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Ascites in abdomen, Portal Hypertension: Covid threat

Posted by info101 @info101, May 12, 2020

Suffering from ascites since Feb. Have stopped taking Stopped lasilactone after 11 days as they became less effective. Can RFT be monitored by urine test instead of blood where social distancing might be a problem. For senior citizen who is cancer survivor, above 75 years, going to hospital for paracentesis appears risky in view of Covid threat. Can paracentesis be done at home by qualified doctor & staff ? A long vein is seen on the abdomen (which is the new change), naval button has changed it shape, small soft painless lump has appeared on upper right back side. Is this happening due to portal hypertension or DLBCL? PET scan suggests portal hypertension & no FDG. Portal hypertension can also be because of non cirrhosis reasons. Parasite infections such as schistosomiasis not been looked by the radiologist. The cause of PH is important as erroneous diagnosis will adversely impact the management of PH.Test result is confusing. HBSAG (rapid)-reactive, Hepatitis B Viral (HBV DNA) -negative (target not detected).

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Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | May 13, 2020

Hi @info101, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'd like to bring a few members in like @firstlady, @gaybinator, @vette241,@charmone, @nadia83 and @laylaa who have shared similar experiences. The members of Connect are not medical experts, but can share insight and suggestions from what they did.

I think it is very important to ask these critical questions to you treating physician or their healthcare team. My uncle suffered from cirrohosis of the liver and kidney failure and had ascites of the abdomen. He did have a paracentesis done at home, however, he was on palliative home healthcare. You would need to speak with your physician and insurance to determine if that is something they could provide for you.

It looks as though you have done a lot of research, it is always good to be in the know when it comes to your health. I think to rule out Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) they should have used fluorodeoxyglucose with the PET scan. Did asked your physician why they chose to do it without?
Have you been diagnosed with cirrhosis or kidney disease?

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1 reply
info101 | @info101 | May 16, 2020
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @info101, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'd like to bring a few members in like..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @info101, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'd like to bring a few members in like @firstlady, @gaybinator, @vette241,@charmone, @nadia83 and @laylaa who have shared similar experiences. The members of Connect are not medical experts, but can share insight and suggestions from what they did.

I think it is very important to ask these critical questions to you treating physician or their healthcare team. My uncle suffered from cirrohosis of the liver and kidney failure and had ascites of the abdomen. He did have a paracentesis done at home, however, he was on palliative home healthcare. You would need to speak with your physician and insurance to determine if that is something they could provide for you.

It looks as though you have done a lot of research, it is always good to be in the know when it comes to your health. I think to rule out Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) they should have used fluorodeoxyglucose with the PET scan. Did asked your physician why they chose to do it without?
Have you been diagnosed with cirrhosis or kidney disease?

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Thanks @amandaburnett for ur concern. PET Scan with FDG, felt absence of FDG disease but presence of PH with chronic liver disease. But did not elaborate whether its cirrhosis. Treatment cant start without proper diagnosis. Covid threat is taking a toll.

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