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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by saw on December 2, 2004, at 6:35:39
I have complained frequently of my huge stomach but this just can't be right. This isn't just fat anymore. My stomach has been horribly swollen and distended for a couple of weeks. It is hard and "feels" sore to the touch. I had a brown bread sandwich with lettuce and cucumber for lunch, no butter. Now my stomach has swollen even more. I am feeling so very uncomfortable and it hurts. I also feel as though my breathing isn't as "natural" as it should be. I am absolutely powerless to try and pull my stomach in. If I do, it hurts like h*ll.
I still have a couple of hours at work and don't know how I am going to get through them.
Behind my girth, there is definitely something not working as it should. I am seeing my GP tomorrow, can't be soon enough.
Sabrina
Posted by Cass on December 2, 2004, at 11:37:04
In reply to What on earth could be happening?, posted by saw on December 2, 2004, at 6:35:39
Sabrina, that's really alarming. I think you should go to the emergency room. Please.
Posted by saw on December 3, 2004, at 0:12:02
In reply to Re: What on earth could be happening? » saw, posted by Cass on December 2, 2004, at 11:37:04
Going to my doctor today and will beg him to run some tests.
Will let you know the outcome.
Posted by Cass on December 3, 2004, at 7:52:31
In reply to Re: What on earth could be happening? » Cass, posted by saw on December 3, 2004, at 0:12:02
Please do, Sabrina. I hope you're okay. I'm sending you good thoughts!
Posted by stresser on December 3, 2004, at 14:18:06
In reply to Re: What on earth could be happening? » saw, posted by Cass on December 3, 2004, at 7:52:31
Sabrina,
I just read your post, please let us know what you found out at the doctors office. I hope you are ok.....-L
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on December 3, 2004, at 22:40:57
In reply to Re: What on earth could be happening? » Cass, posted by saw on December 3, 2004, at 0:12:02
Posted by saw on December 6, 2004, at 0:59:24
In reply to Re: What on earth could be happening?, posted by stresser on December 3, 2004, at 14:18:06
that my distended abdomen is because of central viscal obesity. I am feeling a little rattled that I warrented an obese classification when I can still squeeze into a size 10. Basically the fat around my middle is placing strain on my internal organs. He said the weight gain is not *really* because of AD but probably more because of *Sabrina*.
What should I have expected? Understanding? I mentioned to a friend that I felt scared the doctor would find nothing wrong and that it would seem I was making it up. Seems I wasn't far wrong.
He has referred me to a dietician. Annoying to me since I eat properly but continue to get bigger.
My blood pressure is high and I am fatigued. Didn't have to pay him to know that.
I had blood tests for Lupus Disease (possible inherited), Liver enzymes and some other stuff.
He prescribed a diuretic for water retention. Since taking it, I go to the loo LESS than before.
I feel unwell, I feel old. My stomach still swells if I look at a lettuce leaf.
And all that's wrong with me is "Sabrina".
Posted by Cass on December 6, 2004, at 1:26:02
In reply to Doctor said, posted by saw on December 6, 2004, at 0:59:24
Obese at size 10???
I've never heard anything like that before!
I'm sorry this health issue is so uncomfortable and frustrating for you, sabrina.
I hope that somehow that extra weight drops off!
Posted by Shortelise on December 7, 2004, at 18:41:06
In reply to Doctor said, posted by saw on December 6, 2004, at 0:59:24
Want some advice?
ShortE
Posted by saw on December 8, 2004, at 0:13:28
In reply to Re: Doctor said » saw, posted by Shortelise on December 7, 2004, at 18:41:06
Always
Posted by Shortelise on December 9, 2004, at 12:32:57
In reply to Re: Doctor said » Shortelise, posted by saw on December 8, 2004, at 0:13:28
Docs are so weird, they don't consider the alternate things sometimes. They are in pancreas world, or spleen central, or thinking of some other organ.For heaven's sake!
If you can, just for ten days, eat nothing with wheat in it. See what your belly does.
If that doesn't work, try cutting out dairy - just for ten days.
Or if you have a feeling about something you eat, cut it out - for at least ten days.
This might work, who knows. So many of us don't tolerate wheat, and because we eat so much of it, our bodies do weird stuff to cope.
Keep me posted!
ShortE
Posted by Racer on December 9, 2004, at 16:20:19
In reply to Doctor said, posted by saw on December 6, 2004, at 0:59:24
You know, a very cherished friend of mine says that doctors do more damage to people than any other profession. He's not even nuts, or anything!
He says that so many doctors intimidate or insult their patients that people start avoiding doctors, and thereby avoid the possibility of catching problems in time to fix them. He's right.
Anyway, going back to you.
1. What meds are you on now?
2. Any other symptoms? Don't be shy, we've got supportive folks here, with or without medical degrees, and a lot of knowledge. What's your {ahem} digestion like? Are you, you know, "regular"?
