Muscle Cramps

[PracBob]

I've been doing home PD treatments for a year or so. I am having problems with a loss of appetite and muscle cramps in my legs and hands especially when doing fine motions. I've gotten much conflicting advice about solving the problems so I welcome suggestions that anyone has found to be successful.

[3Kidneys]

Hi - muscle cramps are a common problem among the dialysis community, as well as appetite issues. Talk with your dialysis nurse. I also have issues with this; for me I’m pulling to much fluid off, so I have talked with my Dr and dialysis nurse and we have changed my dialysis prescription/schedule around. It probably wouldn’t have happened had I not been very vocal about it. We had tried everything from tonic water, pickle juice, plus several other things. Nothing worked until the adjustment was made. Be your own advocate!!

[PracBob in reply to 3Kidneys]

Thank you for your reply. I've been talking with my doctor and nurses. As soon as they think I'm down to my dry weight, they'll adjust the treatment. I think the time has come. I'll keep bringing this to their attention.

[nh1966]

Cramping is almost always an issue with your dry weight being to low and or trying to take off too much fluid too fast. I do Dialysis in the center. I have had terrible painful cramping to the point I cut my treatments short. My cramping in my legs was so bad after treatment I could barely walk out of the treatment center some days. Remember your dry weight is a guess. There is no formula to figure it out. IF your cramping doesn't lessen then demand your nurse/Dr. raise your dry weight. Dialysis is supposed to be helping you, not hurting you.

[PracBob in reply to nh1966]

Thank you. The doctor too mentioned that I must be approaching my dry weight but he didn't change my treatments yet. However, I have some control by using a more dilute solution. I'll be trying this very soon.

[Kunaved]

Hey Bob

Not sure what causes the symptoms you’re describing.

I’m not on PD, but attempting to assist my brother in law with his Tx.

An unschooled response from me (non Doctor) is to try a relaxant (we are using Atarax 25ng).

The idea that got us to this point is thinking that if the body is relaxed, the PD process will eventually feel easier .. more natural (???).

I’m 68 and working on our farm in NE Thailand. Staying active (I hope) will slow the onset of kidney problems which I feel is inevitable given my lack of general good health, and also seems like a hallmark of our generation’s history of uninformed eating habits and lack of dietary knowledge. So it goes ..

I’m learning as much as I can about HD & PD .. I’ve made note of your comments.

Please Let us know if you resolve the appetite and cramping issues.

The notes I’m reading here from 3 Kidneys is cool info. Thanks to him, too.

Thanks Bro,

Kunaved

[PracBob in reply to Kunaved]

Thanks. I'll try it. Wishing to the best.

[82mf]

I PracBob, I am on PD and know of your suffering in terms of cramps. I too have searched for remedies and will continue. Personally, mine keep me up and down all night until I wear myself out. Of course, they wake me up anyway.

Back to YOUR questions. I don't recall where it is that you said that you live but, do you have access to medical marijuana? This could be a God-send for you in terms of appetite. We all know how important our diet is. I wish that I could say that it is all "cure-all" but its not. It does help with my RLS to some degree and I think that studies prove that it helps with appetite.

I am new to this HealthUnlocked Community but have been on dialysis for about a year and a half. I am working on several items that are patient-driven innovation for PD Home Therapy. Frankly, I intend to led the challenge! Lots of work set before me.

[PracBob in reply to 82mf]

I thank everyone for their input about my cramping and appetite problems. My appetite comes and goes and is ok today. The main help I get for cramping is to periodically use a weaker solution for dialysis. The clinic says this will still remove toxins while not taking out as much fluid. I'm still experimenting with it and will report my results as I experience them. Thanks to all.

[Chellebell16]

Yes just try different fluids. I used to have this trouble all the time ended up in the hospital once for dehydration. My nurses had me used yellow/green. Yellow/ yellow. Just play with ur solution and see what is right for u, watch ur BP as well and consent contact with ur pd nurses. Anything salty will help with getting the water u need in ur body. For appetite try small meals thru the day.

[PracBob in reply to Chellebell16]

Thank you for your encouraging comments. Occasionally using the yellow solution is really helping me. I also find that my blood pressure is a helpful guide. If it drops below 100, I don't have much energy and I get cramps in my hands.

[Hidden]

I have had some trouble with calf cramps since starting PD. I have found that it helps to keep a heating pad on Low under my lower legs at night. Maybe it helps with blood flow? Maybe I'm placebo-ing myself into making it work? I don't know, but there's no harm in trying it.

[22011]

I am not a dialysis patient but I had screaming painful leg cramps for 20 years and accidentally found my cure . I needed to start wearing compression socks for another reason and a wonderful side effect was that my leg cramps completely stopped!! If I stop wearing the socks the cramps start to come back so I'm sure this is the reason. I've been telling all my health care providers about this because no one seems to have a good cure for leg cramps. I did get relief from taking magnesium before bed but not as reliably as the compression socks. I wear them in the daytime only but I don't think it hurts to wear them nighttime too if needed. Hope this idea can possibly bring you some relief.