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672990 tn?1235143638

Lower Abdominal Feels Hard/Swollen/Bloated

Hi,

This is a weird one. For about 3 weeks now, my lower abdomen has felt hard and bloated. It's the worst when I wake up in the morning. It looks like this huge hard bubble in my lower abdominal, mainly in the middle but a little to the left as well. I don't really have any pain, except maybe a little discomfort every once in a while.

I went to the doctor and he said he wasn't too worried about it. They tested my urine and it came out fine. He said my lower abdominal does feel harder than normal and he thinks maybe I strained or tore a lower abdominal muscle.
He said just to go about everything as normal and that I could still work out as hard as I am now.

Is this true? Is it okay to work out with a torn lower ab muscle? I've had this for three weeks...how long does a torn muscle take to heal? Why do you think it's worse in the morning? His theory is that I sleep curled up and the muscle tightens and that's why it's worse in the morning. Do you think that's true?

Is there anything else you think this could be? How long should I wait before I go back to the doctor and make him go further with x-rays? Do you think I should get a second opinion right now?

Thanks so much for all your help!

-Kelly
17 Responses
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Avatar universal
My abdominal are has been the same way and Im not on birth control but my bf has used spermicide condoms only but I don't think I'm pregnant. I get my period supposedly in 6 days or so, so I could possibly be wrong.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for posting this. My aunt also passed away from Ovarian Cancer. I have a hard lower abdomen and it's been this way for at least 5 months. I've been to my doctor numerous times and have had scores of blood work done along showing that I suffered from a pancreas attack. What I am concerned with is that this could be something much worse. As you said, this is a silent killer. How is this condition diagnosed?

Thank you and take care.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
To all you ladies who have lower abdominal pain with bloating. You really should be asking your doctor about getting a pelvic ultrasound rather asking on a forum about your symptoms. Ovarian cancer is a supposed silent killer because of a lack of symptoms but ad pain, bloating, heaviness in ab area are all symptoms. Hopefully, the most any of you have is a simple (benign) cyst but you need an ultrasound to let you know that. I am currently on 3 monthly ultrasound checks on 2 cysts, hopefully they will go away on their own but it is very close to home for me as my mother was diagnosed far too late and died aged 23, 6 weeks after diagnosis.
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Avatar universal
You said that your lower belly is hard and swollen - you look like you're pregnant...I seem to have the same issue.  I feel super bloated and my pants seem to be fitting a little tighter.  I've taken 2 pregnancy tests - since I've gotten my period and both are negative.  I don't know what to do or what's going on.  I'm not sure if it's just severe bloating or what....it's been like this for probably 3-4 weeks.  Have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I've been feeling the same thing! ...but I have all the symptoms of pregnancy but I never did anything sexual with a guy. I feel like I'm pregnant. But that's impossible... right!? I am just so paranoid. The bottom of me belly is getting big. Plus I am only 13yrs old:( I have masturbated before .. does that have anything to do with this ??? Someone please help. I'm too scared to tell anyone i know. I also have developed some hairs on my belly .. is that normal? My period is late too.... I'm just so worried . Am I pregnant ?
Avatar universal
I'm having the same problem too. I'm 17 and my lower right ab muscle is swollen and for the past week or so it was just uncomfortable, not in pain. I talked to my mom about it (I left the bf thing out tho) and she said it could be a strained muscle because I am extremely active and a lot of what I do requires ab work. She said it's nothing to worry about, but of course I'm still worried
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,im 21.and i just visited a d0ct0r last july12.m0st of d time whenever i eat my f0od late,my left abd0men part (2-4:0o part) is bl0ated.i n0ticed this 1st when i had my 1st w0rk in a restau.bc0s of c0ntinu0us fl0w of guests,we s0metimes eat our lunch after 6hrs of duty(3-4pm)Philippine time.and this pain attacks.im sure i wl have a wet and liquid p00p after this epis0de.s0 my d0c t0ld me 2 av0id eatng ch0c0l8s,milky or dairy pr0ducts,fried,salty,s0ur fruits and citrusy.and t0ld 2 take 2 diff.meds 30min b4 bfast and 30.min b4 meals.but it c0sts 90+php each!and i need 2 take it 4 a wk..im n0t ready 4 dis kind of medicati0n yet,(my wallet as well) so untl n0w,im just still c0ntr0lling my diet til my p0cket permits me t0 buy my meds.but im n0t quite sure if my d0c t0ld me what to call this sympt0ms..any0ne has the same situati0n like mine?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 17 and had unprotected sex but then shortly after started taking the contriceptive pill, I had all the symptoms of pregnancy during the tima I was taking the pill and before.. Intact I still have them now even after,  what I thought was my period.. Now I have this strange lump on the right side of my lower abdomen just infront of my hip bone, it's not causing me any noticeable pain I can just feel it...do you think I could be having an EP?  My mother suffered from the same thing when she was only young..  She also had cysts could this be genetic? What do I do now?  :-(
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1 Comments
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2082202 tn?1396813302
Perhaps a hernia?
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Avatar universal
i have swelling on my left side of my stomach. they did ultrasounds and everything and say im just fine but i have pain with it and you can physically tell that it is swollen..
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Avatar universal
hello! kelly i`m 17 and i had unprotected sex on the 10 and again the 15 should i be 2 weeks prego but my per dnt come until jan so should i wait to see if it come or take a preg test
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same symptoms,lower abdominal pain,weight gain and mine looks like I am 12 to 16 weeks preg...I had my left fallopian tube removed due to ectopic/tubal preg on the 24/Apr/2012.@ first I thought the symptoms were related to the EP.but got worried as they got worse by the days.3 days ago went 4 an ultrsound and a small cyst was detected on my left ovary.I am now on antibiotics hoping they get rid of the cyst.goodluck yall,and please if and when you feel something's wrong do something about it before its too late.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I had my right Fallopian tube removed because of a tubal pregnancy. Now over 30+years later my lower abdomen is hard as a brick and sometimes quite painful. Going to the Doctor next week to see what’s going on. Praying it’s not cancer but something that can be treated with medication.
Avatar universal
Well, im young.. and alot of what you both have mentions does seem simiular to me.. im unsure about it all. i think it might be a torn muscle since i do cheer and i guess it could happen? Im unsur on how to tell my mom cause me and my boyfriend do have sex and i took a pregnancy test and it came back negative but then i wonder whats wrong with me?

