Parenthesis: I don't know exactly how to... - British Liver Trust

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Paderico profile image
14 Replies

I don't know exactly how to spell it, is there a starting limit that doctors will drain or not, or can it start at any level. thanks if anyone can help.

Paderico

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Paderico profile image
Paderico
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14 Replies

Good afternnon Paderico,

Abdominal paracentesis or ascitic drainage, will be decided upon if your ascites ( fluid in abdomen) is not resolving or is causing symptoms. There is no set volume as patients will experience this differently and there are risks involved with paracentesis , such as bleeding or infection.

I have included information for the cirrhosis publication on the British Liver Trust website.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Take care,

Trust9

Paderico profile image
Paderico in reply to

Thank you so much for the info it is very kind of you to take the time.

Paderico

Lam1e profile image
Lam1e

Hi Paderico pre transplant I used to have paracentesis regularly. I had an acute kidney injury caused by the furosemide and spironolactone so they were not an option. I think it really depends on what works best for you and how quickly the fluid builds up. They don’t like to do the procedure too much as it is a medical procedure and with everything there is a risk.

Stay safe.

Lesley🙏

TT-2018 profile image
TT-2018 in reply to Lam1e

I had similar issues with my kidneys and had to stop the diuretics. I did continue to be drained, up to 14 litres on a three weekly basis. But as you pointed out, there is definitely a risk, especially infection. I contracted Peritonitis and spent 17 days in isolation and ended up on permanent antibiotics.

All part of living with cirrhosis, now resolved post transplant.

Lam1e profile image
Lam1e in reply to TT-2018

I wish I had known abut this forum pre transplant! Often I felt like I was the only person having Parascentesis and it would have been good to have shared information!

Now we are both post transplant with wonderful gifts thanks to our amazing donors!

Stay well🙏

Paderico profile image
Paderico in reply to Lam1e

Lamie not me I dont know if you think I qualified for Transplant I did not, also tried Chemo diverse types nothing suited my body now no more meds just palliative care and booked my place in my wonderful local hospice already know most of the staff and I think that will be the best course of action for me, though I am not thinking of poping my clogs anytime soon, which makes my consultant have a good laugh,,

Paderico.

Paderico profile image
Paderico in reply to Lam1e

Lamie, hello and thank you once again for taking the time to reply, gosh I hope the lord will leave me here to gather all this info...... there is such a LOT !!! all my best wishes,

Paderico,

mattymoo33 profile image
mattymoo33 in reply to Paderico

Hiya honey. I've been lucky to only have one drain (parascentisis? I don't know how to spell it either). I only had 3 litres. I'm not very big, but my tummy was enormous, in fact when I was waiting for the lift in hospital, someone said "you're going the wrong way for maternity"😵. Anyhoo, I'm ok with forusemide, but the hot weather has an effect on my ankles.

Hope you are keeping well 😊xxx

Paderico profile image
Paderico in reply to mattymoo33

Hello you well I just dont know I have a big tummy but is it food or the other thing (Drain) not able to see any doctors yet as covid is still in the way and Kings don't want me to go there as the old immune system is not in full working order just have to wait I think, thanks for replying mattymoo.

regards

Paderico.

mattymoo33 profile image
mattymoo33 in reply to Paderico

You're welcome. I have been where you are. Just give your liver nurse a call. I have recently and mine have helped with my struggles 😊🌈

Lam1e profile image
Lam1e in reply to Paderico

You are very welcome Paderico, I think probably every hospital that does paracentesis will have a slightly different process🙏

zvhipp profile image
zvhipp

I think they do not prefer to drain less than 5ltr but may be different case by case. My father had drained 2.5ltr in Feb 2019 First and last time when cirrhosis was diagnosed. Now due to lockdown, he wasn’t as active physically as he has been, his ascites have returned. He also has CKD. We visited his doc but was told that they don’t think we need tapping at present. So even we are confused. His tummy is visibly swollen with pedal edema and he feel bit hard to walk too. He is on torsemide 10mg which he takes twice a day. Doc also lowered it to once a day even though water is building up. So I am also confused that instead of trying higher dose, why they lowered it if not wanting to do taping.

Lam1e profile image
Lam1e in reply to zvhipp

Hi zvhipp

Sorry to hear your dad is struggling! I think the water tablet will have been reduced as they can damage kidneys! I cannot have furosemide or spironolactone as they damaged my kidneys.

I always contacted the hepatology nurses at the hospital if I felt my ascites was becoming a problem and I was getting uncomfortable and breathless, I think if your dad has a hepatology consultant or nurses to give them a call, for a bit of advice/reassurance! Or give the team here a call.

Stay well👍

Lesley

zvhipp profile image
zvhipp in reply to Lam1e

Thanks for reply. We have already visited nephrologist and he basically explained that these are progressive diseases so not much can be done. He is 60 and never drank and has high bp, diabetics since 20 years, ckd n now liver cirrhosis so he is not fit for liver transplant. Presently his LFTs are in normal range. He does have CKD but his kidney function report haven’t changed much since he was given Lasix 100mg year back which later changed to torsemide 10mg as he had no ascites afterward. Now they have prescribed Sodium Bicarbonate tabs which Again is confusing as if there is water retention, it’s not recommended.

Sometimes it gets confusing.

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