Constant Abdominal Distention/Lack of appetite

Question

I have been having abdominal issues for the past six months and the doctors cannot find anything and keep telling me I am healthy and it's just IBS and that there's nothing I can do...but I refuse to believe that because this is just too  uncomfortable!

My stomach is always distended and feels bloated and tight...like something inside is pushing against my abdominal wall and stretching it. It ALWAYS feels like this no matter what, when, or how much I eat.  I have also noticed I have some excessive belching every now and then...not sure how that is related.  When this thing started I lost a lot of weight because I always felt FULL.  Since then I have been forcing myself to eat.  Sometimes I can hear my stomach growling but I still feel physically stuffed.  It's so frustrating.

I have had xrays, CT scan, MRI, endoscopy, barium enema, blood tests, and am going in for a flexible sigmoidoscopy next week.  Everything is normal according the docs.  This is affecting my life in so many aways....it has kept me from going back to school, traveling, and simply doing fun things.  I have lost so much of my pleasure in life and it takes so much effort simply to go do things with people because I am constantly uncomfortable.  Also, I have not worked out in the past six months simply because it is uncomfortable to do much physical things.

I have seen a couple threads on similar issues from a while back and am wondering if anyone has found an answer? I feel so alone and like nobody else has these symptoms.  It's so hard to describe them to people too....and I'm always afraid people think it's in my head.

Can anyone help?

Thanks :)

This discussion is related to persistent lower abdominal bloating.

Bear08 · Answer

I have consulted my doctor, had several tests, and ruled out things like Crohns, celiac, h pylori, and most  everything mentioned.  The only thing they could come up with is Irritable Bowel Syndrome but I have a hard time accepting that because I CONSTANTLY feel like this.  It doesn't matter what or when I eat.  And also I'm never hungry....I feel stuffed all the time.  It's SO uncomfortable.

My chiropractor did tell me I might have arsenic poisoning.  Does anyone know anything much about that? Could that be causing my symptoms???

KMathurMD · Answer

Hi 
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
You could be suffering from an inflammatory bowel condition such as Celiac Disease/Ulcerative Colitis/Irritable Bowel Syndrome/ Crohn’s disease. Other than that it could be due to H pylori infection. It can also be food intolerance. Diabetes can cause slowing of gut and can cause bloating and hence get your blood sugar tested. It can also be due to excess consumption of food rich in sulfites like juices, molasses, yellow dye in ready made food stuffs, and red wine. Sulfites are present in lesser amounts in mashed potatoes made from dry powder, pickles, tinned shrimp, cookies, crackers, and readymade pie dough. Constipation can also cause bloating. Very sedentary lifestyle is another cause.
 It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Do consult your doctor and get all these tested. Of all these Crohn’s disease is a difficult entity to diagnose. Along with gut symptoms skin disorders and arthritis too are commonly seen with Crohn’s. An upper GI series using barium dye is done to see the condition of small intestines. The degree of involvement of the large and small intestine may vary from person to person.  A biopsy is the most confirmatory. An elevated ESR, low protein, minerals and iron in blood are the other findings in Crohn’s which may or may not be present. A recent advancement in Crohn’s diagnosis is video capsule endoscopy. Take care!