Urgent question about ascites

[mona400]

Im so worried about my cousin, found out this summer she has cirrhosis due to abusing prescription pain pills ( Vicodin & Norco ). She went to emergency room last week was admitted for esophageal variceal hemorrhage and put on life due to heart rate 170. She came home 2 days ago and now she is very swollen. She said she did look 6 month pregnant but now looks 10 months pregnant and is in a lot of pain. She called her doctor this morning and has not received a returned call. When should she just go in to the ER?

[rpwoodard]

Mona,
Is your cousin concerned about her condition?
Is she unaware of the effects of cirrhosis because:
- she's passive & doesn't research...
- or does fear have her in denial?
- doctors haven't described it well to her?
- she's confused / disoriented & doesn't seem to understand much

What kind of specialist is she seeing? Is this person at a major teaching hospital?

It's wonderful that you're inquiring on your cousin's behalf. CIrrhosis is a nasty condition to deal with if you don't have someone helping you manage it.
Inspired

[HectorSF]

Thanks for the update.

You did everything a caring person could do. What all of us hope to do in such a situation. But none of us can make another adult do anything they don't want to do. Even if it is for their own good.

Hopefully she will see the light and begin to take care of herself. Sooner rather than later.

Thanks for caring and trying to help someone.
We need more people like yourself.
Hector

[mona400]

Thank you so much for replying. Her Dr. called her back and said hospital forgot to give her the prescription for Lasix she picked her meds up but still in pain hasn't slept due to pain and I've tried to tell her to go to ER but she won't.  She doesnt have any knowledge of what cirrhosis does to your body, I've tried to explain to her but at the same time I don't want to sound cold or callous. I asked her if they talked to her about compensated and decompensated cirrhosis which they hadn't so I tried to explain to her. I just pray she doesn't continue to suffer like this. Thanks Hector you're the best!

[HectorSF]

If it is painful she should go to the ER.

Ascites can be managed with a proper diet and diuretics but this takes time.

She should be referred to a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist at a liver transplant center for management of her cirrhosis and its complications.

For immediate relief she may need to have the fluid drained from her abdomen. "Paracentesis" is a procedure to take out fluid that has collected in the belly (peritoneal fluid). The fluid will be sent to a lab and studied to look for infection which can be a dangerous complication of ascites.

Good luck to her.
Hector