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Posted 3/13/2012 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
All,  with first time ascites, does it suddenly come on and your abdomen grows in a matter of a few weeks to a couple of months, or does it happen whereby you grow slowly but steadily over a period of a year or even longer?

Thanks

MrE

Posted 3/13/2012 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MrE.

No experience with ascites. But this is what I have heard...
From hubby's doctor, that it is a gradual thing.
From A. Ziffle, that one morning he couldn't put on his work boots as feet and legs were very swollen.

Not much help I know.

When my husband has an ultrasound, the report notes that there is no ascites present.

I asked my counselor, she said it is big and straight out...I was asking her about it, because hubby was putting on weight and his belly was getting bigger and his flanks are bigger. But I think (and his ultrasounds negative for ascites) have confirmed that it is all the ice cream and sweets he eats. (Sweets have been his alcohol replacement.)

I also tried to google to find out, but was unsuccessful.

I am guessing you still haven't been to a doctor. So, I will urge you again to please go. Those little boys of yours deserve it. You deserve it. Go get checked out and deal with whatever the dx is. It is probably not as bad as you are imagining. Only one way to know for sure.

Take care and be well.

Emma
Posted 3/13/2012 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
My hubby's ascites was slow in developing. In fact we didn't really know what it was, just that he was getting a bigger belly, but slowly.
Angie1953
Posted 3/13/2012 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Angie was it over years it took to develop?
Emma I am hoping its fat but its mainly on my abdomen although there is extra weight all over - it isnt much at all really.
Posted 3/13/2012 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
It seemed with me it was happening all at once. My ultrasound showed no fluid; however, I knew it was and my PTC said it might be just under the skin. Now I'm blowing up again and hoping that with the surgery they will figure out what's going on.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/13/2012 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Connie - I hope that surgery goes well for you. Youve been to hell and back. Good luck with it.
Posted 3/14/2012 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Mr. E,
My hubby's developed over about 1 1/2 time, slowly. And at first he only had pain in his stomach when he really exerted himself (like mowing our lawn with a big heavy push lawn mower) or pitched 200 pounds of hay at one time. Then he thought it was from a small belly hernia, but as we look back was probably the toxin buildup.
Angie1953
Posted 3/14/2012 9:18 AM (GMT 0)
Angie thanks for your reply. Your answer confirms that it is possible for this to develop slowly as it seems that most people are reported to have gained the girth and weight a lot faster.
Im at a stage of no pain or discomfort - but I have to hide it from people with baggy clothes and I wear a large jacket indoors when anyone comes round.
Posted 3/14/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Emma , Ascites came on very rapidly particularly in my legs and feet . Basically one days time . The abdomen swelling didn't start until about 3 weeks later while I was hospitalized , For me it seemed to travel from feet up . I'm sure it had alot to do with always being on my feet at work because I learned later if my feet was elevated the fluid in the legs dissipated . I still get light swelling in my legs if I stand for long periods . I do the finger indentation test my doctor showed me , Press a finger into the skin ( Leg ) and see how long it takes to push the skin back out . If it pushes out quickly and leaves no red indentation , It's normal . If it stay indented for a few seconds and leaves a red spot where the finger was , then fluid is building up . Think it's due to poor circulation this happens .
Mr. E , I'm not gonna get started with you about this symptom thing and playing a guessing game with your health will catch up to you in the end . Just go to a doctor and see if you have anything at all please , You either have it or you don't either way you will know by getting a biopsy done .


A. Ziffle
Posted 3/14/2012 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Ziffle - Im glad you arent going to take me to task.  I only want to stay on good terms.

I hope you are doing well.

 

Posted 3/14/2012 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mary for letting me know what happened in your husbands case. It does seem variable from person to person.
Regards
E

Post Edited (MrErythema) : 3/14/2012 1:47:36 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/14/2012 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hasn't your wife noticed you're gaining weight?
Posted 3/14/2012 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
David - yes - we both know there is something wrong and that its probably liver disease. Neither of us wants to face up to it yet. Equally - both of us know that I will have to sooner or later the way things seem to be going.
Posted 3/14/2012 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Sooner.
Posted 3/14/2012 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
MrE

  The sooner you know for sure the sooner you can start medication to control symptoms and if you have it, do what you can to save as much liver function as possible.  I do wish we would have seen a Dr. sooner, I think hubby's symptoms could have been handled with meds and he wouldn't have crashed so so hard.  Denial seems to run rampant with this disease!

   We waited because of financial reasons and I think many do.  Hope it is nothing too serious and hope it is not liver disease, but if it is best to just face it and use the information to have best quality of life as possible.  Best to you and your wife.  Post often. 

