I can relate to the gentleman who produced this video. August 05, 2015, I had a liver and kidney transplant, ruptured appendix, ruptured spleen, gallstones and 2 hernias. There are no words to describe the barbaric pain I experienced. I never imagined the human body can dish out so much pain. If anyone is an alcoholic, I strongly recommend that you seek treatment now.
I had ascites and gained approximately 70 pounds. The worse pain I had was in my hips and shoulders. I was so swollen that I couldn't get the seat belt around my bloated body. I was fortunate to get rid of the fluid with high doses of spironolactone and furosemide. That was 3 years ago, and thanks to a strict diet and sensible exercise I have not had a reoccurrence. Every time I think of having a drink, I relive that time when my body was in horrendous pain, and it keeps the devil at bay.
Wow. I’m going through some similar things, not to your level. Not even close, I am committed to changing my lifestyle, I’m praying that it is early enough to be reversed. Man, I don’t care about what car I drive, how ripped I am(not anymore) I just want a healthy functioning body and be able to drink and enjoy cold ice water again. Congratulations for you for making a change. Maybe make a video on it. You can help people. That’s what life is about- other people. Being able to help others, and having others help us in times of need.
Wowwww thank you so much for making those videos. They will definitely encourage some people to quit abusing alcohol , and those like myself to remain sober . Thats very selfless of you , you’re saving live-S 🥰❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I've found that the most reliable indicator of a patient having sufficient family support is when they and/or their primary caregiver use the word we when referring to appointments and treatments. As in, "We have an appointment with the urologist tomorrow, and then we are having a CT."
Your paracentesis shouldn't be painful at all if the dr performing it is skilled. My husband has a standing order and goes once a week and averages 9 liters per visit. It's not the most fun thing to have done but there's no pain. The only time it was painful was when he had one done by a dr in the ER who didn't specialize in it and that one leaked for a week. My husband also has encephalopathy as a result of having the TIPS procedure and sleeping is hell for him. This disease is so much more complex than our friends and family can even grasp. Nobody could imagine what we go through on a daily basis.
I'm sorry, but injecting needles into the abdomen to numb the area is not pain free. Also, the movement of the plastic tubes moving around abdomen does not feel good. You weren't the one experiencing the procedure so you cannot state whether or not there's pain.
Thankyou for sharing this.I’m pretty healthy but I find medical information intriguing.Your a very intelligent and nice man.I pray you get well soon!By the way you look great,so doing a good job so far.
Not sure what to say. My experience watching this video: I welled up, disheartened, realized this person is very important. It just feels better, maybe in a sick way, that I'm not alone? Like I said, I'm not really sure what to say. It's reassuring this person has shared his experience. I wish everyone to be an example of good health. Maybe tomorrow they'll be a cure for cirrhosis. The liver does regenerate.
@TarpanaSharma he was like a hermit at the end so I'm not sure, he did tell me he'd relapsed once but I think it may have been more.. he said he couldn't enjoy even watching a film without alcohol.. he was eating salty fried food so not really following nutritional rules. He was in hospital 3 months before with decompensated cirrhosis . They drained him but it built up again and he collapsed, and that was it.. 😢
You are doing well now thankfully because I was a seriously heavy drinker of spirits and beer and woke up one morning and my abdomen was large and painful, at this point I quit drinking alcohol because I knew it was something serious but never went to the doctor and it just really quickly got larger and more painful. It got so bad I could not sit up or move in bed and rang an ambulance. It was serious, end stage liver failure ascites and severely swollen legs. I have been on 100mg of furosemide and 150mg of eplerenone diuretics which did work tremendously well, but 2 weeks ago they completely stopped working and I'm seriously stressed now waiting to see my liver specialist as the fluid is building up slowly again with pain. It's 7 months now and I will have to get paracentises. I know completely what you went through as I am also type-0 blood type and got the albumin IV but this ascites is almost impossible to remove by these loop diuretics.Now at this moment in time I have a strong appetite and have a lot of energy even with this fluid build-up again, I find this strange. I'm also on a strict sodium diet the last 7 months but the tablets completely stopped working and it's now a week or so, I'm not sure what to do untill I am given an appointment, It's starting all over again and I'm physically and mentally almost giving up even though I oddly have lots of energy. I researched a lot about all of this about diuretics and am confused now. This is going to be a long road. Thanks for listening, I'm almost at a loss now on what to do.
