Swollen tummy.....

[Amber-Rose]

My father's 59 year old partner has a swollen tummy to the extent she looks 9 months pregnant. She has no control over her bowls either. Had scans and tests, saw the Specialist today who said although they know something is wrong, they don't know what as all tests and scans came back clear. She awaits a further appt with a different Specialist. Any ideas? Thank you x

[Sqad]

Although she clearly has leakage from the bowel, the abdominal distension would suggest a problem with emptying the bowel i.e constipation.

If for example she has had a poor obstetric history, i,e CSection or operation for fibroids or indeed a hysterectomy, then this may well be the cause.

The treatment would be dietary, fruit etc, exercise and also magnesium compounds.

It does not sound a life threatening problem.

[elaine33]

It could be an ascites. this is when fluid collects in the abdomen and has to be drained. my father had it.

[Sqad]

Ascites is always secondary to something else and this would have been picked up on the scan..............very unlikely to be ascites.

[Kleiber]

I hate to say this (and I really hope I'm wrong) but has she been tested for ovarian cancer? One of the symptoms is bloating, along with feeling full after only a small amount to eat. There are other symptoms, too. It's called the "silent killer" because most of the symptoms don't show until it's advanced, but if it's spotted early enough, there's a good chance of a recovery. Of course, if she's previously had a hysterectomy where the ovaries have been removed as well, then what I've said is totally irrelevant!! I hope she's OK. Please keep us posted. Best of luck, K xx

[Wak]

I hope I am wrong but it could also be Crohn's disease which can give you a big tummy due to the intestines becoming inflamed and swollen, and having the runs is another symptom connected to Crohn's.
My wife had it for nearly two and a half years before an operation found out the cause of the problem.
Crohn's can be controlled but not cured at the present time.

[Sqad]

The scan was NORMAL.

[Kleiber]

Sqad, not everything shows on a scan. Results vary, depending on whether it's a CT or MRI. Even then, they're not 100% accurate (and I'm afraid I don't have THAT much faith in the NHS, either!!)

[Sqad]

Kleiber...we can only go on Amber's posting.

C-T is mainly for soft tissue investigation..e.g liver. spleen.pelvic organs.
MRI mainly for bone and ligamentous problems.

I think that it is safe to say that she had a C-T scan.

Of the scan was reported normal by a Consultant Radiologist then one must accept that, as why would he report it as normal when it clearly wasn't?

The scans are 100% accurate, it is the interpretation and reporting which may invoke "human failings."

I stand by what I have said......scan NORMAL which would rule out advanced malignant disease.

It would appear that we are dealing with an intrinsic bowel problem which will require colonoscopy and Crohn's Disease seems to be a good shout.

You lack of faith in the NHS........is that the staff or the establishment?

[Sqad]

Kleiber...apologies:

CT for bone
MRI for soft tissue.