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Date Posted: 20:13:39 04/23/02 Tue
Author: Doris
Author Host/IP: px3cv.gv.shawcable.net / 24.64.223.205
Subject: I'm Really Scared

Not sure if any of you will recall my post a few days ago? on Thrombosis? My dear friend's Doc thought that was what she had...today, she has found out it is Ascites...she has been vomitting, stomache distended, etc. She is very frightened, of course, and I am scared for her. It also makes me scared for my husband, who also has cirrhosis, and did tx, just like my friend did (both 3a's too) I am trying to understand more about this condition. Am I right in my thinking that this only happens with decompensated or end stage??? Feeling really low tonight. Thanks for being here.
Doris

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Replies:

[> Doris -- Susie, 20:15:51 04/23/02 Tue (bgp425870bgs.union01.nj.comcast.net/68.36.197.75)

Ascites often can be controlled with diuretics. Your friend is seeing a doc isn't she? You are right ascites usually comes with very late stage disease. But, don't project what is happening to your friend onto your hubby. Many patients with cirrhosis live long and relatively healthy lives. Not all cirhossis patients go on to end stage. ((((DORIS))))


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[> [> Re: Trying to Reply -- Doris, 20:38:59 04/23/02 Tue (px3cv.gv.shawcable.net/24.64.223.205)

Sorry, I can't see how to reply to each message individually....anyhow, Susie, yes, my friend sees a very good hep Doc. I think I am in a sort of shock...she just got pulled off Peg/riba after 6 months on it, due to low counts, etc, etc; in addition, she did old combo, and then Infergen. Peg/riba was the first time she went undetected. I was so hoping for her that she could move on, and get back on it at a later date...now this! I know what she is NOT saying...her and I lost a mutual friend; we had been there for her, through all the various treatments (shunts, etc) for her ascites, and her transplants. It's just all too familiar, and scarey. While I realise it is silly to project this to my husband, it still worries me. We all thought the friend I am referring to (the one who now has ascites) was doing alright...in fact, they had called it "early cirrhosis" just as they said for my hubby 2 years ago. The bottom line is--they just have no way to know how fast this progresses, do they?? I am trying real hard to stay calm here...mostly I am scared for my friend because I know she is scared, and that this all reminds her of our mutual friend. I know I'm rambling, but I needed to talk about this. I will go read all I can about ascites on the web. Thanks for your relpies.
Doris


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[> [> [> (((((Doris))))) -- toosh, 04:40:54 04/24/02 Wed (dhcp024-209-033-060.neo.rr.com/24.209.33.60)

Sweetie....to reply to individual messages....just go to the bottom of the message and click on "reply"....each individual message will have that except for the very first one...then you just scroll down to the form like you did w/ Susie.

Not much to add here, Doris....I hope a hug helps!

....Carol


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[> [> [> Re: Trying to Reply -- KAthryn, 23:57:48 04/24/02 Wed (spider-to041.proxy.aol.com/152.163.204.61)

Sooooooooo sorry you're scared......... even withOUT Hep C it's a scary world!!!!!!!! Please explain ascites to me..... I was diagnosed 5 years ago with Hep C but my labs hadn't changed until recently........ FYI: I'm in Stage 3
and I'm genotype 1B.
I also have a rare bone marrow disorder Myelodysplasia......it's a REAL bummer!!!!!! No cure........
all they can do for me is buy me time with blood transfusions and/or bone marrow transplants......... now I have a mass groing on a kidney and my doc told me yesterday that I have a suspicious lesion also!!!!!!! I'm wondering...... could the lesion be related in any way to ascites?
I can't make it go away for you but what I can do is let you know I KNOW....... we ALL know where you're at...... we've either been there or we will later......... maaybe not ascites but there's plenty more bad shit for us to deal with.
See if you can find a support group OR go to WEBMD.........
they have real doctors........ reputable ones that explain in great detail many conditions related to HEP C and other diseases.........
Start a JOURNAL....... write it in EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!
I bet in a month's time........ you can go back and read what you felt then and what you feel like now ( one month later......) I have a feeling it will be more positive than negative....... besides....... keeping journals is a wonderful way to VENT!! Fears, Frustrations........ everything!
HAng in there........ you can write me anytime.. I have a good Internet friend who also has HEP C..... she is a wealth of information...... AND....... knows alot about othere conditions....... AND alternative meds..........
I also have a sister who has been a nurse for 28 years! She's a good one to askt questions.........
I find that I panic big time when something NEW is thrown at me...... I thinks that's just human nature........ but it's also our nature to talk about it..........be scared...... it's ok..... it's a normal function........ just don't stay scared and alone....... share share share.....
I will surf tonight and tomorrow for you and see what I can find
HAng in there!
KP


