Cramp during dialysis

[Juliepkd]

New starter to HD.

I'm concerned about getting cramp during dialysis. How will this be managed when I'm hooked up and cant jump about? I normally end up rolling around on the floor in agony. Any one else suffer and if so, what do you do?

[mieka]

It seems some cramping is part of the process unfortunately. I commiserate with you. When I started PD I also got excrutiating cramps. Here is what I have worked through so far. (been on PT since January 20) My dialysis team has been wonderful trying to help me reduce the cramping. Part of it may be that your fluid prescription may be drying you out too much & needs to be adjusted. I have found that alternating strengths as needed has helped a lot. Again your team can help you with this as its important to keep your blood levels balanced. It may not totally eliminate the cramps, but can certainly decrease the severity & frequency. I find that as soon as I feel the aching or discomfort starting in my feet, ankles, calves I can't ignore it thinking it will go away. I get up. Standing seems to help. My routine is to usually go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, & walk around a little bit. Sometimes I need to sit down & rub the area that is cramping & also take deep relaxing breaths. Usually by this time the cramp is gone & I can go back to bed & sleep. IF - the cramp is a really bad one I have found that apply a cold compress of some type helps relax the muscle. I hope you find relief!

[Juliepkd in reply to mieka]

Thank you!

[lbrmarsh in reply to mieka]

I am doing dialysis in a clinic. I get SEVERE cramping. The hand where the fiscula is (my left, and I'm a le fty) cramps so bad my fingers curl up and I c an't open them without severe pain. Also get cramps throughout my entire body that don't go away even when I am not getting dialysis on my"off" days. I found taking anti-cramp pills helped a bit but my nephrologist told me the ones I've been taken are not good for people with kidney trouble. So now, I'm taking a pill that has a side-effect of helping cramps but it's not that effective. I can only take one a day so I usually take one half way through dialysis treatment. Maybe it's mind over matter but it seems to help a bit to get me thru treatment, but really sick with cramps everywhere the following day. The d ialysis nurse says the cramping is NOT from dialysis. They are removing about 5-6 pounds of water weight each session.

[Icesnoe in reply to lbrmarsh]

is it possible that your dry weight has increased they are taking too much fluid from you? When I start cramping my tech gives my saline 100-200ml, it alleviates the cramps right away. If this happens for more than five sessions then the nurse increases my dry weight. Then the cramping stops.

[cs65 NKF Ambassador in reply to lbrmarsh]

I agree with icenoe. That is quite a bit of fluid to remove each time. Have your nephrologist take another look at your dry weight. Also, are you diabetic? That may also be affecting you in how you react to dialysis. Also check with your dietitian for more suggestions of foods and drinks to avoid and ones that might be better for you. You shouldn't have to suffer this way! Good luck and let us know how you are doing!

[cs65 NKF Ambassador]

Are you doing hemodialysis? If so, try wrapping the leg, foot or whatever in another warm blanket. Or ask if you can push your foot against the tech's leg. Sometimes if the cramp just won't go away, they can put you in minimum (drawing less fluid) for awhile. A lot of times, the cramping is due to having to take off too much fluid, so you can prevent it by not gaining too much between dialysis sessions.

[mieka in reply to cs65]

I agree with cs65 that the cramping may be because they are removing too much fluid too fast. Ask them about that & see if they can slow the procedure down. Also - be very aware of what you personal fluid intake is every day. It is a fine balance. You probably will continue to get some cramping, but it should not be as severe or as often.. Wishing you some relief!

[felizesperar in reply to mieka]

Hi so sorry to hear you are suffering like that! My husband cramps when they take a lot of liquid off fast or something has changed and his dry rate needs adjusted. You mentioned 5-6 lbs that is a lot for your body to adjust to in one session. I recommend trying to first control your liquid intake so you won’t have to take so much off each week (it’s definitely something under your control) ask the dietician at the clinic to help review your diet and make suggestions. Liquid hides in all kinds of foods. You should also be able to tell them to adjust your dry weight, to ensure they are not taking you below that, which will definitely cause cramping (dialysis can most definitely can cause the cramping) and if you start cramping, tell them immediately- someone already mentioned it but my husband says they do put fluid back in him to help with cramping. I agree with everyone that if you are cramping this bad and for many days, it’s a problem. I would work with both your nephrologist and your dietician together to formulate a plan. Insist on a meeting!! They work for you! Good luck!.

[felizesperar in reply to felizesperar]

Sorry I meant to also mention that all the extra fluid on your body has nowhere to go so it gathers everywhere including around your heart. So by I taking in a lot of fluid and having them take a lot off each time you are constantly causing strain on your heart. If you can reduce your fluid intake, dialysis can be a much Less stressful event. Good luck, stay safe!

[Mizmahogany in reply to felizesperar]

I find that a small pack of mustard on my tongue hps, and wearing gloves on my hands help.

[felizesperar in reply to Mizmahogany]

Hi I would love to hear more about the mustard! How does that work? Thanks!

[Mizmahogany in reply to felizesperar]

Don't know it just does!

[checkman in reply to Mizmahogany]

I have been on pd/hemo for 11 years. I keep mustard and dill pickle juice in my fridge at all times. I also keep mustard packs with me in my carry-bag to the center.

[checkman]

Mustard. Also, make them use a crit line connected to the machine. It keeps track of fluid and they can adjust the fluid take-off setting of the machine using the crit line as a guide.

[StormCl0ud]

I had super bad cramps when I started dialysis many years ago. My mom introduced me to arnica gel and it worked wonders. I would put in on the cramp and it would stop the cramp right away and keep it stopped for hours. Ever since then I've keep a tube of arnica gel in my room incase I start to cramp up and the cramp doesn't go away after stretching.