Bloated tummy

[Lalay40]

Hello everyone. I just want to collect insights from you about my husband's condition. He has been in dialysis for almost 7months now. A few months ago, he used to cough especially when his head while lying down gets closer to the bed. Gradually, he can already sleep with only one pillow behind his head without coughing and difficulty breathing. But the thing is his tummy got bigger instead. The doctor said that he has water inside his tummy and needs to be removed. His albumin level is normal. Do you think it is a good idea to let my husband go through paracentesis? Also my husband's legs are still edematous.

I hope you can help me with your insights. Thanks!

[Sassysmom]

Does your husband have liver problems? Or have they said what is causing the fluid in the belly?

At this point the question is whether it will make him more comfortable. The fluid buildup will put pressure on everything. His breathing, his heart and GI tract. Is he able to make his own decisions still? If I was on dialysis with the same suggestion I think I'd try it once to see if I feel better. But that's me. With kidney failure there's a lot of baggage. Depression, anxiety, exhaustion. I see it as a comfort measure. It's hard to make a decision when it's someone else.

[Lalay40 in reply to Sassysmom]

Hi. My husband does not have liver problems. The doctor says fluid buildup in the tummy in my husband's case is called nephrogenic ascites. Maybe it is best to try paracentesis to make him look better and feel better as well.

Thanks for your insight.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Ascites is a problem for some on dialysis. Definitely consider the paracentisis. He should feel remarkably better. As for the swelling in his legs, well it appears as though the dialysis fluid removal is set too low. He needs more fluid removal and dialysis may be the only answer. Have they challenged his target weight? This may be necessary in order to remove the excess fluid from his legs. Blessings

[Lalay40 in reply to KidneyCoach]

Yes, once finances permit, I will have his fluid removed from his tummy the soonest possible time. Thanks.

[flowerssmile]

I have started bloating tummy problem now that i am in stage 5 but they had me take a water pill to bring it back down and it has worked for the most part. Just don't know how often I should do that?