Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrotic scar tissue as well as regenerative nodules, leading to progressive los...
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New to forums - question about Ascites
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Hello everyone. I just joined here a couple of days ago and had been taking my time reading what has already been posted here, etc. - and now I find I have a question about Ascites.
A little background about me and my case: I am a 44 year old male, quit drinking 4 1/2 years ago, and had been living completely without symptoms of Cirrhosis for most of that time. Just recently, however, a number of the later stage symptoms have appeared. I do not have jaundice or ankle swelling yet, but over the last week or so I have developer Ascites, the abdominal swelling. This condition has probably become the number one problem right now with my quality of life. As I haven't seen this before, I have no idea how to estimate in Liters just how swollen I think I might be. Certainly 4 or more though I would think. My back, especially the lower back, is in massive pain from the extra weight and other factors, plus it is just about impossible for me to get comfortable in any position so I can get to sleep. I have been subsisting on 2-3 hours sleep per night which I can only get if I sit upright in a chair. So, two questions really,,,: 1) How much fluid buildup do you normally wait for before going in or paracentesis? 2) Can anyone suggest anything better than sitting upright in a chair to sleep? Thanks for any help you can give, and thanks also for being here! Chris. Dundalk, ON, Canada Posted on 10/04/08, 07:10 am |
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You need to see your Dr. ASAP they will determine whether it is time for parcentesis.
Also if you haven't had blood work recently that should be done because it appears as if things are changing for you. 
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As Reed said its time to go see the Doc. I was bloated but it didn't seem like much because I was always big 275-305lbs. I was tapped in the hospital and had 9 liters removed. Haven't had it since but I Take care of my diet now and weigh 210. I am pretty sick though so I did lose quite a bit of muscle. Good luck and get in soon, I'm sure its getting harder to breath now. Darren
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My radiologist won't perform the fliud being removed unless he gets at least 6 liters. The back pain is normal. Eventully it will become harder to breath as you retain more fluid. You certainly should get and update on your liver condition if you are having acites now. He may put you on diuretics that will help.
You will wan't to be on a low sodium diet to help slow down the fluid retention. I am under 2000 mg sodium per day. You should get this info from your doctor at what sodium level he suggests for you. Other wise sitting in a chair helps. Until you get the drainage I know of no other way to get relief. Good luck.
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You need to see a Dr right away you might need to be on diurectics and can determin if you need a parencentesis You shouldn,t have to be sitting upright in a chair there is help for it i have had several and along with low sodium diet and diruretics I can sleep comfortable pretty much through the night keep us upsdated
Jacs
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Hello,my hubby has cirrhosis too. He has had about 24 paracentisis' done in this past year,averaging 11-12 liters which equals to about 22-24 pounds of fluid being drained every 10 days. For what ever reason(I attribute it to prayer) his fluid build up has decreased to about 6 to 8 liters every 2 to 3 months. I certainly hope you are under the care of a doctor. This needs to be carefully watched so that you don't get to a crital stage wich will end you in the E.R. for an immediate drainage(happened to us). PLEASE..see a doctor. It is imparative(sp) that you follow doctors orders. My hubby doesn't and pays severly with many unessary pains and sufferings. Please listen to those who have lived with this,get to a G.I. and get under a doctors care. God bless you and I wish you the best.
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Hi Chris,
As all the other folks have said SEE A DOCTOR!! My husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis in May, and has had 3 paracentesis' performed (a total of 40+ liters drained in less than 6 weeks). He has had a procedure called TIPS performed about 3 weeks ago. It has helped tremendously with his fluid retention (as well as aldactone-a diuretic) and maintaining a low sodium diet. (however he did have an incident with a seriously low sodium level that the doctor made him go to the ER for this week, and they changed his meds....again.) You must seek medical attention. This is a serious condition. The doctor told my husband that having fluid drained too frequently draws out the proteins and nutrients that the body needs to survive. The end result would be him literally starving to death, even though he can eat with no problem; he has no nausea or vomiting. As with you, he has loss most of his muscle mass and looks skeletal. He was a big guy too....250, healthy....it is so sad. I cannot give you any advise on your loss of sleep. It has still been a problem for my husband and his fluid retention has lessened significantly. I think that the sleep issue is just a part of the cirrhosis (a side effect), although the excess fluid doesn't help. I wish you all the best and pray for your speedy recovery. God Bless, and take care.
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Hi everyone,
I am Chris' other half. He has been under the care of doctors continuously for past 3 months, and actually in hospital for most of that time. He is reading your posts when he can get access, and thank you for all your caring. Shelley
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Good to know you're under doctors care! My hubby awlways judged his need to go for a paracentisis by his discomfort level. However,sometimes getting an appointment can take 3-4 weeks here in Ohio. So my suggestion is not to wait till its crital(hubby did noce) Adk your doctor,because each person is different in their fluid accumulation time. Good to here from your other half. It's cleared up some unask questions about where you are in your treatment. The more info we have from you about your problems the better we can answer questions. There have been people(new) that haven't even been seen by a doctor before they ask questions on this site. Good to know that you are under a doctors care!
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I wantn't to add it helps lesson some of the pain if you eat small meals and spread them out 6 times a day instead of 3 larger ones. Try to eat foods easier for the liver to prodcess.
I have had 8 paracentiis. The largest amount being 16 liters and the smallest 9 liters. As I retain more fluid I have problems like you sleeping. Usually in about a 3 week period each month. I found laying on my back belps. When I start not being able to sleep in bed I end up going into the living room and sleeping in my lazy boy chair. I can get more sleep that way. As you can't breath less sitting up helps. Let us know what the doctor finds out. Good luck and Bless you.
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