Fluid in my abdomin

wrgjc48 · July 2011

I was just told that I have fluid in my abdomin. My oncol. says it is from abdominal lymphedema and usually comes from metastasis. The term for the fluid is ascites. I have stage 4 breast cancer, in my lymph glands and has spread to most of my bones. I don't have lymphedema in my arms. I have had breast cancer for 20 years.

Can anyone tell me more about this? Has anyone ever had it drained? It is mild to moderate at this point.

I'm new at these discussions and how to do it.

Binney4 · July 2011

wrg, welcome!

I'm sorry for the reasons that bring you here, but glad you found us. I have no personal experience with ascites, but know others who do, so I'll go see if I can rustle up someone who can share your experience.

I do know that some patients are able to have it drained, as it accumulates in "pools." In others, the fluid is too scattered in the tissues to be drained effectively.

Twenty years of breast cancer is a daunting thought, but I have to say you're an inspiration Kiss , and I hope you'll find the information, encouragement and companionship here that will make this new development more manageable.

Gentle hugs,
Binney

kira66715 · July 2011

wrg, ascites is common when the liver is stressed. It can be treated with medicines--like spironolactone. Unlike the arm lymphedema, you can't massage it away.

20 years of dealing with cancer is a long, long time.

There are lots of lymph nodes in the abdomen, and they can be involved, and not be working as well.

I hope that overall you're not in any pain or feeling poorly.

We are here for you.

Kira

lymphedemapeople · July 2011

Hey Wrg

Abdomional fluid can be a result also of lymphatic failure in the abdomin and may not be connected with any metastasis at all. Mine isn't. The Rituxan I had for ym lymphoma apparently interacted with my hereditary lymphedema to basically shut down most of the lymphatics in my ab and chest. For me, this also results in significant lung fluid as well.

I must say though I have heard that MLD can help - only problem is it's only temporary as the fluid we take in daily will quickly accumulate there again. There is a great product though that has been a life saver for me and that is a "PleurX Catheter system.

Can't seem to get the link in here. Put "pleurx catheter" into your google. Go to the first site that comes up - Home Health Resources. I have a left lung tube, right lung tube and a right abdominal tub and every few days I drain them. Sure has been a life saver for me as now I can just drain them at home without having to go to the hospital. Feel free to write me off line too if you need to. Pat O'Connor - Lymphedema People

wrgjc48 · July 2011

Thank you so much for your well wishes. That was so nice of you.

Joan

wrgjc48 · July 2011

Thank you so much for your information. That is helpful.

My next oncologist's appt. is Aug 11. He did not mention draining although I have read it on the internet. It does push on my stomach some, but not too painful now. I am hoping that it is the kind that can be drained.

Joan

wrgjc48 · July 2011

Thanks for writing. Wow! Sorry to hear about your problem.

Ok, so if it is drained, it will come back. I'll have to put some stuff you put down here in Google.

I don't understand why fluid collects if your lymph system is not working. Someone else wrote that it can be intertwined in your tissue and cannot be drained. I hope that is not me.

Did you say that the fluid is inside your lungs or outside in the lung area?

Please e-mail me too at my home e-mail wrgjc48@gmail.com.

I could not figure out by your response how to get you at home. There was no e-mail for you.

Joan

Anonymous · July 2011

wrgjc:

I have mets to the peritoneum and the first visible symptom was ascites. I was very ill at the time and hospitalized for 8 days. I had exploratory surgery and a new pathology report while hospitalized. The pathology report confirmed the mets and also changes to my estrogen/progesterone levels - no more hormonal treatments after that - they would not work.

The ascites (yellowish clear fluid) drained quite a bit as a result of this surgery. The best way to deal with it is a chemo that works. I went on Exempra and Xeloda when I left the hospital and stayed on it for two years. No more ascites. When I go for abdominal CT scans, what they look for first is the return of ascites.

lymphedemapeople · July 2011

Sending a note to your email, Joan. Sorry as I thought my email addy was everywhere. Pat

lymphedemapeople · July 2011

Hey Nurse Ann

I think the severity and cause would actually determine treatment. Mine has been so severe that not only do I have the three pluerex catheters, but am on two diuretics as well. All this combined just basically maintains a line - no improvement and a steady gradual decline.

Also, mine turned into chylous ascities.

One would have to work with their doctor to determine the best treatment for them.

BTW...email: lymphedemapeople@aol.com. This is a totally private email accessible only by me.

Pat

hymil · July 2011

If they do drain off the fluid in your abdomen you will feel a lot better, easier to breathe and eat without the pressure. But yes it will probably re-collect again I'm afirad. My father had this fluid in his pleural cavity between the lungs and the chest wall but not actually in the lungs, and it built up and gave him serious constipation, they thought he had bowel cancer till they found it was secondary to lung ca. He felt heaps better when they drained it off. You're an inspiration Joan, Thankyou. Wishing you all the best.

And Pat, I like the sound of those tubes giving you independence to drain for yourself at home.

wrgjc48 · August 2011

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I was out of town for a week. I was only 1 hr. from my house at my girlfriends and had really bad pressure on my stomach and felt bloated. Called my Oncologist who sent me directly to the hospital and they drained the fluid. I did feel better. I'm now on 2 diuretics.

Had a PET/CT this week and a bone scan. Now the waiting. My oncologist comes back from vacation next week and I have an appointment for a pathology results of the fluid, and the result of my PET and bone scan. I'm crossing my fingers. I've been on chemo 3 times already and have stage 4 cancer, mets to the bones in most of my body. I knew it might come back but I don't want to do this again. I'll let you know after the 11th. Joan

wrgjc48 · August 2011

Thanks for the reply. I did have my abdomen drained and I feel better. I'm just waiting for tests results to find out if I have a reoccurrence of cancer somewhere. Get the results on 8/11.

Joan

Binney4 · August 2011

Joan, what a week you've had! Frown The waiting is so rough, and you'll definitely be on my mind as you wait it out. Rent a few funny movies, maybe? They make the time go faster.

Gentle hugs, prayers,
Binney

Fluid in my abdomin

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