Ascites management

[lovefromny]

Hello!

I've been diagnosed with liver disease and cirrhosis of the liver due to a recent relapse with alcohol. I've had abdominal paracentesis 4 times. Ive returned to 3 different hospitals requesting the same procedure only to tell me to continue my diuertics, its too risky.

My weight is slowly coming down, especially since Ive really restricted my sodium intake. Slow process but thats okay

Im just wondering if anyone else has a similar situations, only using lifestyle choices and medication to reduce ascites, and how long did the whole process go?

Im desperate for any advice or insight. Doctors really just tell you to wait and see how you bounce back

[DaniellaJayMay]

Hello 😊I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I was diagnosed in 2020 @ the age of 28 with liver cirrhosis. I had a tummy full of ascites but they wouldn't drain until they were confident I wasn't at risk of infection and bleeding with my liver being so enlarged or if I would hemmoridge. It took 2 ct scans and blood tests until they gave it the green light.

After being drained of 7 litres I still carried weight but after roughly 3 months the weight dropped off me, I lowered my sodium, no salts in food, freshly made food, took my medication, not to drink alcohol at any cost and went for little walks.

If 3 hospitals have all the same thing then there must be a a valid reason why they can't drain you. I'm sorry if this response doesn't give you the answers you hoped but from 4 years on im the healthiest, happiest I've ever been so time was a healer for me 😊

I wish you all the best 💗

Danielle x

[lovefromny in reply to DaniellaJayMay]

Wow, first off, congratulations! Sincerely. And that did help me a lot! I figured maybe in 3 months time with strict diet and diueretics, I'll be back to playing soccer this summer (or at least the gym)

Because, Im not sure about you, youre a women around my age, i hide my body now because it looks awful...What medication regimen were you on? And your ascites never came back after only one drain!? Great turn around

[DaniellaJayMay in reply to lovefromny]

Heyyyy, sorry for my delayed response.Ohhh I do hope you are back playing sports soon.

I'm very fortunate I only had one drain, I've hit a few bumps in the road at first with alcohol but since I knocked it on the head a few years back I've had no bleeds, varices, ascites and just enjoy life to the fullest 😊😊 medication; Spironolactone, lactose (not required now) cardivol, thiamine and omeprazole and over the counter zinc.

Oh yeah, I remember hiding my body and my confidence was at a loss. But I'm still left with scars from being bloated. You can message me whenever ♥️ Danielle x