I also saw this as my husband has cirrhosis and needs paracentesis on a regular basis. I learned that it has been tested more so in Europe than in USA. One of the biggest issues is that it is difficult to determine the amount of ascites being drained into the bladder (as it is continuos) so it becomes tricky to supply the required amount of albumin you receive after a paracentesis. I was really excited when I first read about it, but in discussing it with our hepatologist, he was not to keen about it, specially because in my husband’s case, he also has portal hypertension and any surgery is too risky.
Hi I'm s/p liver transplant may 2021. Went through the symptoms you are experiencing myself. Hopefully you are or will be able to meet with transplant physicians and are checking your labs and meld score. Are you at this point yet in your journey or perhaps your liver will heal. Praying for you either way.
I have regular appointments with the liver transplant center at Vanderbilt Medical Center. My bloodwork is being closely monitored . Along with regular ultrasound and CT scans. :-)
Extremely well explained sir. I can't believe they took so much in one session. I had a semi permanent drain fitted and they took about 2lts three times a week..
My medical team at Vanderbilt was shocked that they took so much. It was done at my local hospital and they said that it should have been split up into two sessions. On average they would take about 12 from me every 28 days. Taking that 20 L at once could have caused me to go into full shock. I do not recommend it.
@@fortressfarms82 Although I believe you, I'm very surprised they drained 20L at once. 6 liters were max for me. Several doctors told me they would never drain more than 8 liters at once for the same reason you stated above.
@@josephhernandez9428 I'm in total agreement. My GI, PCP and Vanderbilt docs were SHOCKED! I actually took photos of the containers to show my other docs. My average was 10 or 12. Over time with my water retention meds it went from 20, 15, 8, 6, 5 and now 0. I haven't had any ascites in about 5 months. What a miracle! I thought I was going to have to do it forever.
I've been watching your story. In 2017, I had a major health issue that landed me in the hospital. My stomach was so swelled I thought my ribs would break. Like you, I was diagnosed with Cirrhosis (but mine is non-alcoholic). About the 3rd day in the hospital, my body started removing the ascites so I never had to be drained although I take Spiranolactone. I dropped 50 lbs (went from 190 to 138). They only g ave me, at most, 6 months to live (fortunately they were wrong) but I had to radically change my diet. I'm curious (and maybe you get to this later) if you are maintaining, what diet do you do (other than low sodium)?
I did not realize (probably for the best) that paracentesis is not a good thing. It's a last-ditch effort and is not meant for long term handling of the situation. I think the techs know this because they were so serious and glum about the procedure. I would break the ice by betting how much plasma would come out. 8L was my record. It's not painful. I actually didnt mind it because I felt such relief when it was over. It's a band aid and not really helping with the underlying problem(s). I was just happy to move like a semi-normal person. If anyone thinks theyre drinking too much and, c'mon, you know. Yould throw that poison so far away from you as fast as you can! You DO NOT want this. For real. I'm not a prude and refrain from telling people what to do, but if you have a small, nagging voice that's telling you you're drinking too much LISTEN TO IT! Seriously, have an edible and a club soda. You will thank yourself later. Liver failure sucks on so many levels. It doesnt matter how you got it. If it's happening you have to deal with it and be stronger than you ever have been in your life. It's a total game-changer. Youre on a hellish roller coaster BUT, like a roller coaster, if you follow the rules, it starts gentling down and you can get off it. 10/22 I (the surgeons) opened my liver Bed & Breakfast and you gotta take care of your VERY special guest. And keep a damn sense of humor about it. You already know what dying feels like (not fun). Cliche but true: you got this. Just watch. I didn't know any of this when I received my post-covid bombshell. I think youre doing a great service by sharing youre story. Nobody wants this for anyone regardless of how or why it's happening. If it's happening, you know what i mean and i really hope the numbers go down on those who do know what im talking about. I love my 2nd hand liver and the Angel that gave it to me. Really, a miracle!
