PBC and ascites

[kiki1980]

My mother has PBC and liver cirrhosis. 2 months ago she got ascites which was drained (6liters). She got diuretics ( spironilactone and furosemid). She stopped taking furosemid claiming it did not work. The ascites is back and I dont know what to do. I dont know why is it difficult to take diuretics. Did anyone recover after ascites? During corona she did not go out much and I didnt visit as much as I normally do because of the fear of infection. Everything had profound effect on her. She took half doses of medications, ate less. I simply dont know how to make her take diuretics. Takes oyøther medications as normal now.

[Pinkcrush]

Could you talk to her doctor and ask them to speak to your mum about the importance of taking it

[kiki1980]

I will take her tomorrow to the doctor. I suppose they will do paracintesis. She speaks slowly now. Maybe she is just tired. It takes time to find the words. We will see. She takes spironolactone but still believes that furosemid doesnt work.

[bassman45]

I have ascites also. I have had 2 paracentesis (2.5L and 8L). I was taking only spironolactone 200mg and not peeing more. Doctor added 20mg furosemid and almost immediately started peeing. Now I'm finally losing weight. I believe it is important to take both diuretics to get best results. I'm hopeful the diuretics with alleviate some of the discomfort I have from my ascites (a big tense belly). Maybe I'll need another tap. We'll see. Your Mom really needs to listen to her doctor but us older folks can be obstinate I know.

[littysgirl in reply to bassman45]

I was interested to read your post. I have been on spironolactone for years from my cardiologist. Only recently a kidney doctor put me on Furosemide 20mg. It works dramatically and I have to be at home when I take it. I mentioned it to the doctor and he looked it up and says that it works for 6 hours, so I am learning to do my errands first and then come home and take the pill and it's still usually done before I want to go to bed. However I was taking either spironolactone OR the furosemide, not both because I thought it would be too much. My cardiologist said that they work differently and he thought I should be on both. Asked the kidney doctor and he said that was true. Today was the first day I took both but it hasn't been long enough to know what's going to happen. I'm just kind of waiting... But I found it interesting that your mother was also told to take both. For some reason, I wasn't convinced that these guys were right. I'm always afraid that each doctor is only looking at things from their own perspective.

[kiki1980 in reply to littysgirl]

My mother went to the doctor. She was in difficult place mentally at that point, I suppose HE kicked in. She told doctor that she was taking all the medications, I told doctor that she wasnt. Doctor explained over and over again importance of taking diuretics . She has to to take 100 mg spironolactone and twice furosemid 40 mg. They drained 6 l of ascites. It took 2 days for her to get better. HE is gone, she takes meds, we dont argue now. I learned that furosemid is called LASIX because it means LAsts SIX hours.

Good luck to you!

[kiki1980]

Thanks for your input. She is also on 200 mg spironolactone and should take 40 mg of furosemid whicch doctor prescribed. I hope she will get to her senses tomorrow.

[littysgirl]

Curious as to how big a deal having the ascites removed is. Is it painful or uncomfortable? Is there anesthesia involved? Was it done in a hospital setting or a doctor’s office ? I feel like this might be in my future and I know nothing about it.

[kiki1980]

Once at the hospital and once at the doctors office. My mother didnt complain about the procedure and she felt relief afterwards, started to eat better and felt better. In the first day or two she felt little bit dizzy.