Massive Headaches During Dialysis

[sbrenn01]

I really need some help if there's anyone who can help.

I am a "complex patient" who has Crohn's disease, bowel resections as well as ESRD. Chronic anemia too.

Unlike most dialysis patients I have low magnesium, low potassium, low sodium.

The headaches I have are excruciating. I take 4x 500mg acetaminophen and it barely puts a dent into my pain.

My Nephrologist, who I like and respect has said that headaches during dialysis are uncommon. He wants me to see a neurologist. Trouble is, I have the VA for health insurance and referrals take months.

I've researched the low magnesium and discovered that it is a suspected cause for headaches. I've learned too that there are dialysate additives to add magnesium

The dialysis center RN says he will ask to see if this additive is available (it's made by the same company that makes the dialysis machines). Then the bio-med needs to OK it, then the Facility Manager needs to approve it.

I don't think I can stand the pain much longer! I'm at a point where, at 63, I don't have any quality of life. Between my gut always troubling me, the terrible pain every M-W-F it may be time to discontinue dialysis.

I'm willing to listen to any advice anyone has.

😊If you made it through this post, I thank you for that..

[jodaer]

I don't have any advice on this but am sending a lot of healing energy your way.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Have you tried increasing your target weight? Lower the amount of fluid to be removed. Also ask for an additional litre of saline flushed through pretreatment. I had migraines every time due to sensitivity and too much fluid removed too quickly. I still produced a lot of urine so I made sure to empty bladder prior, reduced fluid removal. I ended up needing 3 extra bags saline rinsed through prior to tx and my headaches disappeared. Blessings

[barbara55109]

Wish I had a suggestion. I have an ileostomy and am very fearful of starting dialysis. They just don't know how to deal with people with conditions that impact ckd in opposite ways. For example I need salt and potassium! I lose so much fluid in my ostomy bag, that's the cause of my ckd in the first place, 30 years of dehydration. Luckily my gfr is hovering in the low 20s.