.