ascites or just reg bloat?

[Ms_Makita]

Hi all,most of you know my symptoms/pain from past threads(have complex cyst)Have another new question,how can you tell difference between "normal" bloat ,or if its fluid filled ascites? I'am really bloated with alot of abdominal pressure/pain,feel like a 5 yr old kid is sitting on my stomach,and get "pinching" pains all over abdominal (lower and upper) its hard to breath,its noticeable ,I'am 5'2, petite.My belly feels rock hard.I kept thinking I was "backed up" even after laxative or good bowel movement my belly dont go down,and forget about eating,I already feel to "full".I dont know if its just gas or what(do have alot of rumbling) but it isnt going away or getting better,and I doubt it is a medical emergency?
    Also could it be possible for enlarged ovary (golfball size)to press on bowel causing trapped gas, and pain to upper left and right ? it goes up to gallbladder area and upper stomach,just wondering if its possible with all the nerves if cyst could cause all this havoc! (referred pain??) thanks for any input,
          Stephanie

[lilly64]

Hey - Best, best of luck to you tomorrow for your appointment.  Don't do what I did and walk out of there with your head between your knees; PUSH THE DOCTOR FOR ANSWERS.  I'm a whimp and so mad at myself, but I should get the CA125 results tomorrow. I'm also going to call him back and talk to him more indepth about my situation as this bloating has gotten really out of hand.  Best & God Bless...... Lilly

[lilly64]

Hi - Yes my bloating came on rather fast.  Started having all of the pain/symptoms back in mid-December.  On New Year's Eve, I wore a beautiful beaded dress that people said I looked fantastic in (flat stomach) - like it was made for me.  Then after New Year's my bloating all started; also thought it was constipation from the pain meds.  But I'm now taking a stool softener, which helps a ton - back to normal bm's.  But my belly continues to enlarge and is very hard.  Can ascites happen that fast?  Thanks.  Best.... Lilly

[freshair]

I'm wishing you well. I just read that you have the ascites problem (if it is ascites). Mine happened 4 years ago around the holidays. Let us know of your progress and the CA125 numbers.
Best of luck,
Helen

[freshair]

Hi Stephanie,

My fatigue I would say lasted for a couple of years. The no appetite, diarhea lasted about 2 months. My ascites came on fast. It happened around Christmas 2002, New Year's 2003. (happy new year, huh) It seemed like it happened within 2 weeks that I noticed it and then it kept growing while having tests and til I had my surgery Jan 27.  When you see your doctor on Monday, prepare a list of everything that has happened to you. Also show him how your belly has gotton bigger and by how much it is protruding. He doesn't know that.  You can also post a question to the doctor on this website.

Too bad you're going thru so much pain. You've had the cat scans and ultrasounds so that's good.

Best of luck with your doctor visit tomorrow and let us know everything. I'll be checking in on this site Tuesday.

Good luck with CA125 and also you need a transvaginal ultrasound with that. I've had the abdominal ultrasound but I never did a transvaginal one.

Helen

[s13]

Hey ladies, check out the other post I just put up for Lilly on another thread.  I forgot to mention the stool changes...yes, Lilly, hard (dk. brown, almost black) rocks clumped into 1 stool.  I've been alternating between that 1 day & diarrhea the next.  Ms_makita, constant pressure seems to be the most obvious difference for me; & the fact that, yes, I'm becoming quite fluffy in the mid section.  When I lay flat, it seems to bring on the nausea, but that's the only way I can sleep at night anymore.  I hope these symptoms help...peace.

[Ms_Makita]

Hi! I've been doing some reading on it and I'm really starting to think this isnt "reg" bloat or normal.Ascites can cause abdominal pressure ,and pain,and the pictures I seen the belly looks pregnant,which is how I look and feel,ughhh! I been living in sweat pants! 3-4 bites of food I feel like I ate a super size combo at MCdonalds.
   Did your dr's have anything to say about your bloat? or did you get the IBS **** too? I never experienced this before.I have gyno appt monday,hopefully,*knock on wood* I will get some more testing/answers.I just need some xanax now..ran out..grrreat!haha!
   Let me know when you find out about your ca125 results,I been praying it all goes well!! *hugs*
                        Stephanie

[lilly64]

Hi - I posted to S13 earlier today about the ascites.  I too, for about the past 2 weeks, have been getting more and more swollen in my abdomen.  Hard as rock, bowel movements don't make it go down, and also don't eat like I did.  I prided myself on finally getting back into my 8's after my last child was born (20 months ago) until about just after New Year's.  I can't wear any of my pants at this point unless they're stretchy.  Let me know what you think/find out.  Also still waiting on my CA125 results.  Thanks and Best to You.....Lilly

[Ms_Makita]

Hi,how have you been? I've been sleeping in recliner,cant stand to lay down because of the pressure  seems to make nausea/heartburn worse.I been experiencing those dark lumpy stools then loose stools,seem to alternate every other days its loose or hard with a lil blood,also like lilly I been taking stool softners,dont seem to work for me. After bowel movement still have cramps/pressue like I'm not "done" I cramp like I'm on my worst period when I'm not constantly.
     I admire your strength ,get up, and go to carry on.I had to quit work (cosmetolgist)couldnt stand being on my feet,but thinking about going back, do me some good,anything to distract myself,sometimes I feel like such a baby..lol,I must have low  pain tolerance! I have been through worst things, but nothing like this have never knocked on my butt,literally!
   Keep me posted on how your doing,your in my prayers,*hugs*
                           Stephanie

[Ms_Makita]

Hi! not offended at all..haha,its been rock hard like this for few weeks now.I dont think its a blockage because im able to have bowel movments.I didnt really notice this till last 3 weeks, just been worse,thinking it must be the ovarian cyst,I go to onc/gyno on Monday so I think I can wait till then..or try! ty for your reply!
          Stephanie

[jjsmama]

Has your belly felt hard for a long time? If not, and the hard belly is new, I would actually consider that an emergency, as there could be intestinal blockage. (My reference is veterinary, not human-medical, one of my dogs had an intestinal blockage and his stomach was distended and hard as a rock. Hope you don't take offense!)

jjsmama

[Ms_Makita]

Hi!I just posted  on other thread too(lilly's post) past 8-10 months have had constant pelvic/abdominal pain, and pressue,100lb weight loss,hair loss,leg/back pain,bowel changes,alternate between loose bowels or constipation,gas, rectal pain/pressure,bloating,fatique,appetite loss,fevers.I'm 28 yrs old with family history of reproductive/colon cancer.I have had colonscopy/barium x ray studies in May'06 to rule out colon cancer/colitis.
    Have complex cyst  that was discovered on catscan in oct for appendictis,right ovary is enlarged golf ball size,not to big,but enough to wreck havoc.Ultrasound results come back abnormal,last ultrasound was 12-21-06.Stated to wait 8-10 weeks to "rule out other ovarian pathology".My new pcp is blowing it off as IBS..very frustrating as I do have IBS but it never effected me this bad for so long with constant pain,so I'm not buying IBS theory anymore.I do have appt this Monday with gyno specialist so I'm hoping for further testing.
       How long did you have symptoms for?

[freshair]

Stephanie,
You can tell with an ultrasound I think. But definately with a Cat Scan.
Are you constipated or have diarhea that has lasted weeks? Those also are symptoms. Loss of weight and loss of appetite are other symptoms. I had loss of weight, loss of appetite, fatigue and diarhea. Then later ascites.

Best of luck,
Helen