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Has anybody had TIPS for ascites? Log Out | Topics | Register | Edit Profile

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jenn
Member
Username: Jaydee

Post Number: 10
Registered: 05-2011
Posted on Friday, June 24, 2011 - 12:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

My mom is getting TIPS for her ascites and I am very confused as to what exactly this procedure is. Teh doctor did say that TIPS can cause people to become confused. Has anybody else had this procedure?

Jenn
Susie
Member
Username: Dachsiefan

Post Number: 9
Registered: 04-2011
Posted on Sunday, June 26, 2011 - 02:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Jenn,

I had the tips procedure done in February. I do not have ascites, but I do have enlarged veins due to portal hypertension. I also had a portal blood clot the doctors wanted to remove, and they wanted to restore patency to my vein in the event of a future transplant. I am 49 years old, have giant cell hepatitis of unknown cause, and cirrhosis because I was not diagnosed until 1990. They think I have had this hepatitis since my teens.

The doctors called the procedure a bridge to transplant for me. They did warn me that a possible side effect was worsening HE. I am thrilled to report that my HE has actually improved since the procedure.
My blood labs have stabilized in the last month, and my current MELD is 15. For a medical explanation of the procedure can be found on radiology.org and wikipedia.

Good Luck to your Mom.

Susie
Susie
Member
Username: Dachsiefan

Post Number: 10
Registered: 04-2011
Posted on Monday, June 27, 2011 - 11:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Jenn,

The website is radiology info.org.

Susie
jenn
Member
Username: Jaydee

Post Number: 11
Registered: 05-2011
Posted on Monday, June 27, 2011 - 05:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks for the information susie. We just found out that her surgery will be this Wednesday. She will be admitted to the hospital tomorrow. Her MELD score is also 15 but she has not yet been listed. I think the Doctors still think that her liver can hold up for a while longer. I guess it is different in different places.

Jenn
Mariel
Member
Username: Mariel

Post Number: 65
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - 08:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Huz had a series of TIPS in 2007, due to blood pressure build-up (portal hypertension) at the hardened liver. An end-stage cirrhotic liver isn't able to pass blood through any longer, in order for it to be purified. Huz had a serious stomach blow-out bleed in the smaller vessels which weren't strong enough to handle the extra blood flow. Think of it as a road block at the highway (liver), so now cars (blood) are alternate-routed to 2ndary roads (vessels) which get jammed and overloaded quickly, resulting in fender-benders (bleeding).

So TIPS is a bypass around the liver to continue blood flow, but in avoiding the liver purification process, toxins now build-up and possibly can cause Hepatic Encephalopathy or brain confusion. Huz has had 2 HE episodes since 2007, which were sufficiently treated with Lactulose/Kristalose and Xifaxan medicines, which send water and ammonia to the colon for excretion. He now takes those Rx daily, proactively.

As I mentioned, Huz had 3 TIPS within 1 week. The 1st 2 were mesh-like stents that ineffectively still allowed blood to seep through. The final TIPS fix was a Gortex-tube put inside the other 2 mesh ones. Docs (intensive radiologists) will judge TIPS success in gauging blow flow before the liver and after the liver to see if the same blood pressure is maintained.

Susie is right, TIPS is a bandaid until transplant, at which time the portal vein will be reconnected to the new liver. At 15 MELD, I would query about beginning the Transplant Listing process. For Huz, it took 2 months to get listed. Not sure of Mom's liver entimology, but 15 is high enough to get a new liver, and I would wanna have paperwork all ready, in case her liver fails rapidly. Definitely ask what her MELD score is post-TIPS; I am guessing the doctors think it will rebound to well under the transplant consideration, but double-check them. A transplant will be a final fix, so Mom can begin truly living again.

Best wishes for Mom's successful TIPS tomorrow. I will be praying for her.
Mariel, wife of PSCott
www.caringbridge.org/visit/scottcarr
jenn
Member
Username: Jaydee

Post Number: 12
Registered: 05-2011
Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - 10:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Mariel,

Thank you so much for your explanation, it was fantastic! thanks you also for sharing Huz's experience too and for keeping my mom in your prayers.

Jenn
jenn
Member
Username: Jaydee

Post Number: 13
Registered: 05-2011
Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2011 - 11:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

My mom had the TIPS on Wednesday and she is still in the hospital.
She has had a fever since and is now on antibiotics, she seems really tired
Every time i visit her. I haven't been able to talk to the doctors to find out
What is going on. Did anybody else experience this after tips?
Mariel
Member
Username: Mariel

Post Number: 66
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - 07:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

How is your Mom doing, Jenn? Praying for good news.
Mariel, wife of PSCott
www.caringbridge.org/visit/scottcarr
jenn
Member
Username: Jaydee

Post Number: 16
Registered: 05-2011
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 04:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hi Mariel,

My mom is doing much better now. She was in the hospital for one week after the procedure and has been feeling okay since she has been home. she no longer needs to take the diuretics that she use to and she says her stomach feels much more comfortable now without all that fluid building up. thank you so much for asking and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Jenn
Daryl
Member
Username: Jeeperz

Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2011
Posted on Sunday, October 02, 2011 - 08:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

had tipps implanted 4 months ago. keep an eye out to make sure your bm's are regular if not more stool softener to keep ammonia down.

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