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Ascites

I am a 36 year old female who just found out a month ago that i have severe cirrhosis/liver disease with a "giant regenerative nodule" the size 9.6 cm x 6 cm x5.8 cm.
ive been drained of ascites 5 times in a month. usually 4 litres at a time. it seems to be weekly that i need to be tapped. Is that normal? im taking my diuretics, ive reduced salt and reduced alcohol big time. Of course i realize that abstaining completely is important and im working on getting there.
Just looking for any personal experiences from people.
Thanks
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683231 tn?1467323017
Hi. I personally haven’t needed to be tapped. I did have some mild ascities and edema but both have improved after I was finally able to cure my hepatitis c which was the cause of my cirrhosis.

Being tapped isn’t normal for anyone. For people with cirrhosis if you need to be tapped they are doing what you need to have done. There is no normal for frequency of having that done it is just the frequency your condition requires.

When you say you have advanced cirrhosis do you know your meld score? The MELD score is how we are ranked for priority for liver transplant. Also know that as long as you are drinking you will not qualify for a liver transplant. But the good news is if you are able to stop all alcohol consumption you may never need to have a liver transplant. The liver is an amazing organ and even those with cirrhosis who can stop the advance of liver injury may see some improvement in liver function over time.

The choice is yours to make but basically it is a life or death decision you are making.

Best of luck to you.
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