Is there any home scale that measures dry weight?

[silkyone]

Hello All. Does anyone know of a home scale that use to keep track of my daily dry weight? I am having problems with my technicians pulling to much fluids from my body as I suffer from cramps during and after treatment. I weigh myself on an old pounds scale and convert it to kg using the internet before each treatment at home before I get dress and after. I know that I am new to dialysis but I don’t think that one should be in pain all the time to receive treatment. Can one tell their technician how much fluid they can pull and they have to stop and your request? I limit the amount of fluids that I drink daily to the point of being dehydrated all the time and I still produce urine. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Greydog1]

On line or in store go to most big block stores i.e;Walmart,Target, and purchase a good one that can measure weight in 10ths . Readings will show like 129.4 . I've found the cheaper models do not measure trustfully. You step on the scales 3 times in one minute and get 3 different reads. So pick a good one ,put the battery in and hopefully it will do the trick.

You can advise your techs of how much to take off today. Tell them why . I tell my tech not to go over 1.6 or so and they comply a lot. They know I can cramp hard if too much comes off at one sitting. Tell them cramping is a problem at dialysis and at home also. You can seek help from Nurse who can relay that message to the orders of the day .

[KidneyCoach in reply to Greydog1]

Great advice. No scale can tell you automatically what your target or dry weight should be. Target/dry weight is generally a guess and/or a moving target dependant on urine output and fluid intake. People can lose true body weight or gain body weight so this can change from time to time. Your dietitian can tell you what your daily fluid allowance is. Generally don't gain more than 2 or 2.5 kilos which 4-5 pounds between dialysis treatments. That's a lot of weight to remove in 3-4 hours and it's tough on the body, especially the heart.

You have every right to inform clinic staff how much you want removed. Also when you weigh at home try to weigh wearing same or similar clothes and shoes you wear and weigh in at clinic. This should give a more accurate reading. The clinic staff should set machine (within reason) to remove amount you request. If you're always cramping you may need to reset your target weight up as you may have gained a pound or two. Talk with your clinic team members. They are normally pretty good at following your requests. Blessings

[silkyone in reply to KidneyCoach]

Thank you for your reply. It is very much appreciated.

[silkyone in reply to Greydog1]

Thank you so much for the information and taking the time to reply. Your post was greatly appreciated.

[Eddie2149]

Hi!

First, I gave thanks that dialysis would keep me alive to spend more time with my family. This kept me in peace with myself.

I fill up a pitcher with 32 oz. of water and place it in the kitchen and use it as a signal to control my daily fluid intake. It keeps me hydrated too.

I take fluorosemide to help urinate.

My only slight pain is when injecting the needle to my arm. I experience no pain while dializing for 4 hours.

I apply lidocaine cream 1 hour before getting injected. Also, technician injects more lidocaine to numb area. This decreases any pain while injecting the needle.

Before showering weigh yourself naked and record your weight. This should be your dry weight. However, when you weigh yourself at clinic the dry weight is higher because of your clothing and shoes.

Talk to your renal doctor to arrive at a dry weight whereby when dializing you will not experience cramps.

Basically, try to control what you can before dializing. The machine will do the rest.

I sit there for 4 hours dializing and look around and I see other patients who are blind, missing 1 leg, and 1 patient getting oxygen while dializing.

I give thanks every day to God that I am alive one more day. I still have my 5 senses and I have plans to spend quality time with my family. Any slight pain while dializing is nothing compared to what positive things I will receive in life.

Life is good.....enjoy it while you can!

Take care and good luck...stay positive😃

[silkyone in reply to Eddie2149]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. I am blessed and I thank the LORD every day for my journey through life no matter where it leads for I know that there are blessings in everything know matter how it looks. For all things work out for my good in the end. I thank the LORD for my condition because I know it could be a whole lot worse. May GOD continue to bless and keep you.