Question:
Have very distended tummy, and not going potty very well along with very sharp pains

in my lower abdomon, and it's very tender to the touch on my right side. Is this gas?? I have been finally passing some and feeling a bit better, but still my BM's are very hard to pass. I am also worried becuause after a year from the surgery, i'm getting heartburn again. Could I have a ruptured staple line? Or am I just freaking out and this is just a bad case of gas?    — Lisa M. (posted on January 5, 2003)

January 5, 2003
Call your doctor who did your surgery !! Go there. I am recovering from scar tissue that had wrapped itself around my bowl and kinked it. This made my other stomach fill up with fluid. This was very painful. Never gamble with your health, go talk to your surgeon NOW. Dont call any doctor but your surgeon, they others are kind and well meaning but you need the real deal. Hope you better soon.
   — domestic G.

January 5, 2003
Personally I would try a gas-x first. If I did not feel any relief within an hour or so then I would call the surgeon's answering service and tell them you need to talk to him/her or whoever is on call for them. They may want to see you in the ER now. But gas is a good bet in my opinion. But mind you my opinion has no medical training behind it. Do what you feel is best but do something.
   — zoedogcbr

January 5, 2003
Call your surgeon right now oor go immediately to the ER. Better safe than sorry. Please let us know what happens!!!
   — bob-haller

January 5, 2003
Yes! This could be serious.... please call your doctor right away... go to the ER if you can't reach your Dr's after hours answering service.
   — Nancy G.

January 5, 2003
Since your stomach is on the upper left of your abdomen, it's probably not something going on there. However, your appendix is on the lower right, under your belly button. If you haven't had it out, that could be it or it could just be gas. I agree with other posters, though. Call and ask the doc about it or go to the ER to have it checked out. Better safe than sorry.
   — garw

January 7, 2003
Original Poster here. Well, I wound up going to the ER the day I first posted this, and jsut got home today. Turns out I had appendicitus, and got them removed yesterday. I coulda sworn it was gas! LOL Oh well, I still feel bloated, but this time I "know" it's gas..the kind they used to expand my belly with. Thanks for all the advice :)
   — Lisa M.

January 8, 2003
Thanks so much for letting us know what it was. I am so glad that you caught the appendix in time. I hope that you feel well very quickly. Take care, Beth
   — Beth S.