Has anyone else experienced ascites fluctuations over the course of a day.

[wildlifegal]

Hello Community! I hope every one is as well as possible.

I'm struggling getting my ascites under control. They classify it as moderate at the moment. When my exciting journey into the land of liver disease began almost four months ago the ascites was much worse than today. At one point I had it down to no visible ascites for about 10 days but the doc took me off diuretics cold turkey and darn if it didn't return. Working on getting back to a sweet spot of management with the meds again. It is a process.

But to my question. I wake up in the morning feeling good. Belly seems a little smaller. No real pressure or pain. Doesn't seem to limit my activities. Fortunately I have never had the ascites so bad that it interfered with my eating or breathing.

So I start my day. Over the course of the day my belly gets bigger and more uncomfortable. This effect is magnified if I "over do it". Tackle too big a project without enough breaks, run around doing too many errands etc.

By bed time I feel kinda bad. I'm really happy to lie down. On bad days bedtime comes early or some sort of "nap" may happen to get through it.

Good news is I wake up kinda at square one. Belly not as big, no pressure etc.

Oh and I weigh myself and measure around the belly button every morning. I keep a record so I can notice trends. No big changes lately. I've never tried measuring at different times of day. Perhaps I should.

Is this common? Would anyone like to share their experience with ascites? Do you have any strategies for living with it? I look forward to hearing your stories.

Thanks a bunch!!

[Gerbera01]

Hmm, well I had Ascites, not any more, as my liver is happier. But I always had a very prominent belly. Some days a touch smaller, some days it looked as though I was about to give birth. I was always on a diuretic, a big dose each day, it never went away with them but helped a little. I didn't have issues of it getting worse over a day, busy or not. I guess, maybe just see what is in yr diet that could cause further bloat if it's happening as the day progresses? I never measured my belly, I could just look and feel it to know. I cut out salt etc, brought tops to hide it the best I could. I know it can get you down, I've been there. As long as you are looking after yourself, keep a tab on what you are drinking and eating to see if anything there that is perhaps exasperating it?

Kate 🌞

[Mr-Micawber in reply to Gerbera01]

Ascites can sometimes leak into the skin Peripheral Edema, which I have, regular drains of 6 Litres but still big belly, high protein helps, I can't take water tablets as bad for my kidneys...There is an option where they drip feed you Fluxomide to flush out over two days this is a hospital stay as you need to be monitored for reaction (this is my next option) Good Luck "Bellys going to get yah" !! haha

[Bootandall]

Hey there! I haven't had ascites, just wanted to let you know that I'm wishing all the best for you!

Unfortunately, I have a very large midsection too. So l can relate to that part of the problem. I love the longer tops.

Why did the doctor take you off diuretics? I am taking the smallest dose of one to control my high BP and peripheral edema.