Correction

[Latchford]

Sorry on my previous post I meant ascites NOT varices!

[AyrshireK]

Makes sense, replied to your other post about varices.

Hopefully they will get you in soon to have ascites dealt with as it shouldn't be left any length of time as it will impact on your breathing, appetite and the fluid can also get infected. If you feel you are waiting too long, chase it up or present at GP or A&E.

All the best, Katie

[jojokarak]

I was getting drained that much I just had to go a&e and this was on a weekly basis. I couldn't breathe or eat or walk properly so it needed to be done and as Katie mentioned the fluid can get infected. How long have you been waiting?

[Latchford in reply to jojokarak]

One week. It's the lack of communication that gets me. The week after next I go to Leeds and have another appointment so not much opportunity for drainage that week. I went to A&E last time but it was the worst 36 hours of my life.

[jojokarak in reply to Latchford]

Have you not got a direct number for the ward what deals with the drains or the nurse who does them?

[Latchford]

We have nothing like that. I have to ring and ask to speak to the consultant's secretary. She will then get back to me and tell me I'm on a waiting list to be admitted. Last time I went A&E but it wasn't a good experience.

[jojokarak in reply to Latchford]

Not a pleasant experience getting drained anyway but don't suffer but if you can manage a little while longer just bombard the Secretary. Hope you get sorted soon x

[Millie09]

Hi latchford ; sorry to hear about your ascites; I can relate to how you must feel . I had a terrible time waiting to be admitted in hospital. Numerous visits to my gp; to be given 200 mg 4x a day and 100mg of fruesomide that didn't do anything .I could not lie down; hard to breathe, not eaten hardly for weeks and really bad pain..it was so bad my father who I was living with rang 111 and I was taken to.hospital with tachycardia. Was admitted and placed on a drip with vitamins in it .it still took them 7 days to even attempt my first drain. 3 days later I was discharge but I was back in again 3 weeks later just as bad. Well I demanded that I was not going to leave untill I had better care. Sometimes we have to take control or we don't get anywhere. Hope they sort you very soon 😊..

[Gaynorlowson]

I was the same begged to get drained but just given water tablets eventually went through A&E in distress and admitted to ward after my husband firmly insisted lol. I Had 14 litres drained. Then I asked to be transferred to a different hospital that had a liver unit and just had to ring up secretary of my consultant and she would book me in within a few days of call when ever I felt uncomfortable with my ascities so it never got to that terrible stage again. Keep being a nuisance the loudest voices get the most results , even though that may go against your instinct because we all know the NHS is doing its best and no one wants to complain. Trust me from a now patients point of view and a ex nurses the quiet ones who don't want to be a burden are not ' appreciated ' or thought better off by medical profession unfortunately they are largely forgotten .

[1713]

I am so sorry to read about these experiences. My husband is on the transplant list and is having a drain today. In Gloucester they have a clininc that runs Monday to Friday led by nurses who manage all the appointments and drains. They are flexible and get to know the patients. Can't fault their service. I know other trusts have visited the unit to look at setting up a similar service. The a and e route for a drain is dreadful. Takes so long and many drs have never done it before. My husband has had to do it twice before our gp told us about the unit in Gloucester. Still not sure why my husband's consultant didn't tell him. Really hope you get your appointment. I am sure that many working in this area just don't appreciate the pain this causes. My husband takes a daily antibiotic to prevent fluid infection. I only mention this as hope you are too. Take care.