Ascites

[Juna Calot]

How often can someone have ascitic fluid drained? My dad has got secondary liver cancer. He had the fluid drained on friday but it's already built up again.

Diuretic tablets don't work. I'm concerned that he'll get an infection if he keeps getting the fluid drained too soon.

[LazyGun]

My sympathies to you and your Dad. Could be several reasons why the diuretic tablets arent working, one of which might be down to what type of ascites he has eg Transudative or Exudative.

He may well be a candidate for paracentesis either at the GP surgery or as an outpatient. Definitely need to consult with your GP fairly rapidly I would think. In terms of repeated fluid drainage, you wouldnt want to do it too frequently, since it can upset all sorts of body mechanisms. 5L at one session, and no more than the equivalent of 1L per day as a maximum, I would have thought. Again, your GP would be able to better inform you.

Hope you get it sorted Juna.

[Juna Calot]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately he hasn't got long left. He's been in hospital for over two weeks now and I don't think he'll be coming out.

Just want to make him as comfortable as possible in his last few weeks and the ascites is really making him feel down.

Just didn't think the fluid would build up again so quickly.