Severe pain experience in dialysis.

[1Tom]

Friend has severe pain going through dialysis. Any experience or understanding of this with others?

[Rhiansmama]

My daughter used to have pain when there was a small problem with her fistula she has one in her upper arm, has he/she spoken to their dialysis team to see if the problem is with that or the pressures being maybe a little high, or sadly it could just be they feel everything

[Eddie2149]

Dear TomYour pain whether emotional or physical pain is something that I experienced 3 years ago. I could not accept going thru dialysis. Also, my fistula, needed repair work at the beginning.

Three years later...December 2020, I have learned to accept dialysis...my saying is.."I have dialysis..dialysis does not have me". Look around in your clinic when dialyzing....you are getting a second chance to live! Hopefully, you still have your 5 senses and this is enough to continue living. Your family and friends will be cheerleading for you. These people love you. Take care Tom and stay safe.

PS I apply lidocaine cream to my fistula before hemodialysis..then the technician applies lidocaine with a small needle to numb the injection points before inserting the 2 -15 gauge needles. No pain whatsoever!!!

[cs65]

Are you talking about cramping pain? I used to have problems with it at times during dialysis. I learned from my nurses and techs several methods to stop the pain - warm the affected area with warm blanket wrapped around it. If it's leg pain ask your tech/nurse to stand close to you so you can press your leg into them. Also they can put you in minimum for awhile until the pain goes away. By the way, cramps can happen if you gain too much fluid between dialysis treatments.

[1Tom in reply to cs65]

Thanks to all - will pass on this helpful insight to my friend. It may be, however, hearing your experience that their is something else going on not related directly to dialysis itself.