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[> (((Doris))) -- terry, 20:27:04 04/23/02 Tue (NoHost/66.84.232.156)

Sorry to hear of your friends news. Please try to take what your husband is experiencing for what it is, and not for what it could be. Like Susie said, he may well be okay in the long run. Try to go one step at a time...take care...t


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[> Prayers and (((Huggs))) for your friend, your husband and you too! -- Jane, 20:39:50 04/23/02 Tue (adsl-209-77-11-142.dialup.sndg02.pacbell.net/209.77.11.142)


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[> Re: I'm Really Scared -- sg, 20:41:02 04/23/02 Tue (Toronto-HSE-ppp3662893.sympatico.ca/65.95.153.250)

Hi Doris,

I experienced ASCITES and had it treated first with draining some fluid off (out patient, simple procedure) and then with diuretics. It is manageable. But you need to have your friend see a liver specialist sooner rather than later.

Tell your friend to see a specialist and not to sit around thinking about seeing a doctor or not. Just have her do it. Sooner not later.

There is no need to panic but early action is best.



sg


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[> [> Re: I'm Really Scared -- Doris, 21:02:26 04/23/02 Tue (px3cv.gv.shawcable.net/24.64.223.205)

Hi SG...Thanks. My friend does see a good Hepatologist. She had numerous tests last week, and again today; the Ascites was the diagnosis today. Would you mind telling me more about how you manage it? and are you at end stage also? Sorry if that sounds ignorant, but I know very little about this complication...I knew that diuretics could help control it, that's about all knew. Thanks.
Doris


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[> [> [> Re: I'm Really Scared -- dg, 21:20:43 04/23/02 Tue (Toronto-HSE-ppp3662893.sympatico.ca/65.95.153.250)

Hi Doris,

I just recently (March 17th) had a liver transplant. Before that I managed the ascites for 3 years.

Diet = no fried foods, no added salt, low salt products, no prepared meats, limit total liquid intake to 1.5 litres per day, no red meat, lots of veggies, no butter/margarine, only 2 servings of dairy product per day, only 2 servings of meat per day, 7 servings each of grain and veggie/fruit.

In the beginning, I was so bloated that they had to drain a gallon of fluid from my body. This was done as an out patient but in a hospital. It was a standard painless procedure. It took 4 hours to drain the fluid. Also I had to take diuretics on a daily basis. I also had to check my abdomen and ankles for fluid each day. Simple check. If the fluid increased, I increased the dose of diuretics.

IF you want more information just ask and I'll do the best I can to answer.

sg


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[> [> [> [> Re: I'm Really Scared -- Doris, 21:31:39 04/23/02 Tue (px3cv.gv.shawcable.net/24.64.223.205)

SG, thank you so much and it is amazing that you are posting this soon post-tx! Congratulations to you. I truly want to thank you...it is reassuring to hear from someone who actually managed with ascites for 3 long years:) I will pass that onto my friend; it will give her hope. Is ascites usually managed for long periods with diuretics? is the draining only for extreme ascites?
thanks again...sorry to have bombarded the board with this, but it hits close to home and I am concerned for my friend and for my husband...my family says it should make me worried for myself (I have hepc too) but it doesn't, my biop was very good (who knows about the future, tho?)
Doris


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[> [> [> [> [> Re: I'm Really Scared -- sg, 21:42:27 04/23/02 Tue (Toronto-HSE-ppp3662893.sympatico.ca/65.95.153.250)

Hi Doris,

I've talked to people who managed ascites longer than I did, so I'm not sure how long it can be managed. I was on a low dosage of diuretics and others are on high dosage. The diet is critical and I was religious about it.