@@fortressfarms82 see? You're doing it! Already been through hell, a little bump in the road is doable. Bring it on. Hold my beer (forever) and watch this! I don't know. Maybe this was all a blessing because I'm a different person in many ways. A better person. Let's see where this goes.
what was your dosage of diurectis did you have? they placed a drain on my sons stomch (hospice) had his insurance do it,but the most that was drained frim his belly was 10 liters.
Not necessarily. The only way that you can tell for certain is by ultrasound. Your physician can do a physical exam and determine if an ultrasound is nessecary ascites. But your stomach being hard could mean a variety of things or it could simply be bloat.
Chronic fatigue happened once by digestive & renal system crashed. I was managing a restaurant at the time so always moving. My Drs. said I was on full auto pilot then my body decided it had had enough.
I can relate to the gentleman who produced this video. August 05, 2015, I had a liver and kidney transplant, ruptured appendix, ruptured spleen, gallstones and 2 hernias. There are no words to describe the barbaric pain I experienced. I never imagined the human body can dish out so much pain. If anyone is an alcoholic, I strongly recommend that you seek treatment now.
I had ascites and gained approximately 70 pounds. The worse pain I had was in my hips and shoulders. I was so swollen that I couldn't get the seat belt around my bloated body. I was fortunate to get rid of the fluid with high doses of spironolactone and furosemide. That was 3 years ago, and thanks to a strict diet and sensible exercise I have not had a reoccurrence. Every time I think of having a drink, I relive that time when my body was in horrendous pain, and it keeps the devil at bay.
Thanks for sharing your story buddy!
Wow. I’m going through some similar things, not to your level. Not even close, I am committed to changing my lifestyle, I’m praying that it is early enough to be reversed.
Man, I don’t care about what car I drive, how ripped I am(not anymore) I just want a healthy functioning body and be able to drink and enjoy cold ice water again.
Congratulations for you for making a change. Maybe make a video on it. You can help people. That’s what life is about- other people. Being able to help others, and having others help us in times of need.
Wowwww thank you so much for making those videos. They will definitely encourage some people to quit abusing alcohol , and those like myself to remain sober . Thats very selfless of you , you’re saving live-S 🥰❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thank you. Wow you look so good too have been so bad off not long ago. Sure young age and will to live are helping the most.
I've found that the most reliable indicator of a patient having sufficient family support is when they and/or their primary caregiver use the word we when referring to appointments and treatments. As in, "We have an appointment with the urologist tomorrow, and then we are having a CT."
You are providing such valuable information. I hope you are feeling well. ❤️
Thank you so much!
Your paracentesis shouldn't be painful at all if the dr performing it is skilled. My husband has a standing order and goes once a week and averages 9 liters per visit. It's not the most fun thing to have done but there's no pain. The only time it was painful was when he had one done by a dr in the ER who didn't specialize in it and that one leaked for a week. My husband also has encephalopathy as a result of having the TIPS procedure and sleeping is hell for him. This disease is so much more complex than our friends and family can even grasp. Nobody could imagine what we go through on a daily basis.
I'm sorry, but injecting needles into the abdomen to numb the area is not pain free. Also, the movement of the plastic tubes moving around abdomen does not feel good. You weren't the one experiencing the procedure so you cannot state whether or not there's pain.
My bf is at the early stage of cirrhosis and his legs are blown up.
Praying that everything will be fine ❤❤
I've had 3 different doctors for 3 different times. It hurt extremely.
@@amywilliams9692You poor thing. I know it's a struggle and wish you a speedy return to good health.
well done for putting out the awareness
Thankyou for sharing this.I’m pretty healthy but I find medical information intriguing.Your a very intelligent and nice man.I pray you get well soon!By the way you look great,so doing a good job so far.
Thank you Kevin!