3. Any other changes in your life occur around the time this started?
4. How long had you been on which meds when this started?
5. Do you take any vitamins or supplements? Has that changed since this weight thing started?
6. Did your doctor do any other tests? Any imaging?
7. Where, as precisely as you can describe it, is your pain located?
I do hope this finds you eased a bit, but let's get those answers and put the Babble Collective to the challenge. (You will be assimilated...)
Posted by saw on December 10, 2004, at 1:04:55
In reply to Bull droppings! » saw, posted by Racer on December 9, 2004, at 16:20:19
> 1. What meds are you on now?
Third day on Topamax 25mg, titrating to 100mg by January
> 2. Any other symptoms? Don't be shy, we've got supportive folks here, with or without medical degrees, and a lot of knowledge. What's your {ahem} digestion like? Are you, you know, "regular"?
No problems with regularity but something simply does not feel right. There is constant "motion" in my stomach and I am permanently flatulant, gassy and bloated. Of course, I can't always give in to the gas, so I become crampy too. I hate this problem. I really do.
> 3. Any other changes in your life occur around the time this started?
Nope, except for the mental depression and anxiety
> 4. How long had you been on which meds when this started?
I started Effexor in August. 6 weeks and 22lb later, it was clear to me my stomach was "ruined". Tapered from Effexor, started lamictal. No improvement. Weight only increased. Total of 33lb now.
> 5. Do you take any vitamins or supplements? Has that changed since this weight thing started?
Vitamin B6/12, Omega 3/6. I have added fat blockers and fat burners but has not stopped weight gain. It just doesn't seem as though I metabolise anything I swallow.
> 6. Did your doctor do any other tests? Any imaging?
Not sure what imaging is. Blood pressure was high and he said I was fatigued. (Paid him money for THAT?). I was screened for Lupus disease, liver enzymes were tested and some other things I can't remember. I would have heard from him by now, so apparantly all clear.
I have had thyroid checked - all clear.
> 7. Where, as precisely as you can describe it, is your pain located?It is a general thing really. My fleshy fat stomach hurts the most. It hurts externally and my organs feel tender if pressed. Doctor said that is because the fat is placing pressure on them. I guess I can understand.
I'd like to add that I retain a lot of water. I am taking a diuretic that GP prescribed but I go to the loo no more than usual. IOW, it has made no difference. My hands and around my eyes swell up, especially when I wake up in the morning. My legs and feet ache alot. It hurts to stand and my toes become red, hot and spongy. I have a child size foot and I don't think it can handle all the extra weight.
> I do hope this finds you eased a bit, but let's get those answers and put the Babble Collective to the challenge. (You will be assimilated...)Thanks Racer and everyone - would love to here your opinions.
100 year old Sabrina
Posted by Emme on December 10, 2004, at 7:24:04
In reply to Here Goes » Racer, posted by saw on December 10, 2004, at 1:04:55
Sabrina,
Have you gotten a new GP yet? If not, find one asap. Like as in yesterday.
> No problems with regularity but something simply does not feel right. There is constant "motion" in my stomach and I am permanently flatulant, gassy and bloated. Of course, I can't always give in to the gas, so I become crampy too. I hate this problem. I really do.> I started Effexor in August. 6 weeks and 22lb later, it was clear to me my stomach was "ruined". Tapered from Effexor, started lamictal. No improvement. Weight only increased. Total of 33lb now.
Are you still on Lamictal? If so, is your pdoc willing to let you try to wash out the Lamictal to see if that's the problem?
Did you eat more on the Effexor than the Lamictal than before? Eating different things? If not, your doctor can't realistically think that a dietician will solve your problem.
> > 5. Do you take any vitamins or supplements? Has that changed since this weight thing started?
>
> Vitamin B6/12, Omega 3/6. I have added fat blockers and fat burners but has not stopped weight gain. It just doesn't seem as though I metabolise anything I swallow.
>
> > 6. Did your doctor do any other tests? Any imaging?
>
> Not sure what imaging is. Blood pressure was high and he said I was fatigued. (Paid him money for THAT?). I was screened for Lupus disease, liver enzymes were tested and some other things I can't remember. I would have heard from him by now, so apparantly all clear.
> I have had thyroid checked - all clear.All other parts of your basic blood work okay? Blood sugar? I would call just to make sure - don't assume no news is good news. Did he/she order a full thyroid panel, or just TSH?
Furthermore, get a copy of the lab work!! Get copies of any lab work that was done before that. You have a right to it. I always get a copy of my lab results and keep them on file in case I want to take them to another doctor and don't want to have to bother getting doctor #1 to send them.
> > 7. Where, as precisely as you can describe it, is your pain located?
>
> It is a general thing really. My fleshy fat stomach hurts the most. It hurts externally and my organs feel tender if pressed. Doctor said that is because the fat is placing pressure on them. I guess I can understand.
