What Causes Swollen Abdomen, Weight Gain And Breathing Difficulty With Increased Cholesterol Level?

Brief Answer:
Clinical evaluation and tests to determine the causes

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.

To recapitulate: Female/48 - under treatment for chronic pain - 11 prescription and OTC medications - having problems urinating - abdomen feel very hard - gained 30 lbs in last 3 months - Cholesterol went from 190 to 265 within 6 months - huge stomach looking like pregnancy - difficulty i controlling breathing because you feel that the stomach is pushing on diaphragm...

You have to visit the GI Doctor first and also a Kidney Doctor.

I would like to know a few more things so that I can assist you further:
- What are the medicines are you taking as a few of them can have weight gain as a side effect or untoward effect.
- Have you got any other blood tests like thyroid or other hormonal tests?
- Any other investigations done?
- What type of chronic pain that you have to take so many medications, please give details.

I would like to advise you the following in such a situation:
First of all to get a clinical evaluation and examination by your Doctor so that a clinical diagnosis is made better, this gives an idea about what other tests need to be done.
Investigations:
Blood tests - Routine CBC and additional tests of thyroid profile, kidney function tests and liver function tests.
Preliminary Ultrasonography to be followed by Contrast CT or MRI (MRCP) to confirm or rule out certain problems. This will help to visualize the whole viscera of the abdomen.
Tests of urine - the gram staining, culture and sensitivity as you have trouble in passing urine.

All these tests and clinical evaluation will help us to see whether your problem is related to thyroid or some other problem that needs to be searched and treated for you to get a relief and cure as well.

I hope this answer helps you to get an early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Please give feedback.

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