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So swollen, not sure what to do anymore

Posted , 4 users are following.

Mummajojo1978
Mummajojo1978

Hi all

Really not sure what to do, hope someone can advise me?

My tummy has been so swollen for several weeks now. I'm on asacol 800 x 3 in the am & all my other jollop that I have to take & the inflammation doesn't seem to have reduced. I have an app with my consultant on Tues to discuss my confusing condition as following my colonoscopy & biopsies, they're now not sure if it's UC or CD! I'm starting to worry about it now as it's hard to bend & sitting is so uncomfortable. I ate very little yesterday & felt so bloated all day. Surely this isn't right or is it a known side effect? I was diagnosed on 22.8 & started meds on 26.8 so I know it's early days but wondered if this could be something else like a cyst? Should I se my gp or wait for my app on Tues?

Any advice would be much welcomed. If you're out there Jill, the buscopan worked for a day or so & then it came back so gave up with it. Did u get these symptoms for this long? My tummy feels like it's full of air or fluid when I push it. I don't have a Kate Moss body anyway but I look pregnant again :-(

Help!!! 

xxxxx

0 likes, 23 replies

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  • gabe99
    gabe99 Mummajojo1978

    Posted

    It can't hurt to call your doctor tomorrow and tell the receptionist your symptoms and ask if you can move up your appointment.
    • Mummajojo1978
      Mummajojo1978 gabe99

      Posted

      Thanks Gabe, guess it won't hurt eh? Just took a look on line which I know is probably a bad idea and it led me to the Crohn's website which all made perfect sense! I know that determining UC or Crohn's can be difficult as they are both so similar. Just hope that I get an answer soon as hate not knowing what's wrong with me :-(

      Just need a pin to pop my belly!

    • gabe99
      gabe99 Mummajojo1978

      Posted

      I guess the system in Britain is not the same as in Canada.  Many if not most specialists work at least part of the week out of their hospital offices.  If I have a problem I go straight to their offices and try to see the doctor, even if it's for no more than a few minutes and let him decide if the matter is serious or not.  It's true that I've had a long term relationship with most, but it's great to be able to do that when necessary.

      With my GI specialist I often ask my question of the secretary who asks the doctor and often the secretary gets back to me the same day.

      Keep pushing, just don't p*ss them off!

  • looloo43
    looloo43 Mummajojo1978

    Posted

    Hi,

    I have uc & am currently flaring again & every time I flare I get terrible abdominal swelling & pain like I have now, & do liken it to looking a few months pregnant! I have been told it is the inflammation in bowel. sometimes the pain is prickly/tingling, sometimes like inner soreness, sometimes deep dull crampy aching. Usually a course of steroids(prednisolone best) calms it down in fact I am seeing my doc today to try & persuade her to give me some( I have had 5 courses in 18mths due to repeat flares) I am waiting to hear from specialist as we speak about upping mesalizine too (I am only on 2.4g day & I think many types you can take more which may maintain/induce remission better) . Ask your gp or specialist if you can try oral prednisolone & some esomeprazole to protect your stomach while you take them. If you think there is some excess air in there, try lying on your left side for 15/20mins, i read thi somewhere, & it does help to "release" any air! hope this helps. xx

    • Mummajojo1978
      Mummajojo1978 looloo43

      Posted

      Hey looloo43 & me mate Jill!

      Thanks both for your comments.

      In reply to loo loo...firstly sorry yr flaring, it's awful. I'm not flaring atm (apparently) and this swelling only seems to be getting worse. The pains you have described are exactly the same as I get so that's reassuring, thanks. I was told to come off predfoam last week but that never stopped the swelling anyway. I guess your talking about the oral type tho? I'm on 2.4mg too so wondering if enough? I'll add that to my list of questions! I'm already on omeprazole so can tick that box!! It's too painful to lie on my side for too long but I'll try and give it a go later :-)

      Hey Jill - not sure if I can message the lady that did my colonoscopy as it was done privately & now I've been transferred to this GI. She originally told me that I had distal colitis but it was the biopsies that have put the spanner in the works. I'm guessing the ulcers she saw that day could also be that of Crohn's disease too? Just so confused Jill. Hope and pray that this guy is more sympathetic on Tuesday and is happier to answer my questions. My husbands coming with me this time! Would upping the dosage of the asacol reduce the swelling then? Xxx

