Living with Dialysis

[Betnir]

I am a retired nurse who is in ESRD and the biggest adjustment that I just can’t come to terms with is being the other side of the bed sort of to speak. Being a patient rather than giving care is very depressing for me.

I also have trouble with my fingers cramping up and my hand balls-up into a cramped fist. I no longer can do fine motor skills for very long before my fingers start cramping up. Things I use to enjoy doing like painting, knitting or using the computer keyboard board are now out of the question. I probably couldn’t play the piano or other musical instruments but I never had the talent to do so. I had previous carpel tunnel surgery on both wrist so I can rule out that diagnosis.

Any suggestions?

[Bassetmommer]

AS someone who was always a caregiver and in health care for years, I get it. It's hard. But look at yourself as someone who is educated and can help others. It has been the best thing I did to become a patient advocate. You have the medical background that can help others understand what is going on with then and you walk the walk. It is important to share and help and it will help you. There is a mentor program that I participate in and that is very helpful and rewarding. Check the NKF website.

About the hands, not sure that is CKD related. How is your potassium? Talk to your doctor about it.

[Betnir in reply to Bassetmommer]

Good advice. Thank you.

[RhenDutchess123]

I have found that keeping my Magnesium and Vtamin B Levels in range helps...I also use Red Light Therapy on my hands too....I am Stage 5 and on Peritineal Dialysis

[lovemesomeflowers]

Just take each day at a time,things are never the same on dialysis.I have cramps in hands & feet but it goes away.I have a tube of Nervive & tried it on my feet when they cramp.It works! We have so many health problems I just deal with them as they happen. God Bless!

[MagicNoon]

Hi

I am a 74 year old widow on CAPD for the last year. For the cramps I have a heating pad near my chair and near me during PD. I use it for the cramps on my legs and hands. I just move it around to wherever I need it. That helps me. It's also important to balance the Phosphorous, Potassium, Magnesium and Sodium. I have an ongoing problem with hi Potassium that increases the likelihood of cramps. It truly is one day at a time, one moment at the time, but I'm blessed that PD is available and is working for me.

[FelineFandom146]

Hello! As a nurse you have a great deal to share with others. If I were you I'd find out how to do that. As for your hand cramps. please allow me to share my thoughts. The first symptom I had with potassium problems was the hand cramps you describe. My right had automatically curled up and I was able to place a tennis ball into it without problem. My hand would hurt very badly and automatically curl up again whenever I tried to straighten it with my other hand. After many tests, meds and going back and forth to specialists over months, I was diagnosed with Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis and unknown CKD back then. I'm finally under control with the Potassium issues after being put on Cytra-K. As mysteriously as it began, it came under control. Get your potassium levels checked. But be prepared, the hand cramps can happen when your potassium is normal, low or high. I had to eventually go to the ER when the next hand cramps came and I found out my Potassium was so low, I was almost in Cardiac Arrest and they rushed me onto Potassium IV. Wishing you well!

[HenryFoo]

would you open up to herb treatment in lieu of dylasis? We have a tcm doctor whose clinical study of 100 samples successfully prevent 98 % of patients from the dylasis procedure.