Abdomen feeling swollen

[Ruby1203]

Hi all,I have been in and out of hospital over the last few days with some quite severe abdominal symptoms but nothing serious has been found and the doctors that have seen me (which have been many in my time over the few days) are very certain I have IBS. I have had blood tests and physical exams to ensure there are no abnormalities, but I can feel a swollen section of my upper right abdomen despite these tests coming clear. It is just below my ribcage, on the very upper part of my abdomen. I have not had any scans (Ultrasound/MRI/etc). It is quite tender and feels out of place, but none of the doctors have mentioned anything about it so it surely cannot be anything serious but I cannot find anything online except a symptom of "swollen abdomen" which is too vague.

I am just wondering if this is a normal feeling or if it should be something I should worry about despite the many tests I've already had done? I am in the process of booking an appointment with my doctor for further testings, but if anyone else who has IBS has this as well, it will make me feel better as I am trying to do as much research as I can before I get the chance to see my doctor.

Thanks.

[Meleber]

Hi, I have had all kind of tests/examinations for my bowel but not all the currently available bowel examinations.

Till now the gastroenterologist in the Netherlands don't know what's going with my intestines but are reluctant, based on my clinical symptoms, to do some extra examinations and think that it's probably IBS.

As my body tells me otherwise I asked the specialised unit of the university hospital in Leuven, Belgium, if I could come to them to discuss the possibility of CIPO, (congential?) chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. A (local?) functional problem involving the muscles/nerves of the intestines. I'm now waiting for my (first) consult, end of September this year. My journeys to the hospitals in the Netherlands started mid 2019.

I also suffer from daily 'swollen' feeling, bowel distension but also nausea and pain.

Because of this I need to use bisacodyl several times during the day. I also have to mind what I eat and drink. It's all very plain, low fat, low fibres food and no lactose and small meals over the day. I've lost a lot of weight and struggling to lose no more.

I hope for you that the gastroenterologist is willing to do some further examinations to rule out any underlying issues with your intestines.

[Catty1234]

hi ruby , that’s where your gallbladder is located , maybe ask your doctor for an ultrasound x

[Hylda2 in reply to Catty1234]

Thinking exactly the same

[Krisbetty in reply to Hylda2]

Thats what I was thinking i have just had an abdominal scan and Gallstones were picked up on it. It can.make your rightside feel very sore and hot.

[Happygirl1963]

Hi Ruby, I feel for you because these are the things that I suffer from just now too. I’ve had gallbladder tested with apparently is on top right under right breast I’m told. They think gallstones but doesn’t seem to be that. Also, my abdomen swells a lot. I’ve had awful tummy pain and all sorts but nothing seems to come back as positive. I take Buscopan and anti nausea tablets for now and I’m eating small meals with little amounts of bread only and sugar minimum. I also have lupus and fibromyalgia so consider that it could be swelling from that which is irritating the lining of your gut because fibromyalgia makes sure ribs swell up, I have this in warm weather. I try to make sure bowels are reasonably regular although that’s not easy either and the rest is just keeping to little meals and often. I seem to feel better on less carbs and more protein for now. Hope this helps you a bit xxx

[Ruby1203]

Hi everyone, thank you all for your responses.

I have managed to contact my health care provider and I will be getting an Ultrasound sorted to find out what the issue is. I had another physical examination today and the doctor thinks it is just fatty tissue but an Ultrasound will be able to confirm that.

He confirmed it isn't serious as it isn't all that painful nor does it wiggle around when I cough, meaning it isn't a hernia.

We'll see how it goes and thank you all for your insight. It is also unlikely a gallstone as it isn't painful swelling.

[Harley1020 in reply to Ruby1203]

Hello, when I had a lot of stomach pain nothing could be found with tests or on an ultrasound. It was only when an MRI was done that a very small bile stone was found in a bile duct which was eventually removed. Hope your problem is resolved.