I have been doing a lot of research on how to fix cramping. Let me first say, no pickle juice does not work. I also do not have fluid taken off during dialysis. I add 400ml of saline each treatment. I also have no fluid restrictions and so I do drink a lot of water. And none of my mineral labs indicate any highs or low.
However,the cramping is not during dialysis. It is later at night, early in the morning and latel, any time. They are coming whenever and where ever. I stretch, I do 5000 steps daily.... and nothing works to stop them.
I did find L Carnitine is a supplement that is given in dialysis centers for cramping. It also helps with metabolism, is renal protective as well as good for cardiovascular and the liver. SO.....what's not to like.
Let me know if you are taking this and how much and when. I am starting on 500mg in the morning on an empty stomach like the bottle says. It is L-Carnitine-tartrate. There is another type called Acetyl L-carnitine. If you take it, what kind?
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Bassetmommer
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Hi Bassetmommer, very sorry to hear that. Cramps can be excrutiatingly painful. I am afraid I do not have anything for root cause. However if they are leg cramps I find I can symptom relief by flexing my toes (like making a fist with your toes) continuously until the cramp disappears
Thanks for the reply. Trust me, that does not work. I have done all the physical things like walking, stretching and try to move the cramp out and make is worse.
I have found Magnesium Oil and spray or rub on the cramp for relief. You can find it at health food stores. One store is Vitacoast.com and the name of the Life-Flo Pure Magnesium Oil. I hope it will work for you as well as it has for me and my friends and family. ☺️
First time in a couple years got severe cramping in shins and ankles 4-5 hours after dialysis. I think I went below dry weight for first time in months. Cramps are the most evil and pernicious!
Hate the late night, early morning cramps. For me, no amount of exercise worked, but a light spray of Magnesium oil and rubbing lightly works for me. I also use a Hemp cream that I order from Amazon. Works for cramps and muscle pain after the cramp is over. An old time cure for night cramps is to put a bar of soap under the fitted sheet, near the foot of your bed. Don't know if it works, but the soap smell makes for a nice smell when you are sleeping. Stay strong everyone. It's one day at a time for me on this dialysis road.
I take two calcium magnesium tablets at bedtime and the cramps in my legs and feet are rare now. My hands cramp up sometimes from knitting too long…..that’s tendons or something and for some people requires surgery. The leg, thigh and foot cramps were awful…..at night mostly, but as long as I take the cal mag, it seems to be much better
After speaking with my Neph, she knew about L-carnitine and she blessed me taking it. I have to say that I have taken the L-carnitine capsules four days in a row...no charlies and I am sleeping better. So, we will see how it goes. If this keeps working and there is no major side effect.... it will be a miracle for me.
I take l-carnitine a dose of 1.5 grams and this really help for fatigue, cramps and post dialysis symptoms. Amino acids also very crucial to maintain albumin above 4. L-carnitine comes in powder form , capsule or liquid. There is one from Now food which has 3000mg per tbsp so just 1/2 tbsp is sufficient. It also has some B6. magnesium oil or epsom salt leg soaking also very helpful.
Thank you so much for your answer. Although I thought I was on a path of wiping out the cramps, they are still with me.... however, much less sever. I am going to up my dose to 1 gram as I was only taking 500mg. What form of L-carnitine do you take?
Hello Bassetmommer,Cramping after dialysis could be linked to changes in your electrolytes like sodium,potassium, magnesium, and calcium. You said your labs do not show any issues. Just a couple of questions for you.
Have you informed your Dr. , Nurse or the tech about this issue when you are having your assessment? If so great that you have ,if not I do recommend that you address this issue with them.
You also said that your not having fluid removed during treatment and no liquid restrictions. So this leads me to think that you are replacing your electrolytes later with your fluid intake. This maybe a contributing factor why your lab work does not show highs or lows.
It is not standard or commen practice and very few patients have this ordered by their Dr. (Actually they may not have even heard of it)Ask him if you can try a sodium profile. This can be set up on the machine. The tech or Nurse may have to surch and figure out how to program your machine to be on a sodium profile but it is possible. It dose not hurt to try it on a few of your treatments to see if this helps with the Cramping also it's great you are taking L Carnitine is a supplement.
Or you may want to try a drink that will replace your electrolytes. Make sure you ask the Dietician what they would recommend.
Thanks for your reply. To start with, I am at home doing my own dialysis. NO nurse. Of course I have spoken to my Neph and team about it and get the standard "try pickle juice", which doesn't work. My labs indicate normal salt, elevated potassium, but not critical, elevate phosphorous, on a binder, high magnesium, but everything is in range. I stopped the magnesium for a bit with the elevated level and the cramps were worse. So I only take 200 mg. The cramping is not while I am on the machine. They are late at night. I walk almost every day, over 5000 steps. I elevate my feet at night. The L carnitine is helping but not stopping them completely. I am up to 1000mg daily and they say you can take up to 2000mg. Oh, and most drinks to replace your electrolytes are loaded with potassium, which I do not need.
Oh your doing home dialysis. Ya that's different then in clinic. Yah that's the tricky part about the drinks is the potassium.. Ya if you where in clinic like I mentioned the sodium profile does help for Cramping after treatment. what it does is takes less sodium out during your treatments but then you do have to monitor sodium intake that you consume. But I'm not very familiar with home dialysis if you could even program the sodium profile.
Well it was just a thought. I hate Cramping sometimes at night is when it hits me usually when I roll over or something. Then after I get it undercontrolĺ.i don't dare move and then I can't go back to sleep cause I'm afraid of getting another.
I'm glad that the L carnitine is working for you and you have seen a little relief.
I considered trying it. Instead I have started wearing calf compression socks. My cramps were severe, the screaming kind. I have had some positive experience. Just hope it lasts. Will be starting dialysis soon .
yup that is what, I have; screaming meemies, although better no, still have little ones. I am trying again compression socks to see if that helps. What I did find out that not only all the "other" things I have going on, but low hemoglobin will also cause cramps. I think I am getting low again because the cramps are not gone. I can deal with these, not like before where I would cream and cry. So sorry you are going through this also.
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