Help with abdomen distension?
ArcticSero
Posts: 63 Member
I made an appointment with my doctor but the soonest he can see me is Feb 14th.
Basically, what foods can help me cut down on bloating/abdomen distension?
This has been ongoing for a couple of weeks to the point I just can't eat because I feel full despite not eating anything or very much. I've been having nausea and vomiting as well. I also increased badly in weight to the point I gained stretch marks on my stomach which is not only embarrassing but it's also making me want to cry.
I drink plenty of water, I start out my day drinking one bottle (16.9 fl oz), another before lunch, and another before I go to bed. (Of course I drink water in between as well).
I don't drink soda or juices. I may have the occasional cup of tea but normally I don't add any sugar. My diet hasn't changed at all, if anything it's been getting better.
I have been taking over the counter medications to help but I'm worried that I'm taking them too much and they still don't help with the bloating/distension/tightness I'm feeling in my abdomen.
Just, can anyone help me before I break down? These stretchmarks were the last straw, especially since I already have them on my hips from growth when I was a kid, on my stomach is just making me more insecure.
Basically, what foods can help me cut down on bloating/abdomen distension?
This has been ongoing for a couple of weeks to the point I just can't eat because I feel full despite not eating anything or very much. I've been having nausea and vomiting as well. I also increased badly in weight to the point I gained stretch marks on my stomach which is not only embarrassing but it's also making me want to cry.
I drink plenty of water, I start out my day drinking one bottle (16.9 fl oz), another before lunch, and another before I go to bed. (Of course I drink water in between as well).
I don't drink soda or juices. I may have the occasional cup of tea but normally I don't add any sugar. My diet hasn't changed at all, if anything it's been getting better.
I have been taking over the counter medications to help but I'm worried that I'm taking them too much and they still don't help with the bloating/distension/tightness I'm feeling in my abdomen.
Just, can anyone help me before I break down? These stretchmarks were the last straw, especially since I already have them on my hips from growth when I was a kid, on my stomach is just making me more insecure.
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Replies
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With the distension, nausea and vomiting I would try to get in to the doctor sooner than the 14th. Can you try to get an emergency appointment or get on the call list if someone else cancels?4
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With the distension, nausea and vomiting I would try to get in to the doctor sooner than the 14th. Can you try to get an emergency appointment or get on the call list if someone else cancels?
It's a military hospital so kinda/not really if that makes sense. I could go to the urgent care there, but the urgent care with my hospital sucks as well and they'll only give me a look over and make sure I'm not in danger of immediately dying and tell me to make an appointment with my doctor. I'm a dependent civilian too so military kinda goes first and then everyone else afterwards cause priority.
I just want to find out some natural ways to help until then. It's just very discomforting and it's taking a huge toll on my already low self esteem.
Edit: just called to see if they can somehow get me in sooner the answer is no. Feb 14th is the soonest they can see me. So I just have to deal until then.0 -
Are you constipated? You should have at least 1 bowel movement every day. Are you meeting your fiber requirements every day?
I would cut out ALL gluten (bread, pasta, crackers, cookies, tortillas, muffins, cereal, etc), reduce processed foods, cut out most dairy except maybe yogurt, take probiotics, eat plenty of veggies and greens, eat some dried fruit like dried apricots (unsweetened, unsulfured) or dates, drink some prune juice, have fresh whole fruit (not juice) like melon or blueberries or apples or ripe bananas... drink at LEAST 2 liters of water per day... try to get plenty of sleep and take some walks to get things moving.
That's what I would do from a natural standpoint but there could be a blockage or something more complicated than just normal bloating or bein backed up if it's lasting more than a couple days and actually causing stretch marks and vomiting so I would definitely go to the urgent care just to be sure it's not something more serious going on.3 -
1 possibility is a wheat allergy.2
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It worries me that this is not the result of a change in diet but you said your diet has been getting "better"- what does better mean to you? What did you change?
Also if it is a blockage it doesn't matter what you do you need to get medical intervention to fix that so if you are not having bowel movements see a doctor asap do not wait.5 -
courtneyfabulous wrote: »It worries me that this is not the result of a change in diet but you said your diet has been getting "better"- what does better mean to you? What did you change?
Also if it is a blockage it doesn't matter what you do you need to get medical intervention to fix that so if you are not having bowel movements see a doctor asap do not wait.
Normal bowel movements and better as in more fruits and vegetables than I used to eat and I cut down heavily on how much grains/red meat that I eat. I meant no change as in nothing out of the ordinary since I started my diet 2 months ago but also better than I used to eat where it was more red meat/grains and little vegetables/fruits. Could that have caused anything?
I am meeting the fiber recommendation on site but I tend to go over that usually due to the vegetables I eat.
