Ascites & breathlessness Liver cirrhosis

[deadjellybaby]

Hi,

My dad ended up in A&E fighting for his life August bank holiday this year and turns out he has cirrhosis with that episode being the first time presenting which was a surprise to everyone (apparently usually there’s signs before the point he got to but he was putting symptoms down to side effects from other health ailments).

Anyway, he has decompensated liver and cirrhosis is caused through alcohol abuse. The episode has scared him so much he’s not had a drop since and he’ll be giving up so attending AA etc.

My question is mainly around his ascites and breathlessness. It doesn’t seem to matter what we do his stomach is distended and he’s very uncomfortable and now he’s struggling to breathe. He’s waiting to have another drain (he's only had 1 back in September). Whilst we wait for this appointment, is there any home remedies we can do to help reduce the ascites and help with his breathlessness so he’s a bit more comfortable?

Any tips or tricks you may have that will help will be most helpful. He’s on a low salt high protein diet.

Thank you in advance 🙏

[Millie09]

Hi 👋 and welcome , has your dad been given any diuretic tablets at all? I was decompensated due to liver related cirrhosis back in 2008 , I too was suffering bouts of recurring ascites along with breathlessness and tachycardia, but I was in hospital for a 6 week duration as I was end stage liver disease. I would suggest that if dad is very uncomfortable with the ascites then to go to A&E ,I don't recommend just leaving dad to suffer plus ascitic fluid can become infected which isn't good in dad's situation.

It's great to hear he's stopped drinking and he must remain that way now going forwards,.

Does dad have any other water retention? Like swelling in the ankles, feet ,legs etc ,my legs were actually seeping water towards the end i was that bad .

I turned things around from decompensated to compensated with hard work, good diet and absolutely no alcohol although I did have alcohol counselling and cbt therapy for anxiety

Wishing you and dad all the best going forward

Linda

[Roy1955]

You don't wait for prebooked appointments. If the ascites is causing problems its 100% normal that you go straight to A&E.

If the breathlessness is bad it's not unreasonable to call an ambulance.

[BritishLiverTrust12 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Hi Deadjellybaby,

If your dad is experiencing consistent symptoms of breathlessness, we would encourage you to seek medical advice. If you dial the NHS helpline 111, they will be able to direct you to the best place for your dad to get help for his symptoms.

The British Liver Trust does not recommend the use of any homoeopathic or herbal remedies for those with any liver problems as these may damage the liver and lead to severe illness. We would again encourage you to speak to your health care professionals about this.

Best wishes,

British Liver Trust

[deadjellybaby]

thank you so much for your responses, everything happened very quickly I got him to A&E and by Wednesday morning he had passed away and no longer in pain.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and I wish you and your family members are safe and pray for good health 🙏

[Lantana100]

so very sorry for your loss.