Well, I'll be the first to reply, probably one of many that will answer. I look like a fat duck, waddling across the road! I have no clothes that will fit me anymore, and basically live in pretty sweatshirts, if there is such a thing. Elastic waist jeans and whatever else I can put together. Can't say that I like it very much as I don't, but I we don't seem to have any choices in this matter. God forbid that I have to go to a wedding or funeral any time soon because I don't know what I would wear. Oh the joys of PKD. I see that you have degenerative arthritis like I do. I have it in my back and having a fat stomach only makes it worse, but again, what can I do.

Yes, add me to the list. I have always had a very flat tummy and slim middle. But I noticed while in Hawaii recently hat I sure felt uncomfortable in my two piece bathing suit. I had to swallow a lot of pride. Thankfully, it helped to see a LOT of very out of shape, bulging people on the beach, much worse than me, and perhaps they didn't have the same excuse as me (I know my husband sure doesn't). And yes, I have cysts everywhere. I am just hoping that once I get some energy back after being sick this week, and waiting to get on dialysis, that I will get the energy to get some muscle tone back, and not let the vanity get to me. You know, there is a big difference between "glamour" and beauty. Our beauty can emerge through our blemishes and scars from life, but glamour is only shallow and on the surface.

Blessings
Heather

Yup...I had a hugely distended mid section before I had both my kidneys removed. It is a common complaint on this site especially among we women! Men can get away with big bellies more easily. Women have a hard time because people assume we are pregnant or just extremely out of shape. It can be hard on the old ego, not to mention the back and the other organs!

I had to try and rock the big shirt and skinny pants look for a long time.

All the best to you.

Yes indeed, my belly is huge. I'm very frequently asked when it's due, which really hurt at first, but I'm used to it now. It's a combination of massively enlarged kidneys, and also liver. I'm more concerned about minimising pain and discomfort and keeping mobile these days, which at 44 sounds wrong but there you go. I'm still moving, and am glad for that.

Chewitt

Yes, I have the huge belly too, from kidneys and liver. I like to wear nice clothes so I have started making skirts with an elastic waistband and pretty tops to go with them that fit loosely over waist. I wear earrings and pretty necklaces to draw attention above waist. I have recently been told by some people that I look like I'm putting on weight.(?) They didn't say when I was due but seem perplexed because the rest of me is skinny bean pole petite size. So, I just smile and tell them all about PKD and help them be more aware of it. Most people have never heard of it. Even after explaining it they still don't understand it. They'll say then why don't you just have the cysts removed. I may try shopping in the maternity section for pants and shorts because I don't feel like sewing all the time. One day I won't look like this anymore.

my kidneys are large, but I have a very little outpouching tummy(almost flat) why is that?
does it mean that my kidneys are not as large as I imagine? I have stomach fullness, acidity, inconvenience(tight abdomen) when my intestines are filled with food.

left is around 18cm to 20cm and right is 17cm

sumbunnie and alinds - if you don't mind what is your kidney size

Well, I don't know but I feel like I am larger but then again I am a heavy person anyway and its hard to tell. I don't know how big my kidneys are my doctor hasn't taken an ultrasound of them.

Hi Balapandian,
I don't know hwo tall you are or if you are male or female but if you are a tall or large person you will have more room for the kidneys to grow before they start to pooch out. I am almost 5'3" and medium boned, so there was not a lot of room for the kidneys to expand before they had to grow out rather than up.

Your kidneys sound pretty big. I don't know the length of mine but they weighed a total of 15.8 pounds. If you friend me on this site you will be able to see photos of mine after they were removed. In terms of pain, discomfort etc--that can affect different people very differently. I had very little pain although I did have nausea especially at night. People with far smaller kidneys than mine have verty bad pain. It is very individual so it is hard to judge base don kidney size alone. All the best to you!

I am fairly tall, 5'6 and medium build. At last ultrasound which was last year, one kidney was a wee bit over 17cm and the other is19cm. My belly is big!!!!!! I'll be having another one at my next apt. which is in May. We'll see then whats growing inside of me, LOL All I can invision in myself is a DUCK, waddling across the highway. Long strangly arms, skinny legs and a fat belly! I'am thinking of making a sign and hanging it around my neck that says, I HAVE PKD, I'am not pregnant!! You all know that I go to the gym every day too, you can imagine what they think of me there huh? At least my skin is toned, what more can I say???

Add me to the list also. Just part of this nasty disease.

Add me to your list. Huge liver and kidneys. I used to have an hourglass figure and when you see me from the back there is still that illusion... until I turn around: eight months' pregnancy. Shopping for clothes is usually depressing. Also liver hurts and expands at times after stressful periods.