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bob
Member
Username: West_of_rome
Post Number: 45
Registered: 12-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 08:44 pm: | 
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My drs upped my water pills and it's done nothing at all. They said if that didn't work, they could drain the water from me. I have a lot of fluid in my feet, ankles, legs and stomach. Does anyone know how they do this procedure, is it painful, any risks involved and how long does the result last... ie.... i don't want to get a few days on joy, only to be swollen again right away. Thanks.
"Joan of Arc had style. Jesus had style."
Charles Bukowski |
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LindyB
Member
Username: Lindyb
Post Number: 118
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 - 03:31 pm: |
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Bob,
I'm sure you'll get lots of feedback on this question as it is very common to retain fluid in your abdomen and other parts of your body. My husband (transplanted 3/10) had to have several drains both before and after his transplant. I can't say whether it's painful but from what he told me it is more of an uncomfortable thing than a painful thing. But the fluid being in there isn't comfortable either, I'm sure. I believe they give you a local anesthetic and then put a long needle in your belly to drain it. They pulled off 6 liters one time with my husband! The bad news is that the fluid can come back quickly (days/weeks). Are you on a low sodium diet? That can help. There are always risks involved. You should ask your Dr or Nurse coordinator about that. What type of pills are the giving you? My husband was on Lasix for a long time.
Wife and caregiver to BillyB.
Diagnosed w/Hep C and Cirrhosis 1/08
Added to the waiting list 8/08.
Transplanted 3/6/10
MD University Hospital, Baltimore
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eccoblue
Forum Leader
Username: Eccoblue
Post Number: 1839
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 - 05:15 pm: |
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I had severe edema for several years before my transplants and intractable ascites. My legs were almost twice normal size and my abdomen looked like I was 9 months pregnant.. After my transplants, the edema went away, but the ascites stayed for another year. I've been on all the water pills, which made me pee constantly, but didn't help much with the edema. I have had 160 paracentesis procedures and the most drained out was 10.2 liters. The procedure isn't that bad, but since I had so many taps, I ended up being put on pain killers and an anethesiologist gave me propofol. This the exception, not the rule. I also got IV albumin after the taps. As far as I know, I was kind of an anomaly. Most people don't need to be put to sleep at all. Usually, a radiologist inserts a catheter to drain the fluid, while an ultrasound tech marks the best spot to get poked.
Heart and Liver Tx at Cedars-Sinai on 02/01/2007
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Fall seven times, stand up eight - Japanese proverb
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 |
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tweeker182
Member
Username: Tweeker182
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 - 02:04 pm: |
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Hello,
I was on two different diuretics prior to my transplant. I remember one being lasix and I do not remember the other. I had an abdominal tap this past December. The tap was relatively simple and not painful. I think they used a local with a little bit of hydromorphone sedation. I felt great after the tap for about 24 hours. Unfortunately, the fluid came back relatively quickly and ended up in my right chest. It's referred to a hepato-hydrothorax. If the edema is unmanageable, I would certainly get the tap. Continue on the meds afterwards as the water will eventually return. Keep the sodium in your diet low as it really helps.
Good Luck! |
SunshineGurl
Member
Username: Flsunshinegurl
Post Number: 80
Registered: 02-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 - 08:01 pm: |
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Kelli, you never cease to amaze me! You are one strong chickadee!!!!!
Hang in there Bob!!!
(((Hug)))
| A friend is someone who reaches for your hand but touches your heart |
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surviver
Member
Username: Intlmech
Post Number: 2
Registered: 05-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, May 07, 2011 - 10:59 pm: |
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yep had many paristenesis(sp) i looked pregnant,took 6 to 8 leters out each time,cramps real bad after but it was a great relief to me as that i could breath again.eventially they drilled through my liver and i had to take laclouse to clean ammonia out and by that time i was transplanted.are you ready for transplant?get ready if not |
bob
Member
Username: West_of_rome
Post Number: 46
Registered: 12-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 09, 2011 - 04:00 pm: |
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Just got back from getting drained for the first time. They took 8.3 liters and I was 16 pounds lighter when I walked out. I was hoping this would give some relief to my legs and feet, but I didn't know until I was asking questions that it was only for my stomach. Oh well, it's better then nothing and I do feel more comfortable for the time being. I hope I have at least a few days of this.
Thanks for all the advice and info.... always appreciated.
"Joan of Arc had style. Jesus had style."
Charles Bukowski |
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LindyB
Member
Username: Lindyb
Post Number: 119
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 10:30 am: |
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Have your Dr's mentioned wearing support socks? They helped my husband when he had the issue of edema in his legs. Elevate your legs when lying down too. My husband ended up with fluid in one of his lungs too. Water water everywhere.
Glad you got some relief!
Wife and caregiver to BillyB.
Diagnosed w/Hep C and Cirrhosis 1/08
Added to the waiting list 8/08.
Transplanted 3/6/10
MD University Hospital, Baltimore
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surviver
Member
Username: Intlmech
Post Number: 7
Registered: 05-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 11:34 am: |
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bob the support socks just caused me a lot of pain so they used this machine(don't know name) that wraped around my legs and tightened up for a while then let presure off for a while something like 3min. on 3min. off,ask your doc about it he can get one for you,keep your legs elevated.no salt,salt supstittutes work ok. just a word about retaining water it will come back i hope you are seeing a liver special specialist,i'm assuming liver,before transplant you have to have things done they even went into my heart to make sure it was good,push your doc.what is your meld score?if its ok by you to say |
AC
Member
Username: Asunlesssea
Post Number: 3
Registered: 02-2012
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2012 - 10:25 am: |
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I got so bad that I had to get literally, drained every 6 days and they drained 18-20 liters of fluid from my stomach. No worries, its not painful, it just feels weird. I'd try to make a joke out of it, and when the dr would come in, I would say ´´Please tell u are Dr. No Pain?`` They'd laugh and say no worries. Its over before u know it  |
