Abdominal pain, bloating, and rapid weight gain- NOT PMS!

I also get very bad stomach aches a week before my period. I am 34 years old and I have 3 children. The pain hurts more with activity and if I lay down it feels better. (not completely but not as bad) I also get digestion problems, gas, diarrhea, constipation, it varies. I feel sick to my stomach a lot. Only difference with you ladies is im not gaining weight, im losing it. though my belly feels hard and bloated. I went to see a gastro doctor and had an ultrasound. I have gallstones and he thinks they are causing the digestion and pain problems. I am due for a endoscopy and a cat scan and then possibly removal of the gallbladder unless they see something different. My pains and symptoms sound so much like what you are all describing and now im wondering if its menstrual related also. Sigh.. we all do deserve answers. :-( I am going to try the charco tabs if my doc oks it.

I have had bloating for 5 months and I put on 15 pounds...I exercise every day for 2 hours..and have been dieting so I am sure its not with with anything I am eating ...I have abdominal pain as well...I found this forum today ..just wondering if any of you guys could figure out as to what is wrong..And I have been to gyn and got all kinds of tests done..but they didn't find anything wrong with my ovaries , thyroid, liver ,kidney, just that I had a bacterial infection and for which I took pills..but bloating didnt go away

I have been having the same problem many of you are describing, about 1 week before my period my belly fills with anywhere from 2 to 6 pounds of fluid and swells until I look and feel 3-4 months pregnant. It's really a nightmare because the weight and bloat stretch my abdominal muscles and strain my back, walking is awkward and it's hard to breathe. I tried diuretics but they didn't work all that well and made the constipation a lot worse. The only solution I had found was to avoid food completely, but that isn't always possible ...! I also noticed that the harder I try to hold my stomach in and stand up straight, the more bloated I get - it's frustrating because I'm usually very slim, and the harder I try to look like my usual self the rounder I get. Because I'm so thin it is very noticeable, and I really don't want anyone to think I'm pregnant. So I've tried wearing tummy control/ support garments, just across my lower abdomen where the fluid settles and causes swelling, and it really helps. I'm actually less bloated when my stomach muscles are relaxed, and since the support garment does all the work I can relax. I can fit into my clothes better and while I still look heavier than usual, the tight garment across the bottom half of my belly supports the extra fluid weight and I don't look pregnant anymore. It also really helps my back. I still feel like the fat-pms-slob-monster, but at least I look more like myself...! I hope this helps somebody.

I have suffered with some abdonimal pain for years. I started out with two small ovarian cysts, which the doctors don't believe should have caused the pain I was feeling at the time. I got the Implanon (birth control implant) put in my arm a year ago and three months later my stomach pain grew worse. I experienced a burning cramping sensation, I figured it was acid reflux or gas and took pills for that. It continued to grow worse and I tried probiotic. I am gaining weight like crazy 40lbs in the past year. I tried exercising but that only seemed to aggrevate it even more. The weight gain was limited to my upper body and makes me feel like a careless slob, I have a broad chest big shoulder and arms, and now struggle to even get a bra on. I increased my water consumption, quit smoking in the hope that this will help and am trying to walk everday but honestly somedays that is difficult as I feel my muscles are contracting causing back and leg pain. SO, I went to a doctors who has suggested it may be due to the hormones from the implant, I'm scheduled to have it removed this week and if no progress is made within the next three months we will look in other areas. Iwish you all the best and I hope we can figure out what this is and help prevent others from having to deal with it as well.

I too have had these symptoms. I had a hysterecomy 3 years ago. At one point I did have an ultrasound, which found cysts on my ovaries. Said they weren't "big" enough to cause my pain and symptoms, given contraceptive pills.. that did not help... Nothing else done, feel like I'm crazy and my Doctor doesn't care.. depressing!! This happens about once a month now. And I just know it's related to my ovaries, sure u-all know what I mean.. just that knowing-type of feeling. I think I should found a new doctor that will understand and listen to me. Tired of looking like I'm 6 months PREGNANT!!! Hope everyone out there can get the help they need. Keep pressing your doctors!! MAKE THEM FIND THE PROBLEM!!

