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Distended belly on left side

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/27/2022 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had bloating but visible on only the left side?

What does it mean?

If I look down at my belly button, theres a very clear angle where I can see my left side bulge out more than the right…

Currently I’m experiencing symptoms such as cramping, gas (mainly trapped) and alternating between solid and watery diarrhea.

On Humira, Azathioprine, Mezavant and rectal meds.
Posted 7/27/2022 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
I've had bloatinģ...but on both sides...no d but a ton of gas. Pre Diagnoses, I had a mass the size of a softball, on the right lower side. It was firm. Turns out it was compacted feces as I was so flared, my poop got stuck there.

You might want to see if anything you've eaten is causing more gas and bloat. If it's solid...it could be a blockage starting...and if that persists, I would call your GI for advise.

Sassy
Posted 7/27/2022 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
I get partial obstructions with distension on one side occasionally. (Food based--thick pizza crust) It's very uncomfortable. I hope you feel better soon.

I'd switch to all liquids until it passes and you feel better.

If it persists I'd contact your doctor. It can be very dangerous if it doesn't pass.

Clo
Posted 7/27/2022 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Nope...I suggest you call your doc asap.
q
Posted 7/28/2022 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, dangerous in what way? Im not talking about a massive bulge from the rest of my belly, but certainly uneven and more distended on the left side. I had diarrhea again this morning after cramps when waking

If this was an obstruction, I wouldn’t go at all right?

The distention comes and goes but this is happening at the same time as the trapped gas is. It feels like gas in there, maybe there’s a buildup one side more than the other?

I took it very easy today, water and BRAT diet. I feel less bloated for sure and the angle isn’t there so much, just slightly.

If I lay down and press down on my abdomen (like the GI’s do), it’s uncomfortable all over because it feels like Im pressing down on gas in there, yet my body acts like it lost the ability to let any farts out!!

I feel kinda like when you eat something bad or have a stomach bug I guess.

Random cramping comes and goes.

Didn’t take the salofalk supp last night and contemplating whether to do the enema tonight or skip another day without any again. Thoughts?

Post Edited (1Wish) : 7/27/2022 6:42:30 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 7/28/2022 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
If you're passing stool and gas, and there are no other major symptoms apart from bloating, I would say you are dealing with run of the mill UC. When I had SIBO, which affects the small bowel, I had major bloating if I ate FODMAPS. It made me look like a pregnant man. Small intestinal bloating is more noticeable around the belly button and slightly lower, whereas the colon borders the outer abdominal area on the front.

I lost so much weight in some of my flares that you could see my colon moving in the lower right and lower left quadrants. It was weird.
Posted 7/28/2022 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
I don't see how a suppository can extend that far past the rectum. You may want to try the enemas again.
Posted 7/28/2022 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Ive done the enema in the end. Tbh I feel I shouldn’t have to be doing any rectal meds since Im on Azathioprine and Humira but I guess it wont hurt to do it (I hope).

@VanJordan, where I see the distended part on the left side of my belly is actually to the left of belly button..

I used to be able to let rip the farts every morning and be great after, for the last few weeks though, as soon as I wake up I feel the buildup of gas but my body wont let it out and this causes a horrible ill feeling.
Posted 7/28/2022 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Partial obstructions are partial. There's an area that is inflamed and won't let things thru, or there's something that is blocking other things enough so that only the small pieces or liquid parts go thru. (Imagine a water pipe that has a build up of things in it yet still allows alittle bit of water to go thru...where you know you better not put anything chunky down there cause the whole thing will back up.)

It's dangerous because those smaller pieces can adhere to the partial obstruction - eventually turning it into a full obstruction. Which then can be even more painful and could require surgery.

I've had 3 surgeries for obstructions so far so I know what I am talking about. I now have a colostomy. I am not trying to scare you but this is a situation you have to watch carefully. BTW.... Not being able to pass gas is one of my "signals" that there is a partial obstruction - unsure if that happens with anyone else.

Contact your doctor now regardless. Change your diet to liquids for 3 days and see if that helps. If you have vomiting, nausea, and painful cramping....call your doctor and go to an ER.

Clo

Post Edited (clo2014) : 7/28/2022 10:23:29 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 7/31/2022 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I spoke to my GI over the phone and he said it’s unlikely an obstruction cos I would definitely be in a lot more pain.

I’ve also had multiple solid bms now. However… today after a regular lunch. I got severe cramps / gas pain on the left hand side. I managed to have a solid bm but the gas pain remains on the left side…

How is it possible to have a BM, yet still feel full of gas on the left side?

Its a shame I cant post a pic because the left side is distended more than the right again. (Had gone down a bit last couple of days).

Is it possible the gas is trapped in the small intestine and could be something like SIBO? Perhaps this is why I feel the gas buildup in there but cant let it out?

What about toxic megacolon? Could that be a worrying possibility?

I just finished a box of VSL that I’ve continued taking and wondering if I should refrain from getting another or if I should continue with it..

Appreciate any feedback
Posted 7/31/2022 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Could it be that your left sided colon is swollen and pressing on the muscles and fascia in that area?
Posted 7/31/2022 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Did you just start the vsl or is this something youve taken for awhile? If it’s new you might try stopping it to see if it helps.
Posted 8/1/2022 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you checked with your GI.

When did you have your last scope...MRI? If the VSL is new I'd consider stopping it and see if that helps.

Do you pass any gas? Does that help any?

Clo
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