abdonminal problem or just getting fat?

[Mark N]

I have put on some weight since becoming disabled and I have gotten very uncomfortable as my abdomen feels like it is ready to explode. Am I dealing with weight gain [I had always been trim before this] or the pain from a distended abdomen? My abdomen is very hard and has no give to it. I always thought that if I got fat it would be softer and like Santa "jiggle like a bowl of jelly".

I do have bowel problems from nerve damage and my pain medicine. I maintain bowel movements with a laxative, tea, and enemas. I am also drinking a lot more water every day. I don't think I am retaining water but I have measure input v. output to know for sure. I have a visit coming up with my PCP so I will ask him but I was wondering if anyone here had any input.

[BrokenBladder]

Over the 21 years we were married he put on alot of weight, most of it showing in his "belly area." It was never like jello, but was taunt skin. I guess this makes sense because it's skin that has literlly been streched out. I think your normal or should I say as normal as any of us.:rolleyes:

[Mark N]

Lisa, I have had this for a while now and thought it was just weight gain but it is so uncomfortable at times that it made me wonder if that was all it is. I am not use to this and have been in good shape until disability put me in my chair most of the day. It is a tough situation to be in because in the past I could increase my activity or cutback on my intake but now I don't have alot to cutback on and I can't increase my activity. I guess I will have to knuckle down and really get tough with my intake.

[Kira]

It could be from your bowels, or from weight gain... my dad has a definite beer belly and it is sort of hard and tight like that. There are two kinds of belly fat... on the inside, around the organs (visceral fat) and on the outside, just under the skin. If it was a lot of fat just under the skin, it would feel squishy. If it was on the inside, around the organs, the only noticeable thing would be that your belly was bigger and it might not feel squishy on the outside. I don't know if that makes sense.

Not to scare you, but another thing that can make your belly get bigger and feel "tight" like that is fluid build-up from liver problems, called ascites. My stepdad's belly got like that from his HepC. How is your liver? A doctor can often tell if it is ascites on exam, but may need more information.

So... it could definitely be just from weight gain, but it could also be from a distended belly from chronic constipation, or maybe (MUCH less likely) from your liver. If your liver function tests have been checked recently and they're okay, I'd worry less about the liver and be more likely to chalk it up to weight gain.

[Mark N]

Kira, thanks for the info about my liver. I have blood work done every 6 months and Nov's test showed no problems. I guess I will have to face up to the fact that I am just getting fat and I will have to come up with a strategy that will work that doesn't include activity. I will check with my doctor tomorrow just to make sure it isn't something else but I have accepted weight gain as the culprit, I just didn't know it would give me such a feeling of discomfort.