Good luck to all.. I'm finding a new doctor!!

I have been having a huge problem with abdominal weight gain. Look like I'm 6 months pregnant. I also just had a period that lasted 2 weeks and have had frequent urination also. I searched and found this forum. I searched some more and found these fact. Scared me to death and I'm making an appointment with a gynelogical oncologist in Atlanta. It is worth checking just to make sure. Catching it early is imperitive.

Symptoms
Ovarian cancer symptoms are somewhat vague but may include:

Abdominal swelling from fluid buildup

Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding

Pelvic pressure

Back or leg pain

Intestinal problems such as gas, bloating, long-term stomach pain, or indigestion

What you can do…

See your health care provider annually for a complete pelvic exam.

Maintain a healthy body weight.

Discuss your cancer risk factors and family history with your health care provider and, if warranted, make an appointment with a genetic counselor.

If you have been on long-term ERT discuss alternatives with your health care provider.

Do not use talcum powder in genital area.

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you are experiencing any of the following:
— vaginal bleeding between periods or postmenopausal bleeding
— pelvic pressure or leg and back pain
— unusual abdominal bloating or changes in bladder or bowel

Symptoms
Ovarian cancer symptoms are somewhat vague but may include:

Abdominal swelling from fluid buildup

Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding

Pelvic pressure

Back or leg pain

Intestinal problems such as gas, bloating, long-term stomach pain, or indigestion

What you can do…

See your health care provider annually for a complete pelvic exam.

Maintain a healthy body weight.

Discuss your cancer risk factors and family history with your health care provider and, if warranted, make an appointment with a genetic counselor.

If you have been on long-term ERT discuss alternatives with your health care provider.

Do not use talcum powder in genital area.

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you are experiencing any of the following:
— vaginal bleeding between periods or postmenopausal bleeding
— pelvic pressure or leg and back pain
— unusual abdominal bloating or changes in bladder or bowel

I`m really depressed i`ve stopped goind out 3 months ago, febbruary 14 was the last time i went to the resto with my husband. Until december 2008 i was a size 8 with 34 b cups, know i look like 5 months pregnant with 36 d cups and i`ve gained everywhere. I can`t speack longer than 5 minutes or else i have shortness of breath. I did all of the tests with my gyno, all negatif, but i`m still waiting for one result on june 23rd, it`s jsut an exam i did for precaution, the gyno took a sample of my uterus wall, painfull let me tell you i don`t wish it to any of you women. Last thursday i had a barhium done on me and on the 29th i have to do another pelvic ultrasound, but up to know all is negativ, i told myself that with the results of these tests if they are negatif i want to go see an indocrinologist (specialist for glands), i mean they have tested my thyroid but it`s fonctionning a1, but let me tell you i go to owrk because i have to, but i`m so embarresed i was never this big and i have no energy what so ever, even my little candie ( dog) doesn`t have the walks she used to have last summer, know i go around the block and candie could go around 2 times before i finish one. So depressing, why us , why... in the back of my mind i tell myself that if no one finds nothing i really don`t know what i will do, because i will not accept me this way. get back to you next week as soon as i get the results.

WOW! I cannot believe I surfed into a site that discusses exactly what I've been feeling! I'm 53 y/o but I've had rapid weight gain (12 pounds in 2.5 months - from 129 to 141!! I cannot fit into any of my clothes!! Nothing wants to zipper or button over this belly. My abdomen is swollen that I look pregnant - so much so that I broke down and purchased the home pregnancy tests! Thankfully it was negative ~whew~.

Anyway - I have the rapid weight gain, horrible gas and sit around passing wind all day long - (now I understand why the old folk do that when you're around ... can't help it). As someone mentioned - it helps but only VERY briefly ... then the same pressure is back. I've always had troubles with my guts .. but now, every now and then I have horrendous cramps on top of this bloating etc.

BTW, I really dislike the term irritable bowel b/c I think that's like a "junk drawer" - instead of really diagnosing you, they just slap on a label and send you a bill - but I digress once more ....

