Question about Ascites Post Tx

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with PSC in 2001. Since then, I have experienced most

all of the symptoms, i.e., weight loss, fatigue, itching, chills and

fever, etc. but the most aggravating experience has been with ascites

which developed approximately two years ago. Inspite of my weight loss

(my youngest daughter told me at Christmas, " Dad, you are skin and

bones! " ) my waist has swelled from 36 inches to 42 or 43 inches

depending upon the amount of fluid retained. Right next to my naval,

I've developed a hernia that is the size of an orange. I've never had

my abdominal cavity drained because my Hep Doc prefers to avoid the

risk of infection and hopes to control the fluid retention with

diuretics. So far; so good.

My question for those of you that have undergone tx, what was your

experience with ascites? Did it go away straight on? Did you

experience a hernia and has it been successfully repaired? Were you

able to regain any semblence of an active lifestyle?