Intermittent ab distention?

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Ladyhoo
Ladyhoo Member Posts: 29
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I have been having abdominal distention/bloating for a few weeks. My onc examined my abdomen and was relieved that it felt unremarkable. My skin is not tight. Then the distention got much better, then is back again- thus it is intermittent as opposed to constant. My question is, my onc wants me to have CT scan and PET scan (never had a PET, but had a CT after diagnosis). I really don't want the high level of radiation of a CT scan if this is most likely something more benign like irritable bowel. On the other hand, of course I don't want to ignore it. So I'm wondering, has anyone had intermittent distention/bloating that turned out to be mets? Or is intermittent pretty much always a more benign source? Would you have the CT scan and should I just get over it? I have had a number CT's over the years that I really regret now, for kidney stones, and then 2 after breast cancer. The good part of this, is that I do have a baseline CT to compare to now. I'm only 47, I'm trying to minimize the long term negative effects of all these tests. 

Thank you for your insight and help!

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2014

    Ladyhoo, I can't tell you about abdominal mets from breast cancer, but I had ascites with ovarian cancer and it wasn't intermittent. In late September that year I remember pulling my shirt up to show our receptionist how flat my belly was getting while I was on Weight Watchers. By December I couldn't breathe, eat or sleep and looked like I was nine months pregnant. Once it started I just got bigger & bigger and at one point before my surgery I was having 5 liters of fluid drained out of my belly every few days. It filled up that fast.. 

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  • Ladyhoo
    Ladyhoo Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2014

    Thanks for your reply, MelissaDallas, so sorry you had to deal with that. sYour experience sounds like what I've heard about ascites. My situation is so mild, which is why I'm debating the test. I am trying to figure out, could fluid in the abdominal lining give intermittent bloating? ILC can metastasize to the gut. I know it's pretty ironic given that we often are advocating for tests, including myself.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2014

    I understand. I had multiple CTs of the abdomen, pelvis & chest in a 10 day stretch, and a chest CT was repeated immediately because the image quality wasn't very good on the first one. That really makes me cringe.

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  • changes
    changes Member Posts: 622
    edited May 2014

    Hello,

    I'm in the same boat. Suddenly started having abdominal bloating and loss of appetite. Mine is fairly constant, but it is worse after I eat. Dr. wanted CT - I wanted to try treatments for more benign things, like gastritis. Prilosec did no good; trying Zantac now but so far no benefit. This has been going on for several weeks now for me. Getting ready to break down and do their stupid test.

    Karen

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited May 2014

    I know this is way out of left field, but someone suggested cutting gluten from my diet, and the extreme distension after eating "read 7 months pg" is gone,

    Can't hurt to try it, advising your doctor of course.

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  • Ladyhoo
    Ladyhoo Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2014

    I wondered about the gluten thing too! I'm going to try it. I may put off the tests and try some diet changes.

    Karen- ironically, when I hear it about someone else I say, "go do the test!"  Of course I want to know if it does show a recurrence, but it also feels like overkill.

    Thanks.

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  • Lou10
    Lou10 Member Posts: 332
    edited May 2014

    I have bloating on a regular basis. I have IBS so bloating is not uncommon for me but it got worse on the AIs. Lately it had improved somewhat when I started drinking lactose-free milk, but then it changed direction and went downhill. Some of the other things I blame on the AI have also worsened, so I suspect it's the culprit.

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  • Ladyhoo
    Ladyhoo Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2014

    Just wanted you to know that the PET scan came back all clear, the CT scan showed nothing that would be causing the abdominal distention, but of course now saw a spot on spleen that had grown from 2 years ago, so more tests to come. I feel mostly relieved, although annoyed that I am still left with a belly that looks pregnant. I have to call my primary, possibly a colonoscopy is in my future too. Thanks for your help!

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2014

    I'm glad that you got some positive news and hope te rest of the testing shows nothing alarming. 

    Maybe try one of the allergy elimination diets that could help pinpoint if it is a particular food or food group that is contributing to it?

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