Not sure what to say. My experience watching this video: I welled up, disheartened, realized this person is very important. It just feels better, maybe in a sick way, that I'm not alone? Like I said, I'm not really sure what to say. It's reassuring this person has shared his experience. I wish everyone to be an example of good health. Maybe tomorrow they'll be a cure for cirrhosis. The liver does regenerate.
That was beautiful! Thank you so much!
Thank you !
My brother is going through this at the moment.
You do give us hope 🙏
Is he okay ?
@TarpanaSharma no he passed away aged 46 😢
Oh m really sorry .. did he leave alcohol completely and dietary changes ?
@TarpanaSharma he was like a hermit at the end so I'm not sure, he did tell me he'd relapsed once but I think it may have been more.. he said he couldn't enjoy even watching a film without alcohol.. he was eating salty fried food so not really following nutritional rules. He was in hospital 3 months before with decompensated cirrhosis . They drained him but it built up again and he collapsed, and that was it.. 😢
Thankyou dear for sharing the information and m really sorry for the loss. 🙏🙏
You are doing well now thankfully because I was a seriously heavy drinker of spirits and beer and woke up one morning and my abdomen was large and painful, at this point I quit drinking alcohol because I knew it was something serious but never went to the doctor and it just really quickly got larger and more painful. It got so bad I could not sit up or move in bed and rang an ambulance. It was serious, end stage liver failure ascites and severely swollen legs. I have been on 100mg of furosemide and 150mg of eplerenone diuretics which did work tremendously well, but 2 weeks ago they completely stopped working and I'm seriously stressed now waiting to see my liver specialist as the fluid is building up slowly again with pain. It's 7 months now and I will have to get paracentises. I know completely what you went through as I am also type-0 blood type and got the albumin IV but this ascites is almost impossible to remove by these loop diuretics.Now at this moment in time I have a strong appetite and have a lot of energy even with this fluid build-up again, I find this strange. I'm also on a strict sodium diet the last 7 months but the tablets completely stopped working and it's now a week or so, I'm not sure what to do untill I am given an appointment, It's starting all over again and I'm physically and mentally almost giving up even though I oddly have lots of energy. I researched a lot about all of this about diuretics and am confused now. This is going to be a long road. Thanks for listening, I'm almost at a loss now on what to do.
My hard and thoughts are with you my friend. It's definitely a very long road but the road is possible.
@@fortressfarms82 Thank you. My liver specialist changed my meds so will see how they go,. Thanks again for your kind comment 😀
I am checking into something called " Alpha Pump." It moves the fluid into the bladder, and you pass the fluid that way instead of paracentesis.
I also saw this as my husband has cirrhosis and needs paracentesis on a regular basis. I learned that it has been tested more so in Europe than in USA. One of the biggest issues is that it is difficult to determine the amount of ascites being drained into the bladder (as it is continuos) so it becomes tricky to supply the required amount of albumin you receive after a paracentesis. I was really excited when I first read about it, but in discussing it with our hepatologist, he was not to keen about it, specially because in my husband’s case, he also has portal hypertension and any surgery is too risky.
God bless. I believe you have been
Hi I'm s/p liver transplant may 2021. Went through the symptoms you are experiencing myself. Hopefully you are or will be able to meet with transplant physicians and are checking your labs and meld score. Are you at this point yet in your journey or perhaps your liver will heal. Praying for you either way.
I have regular appointments with the liver transplant center at Vanderbilt Medical Center. My bloodwork is being closely monitored . Along with regular ultrasound and CT scans. :-)
Extremely well explained sir.
I can't believe they took so much in one session. I had a semi permanent drain fitted and they took about 2lts three times a week..
My medical team at Vanderbilt was shocked that they took so much. It was done at my local hospital and they said that it should have been split up into two sessions. On average they would take about 12 from me every 28 days. Taking that 20 L at once could have caused me to go into full shock. I do not recommend it.
@@fortressfarms82 Although I believe you, I'm very surprised they drained 20L at once. 6 liters were max for me. Several doctors told me they would never drain more than 8 liters at once for the same reason you stated above.
