one for the ladies!

[cazz22]

can anyone tell me if they have a tum with this pbc.ive lost weight but seemed to have added inches round my waist and upper abdomen.now buy non wired bras and bra extenders.is it me or cos ive just done menapause or pbc.opinions please! solutions would be even better! thanks as always.

[Hidden]

I just lost 25lbs on a healthy almost Gluten free diet, but I still have, what I call, my kangaroo pouch below the waist and a slight roll above the waist. Is this PBC related or just age and lack of exercise, I wonder? I am a US size 10 and really am not bothered by it that much. I suppose getting to the gym would help or maybe dropping a few more pounds, but at my age a little extra padding is beneficial.

? Judi

[JennerLayne]

I've also reduced my weight by 32 lbs.in 3 months on a gluten free diet and still have a roll above my waist even though the semi-hard bulge and bloat have finally left my stomach.. I've always assumed that abdominal laparoscopic surgery for removal of my gallbladder and appendix were to blame, since perhaps the muscle walls were cut through. I haven't done any abdominal exercises due to fatigue, but am quite curious if perhaps it would tighten with exercise, as I've been on the 'overweight side' for about 30 years. I'm also in peri-menopause and do believe my body is reshaping as hormones change.

[Hidden]

The only time I seem to feel a bit blown-up round the tummy area is a week before that time of the month (I've not gone through he menopause yet, I'm 49 but my cycle has spaced out a bit and I was informed at the GP surgery if that has occurred in the last year then I'm known as being in the perimenopause at present).

I also occasionally feel a bit of stomach bloating due to going through odd periods of constipation which I know is due to taking urso as prior to doing so I never had the problem and it's not due to not eating enough fibre and having enough liquid throughout the day.

I've been surrounded by retired ladies for 16 years within the voluntary sector and it's not hard to notice that most of these ladies (as there are always exceptions to the 'rules'), they are rather rounded round the waist and hip area. I often hear it being said your body changes once you reach menopause.

I can't say for myself any exercising of the abdominal area would be good for me as my muscles there are pretty solid due to manual work in previous employments. And I'm never one for keeping still, moreso now with this PBC I find the more I move about in the waking hours, the better I somehow feel. I am on the BMI scale as daft as the thing is, panning out on the normal range.

Unfortunately my mother died when I was in my early 20s so I've not had that experience of how my mother would have aged as she was only in her early 40s. I can't even share any experience now of going through the menopause with my year younger sister as she had a hysterectomy before her 40th birthday.

[TracyLou]

Since I was 7 years old I had a stomach that sticks out, I had bowel problems since I was little, can't remember when it all started, but later I was diagnosed of having IBS. I have always looked pregnant. I hate it! but all the exercise in the world has never worked, even in my twenties I was 8st and I still had it. I am overweight now, but trying really hard to lose it.

My mother was skinny with a flat stomach all her life and put on weight with a big stomach when she hit the menopause.

[Ellanvannin]

I too have a massive stomach. Sometimes I can feel it blowing up almost to the point that I feel that it will burst!! I always wear long skirts which helps to disguise the fact and I do not look too bad in shorts, but short ,knee length skirts make me look like a lamp shade.

I cannot pin it down to any particular food unless it is gluten, wheat or dairy produce intolerance and the thought of going on an elimination diet is just more than I can cope with. I try not to talk while I am eating in case this makes you swallow more air.

I did go to lymph drainage for a while and it was amazing how much fluid I retained, and after a treatment passed. Problem was it was expensive taking nearly all my pension to pay for it, so rightly or wrongly I stopped going.

[Hidden]

I never get a bloated stomach. I have flab above and below the waist and would probably be a great candidate for a tummy tuck. I try not to be ego or vanity driven when it comes to my body. I took the weight off so I could feel better and be less fatigued. Looking better was a pleasant side affect. <3 Judi

[petula]

I too get swollen just under the bra area, which I think is my gall bladder. waiting to have it investigated, just had a scan on it Petula

[uitlander]

I have notice that in the last year for the first time in my life I have an above waist bulge in the abdomen area but not increased fat on my rib cage

I have also been wondering if it was age/PBC.My neighbour and daughter reckon it is age +excess weight

I keep planning to do more exercise and lose weight to see what happens. . I think like Judi(Healthangel) I'll be doing it in the hope that I am less tired.

I look forward to hearing Petula's out come as I do have pain over gallbladder area if I eat fatty things.

[witchiegirl]

I am 52, still having periods - a bit more spaced out - and find it varies in course of day. I am on steroids for AIH stuff (have overlap type thing). I have gained weight on steroids this year, sadly cos I lost lots a few years ago - BMI now hovering around 30. Too tired to exercise much, but trying to eat as little cake as possible. LOL. When I lost the weight before, I was walking more (at best 1/2 hr of brisk walking every other day), and eating low fat, mostly. And it worked! Though I was still overweight, I had rippling muscles (don't laugh!) so everything was firmer, esp on bum and thighs. I am busty, and they didn't shrink, but for first time since last baby probably, I had bust that definitely stuck out further than belly. And a waist! So it can be done - and I enjoyed the results so eventually liked the exercise. I tell myself this is just a blip for me ......