Experiences with

Paracentesis

Had another paracentesis yesterday and they drained 17.3 litres. They had to stop at this point though as I was in so much pain in the abdomen. They were happy to let me go home as in the next hour the pain reduced.

The other options seem to be 1) a big dose of diuretics, or 2) draining the excess fluid using a needle, a procedure called paracentesis. Has anyone had experience with draining or otherwise addressing ascites?

My partner had his ascites drained last week. He has had 2 previous drains but this time he has experienced a lot of pain afterwards. It’s sometimes quite acute - and gets worse when he eats. Then he feels 100% better - only for the pain to start again. Has anyone else had this experience? Any advice

I've had abdominal paracentesis 4 times. Ive returned to 3 different hospitals requesting the same procedure only to tell me to continue my diuertics, its too risky. My weight is slowly coming down, especially since Ive really restricted my sodium intake.

Had several smaller paracentesis procedures, but eventually Spironolactone and Furosemide meds helped. Hope this helps you and others.

He had his paracentesis just before we left but rapidly had a lot of pain, mainly in the stomach. He was determined to travel so off we went. We assumed the pain was a result of the drain but it got worse when eating and after a few days in Greece he started passing blood.

He has cirrhosis which is fairly stable, having paracentesis again soon - but he’s tried and weak and pretty much not able to do much. The trouble is that he insists he is fine, can look after himself etc.

His most recent issues have been with ascites and having to have paracentesis every 4 - 6 weeks. Docs can't understand why? He also has a stent in is biliary duct and one in a pseudo cyst. Last week after his paracentisis he developed an internal hematoma the size of an orange.

He has a paracentesis scheduled on Thursday. For those of you who have gone through this, what can he expect afterwards? Will he be able to eat more? I’m sure he shouldn’t over do it but will his appetite increase. Will this help with his fatigue and breathing (he does not nor ever has smoked)?

Our main worry is that the doctor wants to take out the tube befor leaving, what in our opinion might affect her condition due to ascites accumulation (it accumulates now very fast) and to our understanding, another paracentesis might be done only after a few weeks.

He is scheduled for paracentesis next week, has been prescribed a second diuretic to help with the ascites and a medication to remove ammonia from the blood to help with HE. He has no varices. He’s had several blood tests from Aug -Oct and each time his liver functions are improving.

After 2 paracentesis procedures, 10 liters of bloody fluid was removed. A tube was inserted so I can drain fluid at home. I am anemic, weak and after a few steps, I lose my breath and get dizzy. BP 98/62.

I am due to go in for a paracentesis this Friday and am certain they will get way more than last time. Is it possibly that: 1 . The steroid actually helped my Ascites while taking it? 2. That coming off of even a low dose has left my body in a worse position than before?

Have had a number of paracentesis procedures now every two weeks. Weight has gone down from 335 to 235 and I had been following my diet and sodium restriction to the letter. I feel great. my fluid draws have been decreasing in volume every two weeks.

Ok ladies, who has had paracentesis? How many have you had and how far in between?

Jimmy is having his first paracentesis tomorrow morning. Please keep us in your prayers that it goes smoothly, not too hard on him and that no bad results from tests afterwards. I was happy with his blood work today.

Within a few days after a Paracentesis I am already bloated with fluid and can't eat anything. I drink ensure shakes a lot. About every week and half I will drain almost 9 litres. Like I said in previous post, I look like a very pregnant Skeletor. I went from very healthy 140 lbs to 110 now.

Last year we carried out a survey into experiences of paracentesis to be used to inform how treatment is offered in the future.

How can this treatment be improved with day case paracentesis? What is the national implementation gap? What can we do to close the gap? Thank you to all the forum users who completed Professor Agarwal's paracentesis survey, posted here a few weeks ago.

Can paracentesis be carried out long term? He lives by himself now so I can’t see him doing the procedure himself at home.