Bloating/Distension?

[Guest guest]

This is a rather alarming new symptom for me and I wanted to ask

about whether or not I should be getting concerned. I am not

constipated, lately quite to the contrary. However, for the past 2

wks or so and most especially the past week, I have been getting

bloating so bad that my stomach is soo distended that I look as if

I'm 5 months pregnant!! It is very uncomfortable esp coupled with

the panc pain. The bloating is soo bad that it literally feels like

my stomach is going to explode? Is it some sort of fluid retention?

Although my feet aren't swollen. I can't even attempt to eat more

than a few bites of anything before I can feel it swelling

up.....should I get this checked out?

thanks in advance

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

There were times when my bloating was so bad that I'd have to unzip all of my

jeans in

order to be comfortable. Although I don't get this bloating anymore, I'd have

to say that

during my first year or so of CP, it was a monthly problem. It was especially

worse right

after eating, but not always. I can remember getting dressed first thing in the

morning

and stressing out because the pants I'd worn the day before were too tight to

fit

comfortably through the waistline.

It was gas, as Chrissy said. Why the gas was so severe at that time, I only

have one theory,

and that is that the pancreatic enzymes that I was taking weren't at high enough

a dosage.

As soon as my doctor increased my dosage, all this periodic bloating stopped. I

haven't

had a problem with it in about two years. I truly don't know if this is the

answer or not,

because some of the variables have changed (pancreas burn-out, thus no pancreas

function), and certainly that might have some effect on this whole problem, too.

I still have the same problems with gas, but not the bloating and extension like

before. I

have noticed that I cannot drink any carbonated beverages without incurring

embarrassing

problems with flatulence, so I've had to completely cut those out of my diet, or

suffer the

consequences when I don't. I now limit myself to one bottle of Diet Pepsi a day

as a treat,

all the rest of the time I drink water or tea. But I am digressing here, this

isn't the answer

you're looking for.

That horrible tight bloating and distension is a nuisance, and I found, too,

that it was very

uncomfortable. Does your's feel uncomfortable, too? You might try to stop any

carbonated beverage consumption, if you drink soft drinks, as a start. You also

might try

talking to your doctor about increasing your enzyme dosage a notch or two, and

see if this

makes a difference. Those are really the only two suggestions I have as to

things that may

help prevent it. As for what you can do to relieve it, Chrissy had the right

answer on that

one, too.....walking. If you've got the energy, walk for 30 minutes or so

whenever you're

at your fullest, it does help.

You won't see me walking down here right now though, it's 96 degrees day and

night, with

a heat index of 109, and it HURTS to even think about spending 30 minutes

outdoors in

any form of exercise!! LOL!!

Sorry I couldn't come up with a magic solution to that problem. We've all been

there,

though, so I'd be interested to see what other's might suggestion as

solutions/and/or

possible causes. Or is that just another one of those mysteries this disease is

so famous

for?

Happy walking, thinking good thoughts,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion, and

should

not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.