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News:

Menopause Matters magazine ISSUE 81 out now. (Autumn issue, September 2025)

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Author Topic: Update: Swollen belly on topical estrogen-terrified its something serious :(  (Read 6049 times)

Talli

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Thank you everyone.

I have recently gone cold Turkey on 2000mg a day of gabapentin for bladder pain which probably isn’t helping matters.

I went to the urgent care yesterday as I was a complete mess but they said they couldn’t do anything as it was an ongoing issue.

I’ve only been off the Vagifem and ovestin for about 9 days so perhaps it’s too early to tell?

I’m taking my husband to the hrt app for some moral support too.
It’s dosnt always feel bloated if you know what I mean but it looks bloated. Nurse at urgent care said she could see it was bloated.

I’ve also read that a CA125 blood test dosnt really mean anything and that you can still have c even if your numbers are normal which is sending me into more panic.
Why have it done then?
I am just falling apart.
I’m so sorry :(


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Penguin

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It is only a marketer, not a diagnostic. You need to have it done alongside a trans vaginal scan for it to have any real meaning. Read back on earlier comments on this post, I explained the other things that can cause a high ca125. Bloating could also mean digestion too, are you having regular bowel movements? Does it go down after you've had one and then bloat again once you've eaten. That would be more sluggish bowel.
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Talli

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No it never goes down, it’s the same all the time.

I do have digestion issues, have done for years, but never had a swollen tummy like this.

Thank you for your message, I will ask if I can have a transvaginal scan along with the blood test.
I’m so sorry I’m such a wreck at the moment. I just don’t feel right.
I feel sick and yucky 🫣🤪

I’m on laxatives for constipation but since being on them it’s still been swollen. I just wish it would go away and I could relax.
Anyway! Others have a much worse time of it than me  :)
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CLKD

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  • changes can be scary, even when we want them

Laxitives should be used for 5 nights then stop.  Otherwise the digestive tract begins to depend on them.

I suggest that U read through the responses here.  Make notes ;-).  It's difficult with HA to be logical.

VA treatment may take a couple of weeks to feel benefit, why do U think it's a problem?  My belatedness is due to having eaten processed foods for years, now that I have cut most out, my bowels are a lot better and any bloatedness has gone.

MayB read the 'ovacom' website .........
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Jules

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I think the time it takes us to get medical support and answers contributes to our anxiety. Prompt responses would help. More people are paying out of desperation
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Penguin

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I think the time it takes us to get medical support and answers contributes to our anxiety. Prompt responses would help. More people are paying out of desperation

Totally agree. The waiting makes the anxiety worse which often makes the symptoms worse!
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Talli

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I think the time it takes us to get medical support and answers contributes to our anxiety. Prompt responses would help. More people are paying out of desperation

Definitely!
I’ve been asking about this stupid swollen thing for months and no one would even examine me and now I think it’s built up into something massive in my mind.

CLKD the laxatives were prescribed by GP to use everyday. Maybe she shouldn’t have done that?  :-\

I’m hoping i can get a blood test (although I know it dosnt necessarily detect early grade c) and a US scan.
Gone back on a lower dose of gabapentin too for the bladder pain. I’ll see if that helps the HA.
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Penguin

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I think the time it takes us to get medical support and answers contributes to our anxiety. Prompt responses would help. More people are paying out of desperation

Definitely!
I’ve been asking about this stupid swollen thing for months and no one would even examine me and now I think it’s built up into something massive in my mind.

CLKD the laxatives were prescribed by GP to use everyday. Maybe she shouldn’t have done that?  :-\

I’m hoping i can get a blood test (although I know it dosnt necessarily detect early grade c) and a US scan.
Gone back on a lower dose of gabapentin too for the bladder pain. I’ll see if that helps the HA.

If you have had this for months, then you 100% need to insist on an examination, not just a hrt review. Someone needs to feel your tummy and do a pelvic  examination.
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Talli

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I think the time it takes us to get medical support and answers contributes to our anxiety. Prompt responses would help. More people are paying out of desperation

Definitely!
I’ve been asking about this stupid swollen thing for months and no one would even examine me and now I think it’s built up into something massive in my mind.

CLKD the laxatives were prescribed by GP to use everyday. Maybe she shouldn’t have done that?  :-\

I’m hoping i can get a blood test (although I know it dosnt necessarily detect early grade c) and a US scan.
Gone back on a lower dose of gabapentin too for the bladder pain. I’ll see if that helps the HA.

If you have had this for months, then you 100% need to insist on an examination, not just a hrt review. Someone needs to feel your tummy and do a pelvic  examination.



I agree. That’s why I’m so freaked out about it. I’ve tried twice to talk to them about it but they keep fobbing me off.
Had it for about 5 months :-\
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Penguin

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Can you afford to pay privately for a scan?  I think around 150?
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Talli

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No I really can’t unfortunately.
I wish I could I really do.
 :(
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Penguin

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So I think you need to call the surgery, ask them to put in writing that you've had this for 5 months and insist on seeing a GP. I mean really insist.
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Talli

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I did call them and I did and e consult on Monday and they just replied “tell the nurse about it at your HRT review on Friday” to both things
They’re hopeless sometimes  :-\
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Penguin

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If they don't do a pelvic exam at the review and are unwilling to do the ca125 test and refer you for a scan, then I'd get in contact with the practice manager and ask them to resolve it. Not even examining you is negligence imo.
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Lesred

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Talli I’m with Penguin on this, as much as the nurses are very helpful, you really need a GP to listen and check you I also agree that the waiting we are now subjected to adds to more anxiety making the situation way worse.

Gosh I remember when I could go online, see all the drs and available appointments and pick one without having to explain myself constantly on a form hoping I see the doctor I would most prefer. It’s horrible and you have my sympathy.

The only thing I would say, and I don’t know how it works with your surgery, but if the nurse can’t answer your query she then sends a text message through there and then for you to book an appt with a gp? Does yours work like that? If so it might at least finally get you an appointment with a gp, if a little longwinded.

Les x x
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