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Why does the stomach swell? If you eat or not! Breathing gets hard.

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Houston, TX

I’ve shared with these uneducated doctors (I have several) and I’m about to fire them all. I can’t take certain meds, I almost lost my life in 2011, stomach perforated they had to use a omental patch and the rest of my stomach that was left to close it up. I have to be very very careful what I consume! My doctors know this! Yall im tired of it all. This is frustrating and im tired of explaining. Lupus has been horrible to me. I don’t like it and I am not playing. From the meds to pain, can’t… read more

February 20 (edited)
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MyLupusTeam

Why does your stomach swell regardless of eating, and why does breathing become difficult?

Your frustration is completely understandable, especially given your history with stomach perforation. Stomach swelling with lupus can happen for several reasons, and it's concerning that it's affecting your breathing.

Lupus can cause Show Full Answer

Why does your stomach swell regardless of eating, and why does breathing become difficult?

Your frustration is completely understandable, especially given your history with stomach perforation. Stomach swelling with lupus can happen for several reasons, and it's concerning that it's affecting your breathing.

Lupus can cause inflammation throughout your digestive system, including your intestines, pancreas, liver, and other abdominal areas. This inflammation can lead to bloating and swelling even when you haven't eaten.

Some specific lupus-related causes of abdominal swelling include:

- Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (your body acts like there's a blockage when there isn't one, causing bloating, pain, and swelling)
- Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)
- Peritonitis (inflammation in the abdominal area from infections)
- Gastroparesis (stomach empties too slowly, causing feelings of fullness and bloating)

Given your medication restrictions due to your 2011 perforation, this makes managing symptoms even more challenging. NSAIDs and corticosteroids—common lupus treatments—can cause stomach bleeding, ulcers, and other intestinal issues, which you understandably need to avoid. The difficulty breathing when your stomach swells is likely because the abdominal distension is putting pressure on your diaphragm, making it harder to take full breaths.

A MyLupusTeam member described similar experiences with constant swelling. This is a serious symptom that needs proper investigation, especially combined with breathing difficulties.

You deserve doctors who listen and take your history seriously. Consider asking for referrals to a gastroenterologist familiar with lupus complications and your specific surgical history. They may need to investigate whether you have ascites, pseudo-obstruction, or other inflammation causing the swelling.

Document when the swelling happens, what makes it worse or better, and how it affects your breathing. This information can help push for the proper testing and treatment you need.

February 20
A MyLupusTeam Member

I'm really sorry to hear you're going through all this. But I do understand it's hard. On the bad thing about it is the doctors don't really know the scientists haven't figured it out so I just don't know what to say about any of it and I understand when you say you're just getting tired of it and the depression that goes behind it is horrible. I hope you come down to the bottom of this and they can give you something to help you out I'm praying for you giving you a big hug

February 20
A MyLupusTeam Member

Prayers for all you
beautiful Lupies ! Stay strong 💪, perseverance and God loving grace will carry us on ♥️🥰✝️

March 18
A MyLupusTeam Member

Yes God's trying to make me as strong as possible. Because I haven't completed my mission yet I have to finish raising my great grandsons and he knows that. I am feeling a little better today I'm just really weak. How are you doing I hope good you have a blessed day

February 25
A MyLupusTeam Member

You are definitely right ice cream helps everything. I want to introduce myself my name is Judy Sanford I have Lupus autoimmune hepatitis end stage 4 I actually have 37 things wrong with me. And you know as well as I do it hurts like hell I'm hoping you have a wonderful day big hug

February 22

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