Ascites Cause Symptoms and Treatment
The first time I heard the word ascites after my diagnosis, I had to google it. A lot of new words were coming at me and this one is easy to remember because I know I was a SIGHT. Uh Sight Eeez is how it is pronounced. Ascites cause symptoms and treatment became first in my life.
My big round belly was sticking out in front like a 7 months pregnant woman. My belly button was an outy. Ascites was the symptom that led to my MRI and how I discovered that I had Hepatitis C and end stage cirrhosis. That is one of the reasons it has taken me a while to write this blog. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder kicks in when I remember that day. Now that my ascites is under control, I am ready to talk about it. You may also be interested in a Low Sodium Shopping List or Varices article.
Let’s start by taking a look at ascites cause symptoms and treatment
Definition – Ascites is when fluid is built up in the abdomen causing swelling. You may notice swelling in your feet and legs first, and then in your hands like I did. Within 48 hours of my feet swelling, I could not even put on my pants. The fluid filled my abdominal cavity until it was extremely uncomfortable. It really was similar to the stretching I felt during my pregnancy. But this time, I turned yellow.
Cause – Ascites is connected to high sodium levels that the kidney cannot process. It is also a result of portal hypertension. Honestly, that is the easiest way to describe it. Your low levels of protein albumin and high vein pressure together make your belly big. And your fingers and your toes and even your face! You def get a face lift.
Symptoms – The swelling becomes obvious as your stomach protrudes. In addition, you may feel a shortness of breath as the pressure from the fluid presses up against your diaphragm. Once you become short of breath, you need to get into the doctor or hospital quickly.
How to Control Ascites
I’ve written about controlling it and the treatment. For me, I was able to use diet and diuretics, and keep the water off. I felt pretty good when we got the diuretics down to ½ of the original dose. I stayed with that for several months and then was accepted to treat with the new protease inhibitors! My body was so full of meds that I even tapered down further and went off of diuretics for a few months during treatment. But by the 15th week, my feet, hands, and even face were swelling so I went back on them. I stayed on until a few months after treatment was completed. I think the meds were just hard on an end stage liver and caused my portal hypertension to get worse.
Salt
Occasionally, if I go overboard on sodium, I will take ½ diuretic. It’s only happened a few times. For now, I want to be in control of my sodium level and not make the meds do it for me. I do not know how long I can do that. I just have to be flexible and admit that we need medications with liver disease.
About the salt reduction – I really believe this is one of the most important things that helped save my life. I was told that 2,000 mg daily was my maximum . I took it to 1,500 mg from day one. Today, I rarely go higher than that. I was on the diuretics from August until January and by then, I asked my doctor if we could taper back. I had met with a nutritionist and was an expert on low sodium cooking. Gosh it was boring in those early days. I basically survived on oatmeal, toast, and eggs. I have gotten much better at cooking low sodium and liver loving since then. You can too!
Check out my liver loving diet on the drop down menu across the top of the home page or the Best Restaurants for Low Sodium blog.
I just finished the webinar on Hepatic Encephalopathy. I have this ready to go up and edited while we watched. So glad some of you joined in!! I posted part one, but there is so much more to write. I love you all. You can beat ascites with a Tap, diuretics, or low salt diet. We’ve soo got this dear best friends! xoxo Karen:)
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8 thoughts on “Ascites Cause Symptoms and Treatment”
Hi,
This was a great story. I have been on lasix for a long time now. IN the last year , I cannot miss a day or I cannot fit into shoes! I get so depressed. I hate the legs that I do know recognize, and puffy feet. I see hep DR again Feb 5. I have been a patient at UPMC in Pittsburgh since 1999. I did the 3 times week shots with riba 3 times, tried the peg, and do not know if I can do any new meds. I am anemic, so as soon as I start, my count goes down, and I go on procrit. Its expensive. I got it all during the 3 times I did Tx, and when on peg. I also needed neupogen. I had to stop all tx a few months into it. My drs now say, the new meds must be followed thru. They know how I get, and I really do not want to take any TX. Let someone else who is naive try it. Anyway, your article was great! Thanks for sharing!! Lee
Lee,
I read your comment and thought about it for a while. There was a time when I could not miss a dose either. I am wondering what stage you are in. I am guessing stage 4 or end stage like myself. It is so painful to have your feet swelling and puffing outside your shoe. I’ve been there and it digs ridges in and at times, even made my feet go numb. Lots of time with your feet elevated helps, but is boring!!!
You’ve had quite a go of it. I am so sorry that you were not able to finish treatment. The anemia is dangerous and it sounds like your doctors have protected you well with rescue drugs like Neupogen and Procrit.
So you are facing a situation where your doctor wants all of you labs to be in good shape before trying the new drugs. From my understanding, if you stop it, you can build up a resistance. I’m just supposing that this is your scenario. I was treatment naive and at death’s door. Thankfully my body responded and we were able to keep my labs in good enough shape to continue.
You are such a positive person. I love your attitude! My first thought was never say never. I have friends with high MELD scores who were finally able to complete the new treatment, and others who are going to try it in the next few months. You deserve to be Hep C free dear friend.
