hello...perhaps someone can shed some light before i head to the doctor please. i have a tummy/pouch that looks like i am pregnant.**pokes out @4inches**(i am definitely not) i can not stand the 'pouch'. i am researching this in regards to 'adults'---well i was thinking it was a hernia but it's not like a small area like a quarter, it's literally the diameter of my hand when i place it on top of my belly. *starts from bikini line to @ 2 inches above my navel* speaking of navel it's in "outie" instead of an 'iny" which it has been an 'iny'all my life. also to add i have this awful lower back pain, which triples in pain when i am on my menstral cycle/period. the pain makes it uncomfortable to lay down, bend, and sometimes sit. i believe my 'pouch' is 10lbs and boy does it cause discomfort. i use a back brace/tummy supports to relieve strain/stress it cause and in bed i put a pillow under to support tummy when i sleep on my side. any help/suggestions/experiences is most appreciated. thank you!!!
hello again ladies:
i have seen the doctor(s)
1st doc diagnosis(a gynecologist): small hernia which may be causing some back pain and need a surgeon to fix 'pouch', doesn't think exercises will help 'pouch'
2nd doc diagnosis(an internal medicine doc): same as 1st doc
3rd doc diagnosis(a general surgeon):small hernia which maybe causing some back pain and as for pouch exercise but did not have any regiment/suggestions as to what kind exercises. i have been exercising more consisting of cardio (thinking i should lose weight) and tummy exercises but at this point i was wondering if anyone had suggestions as to a surgeon(of course that would consider this for a health reason as oppose to cosmetic-insurance purposes) and/or therapist that specifically worked the DIASTASIS RECTI ?? again appreciate your help. THANK YOU!!!
Sounds like you have what i have a fibroid tumor go to the doctor the longer you wait the harder it will be.
As previously mentioned, it could be a number of things. One more common possibility is fibroids. They are benign tumors of the uterus that can enlarge it to the size of a 12, 16, or even 20 wk pregnancy. You don't mention how long you have had this or when it started, but pregnancy can separate the abdominal muscles and create a diastasis recti. This is when the abdominal contents are pushing through the split in the muscle. Similar to a hernia, but much larger. This weakening of the abdominal muscles can also lead to back pain. Often this can be corrected by physical therapy/exercises.
I am glad you are getting this checked out to rule out more serious issues.
DIASTASIS RECTI!!! It is often caused by pregancy when they stomach muscles seperate. It causes the 'pooched out' stomach that makes you look rather pregnant as well as other stuff. It also causes back pain, and pain if something hits you in the wrong place. Basically, the internal organs spill out against the inside of your skin and when something hits it, there is nothing protecting them (making it hurt). PLEASE go to your doctor and google this - I have the same problem and it took me nearly a year to find out what it was. It requires physical therapy to get rid of it, and if nothing else works, a surgery that is similar to a tummy tuck. Email me if you want to talk more about it. I know EXACTLY what you are going through.
http://www.befitmom.com/abdominal_seperation.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/380146/diastasis...
It could be any number of things but you do need to see your doctor. You don't state how old you are or how old your children are. If the doctor does some blood workup (which they should), include a CA125 test, a marker for ovarian cancer. This is something that every woman should have each year when she has a physical and great to start it when you are younger so you have a baseline number. Not saying you have it now so don't worry:o)
Another thing to look at that is the case with me is that when you mentioned the pain during your period is that you may have some endometriosis, scarring material that has your ovaries or uterus connected to something else like your bowel and when one is in overdrive, it causes the pain because of pulling on something else.
A great book that is a must for all women is by Dr. Christiane Northrup, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. It is a huge book and in paperback.
I'll be the third to recommend seeing a doctor. It really could be so many things. The back pain is the part that really would be concerning to me. It can signify something rather benign or something more serious like ovarian cancer.
Only your doctor can really assess it - even then, you may need other opinions.
Good luck. I hope you find some comfort soon.
I strongly recommend that you see a doctor. There are many causes for a pouch and pain some of which are serious.
If by a pouch you mean you have a visible stomach the pouch could be unrelated to the back pain which could be getting worse because you're using a back brace/tummy support.which then weakens your back and abdominal muscles. The back brace/tummy support, because it weakens your muscles, could be causing both your back pain and tummy pouch. Consider the possibility that you're in a downhill cycle for both your back and tummy.
Add to this the possibility that you have actually added 10 lbs of weight because you are not exercising those muscles. Lots of us add weight to our middle and less so to the rest of our body.
I also suggest that you could have something serious going on. If you look like you're pregnant and you're not you could have a tumor. The longer you delay diagnosis and treatment the more difficult it will be to remove.
Chronic pain is a sign that something is wrong. Please see a doctor. Perhaps the something wrong is a need for more exercise. Tho the treatment is not easy (getting more exercise) it's a whole lot less serious than a tumor. There are other possibilities. You do need a medical answer.
HI T.,
My 11 year old daughter complained of constant backache and her stomache was bulging too. turns out she was severley constipated , though she would " go" everyday. She was so backed up to her colon which caused pain and backache.
It was diagnosed with an x-ray of her abdoman. They also say she had reflux. You need to have a complete physical or get an ultrasound before you consider surgery.
Go to your gynecologist for a pelvic exam and then have the doc order a pelvic ultrasound- this will determine if it is uterine fibroids or a hernia.
Sounds like endometriosis and that causes bloated pain, have you had your ovaries checked lately for cysts or fibroids? get to the gyne and if they suggest a lap you can have the endo removed. The only way to diagnose endo is though a lap surgery sorry. It will help with pain but only lasts a year, but you can do the surgery and then try medication to stop the endo from growing back to help keep things somewhat normal. I do nto do the drugs beause I am allergic to so many medications and I am prone to blood clots etc. I would have that ovarian cancer blood test done too, that causes bloated ness. Is your gall bladder ok, that too made me swell! Good luck.
J.
Updated
Does sound like a hernia to me too now that i reread your post. Have you seen a dr? good luck, J.
sounds like you might have a fibroid tumor
Have you seen a doctor recently? This sounds like some of the signs for fibroids. I've had them removed 3 times. Before the first time, I looked like I was 4 months preggo. The best way to get it diagnosed, though, would be a pelvic exam.
get yourself to a doctor and tell them to test you for ovarian cancer. You might also have a cyst growing. You don't say that you have been to the doctor yet, but I would recommend it and soon.
I'm assuming you have had a baby recently? (used to have an innie, now an outie).
If you have had a baby, sounds like you may have a seperation of the Rectus Abdominal muscles. Your doctor would be able to verfiy.
During pregnancy, when the relaxin hormone makes the connective tissue in your body (hips loose for delivery) it can cause the connective tissue holding the ab muscles to relax and cause a seperation.
When you lie on your back, if you lift your head and reach for your knees (knees bent, don't try to hold your belly in), does your belly look like a mountain with a peak going down the center line in the middle?
This can often be corrected with exercise, but you need a trainer who is trained to work postpartum. If it is more than three finger widths open, this is considered to be surgical, but I've seen and trained women with that big of an opening get the muscles back together with exercise.
When these muscles are seperated, you loose lots of stability for your spine, and thus can cause back pain.
Feel free to send me a message if you want more information, but you should consult your doctor and get it checked out.
Good luck and take care!
I read your "So What Happened" and am with the rest of the responders who have said go to the doctor. You say soon, but make it a priority. I know it's hard with 3 kids all under 6, but please call tomorrow to make your appointment.
