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Ascites caused by liver disease

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Posted 10/1/2010 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

Hopesprings, didn't you say in another thread that she'd had a TIPS and it didn't work?  Or was that somebody else?  If she hasn't had one, has this been discussed with her hepatologist?

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 10/3/2010 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
Mom hasn't had a TIPS, just been "tapped" several times. Her primary care dr., hepatologist, and transplant coordinator all said that they don't recommend TIPS because of the risks associated with it for infection, etc. They also don't recommend getting taps done often either if it can be helped. This may also be because mom's platelet/WBC count has always been low especially after going through interferon for hep c years ago, so she's @ a higher risk for infection.

Good luck!
Posted 10/3/2010 6:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hopesprings, thanks for the reply.  Paracentesis (draining) can be dangerous if done more often than every two weeks.  But it's also true that the TIPS procedure carries its own risks.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 10/4/2010 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
turn  Good Evening,

           Thought I would throw in my 2 cents on this topic because I experienced 3 Paracentisis, 2 in 11/2009 & 12/2009 at the Leahy in Burlington,MA. and 1 in 02/2010 at the Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA. Then my liver doc called me in April 2010 and prescribed 5 mg.'s of Metalazone. !st dosage, I took 10 mg.'s (2) 5's for three days straight and experienced lightheadedness and dehydration where i ended up in the ER at Beverly, MA. hospital for saline (2) 500 mg. bags to replenish my system. I say this because this Metalazone is a small pill but very powerful. The dose was changed from 10 mg.'s to 2.5 mg.'s every 2 or 3 days. The ascities was a real problem for 6 to 8 months after my gall bladder surgery in 07/2009. So, after 2 or 3 weeks of taking this dose my weigt was around 235 and went down to about 200. This morning my weight was 188.4 pounds. It was the miracle drug for me. I still do not understand why I do not fill up after the para's like I used too. Sticking to the no-salt foods helps and keeping the daily fluid consumption and sodium intake at a minimum, helps also. Ask your doc about the drug because 6 or 7 months I was looking at the tips as a solution but the gut is a tender area. It not a good place to get cut! Hope everything goes well with what you decide to do. BostonMike.

Posted 10/4/2010 8:14 PM (GMT 0)

Just to clarify, the correct spelling is metolazone (Zaroxolyn, Mykrox), a duretic.  I'll add it to the Medical Words list.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/23/2011 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Dear everybody, I have tears in my eyes reading these posts. I am a graduate student at Stanford and with my class team we are working on a project device that could potentially help with refractory ascites. I have been doing a lot of reading of academic papers, but have never met a single patient or physician. Before I ask any questions about your experience, I was wondering if anybody objects to me asking questions in this space.
Thank you very much!
Elena
Posted 6/23/2011 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello klenka.  You have picked up an old thread.  Notice the date on the entry above yours.  2010.  Select "post new topic" to start a new thread and introduce yourself and your project.  I believe one of the moderators should address your request.
Posted 6/23/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, Klenka.  Since this forum is for patients and their loved ones, it would be better to take your questions to e-mail, for those who want to answer.  My e-mail is in my profile (click on my user name.)  I wouldn't be able to answer until the weekend, though. 

I suggest you start a new thread about your project and introduce yourself and your request.  Then, anyone who is interested can let you know and you can e-mail them.  Many threads here deal with ascites and other issues related to liver disease, so read through and you may find some of your answers on the forum.

Thanks!

Connie


Posted 6/25/2011 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
cj7,

It sounds like you should get a 2nd opinion. My 1st doctor only gave me Aldactone and it did nothing as far as getting rid of the fluid. Until he gave me the 20 mg.'s of Furosemide (Lasix) mixed with the 100 mg.'s of Spironolactone did I get instant relief. Sometimes the combo of these 2 drugs takes a few months to kick in. Everybody is different. As far as the pain in the midsection, my fluid Ascities in the stomach area and Edema in the legs, ankles, feet and toes are significantly better, but the pain is still there. It has been 2 years and I still have a lot of pain when I try to sleep on either side. I had to learn to sleep on my back. Sometimes the fluid can get so bad it ends up in the plueral space at the bottom of the lung. This caused me to choke while eating and loss of wind walking or going upstairs. Also, can cause anxiety when laying flat on one's back. I still have some fluid in my stomach and everywhere else but not like I used to. I had a rear paracentisis done months back and could not believe how much fluid came from my plueral space or bottom of the lung. I figure as long as I have any fluid in a particular area of my body then there will be pain. The stomach is a sensitive area. Some I have talked to even transplanters said they never had any pain in thier midsection. Why? I do not know!

Posted 6/25/2011 6:56 PM (GMT 0)

Good general info, Mike, but cj7 hasn't been here for 8 mos.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/25/2011 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Wow'

I didn't even catch that post of mine from 11/2010. From now on got to check the dates. Thanks Connie!
Posted 6/25/2011 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
I fell for it, too.
Posted 8/2/2013 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Nikki,

My husband was diagnosed in August 2012 with Liver Failure, he is on the transplant list.  We were going every two weeks and they were getting 8 liters every two weeks until 7 weeks ago, the last two were only 7 liters and it has been three weeks and it doesn't look like much fluid, however he has a big hernia.  He is on Spirolactone, 3 times a day,  fluid pill and Potassium.  The only thing that we have done differently is he went from 2 to three spirolactone a day and what I think has made the difference is he has taking Intra-Max, a liquid vitamin, we just started his third month on it.  I felt like it was worth a try instead of buying vitamin k, etc.  It is worth a try and it can't hurt since he need vitamins anyway.  Praying his liver has stopped weeping so they can fix his hernia.  Good luck and read up on Intra Max.

 

Posted 8/2/2013 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
DNEWMAN, you picked up on a really old thread. We don't allow promotion of specific brand name products on here. If you have a vested interest in the product, it is against the rules.

If you would like to participate in the forum, please start a new thread by clicking on New Topic instead of Reply. Tell us about your hubby, but leave out the part about the liquid vitamin by name. If you don't do this, I can only assume you are a spammer.

Meanwhile, I'm locking this present thread.
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