Headaches on dialysis

[badday]

I have been on dialysis for 2 years and suffer excruciating headaches at the back of my head during and after dialysis. No pain killers relieve it and I have to go to bed until the next day. My consultant has not been very helpful and only suggested that the pump speed was turned down to 250, this has not made any difference. I do not have any fluid removed, but my blood pressure is often low. Does anyone else have this problem, or any idea of what is causing this.

[cs65]

I would follow up with my primary care practitioner and maybe get referred for a head MRI. I have some white areas on mine due to years of high blood pressure. I have polycystic kidney disease and wanted to be checked for an aneurism, since that can happen when you have PKD. I do not have an aneurism, but I do have some capillaries damage.

[cs65]

Oh, by the way, I also get sharp pain at the back of my head sometimes, but I can relieve it by pushing against it. I think it's some kind of tension headache. I also now get low blood pressure sometimes during and usually after dialysis. I end up staying longer and resting in the chair until I'm able to drive home. Good luck to you!

[TamekaS]

Just wondering have u gotten a CT scan or anything. Yes and u don't want the pump to run too slow cause u not getting a good cleaning. Be careful. Wishing u the best.

[cs65]

No, I haven't had a CT scan. Actually I haven't mentioned the head pain to my doctors since it happens so infrequently. Yes, I've noticed that when my blood pressure runs too low during a treatment and the machine alarms the staff lower me down to minimum for awhile. On Tuesday I was happy to have day with good blood pressures. Go figure!