>
> I'd like to add that I retain a lot of water. I am taking a diuretic that GP prescribed but I go to the loo no more than usual. IOW, it has made no difference. My hands and around my eyes swell up, especially when I wake up in the morning. My legs and feet ache alot. It hurts to stand and my toes become red, hot and spongy. I have a child size foot and I don't think it can handle all the extra weight.I wonder just how much of your 33 lbs is water. As you said, this is obviously more than gaining fat.
Good luck.
Posted by Shortelise on December 10, 2004, at 13:42:51
In reply to What on earth could be happening?, posted by saw on December 2, 2004, at 6:35:39
Saw, drink lots of water. This can be the cataylst for a diuretic to work. The more water you drink, the more you will pee, and the more you pee, the better your system gets at eliminating water.
Sometimes our bodies retain water because we are not getting enough water, so the body goes into panic mode and holds on to as much as possible.
Try it for one day, drink one large glass of water over an hour evey hour until you've had eight glasses. If you don't start producing copious amounts of light coloured urine, tell your doc.
If it works, and you pee lots (is "pee" uncivil?), keep it up, drink that much every day.
The reason I say to let your doc know if it doesn't work is that it could mean a problem with kidneys.
Normally when I start to feel water weight gain, I do that. I have never had to take diuretics because I do the water thing. It works every time. My mother taught me to do this.
Water, NOT juice, tea, coffee, soda, etc. Nice, clean, fresh, lovely water. You can have the others too, just not in place of water, but in addition to it. This is a non-invasive, non-medical way of dealing with this.
And again, I sure would consider food allergies. Elimination of suspected allergens is another non-invasive, non-medication way of trying to sort out a health problem.
ShortE
Posted by Racer on December 10, 2004, at 14:47:40
In reply to Here Goes » Racer, posted by saw on December 10, 2004, at 1:04:55
OK, I'm gonna ask you to answer that first question again, with EVERYTHING you take: the diuretic, whatever you're taking for depression/anxiety, etc.
Effexor has now been shown to screw with blood sugar for some people -- it's very, very rare, which is why it took so long to show up as an emergent side effect, and apparently it only shows up after taking it for a long time. It can also affect blood pressure.
Yes, drinking lots of water -- NOT coffee, tea, juice, etc -- will help with water retention. That's part of what the RD told me. So, drink a minimum of 64 oz per day, with more if you can, up to about 120 oz.
Even if you don't think that the dietitian can teach you anything new, go anyway, and listen with an open mind. I didn't think I'd benefit from going, and am now DELIGHTED that I get to see her weekly as part of my treatment. I knew a lot to begin with, but I've learned more already. What's more, in your situation, she can be a major advocate for you! Go see her, cooperate with her, be honest with her -- and if it's the meds, she'll be able to back you up with the doctor who's saying it's you not the meds. Don't tell her that that's why you're cooperating, of course, just say, "Oh, I thought it was the meds, but the doctor says it's me, so I want to learn how not to be heavy..." You know, channel your inner used car salesman. (Besides, you might learn new stuff, too, and that might be interesting...)
This whole thing might be related to bowel motility, but there's a lot more to check out first. We'll put that aside for now.
Dump the fat burners/fat blockers. They don't work, and your GI tract will certainly object to them. Most of them basically block the way your gut absorbs nutrients, which will make you gassy, bloated, crampy, and uncomfortable. It can also make you malnourished. Just... dump them.
Imaging would be anything like ultrasound, x-rays, etc. Pictures. They might show some of the other things it could be.
For now, here's my advice: dump the fat blockers, they won't help and can make it worse; drink lots of clear water; go to the dietitian and remind yourself that it's for your own good for the reasons mentioned above: she can go to bat for you with the doctor if it really is from the meds and it's always interesting to learn new things, so you can stretch your mind and get an advocate with the doctor just by cooperating with her.
I'll get more to you soon, but still slogging away on my own stuff right now. Sorry to be so slow...
Posted by MKB on December 15, 2004, at 18:55:16
In reply to Re: Here Goes, posted by Racer on December 10, 2004, at 14:47:40
I just want to add that since I've been off Effexor, I've been having similar problems. It seems like the Effexor just dried me out. I'm sure drinking a lot of water will help.
Posted by KayeBaby on January 2, 2005, at 17:40:40
In reply to Here Goes » Racer, posted by saw on December 10, 2004, at 1:04:55
I don't know if you have solved your problem yet but wanted to say that I had this trouble on Lamictal. I couldn't figure out from your post if you were still on it or not.
I was bloated, gassy and sore inside and out. Food went slap through me. The feeling of soreness and tenderness in my guts was really wierd.
This one of the early symptoms that I had indicating a reation to the drug.
Hope you are better!
K
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