I could go to the urgent care at my hospital but they're garbage and will just give a narcotic/some other type of pain pill to help the pain and tell me to follow up with my doctor. That or you get a huge attitude there about something minor.
I'll try to cut out more grain products, I do tend to eat cereal for breakfast and I could change that to some type of fruit salad until I can get in to see my doctor. I don't tend to eat much dairy, but I'll pick up on the yogurt then.0 -
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Too much fiber?4
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First thing, call your Primary's office, and tell them that you need to be seen sooner than the 14th and request a referral to a civilian practice. If they don't do this, you need to fill out an ICE form, heck even if they do, still fill out an ICE form. The clinics only get better, if you complain about the long waits.
Number two, if you are having regular bowel movements, but you have distension and pain, you need to get a pregnancy test done ASAP. Nausea and vomiting, plus weight gain are the major symptoms of pregnancy. When you add in pain, that can be a red flag6 -
courtneyfabulous wrote: »Are you constipated? You should have at least 1 bowel movement every day. Are you meeting your fiber requirements every day?
I would cut out ALL gluten (bread, pasta, crackers, cookies, tortillas, muffins, cereal, etc), reduce processed foods, cut out most dairy except maybe yogurt, take probiotics, eat plenty of veggies and greens, eat some dried fruit like dried apricots (unsweetened, unsulfured) or dates, drink some prune juice, have fresh whole fruit (not juice) like melon or blueberries or apples or ripe bananas... drink at LEAST 2 liters of water per day... try to get plenty of sleep and take some walks to get things moving.
That's what I would do from a natural standpoint but there could be a blockage or something more complicated than just normal bloating or bein backed up if it's lasting more than a couple days and actually causing stretch marks and vomiting so I would definitely go to the urgent care just to be sure it's not something more serious going on.
No. Don't cut gluten before testing is done. It will mess with the results of many tests. It may improve, but it may be something else you are doing and you won't know which one.4 -
as a military dependant you can use the walk-in urgent care clinics (like patientfirst) - many of them also function as primary care
you need to see someone sooner than the 14th - fill in an ICE form like @MamaRiss said - keep calling back for appointments to see if there are cancellations - basically bug the ever-lovin *kitten* outta them (as AD military I had to do this to get appointments before I deployed one year and it pissed me off - I ended up getting an O6 involved)4 -
singingflutelady wrote: »Too much fiber?
Going from very little fiber to a lot all in one shot can create nasty gastro issues, but it usually hits pretty fast, not weeks or months later.1 -
Take a look at low FODMAP in the time being. If you've had an increase in fruit and veg this could be the case.1
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ArcticSero wrote: »courtneyfabulous wrote: »It worries me that this is not the result of a change in diet but you said your diet has been getting "better"- what does better mean to you? What did you change?
Also if it is a blockage it doesn't matter what you do you need to get medical intervention to fix that so if you are not having bowel movements see a doctor asap do not wait.
Normal bowel movements and better as in more fruits and vegetables than I used to eat and I cut down heavily on how much grains/red meat that I eat. I meant no change as in nothing out of the ordinary since I started my diet 2 months ago but also better than I used to eat where it was more red meat/grains and little vegetables/fruits. Could that have caused anything?
I am meeting the fiber recommendation on site but I tend to go over that usually due to the vegetables I eat.
I could go to the urgent care at my hospital but they're garbage and will just give a narcotic/some other type of pain pill to help the pain and tell me to follow up with my doctor. That or you get a huge attitude there about something minor.
I'll try to cut out more grain products, I do tend to eat cereal for breakfast and I could change that to some type of fruit salad until I can get in to see my doctor. I don't tend to eat much dairy, but I'll pick up on the yogurt then.
Have you been staying within your calories limit? Could it be set incorrectly? It's completely possible to over eat healthy foods and gain weight. It could be actual weight gain if you're eating too much. What is your height and weight and activity level and current calorie goal? Also how are you doing on your macronutrients? Do you find yourself way over on carbs? Low in protein? Of the opposite?
Also maybe your body is having trouble with the increased fiber? Most people benefit from increased fiber but some people actually react badly. If it's that then ignore my previous advice about prune juice and dried fruit etc - but do still try taking a probiotic supplement.
Also I would cut out gluten/wheat for now just in case. I had issues with gluten my whole life and never knew what it was til I cut it out and felt better. I used to get symptoms like bloated stomach, gas, sharp stomach pains, itregular movements, lethargy, etc from consuming foods with gluten but it was in my diet multiple times a day and you don't always get the symptoms immediately after eating it and it has to be out of your system a while (like a few days to a few weeks even) before things improve so it took me a long time to figure it out.
Also look up "fodmap" online and see if anything there seems to correlate. Not all allergies are gluten- and you might be more along the lines of fodmap since you are having issues after eating healthier...
