Guest guest Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 How can one tell the difference? I am obese, about 70 lbs overweight according to the government. How would I even know if I were experiencing ascites? I know the symptoms are a rapid increase in size, or distention. Shortness of breath, feeling full faster when eating, etc. But since my appetite waxes and wanes, and I honestly feel being short of breath is a symptom of being overweight, how would I know? I am not obviously distended or anything, but I just feel " different " . Thanks, ee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 When you have had ascites for a while, an even more distressing symptom is that your upper body and arms lose muscle and flesh, which makes the torso look much worse. The shoulders lose all their size and it is not a good appearance. Don Please be a blood/organ donor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 When you have had ascites for a while, an even more distressing symptom is that your upper body and arms lose muscle and flesh, which makes the torso look much worse. The shoulders lose all their size and it is not a good appearance. Don Please be a blood/organ donor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 A experienced medical professional can palpate or use percussion (tapping on the abdomen with the hands) to find ascites. If there is enough fluid than a fluid wave can be created and felt. Many doctors now rely on an abdominal ultrasound instead of palpation or percussion. Most lay people (and many medical professionals) are not experienced to do the technique correctly and know what they should feel or hear. I am a small person 5'1 " about 117 lbs and the doc was a bit surprized when she was told that my ultrasound should some acities, but even my transplant docs could not " feel " it. psc 5/07 listed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I had post-operative ascites once and there was no doubt about it. It hurt to stand up, I felt like my stomach was being pulled down. When it got really bad you could touch my stoach and watch it ripple all the way to the other side. They drained it a few times and it went away as I healed but I looked pregnant rippled and even had to hold my stomach up at one point. Don't know if PSC related ascites is different as thus far I have not experienced it. Dawn > > How can one tell the difference? I am obese, about 70 lbs overweight > according to the government. How would I even know if I were > experiencing ascites? I know the symptoms are a rapid increase in > size, or distention. Shortness of breath, feeling full faster when > eating, etc. But since my appetite waxes and wanes, and I honestly > feel being short of breath is a symptom of being overweight, how would > I know? I am not obviously distended or anything, but I just feel > " different " . > > Thanks, > ee > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I had post-operative ascites once and there was no doubt about it. It hurt to stand up, I felt like my stomach was being pulled down. When it got really bad you could touch my stoach and watch it ripple all the way to the other side. They drained it a few times and it went away as I healed but I looked pregnant rippled and even had to hold my stomach up at one point. Don't know if PSC related ascites is different as thus far I have not experienced it. Dawn > > How can one tell the difference? I am obese, about 70 lbs overweight > according to the government. How would I even know if I were > experiencing ascites? I know the symptoms are a rapid increase in > size, or distention. Shortness of breath, feeling full faster when > eating, etc. But since my appetite waxes and wanes, and I honestly > feel being short of breath is a symptom of being overweight, how would > I know? I am not obviously distended or anything, but I just feel > " different " . > > Thanks, > ee > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.