Hi Sarah, you should tell your doctor about any unexpected symptom or problems.
and to be honest, in my humble opinion ascites is not something to play around.
best wishes for you and a successful treatment.
Like rexx says, if you truly have ascites your doctor definitely needs to know. Do you have cirrhosis? If not, it is doubtful that you are experiencing ascites.
Yes, I have cirrhosis.
I called my real doctor (a hepatologist) and he prescribed some Xifaxan and I see him next Monday. I wasn't able to get s/o from him because of problems with extending care to people on medicaid.
My tx prescribing doctor moved to Siberia and her medical assistants have taken over the practice. The clinic figured 6 months of school qualified them to practice medicine.
I posted because I am curious as to whether others have developed ascites or HE while on Sovaldi, or other treatments. If a person is on the line between compensated and decompensated, it seems these powerful drugs could easily move one over the edge. But, then if the Hep C is eliminated, I would think minor ascites and minimal HE might fade away with time as the liver, hopefully, works to heal itself.
Working with seriously ill Hep C patients is such an art and act of balance, that I think tolerating minimal symptoms might be advisable. But yes, it takes an excellent and very experienced specialist to find the middle ground. I have the best in the state so we shall see.
Ascites is definately not a side effect of this treatment.
You need to let your Dr know ASAP as this can complicate your already existing Cirrhosis. I know that stopping treatment is not what you've bargained for but if your slipping into decompensation, an adjustment may
have to to made. These drugs are so new that we have no history to fall
back on as it relates to future issues.
Hopefully it may be a repercussion of excessive fluid intake, but only your
Dr can determine that. Please err on the side of caution and do get to the
bottom of this situation.
Please keep us posted on how your doing.
Take care
.....Kim
I had rather serious ascites about 2 weeks after I finished the 12 week regimen of ribavarin, solvaldi and olysio. I have cirrhosis. Had to have a paracentesis treatment and lost 14 lbs after this procedures; lost 29 lbs within a week. It cleared up my edema also.
Idk if this is a frequent post medication issue for others.
I had rather serious ascites about 2 weeks after I finished the 12 week regimen of ribavarin, solvaldi and olysio. I have cirrhosis. Had to have a paracentesis treatment and lost 14 lbs after this procedures; lost 29 lbs within a week. It cleared up my edema also.
Idk if this is a frequent post medication issue for others.
I went into tx of S/O with ascites. Treatment of moderate ascites is sodium restriction and diruectics.
"Approximately 75% of patients presenting with ascites in Western Europe or the USA have cirrhosis as the underlying cause." Treating the HCV should resolve the portal hypertension which is the cause of the fluid buildup. "Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis, and
Well that was weird...not all of my post showed up. :(
"Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis, and
Maybe 3rd time is the charm....the quote goes on to say that ascites occurs when portal hypertension is developed.
My portal hypertension resolved..along with the ascites...EOT. However shortly after EOT 12 I've experienced 'bloating'. I'm curious to know how this sorts out for you...please let us know. :)
The Xifaxin is for hepatic encephalopathy. I have cirrhosis and did not have this side effect, but it is contraindicated to take Xifaxin with the treatment. I had to stop it. I am telling you do not take one pill. Call the pharmacist and they will tell you.