Stomach... swollen or just bloated?

[Charlie1979]

Hello all. I’ve posted once before but not since. I was just wondering about a swollen/bloated stomach? Is this common?

[Hidden]

The only way to know if its related to your liver is by an ultrasound or scan to see if you have any free fluid in the abdominal cavity. Typically ascites is a sign of decompensation which would be accompanied by a myriad of other symptoms as well. The only other thing I can think of where you might see some bloating directly related to the disease is if you had whats called paraumbilical recanalaization. This is when portal pressure gets rerouted through the veins that other wise are collapsed in a person after birth. This produces whats known as "Medusa Veins". They sometimes can be seen through the skin but sometimes not. Regardless the pushing up of the veins in the abdomen can make your stomach appear bloated or engorged. Again though you would need a scan to confirm this.

In both cases the stomach would be firm and not squishy. Otherwise than that it could very likely be gas. Liver disease messes with the gastrointestinal system and wouldnt be at all unlikely. If it persists get over to your doctors office and tell them what's been up (or out☺)

And they will let you know what action they feel is best to take (ie ultrasound, ct etc)

Not to seem crude but if you find youve been farting up a storm as of late.. it could very well be the GI/Gas issue!

Hope this helps some and that you get some relief soon. 🙂

[Gerbera01]

Hi there,

I had Ascites while drinking and post drinking, horrible thing to have produding out the front of you. It has been confirmed that it has gone with me, though I have days when I'm sure it's back. It's firm to touch, and the pregnancy style tops come back out, I have two wardrobes now! In my case since it has gone, if I consume salt now, boom the swollen abdomen reappears, sometimes for a couple of days. I saw my GP about it and she pokes and prods around the abdomen and can tell if it's fluid or not, and it's not fluid, it's bloat, my enemy is salt. This became an issue after the Ascites had gone. See your GP and get the poke and prod and the ultrasound. That will give you the answers you need. Best of luck, don't let it stress you out, whatever the outcome is, it can be managed.

Take care, we are all here for you 🌷🌼

[Hidden]

Hi Charlie

I've just read your brief note as well as Phoenix's well written reply which I agree with his comments.

I'm under investigation for PBC! I've recently been diagnosed with an inflammed oesophagus too which I'm now on daily medication for! My GP still wants to know why my upper gut are keeps bloating out from out of the blue which is extremely hard to touch! I eat very healthly but I'm still trying to monitor all foods to see if there is one particular item causing this re occurring problem!,

I'm starting to think it could be caused by adding a small amount of oil to salads or a little butter to scrambled eggs! If its not either I'm back to square one!

Hopefully your GP can track what's causing your problem! If your overweight and eating fatty foods this can contribute to the problem.

Take care and please keep us updated

Regards Trish

[Charlie1979 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply, what’s PBC? I’m not overweight if anything slightly underweight. I’m only 5ft 4 and quite petite. I just noticed I was starting to get bloating and panicked. My liver scans are 2 weeks today. No news from consultants regarding blood results so hoping that’s a good sign. Just terrified in all honesty.

[Hidden in reply to Charlie1979]

Hi Charlie

Firstly thanks for message!

PBC stand for Primary Bilary Cirrhosis

I may have the none alcoholic type!

Yesterday I had a further full range of blood tests as my symptoms have increased slightly ! Bloating, itching,, aching muscles, feeling extremly hot with no temperature and upset tummy over the last month which I woke up with this morning.

I've already had numerous scans which have only indicated inflammed Oesophagus which I'm now on meds for! It's my bloods that indicated weak but positive for PBC so the consultant is monitoring me until I see her again in October! In the meantime I'm keeping a daily diary on my computer to show my consultant when I see her next. My GP has already got a copy hence sending me for further blood tests!

Hope your days a pleasant one and good luck with bloods and scan !

Keep in touch

X

[Charlie1979 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I hope you get on well too. I get days where I feel itchy but nothing drastic. My muscles ache but I’m not as active as I used to be. I generally feel unwell and exhausted constantly. My bloods improved greatly once I stopped drinking but feel like rubbish again now. Frustrated doesn’t come close. I hope everything can be managed for you. I’m a massive worrier so just want to know what I’m up against really. Have a good day.

[Hidden in reply to Charlie1979]

Hi Charlie

Please try not to worry to much which I know is easy for me to say when I do not know exactly what's going on with my system !

Do you have a hobby or something you've always wanted to do or overcome ?

I've got so much going on that theres not sufficient hours in the day!,

I'm currently sorting out a sky dive fundraising for myself with events and possible news paper coverage for the British Liver Trust and QE Hospital in Birmingham

I'm trying to build a Christmas tree out of pine cones 😂😂😂

I'm learning to play a guitar!

I'm promoting my new pet service business !

I'm attending night school.in October to become a teacher too! Lol !

I'm also about to sell most of my LP's on ebay too as there driving me nuts being piled up on the floor of my wee office! I'm altering clothes that are now to large after losing almost 3 stone .....😂😂😂

Do you get my picture as this is only a bit of my life as I'm also out alot looking after granddaughter and meeting up with friends and keeping hubby happy too!

I do understand your struggling with energy side of things, are you like that most of the time?

[Charlie1979 in reply to Hidden]

Hi again. I’ve bought some second furniture I’ve been saying I’ll do up. But I’m just procrastinating all the time.

Well done for going to do a skydive!!! I did one 4 years ago!! ( I’m terrified of flying and heights but I loved it!!!).

You sound a busy bee, on good days I help my husband with his business but in all honesty I’m so depressed.

Kind regards & thank you for your replies. 😊

[Hidden in reply to Charlie1979]

Hi Charlie

Apologies for the late reply but I've only just returned home and its catch up time!

Firstly is there anything I can do to help you with your depression as it's a horrid thing to suffer with when you sound like you've always been a very active person like myself previously ! Sky diving too which I congratulate you on sucessfully completing all those years ago! I'm terrified too but I must somehow get over my fear of heights ! Lol

If you want someone to privately chat with just PM me as i'm a lovely person to know !

Take care and hang on in there

Trish x

[Charlie1979 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your lovely kind reply. I’m speaking to someone tomorrow from the mental health team locally to me to see if they can help with my depression. You seem awesome. Thanks. Have a good day. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Charlie1979]

I'm still here Charlie! Just scream if you need me as my phone is usually with me 😁😁😁! Sad I know but thats me ......hehe!

Here's a hug!!!!!

Good Luck for tomorrow and dont stress about opening up ! Just be yourself

Love Trish x

[Hidden]

Hi Charlie,

There can be many clinical reasons for a bloated or swollen stomach, we would suggest you consider seeing your doctor soon so they can properly examine you and take a detailed medical history. If it is related to your liver they will then be best placed to order the next set of investigations.

Best wishes

Trust1

[Charlie1979]

Thank you. I’m due for scans in two weeks. No news on blood results so hoping that’s a good sign.