I've been asked if I was pregnant too. My tummy is about the size it was when I was pregnant. Mine is from the Prednisone and started after I had been on it a few months. I know mine isn't from gas. Sorry I can't help you more.

I have had the same problem but never related it to my DM. Now you have me wondering - I have very slow digestion and can only eat small amounts at a time or I get the gastritis. I am going in tomorrow to my GP and will ask. Relief - eat small amounts but more often, drink lots of water, eat fruits only 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal and eat them alone as they ferment in your stomach. Fast as often as you can for a few hours - I try to go 14 hours between dinner and my breakfast.

"Your own body attacking cells in your stomach. Called autoimmune gastritis, this rare condition occurs when your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining. This produces a reaction by your immune system that can wear away at your stomach's protective barrier. Autoimmune gastritis is more common in people with other autoimmune disorders, including Hashimoto's disease, Addison's disease and type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune gastritis can also be associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency." -from mayoclini.com.

I'm gonna ask my my GP about it tomorrow too.

I do not have gastritis with my PM, however, I have had substantial and major GI issues since I was a teenager (many moons ago).

My tummy is also larger then I'm happy with due to the Pred. I have had a lot of heartburn since the meds. Rolaids or Tums helps.
I've actually had less gas issues since I started taking a probiotic supplement and Metamucil for fiber.

Oh my goodness, a bloated stomach and gastritis have become my enemy, It seems as if my always flat stomach as been taken over by something alien. It bloats when I inject my insulin. It bloats even more so when I feed it; even making movements as it digests the food. I can't control the gas that it produces and it embarrasses me everywhere I go. My doctor put on on Prevacid for heartburn, it doesn't help with the bloating and gas. I want to try something over the counter, or just old fashion baking soda and water, but with the PM I have no idea what if anything I can take. Another question for my short list for my doctor tomorrow.

GI motility and gastritis is very common with PM. I have an appointment with a new GI doc next week. Esophogeal dysmotility and gastric dysmotility unfortunately are another one of those things we have to be mindful of.

Watch what you eat too. You can get the diet restrictions from your doctor to decrease your discomfort and gas production.

Good luck...hope it gets better soon!!

I have had gastro problems for years, I've always thought I just had food allergies/intolerences but now I feel it is part of this whole autoimmune disease. I did not test positive for celiacs but I don't think I was tested correctly because I had not been eating wheat for so long, most people know that there will not be antibodies for it if you are not putting it in your body. I had a dr who disagrees or just didn't care. I may pursue it further with a new doctor but I just think if I follow a wheat/gulten free diet I am better off. so the test won't change what I do. I am so sensitive to other foods too like dairy, it's kind of hard to pinpoint... sometimes I just think I am sensitive to everything and have chronic bloat/constipation/diarrhea. I do what I can to regulate it, it's a constant struggle. I think I read that DM can effect your gastro system, it makes sense to me. Let us know what your dr says.

Before DM, I had the proverbial cast iron stomach. I could eat any thing, any amount, any time of the day, etc. I've always had a tendency for pain to make me nauseous, so with muscle pain and all the toxic drugs I've taken, my GI system just turned inside out. Ugh!

Even though I'm off most meds and the muscle symptoms are controlled, Now I have permanent scarring in my esophagus from reflux (thanks to prednisone) and I don't think I'll ever have that cast iron stomach again.

I've discovered a few things that make me feel better, though... 1) Omeprazole for reflux; my GI doc says I should take it for the rest of my life. 2) Just the right amount of fiber; too little slows down my digestion and too much makes me bloated. 3) Eating 5 or 6 small meals/day; it only takes about 10 bites to make me feel full and by the 12th bite my stomach feels huge and I have trouble breathing. 4) Not eating after 6pm; helps with reflux and lets your GI system rest until breakfast. And 5)Strengthening my abdominal muscles; these muscles also become weak from DM and PM, but I don't think we notice it as much as the weakness in our arms and legs. When your stomach supported by strong abs you'll feel less bloated.
~Lucky

Luckybee, I am so happy that you remain active on this forum, you have been so very helpful to me so many times. Your share about gastro issues has been very informative for me and has given me some ideas of changes I can make. Thank you for sharing!
Hugs
Maruska

I'm extremely fortunate that I don't experience many GI problems, however when I do, Omeprazole also helps me. I never had too many problems with my stomach until all the various meds they put me on and then the nausea then began to set in. I also have a bottle of TUMS on my nightstand that I take as needed.
Blessings,
Kim

Something that helps my digestion is eating fresh pineapple at the end of my bigger meals each day.

Yes, I have gastric problems that started with the PM....I agree with everything LuckyBee said....Esp. about weakened abdominal and lumbar muscles....both combine to hold your body upright along with your proximal muscles....my tummy sticks out, not so much because of bloating or gas but because my muscles are so weak in those areas....I am trying like crazy to strengthen them but not much progress so far...sigh...