The really weird thing is that I've changed nothing at all in my diet or exercise life .. it just started one day and hasn't stopped. ~groan~

I logged off and ran straight to WalMart and purchased two boxes of that stuff ($4.94 for 36 capsules - located where all the gasX etc is located). I took two before I left the parking lot and I'm killing time so I can take two more before bed (it says to wait at least 2 hours before taking more)

Thank you for the information - I'll let you know if it helps!!

Im glad I am not the only woman out there going through this.
I woke up with horendous pain monday morning. My husband took me to the ER. they checked my appendix and my ovaries. they only conclusion they gave me was that maybe a cyst ruptured, or its a virus. Its now wednesday and Im still in pain, buts its grown more into my lower abdomen. Its hard to stand up, i feel crampy and bloated and like my muscles are going to rip apart.

I looked into the mirror this morning and I looked six months pregnant. I know Ive had a hard time losing my baby weight from two pregnancies in 2 years, but my whole body feels bloated.

Of course the ER just gave me pain killers and sent me home, but if I had a rock in my shoe, they would probably give me pain killers instead of dealing with it. I dont even know what doctor to see because I dont know what the problem is. Im just miserable.

I am also glad that I found this blog.

I am experiencing: bloating of the stomach, weight gain, fatigue, elevated temperature (although not a fever), irritability, and mild nausea and cramping. At first I thought it was PMS, but the weight gain and bloating has been going on for a few months. Usually, if I gain 5 lbs I can work it off in a couple of days, which isn't happening now. I exercise 4-5 times a week and eat well, for the most part (other than the occasional Twinkie or nachos). I have had ovarian cysts in the past and am off birth control, so a cyst may be the issue, although I don’t recall gaining weight or bloating with the other cysts. I am going to my GYN tomorrow and hoping that I'm just anemic, or it's another cyst, and not something worse. I will post an update when the tests are back.

Has anyone found a resolution to or the cause of their symptoms?

I feel for all of you. I've been sick a year now. Not all the same symptoms all at the same time. I was in Idaho taking care of my father who had knee surgery. After sleeping in a wood chair, in and out of the hospital, not a decent meal, I felt I was lucky to feel fine. I am/was a personal trainer 2 which gave me the ability rehab my dad and work with the doctor on his meds. The night before I was to come home I woke up in the night with a migraine/temp and vomiting. My sweats were so bad I knew I couldn't drive the 4 hours to get to the airport. So I waited a day. I was going home the next day no matter what. Almost got to the airport and the sweats started, not just sweating but dripping. I made it on the plane and had a sweater around my neck so I wouldn't drip on people next to me.

Fast forward, I've been sick on and off until about 6 months ago it seemed to go into my intestines. I've been in the hospital for two weeks and different times. I've had every test known to man. I mean anything and everything you could think of and then some more. I just went to another GI specialist and he said from reading EVERYTHING, which took a while, he felt I had a new thing they just detected. It's IBS but the regular known IBS comes from your electrical current in your brain. They have found bacterial IBS just within the last year and actually have a antibiotic for it. One of the main things is bloating, hurting, no real temp, pain, anything eaten bloats the stomach more than ever. I've been on this med for about 5 days and have another 5 to go. The doctor said don't even evaluate yourself until we are totally done with the medication. I take 8 pills a days. I really feel like my stomach is going down, pain seems to travel around more which is really interesting to me, not just right below my left breast. When I ate something it used to look like there was an alien in their attaching the food but it was my muscles going into spasm.

So I hope I've given some light on new things. If you need to ask me anything please do.

I find it interesting that several of you mention you actually were diagnosed with an ovarian cyst or several but the doctors rule them out as "too small" to cause pain. How do they know? It seems to be a re occuring issue. I am curious if the cysts aren't actually the problem.

