From the Merck website:
"Ascites is the accumulation of protein-containing (ascitic) fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Many disorders can cause ascites, but cirrhosis is the most common.
If large amounts of fluid accumulate, the abdomen becomes very large, sometimes making people lose their appetite and feel short of breath.
Analysis of the fluid can help determine the cause.
Usually, bed rest, a low-salt diet, and diuretics help eliminate excess fluid.
Ascites tends to occur in long-standing (chronic) rather than in short-lived (acute) disorders. It occurs most commonly in cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), especially in cirrhosis caused by alcoholism or viral hepatitis. It may occur in other liver disorders, such as severe alcoholic hepatitis without cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and obstruction of the hepatic vein (Budd-Chiari syndrome). Ascites can also occur in disorders unrelated to the liver, such as cancer, heart failure, kidney failure, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), and tuberculosis affecting the lining of the abdominal cavity."
Thanks guys for all the help! :)
I'm on Nexxuim for the GERD, although it only helps in some instances...it takes away the burning though, which is really good.
Hmm, I'm not sure...but I really want to find out whats wrong and see what it is! Lately its been a little better since I haven't been eating much but one meal a day.
Fluid? What causes that? I could mention it to my doctor next time I go in for a medicine refill and see what she says. Maybe a endoscopy is just what I need....I just gotta learn to suck it up and quit freaking out over tubes and things!
Thank again ya'll :)
Do you think it's possible you might have the celiac sprue or abdominal ascites (excess fluid that gathers in the peritoneal region of your abdomen)?
They can give you medicine to calm your nerves for an endoscopy and can make you out of it for a colonoscopy. Preparation can be uncomfortable, but with all the trouble you've had, you should really be willing to take a leap and if you know God, pray before you do that He will give you His peace. Please keep us posted.
What you describe sounds very serious. There could be many complications from having GERD. You need to be taking Nexium or some other prescription for Acid Reflux. Tums are not the right thing to be taking. You could be having problems with your esophogus. Stay away from caffienated drinks and spicey foods. Keep your diet bland until you find out. I would strongly suggest you have an endosccopy and colonoscopy. My husband has Barrett's disease which is a precondition to esophogus cancer. This can happen when the esophogus becomes eroded from acids hitting it for a long time. You seem pretty young to have that, but it's important to have the tests done. Good luck!
No I haven't actually....although they did say I had GERD.
I've had it suggested by my dad, but I chickened out...:P
Have you had any GI studies (upper GI, colonoscopy, for example)? Have you been tested for celiac sprue or celiac disease? Do you think you might be retaining fluid (ascites) in your abdomen?