Ascites drain

[Breakfastbabe]

Good morning. My husband was taken in for an ascetic drain in November and was found to have Peritonitis which was treated before the drain. He is now on a daily oral antibiotic. His tummy swelled again and we booked a further drain in December but when we got there his tummy was too soft to get the drain in. The problem is we live on the Isle of Wight and had to go to Southampton which was a long trip for him to discover it couldn't be done. We have found out it can be done on the Island and he would prefer that. He feels it has hardened to the point t is ready but we can't get a doctor's appointment to check it. They told us to go to A&E which seemed a bit drastic. I wondered whether this is how other people get referred and how you know when the tummy is hard enough. The GP said it would affect his breathing but as he has a blocked Eustachian tube too, it is difficult to tell. Thank you for any advice or shared experiences.

[BritishLiverTrust3 Administrator British Liver Trust]

Dear Breakfastbabe,

If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Starlight79]

Good morning, I too live on The Island and had my first and third ascities drain at St Mary’s, first I went to the walk in acute care and was drained the next day with a few days stay, unfortunately from this I was informed I have stage four liver cirrhosis but was managing it and St Mary’s until an internal bleed which resulted in being transferred to Southampton for emergency surgery and after that another drain and the third was by arranged appointment at St Mary’s as they have a day clinic. I’m now between hospitals for gastro, hepatology and respiratory. Where possible your Dr’s secretary can assist in changing appointments to the local hospital. Hood thus helps? Please free to contact me if I can help in anyway x

[Breakfastbabe in reply to Starlight79]

That is very helpful thank you. I would like to stay in contact and perhaps have a chat to compare notes. Is it possible to have a two way chat on here at all? We are quite new to all if this.

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Breakfastbabe]

Hi Breakfast

Yes you can Chat with Starlight by clicking on their nickname (i.e Starlight79) to get to their profile. Then click on the Chat button next to their name.

Miles

[Roy1955]

Eustachian tube blockage is not related to liver disease.It sounds like your husband has a history of infected ascities (peritonitis).

It also sounds like his medical care and survelance are below normal standards.

His current condition is a medical emergency so it's 100% appropriate to go to A&E.

[Breakfastbabe in reply to Roy1955]

Thank you for that. He hates A&E but I will try and convince him. His tummy is soft in the morning then hardens during the day.

[Roy1955 in reply to Breakfastbabe]

Could just be gas but an ultrasound scan would identify if that's the problem or if draining is needed.Unfortunately very often treatment for cirrhosis complications is not something thats predictable and arranged in advance by GP or consultant and admission through A&E is almost always needed. (and normal practice).

My consultants instruction are that if in doubt go straight to A&E.

[Breakfastbabe in reply to Roy1955]

Thank you. He is there now.