I am not sure if my problem is bloating or abdominal distention (how do you tell the difference?), but it is driving me crazy. A few weeks ago I started off feeling like I was gaining weight in my tummy, so I started exercising more and stretching. It progressed rather than subsided and I started feeling like there was a balloon blown up under my right rib cage. Actually, I told my doctor that I thought my gallbladder had regenerated and grown back (joking, of course). Now I look like I am 3-4 months pregnant and sometimes it gets worse than others. An ultrasound showed liver abnormalities, although labs were normal. A CT scan showed a fatty liver, but everything else was fine. I was just sure it would show massive ascites, but it didn't! My doctor does "not know where to go from here" (internal med doc) so I am getting a referral to a GI doctor. I also have GERD, diabetes (blood sugars are not doing well lately), HTN, hypothyroid, on daily iron pills for anemia and I take a ton of presc meds daily for these conditions. Any ideas on what could be causing the bloated feeling? I do not think it is IBS, since I do not have much problems with diahrea or cramping. It is just a constant, dull feeling like a balloon is sitting under my rib cage and in my abdomen. The only thing that seems to make it worse is salty foods. It is not gas or BM related. Meals seem to increase the pressure, but not affect it otherwise. I cannot understand why nothing showed up on the CT scan, when I am so uncomfortable.
Thanks for all comments.