Ascites

[Florrie2]

I was wondering how many chemo sessions it took to clear up people’s ascites?

I’ve had 3 rounds so far and it is still there. I don’t need it drained cos it is leaking out (don’t ask).

[Beatyourself]

hello Florrie,

Sorry to hear you are going through this right now

I have similar issue, my cancer came back after year with ascites. They drained 6l prior to chemo and week later it was already back again. I was hoping it will be drained immediately after chemo as this was my experience from last year (first line treatment taxol&carbo). It was less next day and certainly after week my belly was back to normal. They saw only minimal ascites after 3 rounds, those apparently didn’t bother me.

This time around nothing happened. Which was devastating for me as I couldn’t move. So they drained me 6 days later and found 3l. Now I am praying that it doesn’t come back and chemo does the magic. I am on caelyx + carbo combo now. When I was crying at oncologist that chemo doesn’t work he said second line is always slower and on top is different combo which is less aggressive so patience should be my best friend.

What chemo are you on?

I wish you it kicks in and send you big hugs and energy loads 🙏😘💚

[Florrie2 in reply to Beatyourself]

Thank you and I’m sorry your cancer has come back.

I’m on taxol and carbo. I’ve got a CT scan next week so I’m interested to see what they say when they review it. I’ve been wearing tena lady 24 hours a day since beginning of April and it’s just horrible. But maybe that is preferable to having to be drained. I always have to find a positive otherwise I’d be curled in a ball somewhere!

[chocolatemilk44 in reply to Florrie2]

My cancer signaled arrival with pleural effusion in 2023. I was drained in hospital. Last month I had another pleural effusion and cancer returned. They drained 2 liters this time. It seems for me chemo controls it. I am on carboplaxil and gem. Hope you feel better soon.

[NewtonEmma1900]

Looking back to initial symptoms. All I had was ‘leakage’ which started about 3 months before I was diagnosed. I thought my pelvic floor was just getting weaker, finally when my tummy swelled rapidly September 2021 and I started getting extreme pain did I go to see a doctor. I had just over 6 litres drained twice before chemo began. It has been kept at bay since then with chemo, Niraparib then more chemo. I am about to go on ‘watch and wait’ and I am so worried about it coming back.☹️

[Florrie2 in reply to NewtonEmma1900]

Thank you. It’s reassuring for me to know you also had leakage. Fingers crossed it doesn’t come back.