When they drained me, I was so bloated none of my clothes would fit except an old track suit I had but it fit like a glove. Everytime I'd move it hurt as it seemed like my flesh was tearing. I could barely walk. So in my case I guess it was extreme. It is best not to let it go without getting it treated and start to manage it.

It can be managed, but you cannot ignore it.

sg


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[> [> [> [> dg????? -- toosh, 04:43:13 04/24/02 Wed (dhcp024-209-033-060.neo.rr.com/24.209.33.60)

lol....I thought you were someone new...almost gave you a welcome post!

sg...it is great to have you here. Someone that has "been thru it" and is now doing so well! Thanks, my friend!....Carol


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[> [> [> [> [> Re: dg????? Just fat fingers on the keyboard -- sg, 05:15:03 04/24/02 Wed (Toronto-HSE-ppp3660441.sympatico.ca/65.95.144.84)


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[> ((((Doris)))) ((((Hubby)))) ((((Friend)))) -- Sg has LOTS of good information, and a really great diet/exercise program... -- susinni, 22:34:55 04/23/02 Tue (susini1.Stanford.EDU/171.64.181.9)

and he's way willing to share his information, system and tips. Stick with his advice, and probably a lot of good can come from a very skeeery situation. *comfort* and *support* and prayers are coming your way! --susi


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[> (((Doris))) -- Cat, 07:44:30 04/24/02 Wed (NoHost/156.63.134.4)

My husband has had ascities for at LEAST five years. I kept trying to convince his doc of that (took me a year), and finally when the doc saw the light, he was put on diuretics. He lost 60 pounds in 30 days. He has been controling it like this for the last two years, he takes a mid level dose of meds to control it and all is well. His diet is terrible, he only likes "shit" foods and that's what he eats. I'm sure SG's diet advice is much better. I guess some people can get away with different things.

Don't panic Doris. This can be taken care of. Your friends doc should be able to help her.


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[> [> Re: To CAT -- Doris, 10:12:13 04/24/02 Wed (px3cv.gv.shawcable.net/24.64.223.205)

Thank you for a very reassuring post, Cat. I am a bit confused..your hubby has had ascites for 5 years? does this mean he is on a transplant list? All I have read, tells me that once ascites is present, you are in ESLD...so, if I am to understand this, a person can control this complication with diet / diuretics indefinatley? I am trying hard to get a clear picture of this condition and be able to help my friend all I can. Thanks for your help.
Doris


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[> [> [> Doris -- Cat, 10:57:12 04/24/02 Wed (NoHost/156.63.134.4)

I don't know for a FACT that he has had it that long, but I do know for a FACT that his gut was WAAAAAY bigger than it ever should have been and no amount of starvation dieting would remove it (he looked pregnant). The only logical conclusion is that he had it all that time before he was ever diagnosed with HCV.

He is not on a transplant list. He just failed TX for the second time. His doctor, who is one of the best in the country, said that Ron is in "a funny window", not sick enough to consider transplant, and treatment is still an option, but if he gets any worse........personally, I think he may be getting a little worse, maybe it's just the left over TX crap still hanging on. We will find out next month by his bloodwork.

I don't know how long medications can control Ascities. He has been well controled for the last two years with them. I would suspect that eventually the meds would not do the trick, but for now they are working fine and he still has quite a bit to go before it is a high dose level.

His former doctor (two years ago) told us that he would expect Ron would need a transplant within five years if the virus could not be stopped and perhaps even if it was stopped. The virus has not been stopped. For the most part, his blood work has not gotten any worse since that time. There have been a very few small changes, but nothing to freak out over. I am anxious to see what the next round shows because he has been feeling pretty crappy ever since he quite the TX (around 2 mos ago I guess).

If I can answer anything else, I'm more than willing, just fire away.


