Hard, swollen upper abdomen

[Kissa]

I'm pretty surprised he would keep you on T3's long term knowing first of all that over time tolerance becomes a real problem and then where will you end up if the t3's dont work? I was on darvocet for years (many years) because of chronic pain as well, funny thing was I thought my extra pain was normal until they changed my meds recently to something more effective. Short acting meds are honestly not intended for chronic pain at all. If you haven't already stop by the pain management board there's some good advice there about the pros and cons of short acting vs long acting.
I am quite suprised to hear you don't have probs with T3, most folks do. I have medication issues as well and am sensitive to codiene and similar products. There are a few new pain meds out recently if you haven't tried them and a few coming out in the near future so many you can get better relief that way.

Being you've been on T3 for a long time it is possible thats part of your stomache problem, you aren't taking any extra acetominaphen are you? I still think it would affect your kidneys first. Hope you get it checked soon!

I've not found a personal ultrasound unit but I know you can obtain MENS units which work a little deeper than the TENS if you look around the web. There is one real good company in California but unfortunately it's against board rules to post it.

Good luck!

[Sickman]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

My upper abdomen has been swollen and hard for awhile now (a few weeks to a month, probably). Admittedly I am overweight, but not obese, and my upper stomach sticks out much further than my lower abdomen. It is hard to the touch and extremely uncomfortable, although not painful.

I'm hesitant to see my doctor about this, because I'm sure he'll say it's just weight gain (he's not the most sympathetic doctor, nor is he a particularly good listener), although I haven't gained any weight recently.

I've been taking Tylenol 3 (acetaminophen with codeine) for over two years on a regular basis for unrelated chronic pain, but as I've built up a tolerance, I'm now taking much more than I used to.

Is it possible the Tylenol 3 is having some effect on my stomach? I'm certain this isn't normal weight gain.

Dear TrueFaith,
Just a suggetion, but lay down and cross your legs. Then raise up slowly like doing a situp. If your upper abdomen seems to enlarge to a oval peak shape you may have diasitis recti of the abadomen. This is the spreading of the vertical muscles the same as when a woman has a baby only they spread apart and do not close. I have this and it has a lot of bloating, bulging, disconfort, stomach and digestive problems and hardening symptoms. Just a suggestion but you still should verify whatever it is with your Doctor. Good luck

Sincerely,

Sickman