Hi should I ask my consultant if I can come off of spiro which I take daily since I was diagnosed with some ascites but my ultrasound said I don’t have this anymore?
my kidney function is fine .
Also I’ve had quite a cough 😷 and just wondered if I could take anything? I haven’t taken any paracetamol or anything since I was diagnosed.
thanks again so much everyone.
For a cough try honey and lemon in hot water. Have you tested in case your cough is covid related?
Paracetemol is usually ok for folks with liver disease providing you either stick within normal limits or reduced dose. It's generally the safest pain killer you can take provided you don't take too much. (It's non-steroidal anti inflammatories that you need to avoid). Of course you should check with your own doctor for personalized advice but paracetemol has been ok'd for my hubby and indeed he was prescribed it in hospital a few times.
Katie
Hi,
Absolutely raise this with your consultant at your clinic. You'll probably find that they'll be delighted to give you a break from any diuretic if they can. The fluid may come back, and probably will, but any break from diuretics is a good thing.
For your cough, if its a tickly one then sucking on a mint or chewing a sweet always seems to have the best effect for me. I never find cough medicines provide that much relief anyway. For chesty coughs then have a chat with the pharmacist and see what they recommend.
Thank you for your reply x
Can I ask why you think the fluid would come back I’m just still eager to understand this disease? Thanks so much
It could potentially come back if it is only the medication that is keeping it under control, removing the medication could mean it's no longer controlled hence why it could return.
But, eating a low salt diet and more protein plus keeping yourself as fit and healthy as possible could also potentially keep it at bay.
You just need to be aware that it could potentially come back when you remove the diuretic and keep an eye out for it.
Katie
Thank you 🙏
If it is the only thing keeping it at bay will I be able to take them long term ?
I’m on 100mg
They would reduce you to 50mg first and ask you to check for signs of any fluid retention, that's what my consultant did for me anyway. I was on 200mg daily, then reduced to 100mg daily and now on 50mg since November, I have an ultrasound this Thursday, hopefully there's no ascites. I hope this helps.
Thanks so much
Please let us know Allotmentgoer how the ultrasound goes and what it shows! I am on Spironolactone 100 mg and Furosemide 40 mg...my ascites is staying at bay and I would like them to reduce it and then try taking me off but I am terrified of it coming back!!
Ok will do, it's the 6 monthly check for cancer, so that's more of a concern really, but they will check ascites etc too.
Hi Confused2024 my ultrasound went well, I didn't have any ascites and so now I don't take Spironolactone at all. There was no sign of cancer and no change to my liver.
I was on the same diuretics for ascites. I reduced and then cut out. I haven’t taken any since.
The lasix (furosemide) first and then the spiro . My ascites did not come back. That was 1.5 years ago.
Just be sure to check your weight every day or every few days to make sure you don’t start gaining water. If so, you can go back on the meds.
I bought a scale.
It’s worth a try, especially if you don’t have ascites anymore.
The dreaded endoscope appointment
First QE Appointment 
Gastro Appointment 
Specialist appointment update
Appointment with my hepatologist
