Becoming incredibly frustrated with my stomach, please help. (Medical?) (pics)

[Christine]

I wanted to share this picture just to show how out of place my stomach is. I'm not claiming to be in great shape but I think I have thin hips, a thin waist, thin arms,thin legs.. but my stomach is huge (can't really tell from this picture, but look above..). I know that people carry fat differently but are many people "skinny" with huge stomachs?

[Christine]

Originally Posted by Big Guns

diet. Can you pinch quite a bit of skin? You obviously store your body fat there and not in your arms, back, legs.

I want to say you diet has changed more than you think or will admit too. Not a flame.... My stomach will bloat if I eat too much rice(brown) and will be flat in the am.

We'll fix ya right up.

Just wanted to address these two.

I can pinch skin. I know there's a lot of fat there. But, at the same time, it's like if I try to feel under/below the fat, it feels like my abdomen is swollen. Like even if I lost the fat it'd still be sticking out.. almost like my organs are swollen or something. That could just be my perception and not be the case.

As far as the diet: I won't deny for one minute that it has changed dramatically. I still don't eat junk food or any white flour, sugar, etc. But my macros are way off (and different every day) and my calories are all over the place. I just thought I could try to be a little more casual about it. I didn't think not being perfect would cause this much fat gain.

[Sam]

Are you in any physical pain at all? Do you notice this happening more/less after eating certain foods/drinks? Does it happen more at certain times of the month? Is it worse at certain times of the day? Do you feel uncomfortable/sick/lethargic?

My first inclination is that it might be a food allergy. Have you started taking any prescription medicines lately? Have you taken antibiotics in the last 6 months? Do you take any other supplements that you can't immediately rule out as a contributory factor?

Any health food shop should be able to assess your food tolerance/intolerance for a small fee. Perhaps it might be worth giving that a try? If nothing else it might help you rule out things that AREN'T causing your problems.

Christine - im not a doctor but i would recommend you see a specialist. I mean believe me, people will try and help you as much as they can but no-one is qualified to give out medical advice, and isn't your health worth the money?

I really hope you get to the root of all this. I certainly seems a strange manifestation of a food allergy, but then anything is possible

[Christine]

Originally Posted by Sam

Are you in any physical pain at all? Do you notice this happening more/less after eating certain foods/drinks? Does it happen more at certain times of the month? Is it worse at certain times of the day? Do you feel uncomfortable/sick/lethargic?

My first inclination is that it might be a food allergy. Have you started taking any prescription medicines lately? Have you taken antibiotics in the last 6 months? Do you take any other supplements that you can't immediately rule out as a contributory factor?

Any health food shop should be able to assess your food tolerance/intolerance for a small fee. Perhaps it might be worth giving that a try? If nothing else it might help you rule out things that AREN'T causing your problems.

Christine - im not a doctor but i would recommend you see a specialist. I mean believe me, people will try and help you as much as they can but no-one is qualified to give out medical advice, and isn't your health worth the money?

I really hope you get to the root of all this. I certainly seems a strange manifestation of a food allergy, but then anything is possible

I'll try to answer all of these!

The past few days my whole abdomen has been sore like I just did 1,000 crunches or something, when I haven't. But I'd say it's more mild discomfort and not pain. There's also a feeling of tightness. Hard to explain.

I'd say it happens more later at night but I have yet to pinpoint which foods may be causing it.

I don't think it happens more certain times of the month.

I always feel tired, sick, and lethargic. I thought a good diet would help give me energy but it never really did.

No medicine or antibiotics in the past few months. I use Whey protein powder like once every 7-10 days, usually in a recipe. I haven't had any in a while. I don't use any supplements at all.

What can the health food shop do? I really have no money. I'm going through extreme financial difficulties right now. I don't pay for internet or anything or I'd cancel that and get my health evaluated. I only pay for necessities (and payment on debts).

My initial thought was some sort of food allergy/intolerance but I never feel sick after eating. I thought vomiting or feeling sick to your stomach was one of the main symptoms. I have, however, been dealing with some really strange rashes. I'll get one on a random place (for example, I have one on my shoulder right now) and it'll just stay there for 6-12 months. Yes, I said months. The shape, color, texture, etc. doesn't change at all. Then, it randomly goes away one day. Creams/medicines don't help. Here's a picture of the one I have now. Not the best shot but you get the point. It hasn't changed at ALL in about 3-4 months and nothing seems to help. Maybe there's no correlation between the two but this is another little mystery I am dealing with.

[Big Guns]

You NEED to go to a Dr. ASAP. Find a way and do it. This is not a diet problem. If your stomach is sore.....it's telling you something.

[getfit74]

Yeah I suggest some how some way making your way to a doctor ASAP and getting the problem diagnosed.

My gf has the same build as you. A few years back her stomach was bloating and was even more pronounced than yours. To make a long story short it was her Gall Bladder she had it removed and hasn't had any problems since and has a flat stomach now. Just something to consider, but you really need to see a doctor to find out for sure what's going on.

