Many of the symptoms that you are describing are a sign of liver disease. When the liver becomes very sick, water begins to collect in the abdomen (ascities) and feet (adema). The hormones levels that are effected by the liver will change and red dots (spiders) on the trunk and hands may appear (no one knows exactly why). Since the liver effects so many systems in the body there can be a variety of symptoms too numerous to list here but the forementioned symptoms are some of the common ones. By the way, sharp pains under the rib cage is NOT one of the symptoms however water in the abdomen can cause some discomfort there and shortness of breath. Loss of appetite also may occur with liver disease.

I would not get too alarmed by this right now it is only one possibility but you might wan't to discuss these symptoms with the doctor and have him get a 'liver panel' (blood test).