I ended up in the ER this evening

[Adam_W]

At the end of my treatment today I started having bad chest pains and I was having trouble breathing. My dad took me off the machine and immediately took me to the ER. By the time we got there I had lost almost all my strength, and couldn't even hold my head up. My dad went in and got a wheelchair and helped me into it. Because there was severe chest pains involved, they took me back immediately and the doctor saw me right away. I had an EKG and chest x-ray, and I had full labs drawn. By the time all that was done, I was starting to feel a little better, although I still had very little strength. All the test results came back negative. There is nothing wrong with my heart (thank God), and they released me with EXPLICIT instructions to come back immediately if this happens again. My nurse and I are now speculating that I may actually be taking too much fluid off, even though I usually feel ok at my dry weight of 60 kilos. She suggested that the chest pain may have actually been simply cramping. When I cramp on dialysis, it's usually in my legs or my hands, but I know that cramping can happen anywhere. The shortness of breath may have been caused by the cramping, and the loss of strength may have just been me crashing from being too dry. My BP has been low for the last week or so, but it usually doesn't change much during treatment. Today however, I started at around 150/90, and I ended at about 110/70. I felt fine however, until the last couple minutes when the chest pain and trouble breathing started. We are going to tinker more with my dry weight, and I may be able to go off the last of my BP meds. Right now I feel ok, although I'm insanely tired. Even though it turned out to not be anything too serious, I'm still glad I went. It's better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully this will not happen again.

Adam

[okarol]

I am so sorry Adam, that sounds very scary!
Seems you're not the only one with chest pains http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=6915.0 - and Kitkatz has had recent problems too. Could it all be fluid related?
I think you're wise to adjust your dry weight and see how that goes. Hope you feel better now.
 

[jbeany]

Glad you are doing better!

[Joe Paul]

Glad it wasn't your heart Adam, Hang in there   

[CW]

Adam maybe should back off of your dry weight a little and see if it helps. I have never gotten chest cramps before but I would guess it is possible. When approaching my dry weight (before cramps and bp drop) I start to yawn a lot (this has protected me from cramps and crashing for years) and I pay attention to those very small cramps that come before the big ones. I have to say you have a super partner your dad sounds great! He really stepped up and took care of everything. Parents are awesome . But maybe I am a little biased I am a parent

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Must have been very alarming for you, hope it doesn't happen again.

[Sluff]

Sorry you had to experience this, I hope adjusting your dry weight keeps you from going through this again. 

[Bajanne]

Wow, our members are going a great deal recently.  But we are strong!  My caring thoughts and prayers are with you.  Keep on keeping on!!

[skyedogrocks]

Rob has had cramping in his chest a couple of times.  Not to the point where he can't breathe, but where it's bothersome.  His neph told him it's fluid related.  He has also had cramping in his stomach, butt and back (along with hands, legs and feet).  So sorry it happned, but glad nothing is wrong with your heart.

[KT0930]

Hopefully this is just fluid related and tinkering with your dry weight will help. Glad it wasn't serious!

[KICKSTART]

Better to be safe than sorry, and even if it happens again go back and get it checked out. Cramps in that area could easily be mistaken for chest pains and if you go weak again , how about drinking a little water to re-hydrate you , its quite good as a quick fix! If i have ever got de-hydrated and gone shakey usually about half a glass of water puts it right quickly! Worth a try !

[paris]

Adam, I know that must have been scary.   Take is easy, rest and I hope they figure out the dry weight.

[MyssAnne]

How scary, Adam! I'm glad you had someone to take you to ER!

Have you gotten your strength back yet?  I'm sure glad that's 'all' it was, some cramping, but still, how scary!!

Glad it came out okay for you!! Give us an update tomorrow, on how the exchange went tonight!

[Slywalker]

How scary for you.  Glad you are okay now.   

Take care now

sandyb

[Wattle]

Take care Adam 

[Ohio Buckeye]

Sounds scary Adam.
Glad your heart is ok.
Hope you gt your strength back soon.
Take care and God bless.

[Adam_W]

I'm doing a lot better now. My nurse had me increase my dry weight, and during my treatment today, my blood pressure was up to around 130/80 (it had been running around 110/70). I felt fine after tx with no cramping or pain, and my breathing was normal. I sure hope it doesn't happen again.

Adam

[MyssAnne]

Adam,

Thanks for letting us know how it went! I'm glad it went so well tonight, and I so hope
it does NOT happen again!!

[The Wife]

This sounds horrible Adam.  I'm so glad you had your dad to take you to the ER and so glad you're feeling better. 

[kitkatz]

Chest pain at dialysis is not fun. I had it recently too, had it checked out.  Nothing came of it.  It is bewildering when your body fails you and there is no cause.

[kellyt]

I hope you're still feeling better.  That sounded scary.

It's great when people share this kind of information/experiences.  Guaranteed it will help someone in the future!   

[Psim]

So glad you're feeling better now. All digits crossed that it never happens again.