Ascites and appetite

[battigoal]

Quick question re Ascites? At what stage does it affect your appetite?

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

Ascites can be experienced differently by each individual. As the fluid accumulates, the abdomen begins to swell and may be accompanied by loss of appetite and a feeling of fullness after eating or abdominal pain.

Im sure the other forum members can share with you their own experiences.

Hopefully the person in question has good dietary support and management?

Best wishes

Trust1

[battigoal in reply to Hidden]

Cheers for that, much appreciated. He has not sought any dietary support and management yet as he does not feel bad within himself and is still able to run and cycle for about 20km plus per day. Its just the 'wobbly belly' and the fact that over the last month or so his girth has neither expanded or reduced.

[Hidden in reply to battigoal]

It may be a good idea to discuss management of this with his liver team. All dietary advice should also come from his hepatologist who may then refer onto a hospital registered dietitian. If you are in the UK and would like a further chat our nurse led helpline is open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330

[battigoal in reply to Hidden]

I will strongly advise him of this, many thanks for the advice. But how is it with the fluid he is still able to exercise to such an extent?

[Hidden in reply to battigoal]

I would suggest that he checks with his liver team regarding his exercise regime, it is important to try to keep active but they will be best placed to safely advise what he can and cannot do.

[battigoal in reply to Hidden]

I'm on the case, thanks for the time.

[TT-2018]

I would definitely ask for a referral to a hospital dietitian, they will tailor a diet to suit his condition. Probably the most important thing, is to reduce salt intake to an absolute minimum.

Best of luck moving forward.

[gml99]

Fortunately my ascites I now under control.

I found out that I had liver disease because of the ascites and loss of appetite. For almost a year and a half I was getting regular drains usually every 5 or 6 weeks producing 12-17 litres every time.

Eating was the last thing on my mind at this time.

The problem was compounded with my financial situation due to a massive decline in the industry I was involved in.

I was taking Spironolactone 150mg daily (not the max dose due to my kidneys being sensitive to this medicine) but the fluid just kept building up at quite a rate .

At this point I was given fortisip compact protein as my muscle mass was dropping at quite a rate.

‘This helped out a great deal but caused a lot of stress as the prescription kept stopping and starting . I was having to chase up with constant phone calls to doctors and dieticians. eventually after many months I did start receiving regular advice and regular fortisip. I was assessed for a transplant and TIPS. Then for whatever reason after I had a drain in January 2019 the acsites seemed to disappear. Over the next few months My spironolactone dosage was lowered and increased and lowered again. I am now only taking between 50-100mg daily. With no sign of ascites. My last drain on the 9/01/19 produced about 11 litres of fluid, that was the last drain done. 🤞it continues like this.

Unfortunately due my financial situation I still cannot eat the 4 meals and focused daily diet that was recommended.

I feel great though now that the ascites has reduced . I am gaining weight again .

[Lucy5]

My husband is down to 130 -ascites causing a rapid decline in his weight and strength-Will see hematologist next week-I fear for his life at this point as his strength had also declined-What can they do?

[gml99 in reply to Lucy5]

Hi Lucy, has your husband had paracentesis?

I had this regularly for more than a year along with the spironolactone.

At my weakest point I had no strength, my muscles were in constant pain possibly due to the wastage. I could not sleep or relax due to the dis comfort. My weight had dropped to 83kg from 118kg.

The relief that the paracentesis procedure was really nice for for a week or so. Even though I was so weak, I could breath better and move around easier.

The amazing thing is that the ascites seemed I just stop. 5 months later I had regained more weight I was feeling a great deal better and started full time work.

It took a few months for the muscles to grow again.

Now I just try to eat the best I can.

Some days it is just like snacking 4or5 times daily, other days I would have a main meal early evening and a light breakfast.

[Lucy5 in reply to gml99]

He has not had this procedure -His Dr has ordered ultra sound Monday and we will see him also-He is Hepatologist in a hospitali two hrs from us and he is great-Hoping to get some positive answers-His meld was 9

at last visit but I’m sure it has changed -Thank you again I will touch base again-

[gml99 in reply to Lucy5]

🤞

[Lovelily]

My mums appetite was up and down but she started to get full very quick. She just has has fresubin drinks now. It does effect people differently though x

[Ecinet]

My appetite has decreased due to partially the ascites but also my cravings have switched dramatically...I tend to eat a lot of fruit, not much meat, and I eat one main meal a day, usually late evening. Today my protein came from a fried egg sandwich and about a cup of pinto beans. I used to love, love, love sweets but now they do not tempt me...I have a bag of sweet desserts in the other room and have yet to touch them. I eat grapes, watermelon, strawberries and blueberries...I have lost a lot of muscle mass...I have had cirrhosis, Nash since around 2011. My last meld score was 15.

[Dying101 in reply to Ecinet]

Are you still on here?

[Peony53]

All - my daughter is just reducing her Ascites by supplementing her diet with Nualtra Foodlink Complete which comes with it without fibre. She’d tried everything such as Fortisip but found these shakes far more palatable. Just thought I’d share as it’s been a revelation for us! You can get on the NHS.