Angie1953  

Posted 3/15/2012 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Not going to put you to task E . And yes we have had our share of swipes with each other , My personal experience dictates how I react with issues regarding this disease and I do realize how that comes off to persons like yourself . I see this as a serious issue for anyone who holds the keys to a better future as you do , It's not that you lack the key ( You seem to know the disease well ) it's the lack of using it .
I didn't have the key much less did I know I would be needing one . I can relate to the fear of the unknown , I personally avoided doctors for more than 20 years due to that fear . Seems every time someone I knew had medical issues it was a direct result of a doctor office visit . Go in to get a toe checked and limp out without a leg , Or if it ain't broke don't fix it . I WAS lucky . Never had a broken bone or more than a slight cold for all those years and if I needed stitches .... That's what bandaids and iodine are for . Hey , Who needs tattoos when you got scars ?
As you know my fight with liver disease began in days and is still going on years later . I reluctantly went to the hospital when my wife saw my feet and legs , I had no visible ankle bones and no knee caps due to the swelling . When she came home and found me unable to walk she demanded I get checked out . My blood work was done and later told " My MELD was 32 , Renal failure and I had Hep. C. ( Hep. C. was a misdiagnosis , It was severe Cirrhosis of the liver ) .
I knew I felt tired all the time for a year prior but chalked that up to being overworked , No other warning . Of course there was stuff that I know now to look for but that's hindsight today . Would I have cleaned my act up and sought proper medical advice ? Hell yeah particularly had I been given the knowledge for what to look for . Mr. E , I just don't get it and I guess I never will , But I will leave you up to your own choices in this matter . I do wish you the best sincerely even if I don't like your mindset .



A. Ziffle
Posted 3/19/2012 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
My mothers ascites seemed to develop very quickly. She had been experiencing swelling in her feet, ankles, and legs but did not realize it was due to ascites. Back around Nov 1st, she began gaining weight. Within 3 weeks she had gained 16 pounds of ascitic fluid. Once it was drained, it took 1 month for her abdomen to fill again. She was drained again (paracentesis) and then it took 2 weeks to fill back up again. She had a 3rd paracentesis a little over a week ago, and she is already filling back up. It seems each time they drain her, she fills back up faster than she did before. She is already feeling 'full' again after only a week or so. She has been draining 8-9 liters each time. I don't know if this is the case for everyone, but this is our experience with it.

You really must pay attention to your sodium intake, your fluid intake, and your urine output. You should talk to your doctor about this as soon as possible. Ascites has made my moms life extremely difficult due to the build up of fluid causing shortness of breath. This isn't something you want to put off.

Good luck to you!!!!!

Sara

Posted 3/19/2012 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
Sara , It does seem to come back progressively faster after the first paracentesis fairly often . I guess for some of us the liver is so damaged that it just can't deal with the volume of fluid being produced , Thats when TIPS surgery is usually suggested .



A. Ziffle
Posted 3/20/2012 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with Angie1953! It was about 2 wks after my swelling began that I finally got myself to the Dr. office. Later I was told that if I had waited another day going that I wouldn't have made it. This was after 27 days in hosp. 13 which were in SICU!! Don't wait, get in and they will take care of you. I would give anything if I would have gone even a day sooner! Second chances aren't handed out often. I hope the best for you!
Posted 3/21/2012 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
Mr. E... hope you get looked at... great to see you here... Sandia
Posted 3/25/2012 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the information here I really appreciate it all. Sandia glad to see you - hope youre doing ok. :)
Posted 3/28/2012 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Zipper,
Welcome to Healing Well. I am sorry that you are dealing with liver disease, but it sounds like you are on the right track.
You may want to start a new thread to introduce yourself to the forum. You will get more responses that way.
I think it is great that you are 63 and fell in your 40s! My hubby has cirrhosis, has been stable/doing well and he will be 63 this summer. I would love to know the details on how you have managed to feel in your 40s because I would like to share with my husband!
Take care,
Emma
Posted 3/29/2012 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Zipper , Once you log onto your account you come to the forum page for hep. & liver disease forum . You will see a post a new topic button on your left corner highlighted in blue , Click it , Type your topic name like you would a email , Tab down to message box and start typing , When your done click submit and the post will show up when you reload the page . Easy but takes a bit of getting used too , Welcome and look forward to hearing your story .




A. Ziffle
Posted 4/9/2012 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
I have had twe ascites events - the first within 2-3 weeks following a coma and the second within four weeks after having fully recovered and taken off the medication for the first episode. In both events the distended abdomen increased over days resulting in breathlessness. 
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