@@josephhernandez9428 I'm in total agreement. My GI, PCP and Vanderbilt docs were SHOCKED! I actually took photos of the containers to show my other docs. My average was 10 or 12. Over time with my water retention meds it went from 20, 15, 8, 6, 5 and now 0. I haven't had any ascites in about 5 months. What a miracle! I thought I was going to have to do it forever.
Can you say more about swollen legs and how to maintain of it not coming bk
I've been watching your story. In 2017, I had a major health issue that landed me in the hospital. My stomach was so swelled I thought my ribs would break. Like you, I was diagnosed with Cirrhosis (but mine is non-alcoholic). About the 3rd day in the hospital, my body started removing the ascites so I never had to be drained although I take Spiranolactone. I dropped 50 lbs (went from 190 to 138). They only g ave me, at most, 6 months to live (fortunately they were wrong) but I had to radically change my diet. I'm curious (and maybe you get to this later) if you are maintaining, what diet do you do (other than low sodium)?
I saw your other comment on the next video. ☺️
I did not realize (probably for the best) that paracentesis is not a good thing. It's a last-ditch effort and is not meant for long term handling of the situation. I think the techs know this because they were so serious and glum about the procedure. I would break the ice by betting how much plasma would come out. 8L was my record. It's not painful. I actually didnt mind it because I felt such relief when it was over. It's a band aid and not really helping with the underlying problem(s). I was just happy to move like a semi-normal person. If anyone thinks theyre drinking too much and, c'mon, you know. Yould throw that poison so far away from you as fast as you can! You DO NOT want this. For real. I'm not a prude and refrain from telling people what to do, but if you have a small, nagging voice that's telling you you're drinking too much LISTEN TO IT! Seriously, have an edible and a club soda. You will thank yourself later. Liver failure sucks on so many levels. It doesnt matter how you got it. If it's happening you have to deal with it and be stronger than you ever have been in your life. It's a total game-changer. Youre on a hellish roller coaster BUT, like a roller coaster, if you follow the rules, it starts gentling down and you can get off it. 10/22 I (the surgeons) opened my liver Bed & Breakfast and you gotta take care of your VERY special guest. And keep a damn sense of humor about it. You already know what dying feels like (not fun). Cliche but true: you got this. Just watch.
I didn't know any of this when I received my post-covid bombshell. I think youre doing a great service by sharing youre story. Nobody wants this for anyone regardless of how or why it's happening. If it's happening, you know what i mean and i really hope the numbers go down on those who do know what im talking about. I love my 2nd hand liver and the Angel that gave it to me. Really, a miracle!
You speak the truth and very well my friend! I'm so glad to say that it's been 9 months since my last Para!
@@fortressfarms82 see? You're doing it! Already been through hell, a little bump in the road is doable. Bring it on. Hold my beer (forever) and watch this! I don't know. Maybe this was all a blessing because I'm a different person in many ways. A better person. Let's see where this goes.
@@joelhess7640 You've got my support! Sometimes it's a bunch of little setbacks in order to make a big jump!
Extremely informative video. Thank you. I’m so sorry you had to endure that.
what was your dosage of diurectis did you have? they placed a drain on my sons stomch (hospice) had his insurance do it,but the most that was drained frim his belly was 10 liters.
We made constant adjuatments to them ober the past year. Currently 100mg spironilactone and 10mg toresmide a day.
How much does this draining cost????
Hi .. did you have swollen legs as well ?
Yes, I did. It lasted for about 8 months.
If my stomach is hard do I have asites
Not necessarily. The only way that you can tell for certain is by ultrasound. Your physician can do a physical exam and determine if an ultrasound is nessecary ascites. But your stomach being hard could mean a variety of things or it could simply be bloat.
were you not experiencing extreme fatigue prior to that morning when you woke up somewhat confused and went to hospital?
Chronic fatigue happened once by digestive & renal system crashed. I was managing a restaurant at the time so always moving. My Drs. said I was on full auto pilot then my body decided it had had enough.