any suggestions on how to tell her about this.. cause im starting to get worried a bit..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh yeah, and it is usually hard.. it varies day to day
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Avatar universal
Hi Kelly,

I think I might have the same thing, but I haven't gone to the doctors yet because I didn't think much of it (since I'm "irregular" sometimes) and sometimes after my period it goes away for a couple days but it would come back. It's not as noticeable when I'm standing up, it just looks like a gained a little weight. But when I lay down flat on my back it bulges out.. and I don't feel any pain. Is that similar to yours? If so, I'm really scared :\ I need to make an appointment with my doctor asap.
Helpful - 0
672990 tn?1235143638
Update!

My lower abdomen kept getting bigger and bigger so I finally went for a second opinion. She sent me for an ultrasound and I have a giant ovarian cyst.

I'm going to see the oncologist next week just b/c there's a slim possibility it might be ovarian cancer (I'm not worried since I'm only 25 and that's rare) and hopefully he will be scheduling my surgery date too since I am beyond ready to get this thing out. I look like I'm 6 months pregnant! It's going to be some major surgery since it's so big and I'm looking aat about a month's recovery time at least.

I hope you figure out what's going on with you! Don't leave there with the answer I got the first time...ask for an ultrasound for sure just to check so if it is a cyst or something, they can catch it more quickly than they caught mine.

Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Oh another thing, If your worried.. yes get a second opinion.. thats what I am doing this coming saturday. x
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Avatar universal
Kelly, I have this too! exactly the same, exept with mine I get a lot of pain, like a period pain. My lower abdomen is really hard too.. when I went to the docs they put it down to IBS but I am thinking mine is an ovary problem or PID.

mine gets worse in the morning so maybe I have what you have.. all the possibilitys are stressing me out.. I just want to know what it is!

I think the doc was right about yours and the way you sleep perhaps, don't too do much physical activity.

Is your lower tummy hard all the time?

I hope it gets better soon- x

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