Cirrhosis Support Group

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...

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Gastrointestinal System
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Ascites

deleted_user
deleted_user
Well, I'm pretty sure i'm getting the onset of Ascites again. Only had it once before in Oct 2010.. Miserable! I am a small woman my normal weight is 110, I'm 5.2, and my waist line is anywhere from 27-29 normally. Well, since cirrhosis nothing is normal anymore. I'm gonna have David take a picture when he gets up - mainly for documentation purposes for SSD. If it is ascites, I'll start the H2o pills again full throttle!! I stopped going to the Gastro Dr.s because for me, Why? So he could thump on my NOT swollen belly? And charge me165.00. NO. My G.P. can do that. Plus I've been mixed up in the head lately and it's not HE.. it's depression and other stuff, David's drinking comes to mind. being alone comes to mind, except for my dogs and the TV- which I ask questions too and talk to all the time. Guess the dogs think I'm talking to them.. I know Winnie does cause her little tail just goes a waggin' when she hears my voice! I love her. I just hope I'm doing the right thing cause the last time I had ascites . and went to get a belly tap ( I like that word cause it reminds me of a keg of beer) it was chaotic, right hand left hand not knowing the difference btwn the 2, it was really due to the Gastro dr. being out of town and before he left he said NO to a neck IV or Central line and the On call didn't know me and said he had to stand my the other Dr/s orders. So i went home came back the next day.. same thing. I needed an IV cause they needed to give platelets 1st . My platelets were around 50. Don't want to do that again! Ever! Anyone else here get the onset and start taking the diuretics ? I stopped the diuretics cause they aren't good for the liver and nothing was going on.. Dr. said quit taking them.. you'll know when you need them. Who's had this experience ?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi there,

I have finally after a year have my acites under control. I eat more protein which seems to help. However, you need to be extremely careful with this. I ended up in the ICU for 5 days due to Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitsis. I do not want that again...ever. I take lasix and aldactone which seems to help out alot. But good luck in your treatment and I will say a prayer for you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
While dealing with hubby's acities,they told him to use a weight scale daily. This was so he could see if he was gaining weight daily,which should show if it is fluid gain. Salt was the biggest factor with his acities,when we controlled his salt intake,his acities lessened,also I fed him extra steakes,pumped in the protien. Of course if there is any HE issues,protien could possible cause an increase with that(HE). Depression,in my opinion comes with any serious disease. Our dogs and the tv was company for hubby while I was at work. (especially the dogs loving loyality.) Bless their little four-legged hearts. Diuretics were the daily norm while he dealt with acities,but only during the acities problems. I don't think taking them without the doctor's ok would be advisable,at least call the doctor to get an ok to take them would be my advise. Hubby had 28 or 29 drainings before it(acities) stopped. But I well remember the pain from the acities and the undesirable drainings he went through. It's an ugly part of cirrhosis.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I also take the aldactone and lasix. My doc keeps me on a lower dose every day. If I quit taking them I start gaining flud that day. Recently I was sick with a virus and had to stop them for about 5 days. I gained and lost 15 pounds of fluid in four days. I hate taking the meds because they cause my hands, feet and legs to cramp all the time. The meds cause their own problems. Both of these meds reduce your B/P and I don't have high B/P....which causes me to feel sluggish. For me it comes down to the side effects of medications or the complications it treats. Watch your salt intake.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I went tot the G.P. today cause he had reaults from blood work. Nothing really to reaport . alt's, ast's & platelets.. all high and low. But I do have ascites and he told me to start staking the spiro and lasix again. I've gained 11 lbs since this post started.. 3 days? Yep. I;ve been worse than this before tho. and the diuretics have taken care of it. So that's what I'll do. Thanks for everyones input.. love you all! feather
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi. My husband has been ascites free for 4 months now. He had a TIPS done in October, then a revision in Dec. It's been a blessing not to have to go to get a "belly tap" (i like that too) every week. He got up to 14 liters removed each week . The meds just weren't working for him at all.
I know that TIPS has it's problems too, but I guess we will cross that bridge when we get there. Funny thing (not really) is he isn't bad enough to be considered for a transplant. His Pugh number is way low....
Since Im new here, is anyone else waiting for a transplant?
deleted_user
deleted_user
yep, my husband has his first consult with the transplant program 5-9-11. I guess we will find out more then. I calculated his MELD from his test results on Thursday at 22. He was admitted with hepatic hydrothorax (fluid in his chest, instead of the abdomen). I did research and it is scary. Are you aready on the list?

My husband had ascites last fall and was getting a paracentesis about everfy 10 days. The lasix and aldactone seemed to keep the ascites under control since December, but now have this new issue.
Rosiecon
Rosiecon
Hi all has anyone got any tips on home remedies for ascites please would appreciate any advice
lONECOUGAR
lONECOUGAR
Just all of the standard ones like avoiding sodium. My wife's hepatologist told her that ascites is not "sustainable". We weren't sure what that meant but it didn't sound good. She was a good candidate for a TIPS and she had it done. No more ascites but a whole host of other issues. I wish you luck.