Weight gain with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C?

I do not have ascites in my stomach but I have a lot of fluid retention in the rest of my body; especially feet and legs. The doctor increased my diuretics to 80 mg Lasix and 200 mg Spironolactone. But all of a sudden, in just the past 2 weeks, I have gained 20 pounds! What is happening? At the same time I have become very breathless even when I'm just sitting there. Thank you.

Many people think diuretics are fluid pills. There is no such thing as a fluid pill. In reality, they are "salt" pills. Hence they make you urinate salt and water passively follows. Thus, if you eat salt (potatoe chips, dill pickles, fast food, etc.) you work against yourself and gain water weight quickly. Shortness of breath suggests fluid either on your abdomen (ascites) or outside of the lung in the pleural space (called hydrothorax). You will not "smother to death" because of this, but it can make you uncomfortable. Best plan is to increase diuretics, and let your doctor get a scan to see which of the above is the culprit. Need lab as well to make sure your electrolytes are in order.

I am so sorry to hear that you are dealing with all of this. I think that it is very possible to gain 20 lbs of water weight in 2 weeks. I have heard of someone gaining 40 pounds of fluid overnight. Get back in touch with your doctor. Maybe he can increase the amount of Lasix.

this is something that your doc should be made aware of. Breathless is not something to fool around with.

HCV Advocate