  • jill18833
    jill18833 Mummajojo1978

    Posted

    Hiya Jo,sorry the Buscopan stopped working for you,I have a whole arsenal of meds I've tried,from Rennies,Windease,Peppermint oil caps etc etc. It doesn't sound to me that you are on enough Mesalazine,I take 8 tabs daily when I flare (400 version) and 4 tabs of 400 to maintain remission? I also have enema or suppo to use when needed. Something to discuss with consultant next week methinks! I also get a lot of bloating,(defo not Kate Moss either) but it does sound like you have it bad bless you. How about getting a message to the consultant that did your initial colonoscopy and getting her to look at biopsies etc on your records and see if she can confirm her diagnosis of distal colitis/uc? Might put your mind at rest.? Keep us posted xxxxxx
    • Mummajojo1978
      Mummajojo1978 jill18833

      Posted

      Well just had a response from my consultants secretary and it reads......

      You should be fine to wait until Tuesday but see your gp if you're worried!! That's it! 

      So what would you do guys? Shall I book an app tomorrow or wait it out?

      I've even bought pregnancy tests today & I know I'm not pregnant but my sister said just make sure! I have the tummy of a pregnant woman but certainly not the symptoms! 

      Sooooo confused & fat :-((

  • gabe99
    gabe99 Mummajojo1978

    Posted

    If you have the time and money is not an issue why not go see your GP?
    • Mummajojo1978
      Mummajojo1978 gabe99

      Posted

      Yeah I'm British so it's free for me so I'll go and see my gp in the am I think, thanks gabe.
    • jill18833
      jill18833 Mummajojo1978

      Posted

      Might be worth getting advice from GP Jo,nothing to lose while you wait for Tues xx
  • jill18833
    jill18833 Mummajojo1978

    Posted

    Hi Jo,did you get your doc appointment? Hope all went well xx
    • Mummajojo1978
      Mummajojo1978 jill18833

      Posted

      Hi lovely

      Thanks so much for asking. It was ok although seemed like a waste of time as he said it's best to wait until Tuesday when I see my consultant. He felt my tummy which was sore and he said I think u might be flaring but how can I when I don't have diarreah?! He also said it could be that it's because I've come off predfoam. He just said if u get sick or have a bad stomach or feel unwell then to go straight to hospital! 

      Not been as swollen today but scared to eat anything. Still taking buscopan which helps with the pains but not the swelling :-(

      U ok Jill? xxx

  • jill18833
    jill18833 Mummajojo1978

    Posted

    Hi Jo,don't think it's ever a waste of time seeing doc if you're concerned. Glad Buscopan helping to ease the pain but just check with consultant Tues that it's ok for you to take them? As for diarrhoea ,I don't get this even in a flare,apparently it's because my UC is fairly low down in the colon! Please let me know how you get on Tues,take care xxxxxxx
    • Mummajojo1978
      Mummajojo1978 jill18833

      Posted

      Hiya love

      Yeah, it's on my list of questions to ask but if deffo helps a bit with the cramps but unfortunately no getting rid of this swollen tum :-(

      I'm totally confused about flaring as I asked my GI about symptoms of a flare & he said it's when u get explosive diarrhoea with blood etc & he confirmed that I wasn't flaring now. That's what I had when this first came on? Have u ever had explosive diarrhoea with blood in it, sorry if too personal! How do u know when you're flaring then? My gp said I most probably was :-/ soooo totally confused.

      Personally I'm putting it down to me coming off the pred foam but who knows?!

      I've been a bit stressed recently as I lost my nanny last Fri & held her for 10 hours as she passed away so all a bit traumatic so maybe that hasn't helped the situation? 

      So pleased I have this forum and especially u to talk to Jill, thanks for being there to help me. Xx

    • jill18833
      jill18833 Mummajojo1978

      Posted

      Hi Jo ,if you haven't got any blood,mucus or diarrhoea at the mo,I would say you aren't flaring? Any urgency to get to the loo? Probably coming off Predfoam and wind build up in an already bruised and battered colon? Do you have a lot of wind? I often think my abdo pains are wind related and Buscopan helps but doesn't take pain away completely. Some days my belly,from bra down,is quite swollen too. Stress also plays a part in this disease so try and chill a little xxxxxxxx
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