[Christine]

I will see a Doctor as soon as I can.

Thanks, guys.

[adinaluvsch]

Major gas-retention foods: BROCCOLI (guess why? Your body can't actually digest certain types of fiber, so the bacteria in your digestive tract feed on them and produce major gases in the process)...sugar-free ANYTHING....and Lite Yogurt for the same reasons. Artificial sugars cause bloating and gas in many people.
Take a look at your bowel movement schedule, too. May sound gross (it doesn't bother me a bit, b/c I have to ask patients this every day). How often (at least 2x/week, usually), what consistency(hard or soft), and is it really floating on top of the water or partially sinking (not digesting fats properly if it is floating).
The tight and hard feeling in your abdomen is not healthy. It should feel soft. Are you experiencing any pain? Do you "feel full?" Or is it affecting your appetite? Any nausea?

Edit: You're in the United States, correct? Find one of those Medcheck centers, or something like that. I went there when I had no insurance and no money (very poor student). They see you and refer you to a doctor for treatment and work with your money situation.
You really need to see a doctor before something ruptures or something and you are deathly ill.

[Christine]

Originally Posted by adinaluvsch

Major gas-retention foods: BROCCOLI (guess why? Your body can't actually digest certain types of fiber, so the bacteria in your digestive tract feed on them and produce major gases in the process)...sugar-free ANYTHING....and Lite Yogurt for the same reasons. Artificial sugars cause bloating and gas in many people.
Take a look at your bowel movement schedule, too. May sound gross (it doesn't bother me a bit, b/c I have to ask patients this every day). How often (at least 2x/week, usually), what consistency(hard or soft), and is it really floating on top of the water or partially sinking (not digesting fats properly if it is floating).
The tight and hard feeling in your abdomen is not healthy. It should feel soft. Are you experiencing any pain? Do you "feel full?" Or is it affecting your appetite? Any nausea?

Edit: You're in the United States, correct? Find one of those Medcheck centers, or something like that. I went there when I had no insurance and no money (very poor student). They see you and refer you to a doctor for treatment and work with your money situation.
You really need to see a doctor before something ruptures or something and you are deathly ill.

Thank you for the response.

Not sure if you were really asking these questions, but I have very few (once a week?) bowel movements, they're usually really thin (as if they struggled to come out) and soft. Almost soft to the point that they don't stay together; but they do. I'm not really sure if they float. I'd say yes, but I never paid too much attention.

As far as pain, I don't really have a lot. I mean my stomach feels sore sometimes (as if I did some an ab workout) but I never feel pain or anything that would cause a lot of alarm. It felt very hard/tight that night but has returned to normal since then. I'm assuming it was something I ate but I have no clue what.

If it's back to normal, can I assume that nothing is going to rupture? Or would you still say I should have it checked out? I think I'll wait a month or two until my insurance goes through. I think if it was a problem where something could rupture or whatnot, I'd be experience intense pain. Please correct me if I'm wrong. You're the specialist (well, you work in this realm in some way..), not me.

Thank you.

[Big Guns]

1 BM/week is NOT GOOD. 1/day if you are eating at all. Get your A$$ to the Dr. Monday. This is a serious problem.

[Christine]

Originally Posted by Big Guns

1 BM/week is NOT GOOD. 1/day if you are eating at all. Get your A$$ to the Dr. Monday. This is a serious problem.

That's normal for me. Since I was a baby it's been that way. I don't think it's serious to the point I need to rush to the hospital. I cannot afford it. They just sued me for 2k and I have another court date next month where I am being sued for 10k. I can't afford to buy food. I definitely can't afford another outrageous Doctor bill.

I will go as soon as I can.

I am going to stop posting here before people think I'm getting an attitude. I'm just really frustrated. I try to get help somewhere It'd be free (here) and people just tell me to go pay a Doctor.

Oh well.

Thank you guys for trying to help.

If you have any more advice to offer, please PM me.

[Big Guns]

Normal for you is STILL abnormal. Why are you being sued?
My new advice is let it go and start saving for a casket. I am sorry, but there is a problem here and you don't seem to want to listen. I know $$$ is tight, but if you still refuse all options of going to A Dr. Soon the $$$ won't matter. PLEASE GET SOME HELP!!!!!! I do care!

[Christine]

I absolutely cannot afford to see a Doctor. I guess I can sell my computer and go, that's really my only option.

Thank you for caring but sometimes something just can't be done. Hopefully I don't die tomorrow. If I was in intense pain or something I'd go but I've been dealing with this for years and I don't think it's about to kill me. That's why I was just wondering if anyone else had experience with food intolerances and stuff.

My stomach is back to 'normal' with just a little roll of fat on the bottom. Now I just need to figure out which food caused the bloating and swelling.

I'm being sued for a hospital bill and an apartment lease. Both long stories.

[Big Guns]

My stomach is back to 'normal' with just a little roll of fat on the bottom. Now I just need to figure out which food caused the bloating and swelling.

Well that's good news. Do some diet investigation. Keep us posted dear!!