Hospital soon!

[Segy]

10 days until I go in for TIPS I'm still scared but it's got to better than having 25-30pints drained every two weeks! I really hope so.Hope everyone is doing OK n trying hard😊

Wish me luck peole😇

[Grassroots112]

Hi there and good luck, fingers crossed all goes well 👍

[Jtwin]

Must be better than having that done every two weeks. Very best wishes, you'll be pleased you had it done xx

[SanFranciscoGirl]

I wish you the very best and that all will be well! But I do have to ask, what is TIPS?

[Mango5cm]

hi - my son had a TIPS at Freemans in November - it went well and in was only in hospital 3 days . Before he had 10-12 litres drained every week . It’s reduced very slowly and now it’s 5-6 litres every week . We’re hoping it continues to reduce . Best wishes - let us know how you get on Carol

[Milser]

Good luck to you xx

[Livmar]

Hi Segy, I wish you all the luck in the world. Wow, that is a lot of fluid to be draining. I had a TIPS last September 2023. Mine was more as a preventive measure to make sure I did not have a bleed from grade 4 varices. Everyone is different but here are some of the things I went through:

1. Make sure you get your heart checked to make sure it can handle the extra flow of blood before the TIPS.

2. Get a CT scan to make sure all is OK.

3. When they do the TIPS, they should coil and cement varices first if you have any.

4. They should get the Portal Vein pressure before and after TIPS procedure.

5. You should spend 2-3 days in hospital with first day in ICU care to monitor you.

6. I had lots of pain in stomach and back immediately after waking up. Please make sure you get MEDS and hot compress to alleviate pain.

7. Expect very low energy the first two to three months. Everyone is different. I am not sure if you are working but please get rest and not try to do much. Your body needs rest to adjust to new blood flow.

8. Not sure if you are on rifaximin (xifaxan) and lactulose. You need this to get rid of the extra ammonia in your system. You want to avoid HE(Hepatic encephalopathy).

9. Stay off all processed food and eat right. NO ALCHOHOL.

10. Slowly after several weeks, start exercising if your body can handle it.

Hopefully this stuff helps. Hoping for a speedy recovery for you.

[Segy in reply to Livmar]

Thank you that was very insightful. Hope you doing well!

UTD

[Segy in reply to Livmar]

Did your urinating improve? I struggle now abit, well feel I shud b pissin more. Maybe due to me water retention tablets being stopped by doctors as my bloods looked different n was thinking ov me kidneys?????

[Livmar in reply to Segy]

Hi Segy, I fortunately have never had problems urinating, On the contrary, I go often. it is important the diuretic you take as some can lower potassium, electrolytes and harm your kidneys. This needs to be discussed with your doctor.. I am having slight edema in feet but it started 5 months after TIPS. I read that Edema is common in over 50% of folks that have the TIPS. Make sure you are drinking enough fluids and staying hydrated. All the best!

[Kenny_]

Hi Segy, I’ve had it done & I’m doing so much better now. No ascities at all. Good luck

[Kenny_]

i had it done in October 22. On average I was having about 10litres drained every fortnight. The tips was such a relief, & stopped the drains almost immediately. I feel so much better now, I was always having trouble with the drains, my stomach was always aching & i was in constant pain. You’ll be so much happier after it’s done