What to do with cramps?

[Bassetmommer]

I am just going to post a quick question..... what do you do about the friggin' cramps? I have had only three dialysis treatments and by the second one, I had cramps in my legs and feet. Yesterday, I administered saline back into my system and the cramps stopped at the treatment center. However, later at night.....holy mackerel..... I was in agony. I drank water when I got home, eat some gherkins pickles and ate (too many) pretzels before bed. It did not help. My legs were achy and my footed and toes curled. But my inside thigh muscle went off, and if you have ever had that cramp..... it is the worse.

What do you do and will it get better with time?

[horsie63]

Can you try Theraworx? I know they work on cramps but haven't had any since my PD days so never tried it. Some of the ultrarunners I know swear by it and they also tend to drink pickle juice. There is something I had but I can't remember the name of and of course I got rid of all the running stuff I had.

[Beachgirl32]

I get bad cramps in my feet sometimes it hurt so bad I feel like a bone is broken . I’m on pd not hemo but I take a leg cramp pill you can get them at any pharmacy over the counter hyland leg cramps they are magnesium. Of course ask doc if you can take they help with the cramps pretty fast .

[Bassetmommer in reply to Beachgirl32]

Already on magnesium. But thanks

[Scete]

I am in the UK, if I get cramp whilst on Dialysis the unit stops taking fluid, worst case saline drip, but it should not get that far if they are keeping an eye on you. One cure I have for cramp is tonic water called 'Indian tonic water' in UK. It has quinine in it this is what helps.

[checkman]

There are a huge amount of posts on cramping. Two giant tablespoons of yellow or dijon mustard. It will take a few minutes.. I keep mustard in my bag that I bring with me to dialysis. Works every time.

[Bassetmommer in reply to checkman]

oh wow, that's a new one. I will search for other posts thanks

[drmind]

Not on dialysis or in the transplant group,, but when I get bad leg cramps, it always because I'm a little dehydrated. I can be down one day on my water intake, but the 2nd day the cramps hit me. I also notice thst I can't go too low on restricting salt. I need it. You are always in my mind and prayers wishing you an end to your current CMV nightmare.

[Bassetmommer in reply to drmind]

That'sJayhawker who has the CMV issues. Thanks for the water recommendation. I try to drink when I get home. Issue is, I am still peeing ALOT and I have to get through the diaysis without peeing. I did not make it the first time. I can do 2 hours if I do not drink anything before. And I do give myself saline during the dialysis. It late at night these hit.

[drmind in reply to Bassetmommer]

Sorry about the CMV reference. I usually reply to these podts when I'm up in the middle of the night! I know exactly what you mean about having to urinate. Yikes, I'd be with you about having to get to the restroom fast dialysis or not. Geez, it's another problem to worry about. Best always, Bassetmommer. BTW my leg cramps always happen in the middle of the night and wake me up and keep me up. Glad you're getting saline because I do believe limiting salt can go too far.

[Bassetmommer in reply to drmind]

Middle of the night.... get some sleep. I love the fact that I am still peeing. It is because of that, that I have a very short time on dialysis. I can now make the 2 hours and get off the machine and go do my thing without issue. But if I didn't, they simply stop the machine, cap the lines with saline syringes and the hook me back up. It's just a pain for them at the training center. They can do that if you are incenter.

[cs65 NKF Ambassador]

At in-center hemodialysis I would ask if I could press my foot into the tech/nurse's leg for awhile. If it happened during the night I would get up and walk around until the cramp stopped. Yes, it hurts for awhile but try to persevere through it. Most people are on fluid restrictions during dialysis, but check with your doctor and nurses for more advice.

[JEanes55]

A small package of mustard from a fast food restaurant is great to use. Just a few packets help with those cramps every time! Very inexpensive!! I use them every time!!

[bluekidney]

When I was on dialysis I had terrible cramps when they pulled too much fluid or when I wasn’t compliant with my water intake. On one session I had bad cramps and nothing they did helped. They let me get up to put pressure on my feet and pace in front of my chair. The techs let me press my foot on their thighs and press on pressure points, saline administered. It was to the point of wanting to pass out from the unbearable pain until a nurse brought out a glove filled with warm water and it immediately eased up the cramping. Maybe try a warm water compress. That worked for me most of the times I had bad cramps. I had fluid restrictions so drinking more water wasn’t an option for me. Hope you find something that works for you because I know how bad dialysis cramps are.

[Bassetmommer in reply to bluekidney]

I had a long talk with my nurse as I have absolutely no edema. So why put water out that is not there. So on Monday, we did not pull any water out.... and I had no cramps at all on the machine or overnight. Its all about listening to the patient and not meeting some bogus criteria. Sorry you went through the cramping.

[bluekidney in reply to Bassetmommer]

Glad you advocated for yourself and you found what is working for you because it’s always the constant battle of weight fluctuations and if it’s water weight or not. I don’t have to deal with dialysis anymore but I still deal with cramps unfortunately but not as bad as when on dialysis. My best wishes to you and no more cramping at night.

[Beth-El]

1. Slow or stop fluid removal during treatment. Discuss this with your care team and most importantly your doctor to possibly adjust your "dry weight" Because you still make urine you may not need much fluid removed.

2. Home remedies - tonic water (with quinine), quinine pills, pickle juice, yellow mustard packets, sports drinks etc. I have found these to be effective to varying degrees. Please be careful with the high sodium/sugar/phosphorus products. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes the sugar and sodium are obvious; but I have found some sport drinks have high phosphorus so read all labels!

3. Stretch - This is not easy in the dialysis chair but primarily for when you get out of it and at home. Standing and targeted slow stretching can stop a cramp instantly and help prevent it from returning. Stretch slowly and carefully and hold the position for about 60 seconds or as long as you can. Be careful standing and stretching as you can get dizzy.

Good luck and God bless!

[Bassetmommer]

Thanks Beth -El. Hopefully with them not taking water out, I will not have cramps.