Sometimes it just takes your flora a while to adjust to a new diet. It took me a good couple weeks to a month to adjust when I increased my protein intake and all kinds of tummy distress at first, but now I'm fine.0 -
You know really I don't think there is much you can do. Judging by what you say with the sudden bloating and other symptoms this could be something diet related or or some physical abnormality that needs to be treated. Bowel obstructions and things like that can cause sudden symptoms such as this. Try eliminating dairy and all grains. If it is an allergy to something like dairy you will see relief when you eliminate the allergen. However This could easily be a food allergy or something worse. I hope you feel better soon and I hope you get seen soon!0
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Also... could you be pregnant? Just a thought.0
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courtneyfabulous wrote: »Also... could you be pregnant? Just a thought.
I keep going back to this and someone else already asked. Hate to ask the obvious, but......1 -
courtneyfabulous wrote: »Also... could you be pregnant? Just a thought.
That's what I first thought of-don't know if OP is a guy or girl but sure sounds like pregnancy symptoms
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crzycatlady1 wrote: »courtneyfabulous wrote: »Also... could you be pregnant? Just a thought.
That's what I first thought of-don't know if OP is a guy or girl but sure sounds like pregnancy symptoms
I checked and it said "Her" profile is set to private
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crzycatlady1 wrote: »courtneyfabulous wrote: »Also... could you be pregnant? Just a thought.
That's what I first thought of-don't know if OP is a guy or girl but sure sounds like pregnancy symptoms
It honestly does now that I re-read the original post...1 -
singingflutelady wrote: »Too much fiber?
My guess as well. Eating more fruits and veggies means more fibre, but you need to balance that out with fluids and fat.1 -
Jesus, how do people survive there when a doctors appointment takes weeks?!2
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hellobaconplease wrote: »Jesus, how do people survive there when a doctors appointment takes weeks?!
My family's never had to wait for longer than 2 hours for an emergency appointment with our regular doctors/pediatrician/dentist. And for evenings/weekends we just go to a local urgent care clinic and for $150 we can get just about anything checked out (x-rays are a bit extra, but they'll do them right there as well). I guess having a crappy HSA/high deductible insurance plan does have its perks because most times we're paying cash and they can always fit us in
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Here in Canada long waits are not unusual especially for referrals. Been waiting over 3 months to get in with a colorectal surgeon and haven't even gotten a call for my consultantion appointment (you usually get the call a few months before you the appointment). Just sooo frustrating.2
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singingflutelady wrote: »Here in Canada long waits are not unusual especially for referrals. Been waiting over 3 months to get in with a colorectal surgeon and haven't even gotten a call for my consultantion appointment (you usually get the call a few months before you the appointment). Just sooo frustrating.
That's awful!0 -
Get sent to a GI specialist and have them test for celiac disease. Those were my symptoms. Even after going gluten free because I didn't understand how bad cross contamination was. You need to be eating gluten daily for a month or more for accurate results. Also, a biopsy is really the best way to get diagnosed.
They were going to take my gallbladder out but I fought to keep it. I'm glad I did because I later learned gallbladder disease and stones are linked to celiac. I've not had problems with it since I've been very careful with gluten.
Other foods that cause me bloating are corn, dairy, oats, and some beans. Corn, oats, and buckwheat also cause bad inflammation and pain in my joints. I feel much better when I eat a paleo type diet. I say type because I still eat occasional rice and quinoa and white potatoes and raw cheese. I've been indulging too much and my neck is very bad again so I know I need to stop. If course everybody is different so these foods may not bother you. Good luck!4 -
courtneyfabulous wrote: »crzycatlady1 wrote: »courtneyfabulous wrote: »Also... could you be pregnant? Just a thought.
That's what I first thought of-don't know if OP is a guy or girl but sure sounds like pregnancy symptoms
It honestly does now that I re-read the original post...
No way to be pregnant, it's been well over a year and a half now since I got any action unless the baby just decided to stay in the oven a lot longer.
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courtneyfabulous wrote: »ArcticSero wrote: »courtneyfabulous wrote: »It worries me that this is not the result of a change in diet but you said your diet has been getting "better"- what does better mean to you? What did you change?
Also if it is a blockage it doesn't matter what you do you need to get medical intervention to fix that so if you are not having bowel movements see a doctor asap do not wait.
Normal bowel movements and better as in more fruits and vegetables than I used to eat and I cut down heavily on how much grains/red meat that I eat. I meant no change as in nothing out of the ordinary since I started my diet 2 months ago but also better than I used to eat where it was more red meat/grains and little vegetables/fruits. Could that have caused anything?
I am meeting the fiber recommendation on site but I tend to go over that usually due to the vegetables I eat.