Just amazing... I too, stumbled on this site looking for information on these exact symptoms. I've dealt with this for seven years now. Rapid weight gain, regardless of diet and exercise, bloating, tightness in the belly, gas, constipation, pain, indigestion... all premenstrual and also at times around ovulation. Went through the gamut of tests: thyroid, CA-125 (blood marker for inflammation to rule out ovarian cancer), colonoscopy, endoscopy, Depo Lupron to turn off the hormones for a testing time to see if it was a menstrual problem, bla, bla bla... I was thrown back and forth between the gastroenterology and gynecology departments, each with their own battery of tests to see if the problem was with the GI system or the GYN system. After a four year odyssey and a myriad of hypothesis's and "try this drug and see if it helps" stuff, (nightmare), I was finally referred to the GI clinic in Iowa City. This doc had me do a $17 dollar hydrogen breath test...seventeen dollars! This is literally after thousands of dollars worth of bigger tests, drugs, and time.... With this seventeen dollar test he found out that, I had a small bowel bacterial overgrowth. I cried when the nurse told me, not because she prefaced it with, "I have bad news, there is no cure, just management", but rather, I cried because FINALLY after years of having no name to put on this I had a name for the problem. That was two years ago. So, the GI's course was to put me on antibiotics, indefinitely. He started with Cipro, then Tetracyclene, and after they stopped working, went on to the tougher stuff: Metronidazole and finally, Xifaxin- that in hindsight made things much worse. This is a hugely condensed recap of what I've experienced. When the one solution stopped working the devastation was almost unbearable. In desperation, I sought out alternative advice from a chiropractor. His approach is a careful diet to reduce ph acidity, loading doses of probiotics- l. acidophilus and b. bifidus to counter the damage done by long-term antibiotic use and colonics. It has not been the miracle cure, but it sure beats the alternative, which was antibiotic resistance and worsening SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). Over the counter 'digestive advantage’, for IBS has been a probiotic that helped me, plus you don't have to refrigerate it. Right now, though, I am using a high strength l. acidophilus and b. bifidus probiotic that I get online, but it has to be refrigerated. This is the super duper reader's digest version. Hope the info helps some of you. I know how devastating this can be.

Just amazing... I too, stumbled on this site looking for information on these exact symptoms. I've dealt with this for seven years now. Rapid weight gain, regardless of diet and exercise, bloating, tightness in the belly, gas, constipation, pain, indigestion... all premenstrual and also at times around ovulation. Went through the gamut of tests: thyroid, CA-125 (blood marker for inflammation to rule out ovarian cancer), colonoscopy, endoscopy, Depo Lupron to turn off the hormones for a testing time to see if it was a menstrual problem, bla, bla bla... I was thrown back and forth between the gastroenterology and gynecology departments, each with their own battery of tests to see if the problem was with the GI system or the GYN system. After a four year odyssey and a myriad of hypothesis's and "try this drug and see if it helps" stuff, (nightmare), I was finally referred to the GI clinic in Iowa City. This doc had me do a $17 dollar hydrogen breath test...seventeen dollars! This is literally after thousands of dollars worth of bigger tests, drugs, and time.... With this seventeen dollar test he found out that, I had a small bowel bacterial overgrowth. I cried when the nurse told me, not because she prefaced it with, "I have bad news, there is no cure, just management", but rather, I cried because FINALLY after years of having no name to put on this I had a name for the problem. That was two years ago. So, this GI's course was to put me on antibiotics, indefinitely. He started with Cipro, then Tetracyclene, and after they stopped working, went on to the tougher stuff: Metronidazole and finally, Xifaxin- that in hindsight made things much worse. This is a hugely condensed recap of what I've experienced. When this one and only solution stopped working the devastation was almost unbearable. In desperation, I sought out alternative advice from a chiropractor. His approach is a careful diet to reduce ph acidity, loading doses of probiotics- l. acidophilus and b. bifidus to counter the damage done by long-term antibiotic use, and colonics. It has not been the miracle cure, but it sure beats the alternative, which was antibiotic resistance and worsening SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). Over the counter digestive advantage for IBS has been a probiotic that helped me, plus you don't have to refrigerate it. Right now, though, I am using a high strength l. acidophilus and b. bifidus probiotic that I get online, but it has to be refrigerated. This is the super duper reader's digest version. Hope the info helps some of you. I know how devastating this can be. The main thing is to keep trying until you get someone that can actually hear what you are describing. This seems to be an area of women's health that docs are struggling to understand, and unfortunately there is a lot of confusion and ambiguity both with symptoms, diagonosis, and management.