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[> [> [> [> Question to Cat -- Doris, 11:11:11 04/24/02 Wed (px3cv.gv.shawcable.net/24.64.223.205)

Hi again, and thanks! I do have another question...was it the swollen stomache that was the first sign of ascites? Or did you notice his feet / legs were swollen? My friend started out 2 weeks ago with very swollen legs; they suspected Thrombosis at first. She was told 3 years ago, that she had early cirrhosis...my husband was told the same thing, around 2 years ago. Are you saying that your hubby's Doctors are *NOT* calling this end stage liver disease? Thats where I am confused...since all I've read says ascites occurs at end stage. Maybe I am mixed up...and ascites is a complication of cirrhosis, but not always a signal that cirrhosis has progressed to end stage?? All I know is, since my friend and my husband seem to mirror one another with their hepc history; I am going to be extra vigliant, watching for any signs of ankle or leg swelling. While I know everyone is so different, and this may not happen with my husband...I just think it's best for me to keep an eye on it...our Doctors here are *very* under-educated re:hepc. Best of luck to you and your husband. Do you also have hepc?
Doris


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[> [> [> [> [> Hi Doris -- Cat, 11:28:57 04/24/02 Wed (NoHost/156.63.134.4)

His gut was all that was swollen. His legs and ankles have NEVER swollen, his doctor always checks them and they never are and never have been. He looked like he was nine months pregnant though.

The doctors have never said the dreaded words 'end stage' but with his former doctor predicting a transplant within five years, it seems (to me anyway) that if he isn't in end stage, then he has to be knocking on it. I don't know how long someone can be 'end stage' before they have to get a transplant or take the other route (the one we don't want to think about). I have never asked the docs flat out - I don't want to hear it said, know what I mean? I figure that if worse comes to worse and it's a transplant or else, I will have time to freak on that then.

I can tell you this. When Ron goes back to the doc next month, we are supposed to talk about options for trials. So, for the moment, I am still hopefull that something will stop this frigging monster in its tracks.

I think this disease is very different for everyone and the choices you make along the way have a big impact on what comes your way.

One other thing, Ron also has (at a year and a half ago) very tiny varacies, we were told there was no need to worry about them at that size. He will have them checked again very soon.

It seems to me that some people can have all kinds of complications and still deal with them fairly well. Some days for Ron and pretty bad, but some days are pretty good too.

And yes, I am one of the club also. A little gift to myself almost four years ago. What an idiot. Oh well, as Scarlett said, "I'll think about that tomorrow".


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[> (((Doris))) - i just want to add my hugs to you, your friend, and your husband.... -- Perry, 08:56:04 04/24/02 Wed (netcache-1112.public.svc.webtv.net/209.240.222.32)

and PLEASE don't apolgize for coming here with this - that's what this board is for. I'm VERY glad you're here.......smoooccchhh!!!


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[> [> Re: (((Doris))) - i just want to add my hugs to you, your friend, and your husband.... -- Doris, 10:17:27 04/24/02 Wed (px3cv.gv.shawcable.net/24.64.223.205)

Thank you Perry...we are indeed very fortunate that boards such as this exist! When my sister called last night, and couldn't really comprehend why I was so upset...I was thanking this message board in my mind.
Doris


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[> (((((((((Doris))))))))))... an important aspect of this disease... -- teegz, 16:53:28 04/24/02 Wed (NoHost/12.96.202.1)

is that it affects everyone differently. There are some basic "truths", but as far as how each person will a)respond to treatment, b)tolerate treatment or c)progress in their disease, it's all different. So even though your husband is similar to your friend, that doesn't mean his journey will be the same. In the ten years I've been living with HCV (knowing about it anyway), I've seen many people completely recover from ascites.

Keep the faith, Doris.

Susan


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[> [> Re: (((((((((Doris))))))))))... an important aspect of this disease... -- Doris, 19:10:05 04/24/02 Wed (px3cv.gv.shawcable.net/24.64.223.205)

Susan...Thank you. Yours is one of the most encouraging responses...I have only known one other person who had ascites, and she passed on last July. The more I am hearing, from Cat and SG, and others; I am learning that this, too can be managed. Of course you are right; everyone with hepc is so different. I often wonder why I am so lucky, hepc+ for 30 years and stage 0...not lucky, I guess, just in the majority:)
Doris


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