Check out this massive belly! (Photo included)

cosmicwalker21 said:I honestly think it’s just from the beer...

😂 It's definitely not the beer since they don't even touch alcohol.
Plus, they aren't supposed to be drinking anyway because of their medication.

ruggedscout91 said:In my opinion, they should probably go get an FBI checkup and some blood work done. Just to rule out pregnancy.

There's zero chance they're pregnant from drinking.
But look, all those tests will happen this fall, so we'll finally have some actual answers then.
Thanks, everyone. 👍

I’ve got that exact same kind of gut situation going on myself—it seems like some people just pack it all on around their waistline, while others just sort of protrude straight out. Looking at that front-facing photo, there is absolutely no way that’s a pregnancy; it’s just textbook stubborn fat. It just settles right there in the front. And honestly, don't even get me started on the upper arms, because I'd bet anything they're carrying some extra weight there too! It’s never just the stomach. I'm dealing with the very same thing.
As far as the whole pregnancy versus tumor debate goes—if that were actually the case, she wouldn't be having her period or dealing with those typical cramps, I mean, let's be real... plus, I’d wager if she tried to suck it in or push it back with her hands, she could do it without much trouble, which really points toward... well, just fat.

Look, let’s get one thing straight: this forum isn't a clinic. We aren't here to hand out diagnoses or prescribe treatments. Sure, we can speculate on potential causes—that's what happens in online communities—but anyone reading needs to understand that this is purely guesswork. It is entirely up to the individual to seek out actual medical professionals. A suggestion from a random person on a message board can never replace the advice of a doctor who actually examines you and manages your care. That goes without saying, regardless of whether the person posting has an MD or not.

Lithium carbonate is notorious for causing significant weight gain in patients. Based on the photos provided, the lady seems to be carrying most of her weight in her abdomen, though she doesn't look "overweight" everywhere else. Still, we shouldn't play games with health by blindly blaming medication without running the proper tests. In a situation like this, you have to rule out liver issues or thyroid problems first, both of which could potentially be side effects of the meds themselves. She needs a full blood panel (including liver function tests), T3, T4, TSH levels, and an abdominal ultrasound. An ultrasound would also clarify if we're even looking at adipose tissue or something else entirely. Bottom line: ignore the speculation and get a second opinion, even if both doctors involved are likely correct.

fadedmarlin402 said:Look, I get it. This forum isn't exactly a clinic where we hand out official diagnoses or prescription plans, but that doesn't mean we can't offer some perspective or point people in the right direction when they're feeling lost. We can certainly speculate on what might be causing certain symptoms—why not?—but there really ought to be a clear nod to the fact that this is all just guesswork. It’s on the individual to go find a professional who actually knows what they're doing. At the end of the day, a random comment on an internet thread just can't replace the expertise of a doctor who can actually examine you in person and manage your care, and that goes without saying regardless of whether the person typing is a licensed MD or just someone with a passing interest in biology.

That goes without saying, really; we're on the internet, after all, so it feels a bit redundant to have to hammer that point home at the bottom of every single thread, doesn't it?

Lisa Nelson70 said:That should be a given. We're on the internet; I don't think we need to spell out the obvious in every single thread.

It’s not strictly necessary, but looking at certain people here, it feels like it might be... 😉 Otherwise, you run the risk of being labeled a total fraud.

Amanda Lee31 said:What do you guys think about this photo? What could it be?

The person isn't pregnant. The ultrasound looks fine.

.......I really hope I'm dead wrong here. Someone close to me looks just like this... tumor... recommendation given... went to a private clinic for an MRI, and by the next day, everything was settled, around $1000..

You really need to get the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands checked out...
With Kennedyan syndrome, you end up with that bloated abdomen...

amberdriver8 said:.......I really, truly hope I'm dead wrong here, but someone very close to me is going through something similar... they suspected a tumor, and the recommendation was to get an MRI at a private clinic. By the next day, everything was wrapped up, right around $1000..

In this context, getting an MRI feels like a shot in the dark. It shouldn't be the first thing on the list for testing in either scenario.