I could go to the urgent care at my hospital but they're garbage and will just give a narcotic/some other type of pain pill to help the pain and tell me to follow up with my doctor. That or you get a huge attitude there about something minor.
I'll try to cut out more grain products, I do tend to eat cereal for breakfast and I could change that to some type of fruit salad until I can get in to see my doctor. I don't tend to eat much dairy, but I'll pick up on the yogurt then.
Have you been staying within your calories limit? Could it be set incorrectly? It's completely possible to over eat healthy foods and gain weight. It could be actual weight gain if you're eating too much. What is your height and weight and activity level and current calorie goal? Also how are you doing on your macronutrients? Do you find yourself way over on carbs? Low in protein? Of the opposite?
Also maybe your body is having trouble with the increased fiber? Most people benefit from increased fiber but some people actually react badly. If it's that then ignore my previous advice about prune juice and dried fruit etc - but do still try taking a probiotic supplement.
Also I would cut out gluten/wheat for now just in case. I had issues with gluten my whole life and never knew what it was til I cut it out and felt better. I used to get symptoms like bloated stomach, gas, sharp stomach pains, itregular movements, lethargy, etc from consuming foods with gluten but it was in my diet multiple times a day and you don't always get the symptoms immediately after eating it and it has to be out of your system a while (like a few days to a few weeks even) before things improve so it took me a long time to figure it out.
Also look up "fodmap" online and see if anything there seems to correlate. Not all allergies are gluten- and you might be more along the lines of fodmap since you are having issues after eating healthier...
Sometimes it just takes your flora a while to adjust to a new diet. It took me a good couple weeks to a month to adjust when I increased my protein intake and all kinds of tummy distress at first, but now I'm fine.
My calorie limit is 1,450 and I've been staying well within that, being sure to log everything I put in my mouth and if I can't log it then I try not to eat it (such as when someone brings something in at work). So far been going good with this. I'm 5'8" and 210ish is where I've been hovering at. My activity level is about 30 mins of high intensity exercise but I also do a lot of walking due to my job and due to interning at a farm.
I was thinking the increased fiber as well, but it's not like I sharply increased it. I've been on the diet for a 3-4 months now and lost quite a bit of weight.
I'll be sure to look up the fodmap online though, thank you a lot of your advice!0 -
Double posting, triple posting, to say Thank you to everyone who responded and gave me some tips! I tried to edit the first post but it won't let me now lmao.
I'll definitely try to fill out the ICE form for the hospital, problem is this is the same hospital where my mom's gallbladder was rupturing told her it was just indigestion she was having. Eventually she screamed at them until they did a proper blood testing and CT scan and it turns out it wasn't indigestion, her gallbladder was actively about to burst or w/e. She was then rushed for emergency surgery where the surgeon lectured her about coming in sooner and how if she waited a little longer she could have died. (Despite her coming in and making a ton of doctor appointments and going to the ER a lot it was still her fault somehow
)
Also the same hospital that looked over lung cancer that one of our neighbors had, claiming it was just pneumonia. He died sadly.
Overall, terrible hospital and it's starting to slowly close down as we lost the ER section of it but we're not getting transferred yet to a civilian hospital (sadly) as it'll take some time to find out who gets the contract.
I'll definitely head to an urgent care if the discomfort/distension/pain gets worse. A lot of our urgent cares aren't that great though either. Medical care in this town kinda sucks.
Just thank you a lot guys! I'll try to implement all of your advice.3 -
ArcticSero wrote: »Double posting, triple posting, to say Thank you to everyone who responded and gave me some tips! I tried to edit the first post but it won't let me now lmao.
I'll definitely try to fill out the ICE form for the hospital, problem is this is the same hospital where my mom's gallbladder was rupturing told her it was just indigestion she was having. Eventually she screamed at them until they did a proper blood testing and CT scan and it turns out it wasn't indigestion, her gallbladder was actively about to burst or w/e. She was then rushed for emergency surgery where the surgeon lectured her about coming in sooner and how if she waited a little longer she could have died. (Despite her coming in and making a ton of doctor appointments and going to the ER a lot it was still her fault somehow )
Also the same hospital that looked over lung cancer that one of our neighbors had, claiming it was just pneumonia. He died sadly.
Overall, terrible hospital and it's starting to slowly close down as we lost the ER section of it but we're not getting transferred yet to a civilian hospital (sadly) as it'll take some time to find out who gets the contract.
I'll definitely head to an urgent care if the discomfort/distension/pain gets worse. A lot of our urgent cares aren't that great though either. Medical care in this town kinda sucks.
Just thank you a lot guys! I'll try to implement all of your advice.
Dear lord.... I hate to say maybe you should just "visit" a friend or relative or empty hotel room out of town and go into an urgent care or ER elsewhere! This hospital you describe sounds more like a death chamber where hope of accurate diagnosis is not likely.1
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