So Ascites, my hubby has now probably been drained at least 5 times since his proper diagnoses of Alcoholic Cirrhosis back in Jan/Feb & near death spell in hospital in April! Whiles in hospital for 3 weeks he was drained twice of a hell of a lot of fluid! We then saw the consultant beginning of this month who said they will get him booked in for another drain as its returned... watch this space! Follow up letter says once they have a bed available.. ? Its been nearly 3 weeks now and nothing & his weight is going up & up, has a belly button hernia.. My question is really I thought this could be dangerous having the fluid in you for so long ? I've read it could cause infections (Sepsis) He`s on 3 Spiros pills in the morning & Bumetanide as directed by consultant, and restriction to 1.5LT fluid a day and of course no added salt.. How long can you wait to be drained or before its an emergency???
Thank so much Bloss xx
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Blossom0410
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He can’t wait. Ring the consultant’s secretary and tell them about the symptoms and that you are concerned about the increase in fluid. I suspect that they are trying to get a feel for how much the medication will bring it down, which if it worked would negate the need for drains. If it’s still increasing then you need to let them know. The infection risk is the dangerous thing with ascites as you rightly say, as the liver is weakened and infection is easier to develop as it can’t help fend it off. Apart from which ascites is uncomfortable, and causes breathing and mobility problems.
I would urge you to see if you can get a direct line to the drain team. Here in Bristol my partner can contact the team directly if he feels like he needs to come in for a drain earlier or put it off a bit. He wound up back in hospital for a week recently when the fluid got out of control so you are right to be concerned
We have tried, no one at the hospitals Gastro ward where they said he will go ever answers the bloody phone.. spoke to someone finally on Wed and she said will chase up and was in a hurry to get off the phone so didn't even get a chance to get a name!! Want to bang my head off the wall its so frustrating everything is so difficult even repeat prescriptions Agggghh don't get me started LOL 😆
Yes agree. If you are getting nowhere through the secretary (mine tend to be great at passing on messages but it does take a little while for a response from the consultant, but I always get one), then if things get worrying then you and he pitch up to A&E.
If you are concerned, have a chat with our nurse led helpline who can talk through possible issues with ascities. Call 0800 652 7330 between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) or email helpline@britishlivertrust.org.uk (emails can be sent at any time and are answered during helpline hours).
Go to no salt ( if it’s bread etc find one with a green salt label) Increase his protein ( I know it’s hard). I had 12.5l on my first drain and nearly 17 on the second, they all expected me back in 6 weeks, I never had to go back!) I ate every 2 hours ( I started with a ramekin and it took me 18 months to work up to 3 meals and a dinner plate) I had no appatite so I ate by the clock) good luck
I started out like that too. Fortunately haven't needed a drain since last November, but now I'm always hungry to the point I have to watch my weight a little. One extreme to the other.
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