Permanent ascites drain

[36wordsworth]

My wife is in hospital hopefully waiting a TIPS procedure. Her consultant is now saying he doesn’t want to carry it out as it increases the risk of encephalopathy. Problem is the ascites fluid builds up so rapidly she would need to be drained almost weekly. They have suggested a permanent drain that could be drained by a nurse maybe daily.

Anyone else experienced this, also do you think I could carry out the drain procedure?

[TT-2018]

I am sorry to hear about your wife and the ascities build up. I required draining every three weeks and had around 25-30 litres of excess fluid on me. The problem is twofold, it sits in pockets and draining comes with an infection risk.

A permanent drain was never mentioned and I would have thought that she would need to remain in hospital until the situation improves.

I wish you well, moving forward. Cirrhosis really is a difficult illness to deal with.

[Hidden]

Hi

There are different drains that can now remain instiu, and some can be well managed by patients or their family at home.

Hospitals commission different types of drains, so we would suggest to clarify what drain the medical team are suggesting to use with the consultant, and how that will be safely looked after.

Keep us posted,

Warm wishes

Trust1

[ThreeSmiles]

Hi william36

I know it’s not exactly the same but post TP I had a drain that filled up every day - about a pint - that I had to drain myself. It was very easy once you get over the initial “fright”! Admittedly that was only for about a month and, as Trust1 says, it depends on the drain type, but you will be told all you need to know, I’m sure.

Good luck.

Miles

[Huggy7614]

Morning,

I was threatened with a permanent drain fitting pre transplant to remove fluid from my chest, because I was having to be drained so often.

My consultant wasn’t that keen on the idea as it would have meant my transplant would have to have been at kings rather than qehb. Luckily the respiratory clinic agreed to keep draining me so I stayed with Birmingham.

As with Miles, had a drain fitted post tp, which was with me for 2 weeks and I self managed it.

Good luck. Andy.