Stomach distension

I've noticed the same problem. No explanation for it. I'm on chemo - Navelbine - which hasn't done anything to make my stomach smaller. Scans showed nothing. I hate it, it's very uncomfortable when sitting in my recliner. I don't wear anything that binds my waist, too uncomfortable.

With my last recurrence, one of my dr's said my increase in girth was due to my cortisol levels rising. All the stress that I had been under lately due to cansur was making my levels rise, thereby making me look more and more pregnant each day. But I'm not sure how to lower cortisol or how to lessen girth.



Karen

Massaging the tummy could help. I did this for a friend daily in the hospital with her onc's approval. It relieved the discomfort and bloating. I read about the technique in a cancer care magazine at the doctor's office. First massage big circles clockwise, then little circles at 1,2,3 etc o'clock until 12. This is a rough description. Will try to find a video or better description.

Er, the massage has worked when the bloating is gone, vanishing into the air ;-) The magazine article (in German) talked about the massage relieving constipation and preventing blockages. But it works very well for bloating too. I did it to myself during chemo (and still do every once in a while) at night before sleeping. Ask your oncs because it may not be suitable for ascites or abdominal mets.

Christinanz, from a veterinarian's perspective, the rule outs for abdominal distension like that is:  fluid, fat, organ enlargement or tumor.  So, I would definitely get it checked out and get another opinion perhaps from a GI doctor.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Cat 

I'm so sorry to hear you have more to deal with. Sending prayers and positive thoughts.

I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Stage 3B Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and had a double mastectomy since cancer had metastasized. I stumbled across the group when researching about Stomach Distension. I am having the very same problem. I look like I'm 3 months pregnant. The area is very tight and distended and highly uncomfortable. It's not something you can suck in either. I've been through 5 months pre surgery chemo, surgery and radiation. When they put in the expanders to start the reconstruction phase of treatment I quickly came down with a septic infection and was again hospitalized due to a near death experience. I had pus coming out all 4 of the drain tubes hanging off me.

I noticed the distended abdomen early on but it seems to be worse now. It is really uncomfortable! I also have a problem with lymphedema so I been treated with the machines in PT. Never have been able to get the right machine that would treat the trunk area, not just the arm. My PT lady would manually massage the area and it seemed to help some. Unfortunately you can only have so many PT sessions before you're cut off. I reached that point already.

I would love to find something to deal with this distended abdominal problem. Mine too is worse the later it gets in the day. I haven't found a solution but would love to hear one. At first I too thought the "middle age spread" thing but I ruled that out when the top of my stomach extended out further than my lower stomach. I hate looking pregnant as I'm way past those days.

Thanks for sharing your post. It lifted me up knowing I'm not alone.

I had ascites pretty bd and the only way they ever check for the fluid build up is an ultra sound. Mine has resolved a lot but I still get the tight abdomen feeling and found Gax X and Miralax have both helped. I think sometimes a little constipation can aggravate the feeling.

So I had to get my stomach drained again 4 days after the first time and now it feels like I have to do it again my doctor hasn't said what he thinks it is I've no idea what's going on I'm completely and utterly miserable. I'm trying to find natural remedies to cure the bloating or to make myself go to the bathroom I've tried diuretics cucumbers green tea peppermint tea lemon watermelon juice nothing is working. Any ideas, please help!!

Does anyone have spotting of blood from vagina when they are so fluid filled? I thought it was a spot here and there of feces and that maybe I was not wiping good enough, that was 8 days or so back and often since. And then today I realized it is a spot of blood here and there. I am long long time menopausal. I cough a lot and hard, I have some incontinence, well, a lot of incontinence due to the coughing excessively. So maybe that could do it too. But I am feeling afraid.

Back story, am sure enough I have ascites that I am approaching oncologist for the fluid to be drained this week asap. PET CT tomorrow which should help some.