I’m glad you enjoyed the article and hope that any word I put out there will encourage you. You’re my fb friend, right?
xoxo Karen:)
Karen, first let me say thank you for sharing all of this information with those who are both suffering and know others who are having the same problems. I admire you for having the strength and dedication to blog about your condition and write articles for those who are in desperate need of it. I know how excruciating painful and ugly this disease is.
Before my mother’s liver failed, she had ascites built up and didn’t even know it. I’m pretty sure she had it for a year before her liver finally failed because she was so bloated and looked like she was pregnant with quadruplets. Sadly, she would tell us that it was just a tumor and if she was going to die, then so be it. This is when her mind was controlled by that terrible demon we all know as alcohol.
Ascites is handicapping at times. I can remember her feet being so bloated and her legs enormous that she could barely walk or fit into her shoes, like both you and Lee mentioned above. Although it’s been a year since seeing her live through this kind of pain, I still remember it very well.
Thank you for sharing this and I look forward to reading so much more of what you have done here with this wonderful website! XoG
Gina,
I’m so glad we met through Twitter! Crazy world, huh? Your story of your mothers transplant and all that you have endured was honest and warm. I love your blog! She is very fortunate to have you to care for her.
Ascites is mean. I am amazed that she pulled out. You are both strong and beautiful women and your story really inspires me. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll do the same. Ok?
We’ll stay in touch,
xo Karen:)
I am so happy that I found your website. Lately, I have been totally desperate for something new to help me…you are it. I sent you an email at your ihelp address. Thank you for all your sharing and caring.
Sheila
Sheila,
I’m so glad we hooked up too! It was awesome to read of you out of bed and trimming rosebushes! I love to get personal emails from readers and wish you all the best as you continue your journey toward health. BTW – Poe is one of my faves and I soooo miss teaching The Raven and Tell Tale Heart this time of year! Yes, in costume! lol
Love you,
xo Karen:)
I’ve thought I had cirrhosis for almost 2 years now because 16 years ago i had fibrosis stage 2-3. Ive had some pretty hard relapses and i had every single symptom of cirrhosis. Of course my family dismissed me and said my constant uncontrollable itching that left me bloody was just evidence that I lack self control. My memory was very disconcerting to me because the things i would forget were such important and simple things, it was scary. I noticed my stomach swelling about 12 mo ago and again I was told that I was a hypochondriac and I always have had a tummy. Deep down i knew but i wanted to be in denial and desperately wanted to believe i did not have cirrhosis, so that combined with some very unfortunate circumstances have prevented me from seeing a new hepatologist. My old one didn’t even have my 3 biopsies on record from 16 years ago. I have a referral now and am waiting for their call. I’m afraid I’ve waited much too long as it is. I’ve suffered with pretty severe fatigue for the past few years but I’m adhd so i was prescribed amphetamine pills which really hid the debilitating effect that the fatigue has on my daily life and functionality. I have been sleeping quite soundly 10-12 hours each night but after onky 2-3 hours awake i can barely keep my eyes open and when i sit down to watch tv i last 15-20 minutes before I’m out. And this is no catnap. Sometimes I’ll wake up and it’s 3:30-4 when i had fallen asleep by 10 am. That’s when the realization that I wasn’t going to have a super active life even though I’d been clean and sober over 11 months now. Today i had my first experience with ascites. Well actually there’s been my stomach that everyone has senied is swollen for avlong time but mire recently my feet and ankles are so swollen I’m scared to walk for fearvthey will burst. And of course very unattractive. But what’s really weird and awful is my face which is puffy and leaking, for lack of a better word. Just clear puss but I’m scabbing over and trying so hard to get all the clear liquid out so it won’t be swollen anymore. I guess i just figured it out today. I didn’t realize you could have ascites on your face too! My mom and i were calling it adult acne but they don’t pop, they hurt like hell and grow very big -too big for pimples and my face always feels wet from this oozing. Honestly, I’m so embarrassed i can’t leave the house and i don’t want anyone to see me like this. What will remove them from my face besides me myself and i, which is very ineffective so far. The Dr who saw me at urgent care told me i should come back because of the swelling but i figured he couldn’t do anything for me anyway. At the time, i still believed myvface would be clearing up in a day or so. I’m freaking out! Will the urgent care even know how and what to treat me with. And how long until my ankles, feet, and FACE will look normal? Does this mean my cirrhosis is in the later stages? You all sound very positive about possible transplants…thank you for that. I am scared. -megan
Hi there! First I want to say I understand your fear. Congratulations on being clean for 11 months, that’s great! There is always hope. Is it possible you have cystic acne? Aside from that I am so sorry to hear your doctor doesn’t have copies of your biopsies. Do you remember where you had them done? I had a similar problem years ago and was able to go to the hospital that did the procedures and get copies. Either way you would need to have a new, complete work up. You should see a liver doctor. Most PCP’s are not very familiar with HCV or cirrhosis. You tell him what you have said here. He can do blood work to see how you are doing. There have been a lot of advances in the last 16 years. He may want you to have a sonogram as well as a biopsy to see how you are doing. Try to drink water as often as possible. Try to cut out red meat, fried food, lunch meats, limit salt as much as possible. Everything you eat or drink has to be filtered by the liver. If you keep that in mind it may help you. Try to eat a lot of veggies, fruit, oatmeal is good too. The main thing is you need to see a doctor. Take Care of your self, Dee
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