Rapid Weight Gain and Hard Swollen Abdomen

[Loweez]

I have had CLL since 2017 and am still on watch and wait, which I prefer to call No Treatment Needed. Don’t have another appointment until the end of July. Over the past month or so I’ve gained about 15 pounds, going from 130-145. I eat a healthy diet and two meals a day. There has been no change in eating habits, no pain, but my hard distended stomach makes me look and feel six months pregnant. No other part of my body has changed. I do have anemia and am a 5’2” 73 year old female. I also ride my spin bike an hour a day. Is this worth worrying about and should I see my oncologist sooner?

[lindalou5]

I had a similar issue a couple of years before being diagnosed with CLL...my gall bladder had rotted and the only symptoms I had were swollen and distended abdomen and some nausea. May have nothing to do with your problem, but just wanted to put it out there. It is a thing with me that my father had his gall bladder out right before he was diagnosed also. Just strange. I have no idea what yours could be, so good luck with it!

[Downinil]

Hi Loweez! Have you had your kidney function checked lately? Your post stated the your abdomen was distended which made me wonder if could be the cause.

[CycleWonder]

Loweez - I would not hesitate to make an appointment with your primary care doctor and your CLL Specialist. This needs looking into. Keep us posted

[Poodle2]

It could be an enlarged spleen. I could have described myself just like you did when my spleen was enlarged. I honestly looked 6 months pregnant. You didn't change your eating habits...low Hb and enlarged spleen can go hand in hand - it controls the level of red blood cells in our body and it contains white blood cells. If it is full of nonfunctional CLL B cells, it can not do its job. I would contact your GP and CLL specialist. The spleen would be palpable if enlarged and it can be checked with an ultrasound as well to measure if needed. It isn't dangerous but it is a sign of disease progression. Be careful around your stomach area, just in case it is your spleen, you don't want to rupture it - so think about sports you do, etc. All the best, let us know what you find out.

[LeoPa]

Definitely have it checked out. 15 lb in a month is a lot.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Loweez,

As the other posters have replied, your symptoms need a medical professional to diagnose the cause, and soon.

Not everything we encounter is related to our CLL,

but your GP and CLL specialist need to begin a process called differential diagnosis en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffe...

to make certain that your sudden changes are not serious or life threatening.

-

Len

[Stamphappy]

Absolutely see your doctors. 15 pounds weight gain with such a large abdomen and low hemoglobin needs attention. Be careful not to bump your abdomen or fall. Please, keep us posted. Take care.

[xpro3]

Definitely get thee to a doctor. My father had liver disease that caused debilitating bouts of ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen) and made him look pregnant. He would get it drained every month or so... sometimes up to 8 liters of fluid at a time!

Good luck and take care.

[Loweez in reply to xpro3]

Thank you. I’m making an appointment

[Bobby9toes]

As others have said, 15 pounds of weight gain in a month with no changes in your eating habits would be worrisome. Please get this checked out with either your GP or your CLL specialist. Hope it’s nothing serious. Best of luck and let us know.

Jan

[Loweez in reply to Bobby9toes]

Thank you. I’m making an appointment

[Bobby9toes in reply to Loweez]

Good for you. Hope all goes well.

[Astro617 in reply to Loweez]

I'm glad you are making an appointment. I hope you get in soon. I like your idea of calling Watch and Wait, No Treatment Needed. Thanks for that idea! Wishing you well!

[studebaker]

This calls for investigation I think you should call your doctor. Good luck 🤞🏻

Dana

[skipro]

1 recommendation

Go to ER

Skipro

[SofiaDeo]

If you can't see one of your usual docs in the next 24-48 hours, please consider visiting an Urgent Care center, if one is available wherever you are. And perhaps stay off the bike until you know what you're dealing with. If pain or other symptoms start to develop, get to an ER.

[Classicaljazz]

Can you call or message your oncologist and/or primary care provider and get an order for an same day or next day abdominal ultrasound, CT, or MRI?

[Nurseq]

Please keep us posted on what you find out. Beast wishes!