I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Ladybag on February 24, 2011, 08:32:16 AM

Title: Itchy & Cramps
Post by: Ladybag on February 24, 2011, 08:32:16 AM

By any chance does anyone else deal with really itchy skin and leg and feet cramps? I am dealing with this constantly and wondering if anyone has any suggestions?  :thx;

Title: Re: Itchy & Cramps
Post by: paul.karen on February 24, 2011, 08:40:32 AM

For leg and feet cramps i take a drug called Hectoral.  It has helped greatly for me.
As for the itchyness it could be your phosphorate is to high?  I think that it what causes itchiness..... But i not 100%..

Title: Re: Itchy & Cramps
Post by: Ladybag on February 24, 2011, 08:46:44 AM

Thank you! I will talk to my PD nurse on draw day which is on the 8th. I can't stand waking up in the middle of the night to the cramping! OMG it hurts so bad lol. My phophate is 5.1 so it is on the higher side but in the rage.

Title: Re: Itchy & Cramps
Post by: Henry P Snicklesnorter on February 24, 2011, 10:05:22 AM

.

Title: Re: Itchy & Cramps
Post by: Dry-Pack-Babe on February 24, 2011, 10:10:40 AM

I was told that Benadryl helps with itching.

Title: Re: Itchy & Cramps
Post by: RightSide on February 24, 2011, 03:10:04 PM

Interestingly, studies have shown that UVB (ultraviolet-B light) treatment--maybe eight sessions--can relieve the itching from kidney failure significantly.  See a dermatologist.

Capsaicin lotion can help too--if you can stand the mild burning sensation from the capsaicin.

www.uphs.upenn.edu/renal/Dec%20PDFs/uremic%20pruritis.pdf

(you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read it)

Title: Re: Itchy & Cramps
Post by: Stoday on February 24, 2011, 04:14:09 PM

Quote from: Henry P Snicklesnorter on February 24, 2011, 10:05:22 AM

You must be using a different measure to the one we use in Oz, -  5.1 would be extraordinarily high on our scale.

The US uses grams/deciliter to measure phosphate; the UK and ex-dependencies ( :laugh:) millimol/litre

So, 5.1 g/dl is equivalent to 1.7 mmol/l

Oh I wish my PO4 were so low — it was 3.2 mmol/l (9.6 g/dl) last month

Title: Re: Itchy & Cramps
Post by: billmoria on February 24, 2011, 08:00:18 PM

I had significant itchy problems in Jan and my bloods showed Pho at 1.79   (in UK)  some people can handle that but I can't. I was real careful with my Pho this month and my Feb bloods had Pho reduced to 1.02 and with that reduction went the major itchy problem.  I still itch but not nearly as bad.

Capsaicin lotion did not work for me and caused a rash on my legs so I discontinued it.