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What Causes Abdominal Distention?

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Posted on Wed, 14 May 2014
Question: Sudden abdominal distention looking like I'm 7 months pregnant. Weight gain of 5 lbs in a day. I weight 100 lbs. Have had weight loss over 2 years after birth of child unintentional weight loss of 20 lbs, cannot get the weight back on. Took mag citrate and several enemas to make sure constipation was not the issue. Now am very lethargic, continued abdominal distention, hate going to ER's, thinking of going to urgent care for abdominal xray. I recently had procedure PRP injection x 4 for ongoing back pain since birth of child 2 years ago. Was placed on Opana 7.5mg for 5 days, last dose 6 days ago. History: 32 year old female, one child age 2, history of kidney stones x 10 years with 2 surgeries to remove stones.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
looks more of a drug side effect in your case

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

1)Weight of 5 lbs in 1 day is abnormal.
Are you sure its 1 day or is it over a few days ( 3-4).

2) Weight loss after child birth of 20 lbs is normal. The body tries to loose all the extra fat stores which it collected to feed your child while it was inside you.

3) loss of appetite is not normal and with weight loss can suggest either a chronic infection or sometimes even cancer. But in your case you have weight gain so its unlikely.

4)Do not take enemas if you are not constipated. They are not a weight loss recommendation.

5) The sudden abdominal distension can occur with Opana injections as they are opiods which are known to cause constipation and distension.

To summarize the sudden abdominal distension and weight looks more of a drug side effect to me. It will resolve on its own after you stop the drugs. If you have constipation use cremaffin syrup not enemas. Please go ahead with the abdominal X-ray to make sure we don't miss other causes.

Feel free to consult me directly
http://bit.ly/drsombiswas

Regards

Dr. Som Biswas M.D.
Mumbai

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Som Biswas (2 hours later)
1. Weight gain was 1 day. Not 3 or 4. Daily weights done dut to getting down to 92 lbs. My height is 5'3"

2. Pre pregnancy weight was 120. Weight at birth was 140. Post pregnancy weight 92-100lbs.

3. Weight loss has been 100 lbs for 2 years. The 5 lb weight increase was with the sudden distention.

4. As previously stated, the opioid was given twice a day for 5 days total and was stopped 6 days ago. So currently NOT on opana

5. I think much of the info I gave you was read incorrectly. Every physician I see dismisses any symptoms I have. My pcp has me on prozac and valium as he thinks I'm stressed or have post part um depression which I do not. There is something physically wrong to lose ALL your baby weight and then lose another 20 lbs in addition. 92-100 lb 32 year old height 5'3" is too low bmi but no one cares.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are right.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX

You might be right. I advise you to get a full body checkup to find the cause of the weight loss.

It is not that we doctors are not trying to understand you but trying to find a cause of weight loss with no localizing signs is difficult.

So i will advise a full body checkup and surely something will be abnormal to help us know the cause. The test you should include are

a) CBC, RBS, AST,ALT, BUN, S. CREAT

b) TSH, Serum Cortisol,

c) Ultrasound of abdomen or CT scan abdomen with contrast.

d) Chest X-ray

e) MRI Brain.

Regards,

Dr. Som Biswas MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Som Biswas (2 hours later)
Thank you, I have had most of those tests done.
I have never had the sudden severe abd distention before. I'm thinking go to work and follow up next week I'd not emergency.
Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are most welcome

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX

You are most welcome

Regards

Dr. Som Biswas MD
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Som Biswas

OBGYN

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 965 Questions

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What Causes Abdominal Distention?

Brief Answer: looks more of a drug side effect in your case Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns. 1)Weight of 5 lbs in 1 day is abnormal. Are you sure its 1 day or is it over a few days ( 3-4). 2) Weight loss after child birth of 20 lbs is normal. The body tries to loose all the extra fat stores which it collected to feed your child while it was inside you. 3) loss of appetite is not normal and with weight loss can suggest either a chronic infection or sometimes even cancer. But in your case you have weight gain so its unlikely. 4)Do not take enemas if you are not constipated. They are not a weight loss recommendation. 5) The sudden abdominal distension can occur with Opana injections as they are opiods which are known to cause constipation and distension. To summarize the sudden abdominal distension and weight looks more of a drug side effect to me. It will resolve on its own after you stop the drugs. If you have constipation use cremaffin syrup not enemas. Please go ahead with the abdominal X-ray to make sure we don't miss other causes. Feel free to consult me directly http://bit.ly/drsombiswas Regards Dr. Som Biswas M.D. Mumbai