It can be scary how much fluid the abdomen can hold, it is caused by ascites, and in the legs & ankles, edema.
Ascites can get to be extremely painful and uncomfortable. It depends how bad your mum feels as to whether she goes to the ER or not.

I tend to wait until I really can't take any more pain, which for me isn't much, I have trouble breathing and my BP is on the increase.

If the pain/bloating is bad they may perform a paracentisis, where a needle is pushed into the abdomen and a tube put in which drains the excess fluid into vacuum bottles.

Prior to doing the paracentisis they normally scan the abdomen with ultra sound to ensure the needle will not puncture any internal organs.

I find paracentisis is a bit uncomfortable, but they numb me with novocaine and afterwards my stomach is tender for up to a week.

But the relief is......AWESOME!!!! :-)

They may decide to keep your mom in if it is her first time.

They also may decide not to do it at all, but admit her and put her on IV Lasix, which means she will pee like the proverbial racehorse for a day or so!!!!

If at all worried, head for the ER, I do :-)

Prior to my transplant I had fluid in the belly for several years. I had as much as 3 quarts drained. Towards the end The fluid became unbearable and moved into my legs feet, groin, scrotum, penis, back. I could not see my toes as the fluid in my feet overlapped them. My scrotum was bigger that a grapefruit and my penis disapeared and had to be dug out to use. After transplant i lost 60 lbs in fluid. Unless there is a real sudden change i wouldn"t worry especially with the fact it comes and goes. If it becomes unbearable go to emergency. Call your doc if no appointment soon.
Basically this is a normal course and side effect from liver disease.

thank you so much for your knowledge and experiences. I appreciate it so much.

So I shouldnt worry unless pain starts then? Or if the fluid is for more than a day or 2 go to the hospital?

If it hurts, go.

Hi, my name is Patti & I understand your concern for your Mom. Water retention is uncomfortable & painful. I let it go too long. I have an umbilical hernia from all the fluid pressure against my stomach. My doctors were giving me mega doses of dieretics so I denied I even had a problem until last Christmas. My husband & I had a nice steak dinner except I had no appetite & could not eat. Then we went to see Marley & Me. After the movie, my husband went to bed & I took myself to the hospital. I spent 2 nights in the hospital & had a paracentisis treatment. It is a necessary treatment, a little uncomfortable for a second or two, but well worth it. 7.5 ltrs. of fluid was removed, 1-1/2 wks. later another paracentisis, 8.5 ltrs. and yet another 7 ltrs. the following week. WOW! What a relief. No more pain & bloating. I lost 45 lbs. since Christmas. I hope your Mom gets medical attention soon. It really does not pay to wait or will it go just away. No one should suffer needlessly. God Bless You Both.

Dandelion Root (made into a "tea") - Those who've progressed to cirrhosis often find fluid retention in the lower abdomen and ankles to be a problem. This is basically liquid waste that's prone to infection and usually controlled by the use of prescription diuretics such as "Lasix" and "Aldactone". In my own case, my fluid retention was in the area of the abdomen (called "ascites") and my doctor prescribed both of the above mentioned diuretics to control it. These drugs can damage the kidneys and have other undesirable side effects on the body when used for extended periods of time and it wasn't long before I started experiencing them myself.

This is when I decided to search for an alternative to these medications and learned about dandelion root. This herb has been reported to be a natural alternative to the diuretic prescriptions I was taking, and after being on the meds for close to a year, my doctor agreed to go along with my desire to wean myself from both and switch to dandelion root. I did this by gradually decreasing my dosage of the pills while increasing my intake of the herb (which I make into a tea). Over a period of a few months I was successful at completely stopping the prescriptions and by drinking the tea I was able to keep my ascites under control. For a number of years I'd make up a pot in the morning, and drink between one to two quarts per day.

I'm happy to say that since late in the year 2000, my condition has improved to where I've been able to reduce my daily intake of dandelion root to about 16 oz. and as long as I remain on my low-sodium diet I no longer have a problem with ascites. Dandelion root can be purchased in pill form or as raw herb which can be made into a "tea". I prefer the latter and here's how to make it:

Using one teaspoon of raw dandelion root per cup of water (or 3 tablespoons per 2 quart pot), bring your water to a boil, turn down to a slow roll, and add the dandelion root. Leave covered at this temperature for about 20 minutes, then let it cool and enjoy.

It tastes a little different, but herbs usually do, and I think it's really enjoyable once you get accustomed to it (now, you can't tell me that some of you haven't consumed some "different" tasting things before). You can even buy it roasted which changes the flavor a bit, and it's fine to sweeten or flavor it with lemon, or whatever. I order my dandelion in bulk which is the cheapest, and I believe the most potent (Teabags are much more expensive). Dandelion root is healthy for the entire digestive system and is a really good herb even for those who don't have cirrhosis. Many health food stores don't carry bulk dandelion root though and if you have a problem finding it, ask them to order it for you.
(this is from "Kev's Regimen)
http://nationalhepatitis-c.org/kevregimen

I hope this helps you as well as it has helped my hubby.
patty

Once again thank you guys so much and i will deff look into dandelion root. Also By when did you start lowering aldactone? How do u know when to lower the dosage and know that the root is helping? Is it bad to just take both things?

We weened him off the diuretics when he was first dx and then we used the dandy all the time. You will know the dandy is working when your going to the bathroom and you will. There's no side effects like the diuretics. You'll just pee!!!!!!!!!!!!! You must be on a strict low sodium diet. Read the labels on all your food.