Aceties

[djrocco]

Hi I am being regularly drained every 10 days. They pull off a lot of liquid. They mentioned TIPPS but I am unsure of this as info vague. I've just been put on fuosemide which is helping. Any ideas on how I can get the fluid down, and what about TIPPS?

Thanks

[1ily]

My hubby was told the following and hasn't needed draining:-Watch your daily salt - no more than 1g / day. Check the salt content of everything you eat and drink including bottled water.

-Do not drink more than 2L max of fluid /day - includes all liquids even his protein drinks.

- He is on the same diruetic as you ( 50mg/ day) and also another called Spironolactone( 100mg/day). So he takes two difference diruetics once a day- they act in different ways, I believe.

Hope this helps, since I believe draining is probably an uncomfortable procedure for you each time you have it done.

Keep safe!

[Porcupine_Tree in reply to 1ily]

Maybe your diuretics doseage needs to go up.I'm on 150 spiro and 40 furo.

Keep of ready meals, processed meats; crisp products.

Good luck

[djrocco in reply to 1ily]

Thanks for this. I am seeing my consultant a week on Thursday, so will discuss with her. Really appreciate your true experience.

[djrocco in reply to 1ily]

I can't believe how many helpful comments people have come back with. It is so appreciated. Interesting about the spironolactone and fusomide, I will ask. Thank you

[QuietButBold]

Hello djrocco.

I am sorry to hear your current ascites treatment is so frequent and demanding.

On this webpage there is an area which you can expand to see the British Liver Trust definition of TIPSS (transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt):

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Maybe you might like to have a conversation with the British Liver Trust nurse-led Helpline (weekdays, 9 am to 4 pm) to explore questions relevant to your current experience of things and why the TIPSS option might have been mentioned to you?:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

I don't like to imagine you left feeling concerned about only a vague mention of the potential option of TIPSS (I feel confident you should be able to have a proper discussion about it with the above Helpline Team).

With best wishes.

[djrocco in reply to QuietButBold]

Such great information. Thank you. My consultant has a lot of questions to answer . Appreciated

[Time-Traveller-61]

Hi buddy, I was having 10 litres drained every 10 days for about 18 months! I continued with all the medial advice both diet and exercise, meditation. I then started to drain a less amount and went less regularly. I now have not had a drain since last April!!! I was told TIPPS in my case was not advisable. I remain on the transplant list but generally am in good health with a controlled diet (minimum salt), no smoking and on April 1st I will be 3 years with no alcohol

Everyone is different but stay strong and listen to the advice given.

Good luck.

[ColinH324]

TIPPS can help, as it reduces pressure in the portal system (liver, spleen, pancreas, etc) and helps to reduce fluid retention, varices, bleeding, etc. It can cause toxins to reach your brain that would normally be filtered by the liver, as the TIPPS bypasses the liver so some blood goes through the liver, the rest through the shunt. If the toxin levels are high enough you can develop hepatic encephalopathy (HE). They can treat the HE, but it is a fine balancing act and not always successful.

You really need to have further discussions with your consultant to see what they advise, ask about side effects, other issues that a shunt may cause, how would they monitor and treat any symptoms, etc. That way you can make an informed decision.

[djrocco in reply to ColinH324]

Thank you so much for the information. More to ask my.doctor. thanks so much.

[Chrisjohnsy]

Spirolactone is very good at getting rid of fluid. Ask your GP for a course. It might be worth a try.