Re: Swelling Belly
From: Tina (tina_jernigan@yahoo.com)
Mon Nov 29 22:11:31 2004
Hi Elaine and Others Who've Struggled with Swelling Belly
I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 5.5 wks ago today. I had fibroid
tumors, a very large uterus and ovaries, both covered with endometriosis
adhesions. My periods were ~18 days long and I was severely exhausted.
I never had a swollen belly until after my hysterectomy.
When I came home from the hospital, my stomach was flat. I recovered in
bed or the couch for the first two weeks eating next to nothing. I had
no appetite. When I did begin to eat some (drink and maybe a meal a
day), I started noticing my stomach swelling. I had this lower right
sided pelvic pain. I would be doubled over in pain when I walked
around. Over the course of the last three weeks, my stomach has swelled
so large that I look 5 months pregnant. No joke. I can't wear anything
but huge sweat pants. None of my clothes fit. It does start small in
the am and by night, I'm sick from my stomach pressing my chest up
(stomach) so high that it makes me ill. After 5 pregnancies, I know the
belly forcing your stomach into your throat feeling... trust me. I've
been to my doctors office 4/5 times with no results. He swears it's in
my head. He made me stay in bed for the past 5 weeks because he claims
that bedrest will make this go away. No... way. I am suffering. I am
fed up. I have had so few bowel movements since the surgery. I have
had a strong history of endom. since my teenage years. My doctor
claims that my bowels are fine, but they don't act fine. Everytime I
drink anything or eat anything my stomach blows up over the course of
the day like a balloon. I feel like if it gets any bigger, I'm gonna
float away like Mary Poppins.
I just don't know who to turn to about this problem. Do you have any
suggestions? My gyn who did the surgery is useless. Should I pursue a
G.I. doctor?
--
Tina
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