painful spasms/cramps in fistula arm down in hand

[IrishGirl]

Any ideas on what to do for this? Its happened twice, usually when they hit the dry weight....like this morning. This happens later, like tonight. I think the nurses said ice or heat but we can't remember which. There is always a big knot in the area between the thumb and index too..it goes away when the cramp does but its quite severe. Ideas? Asap? I offered to cut off his arm but he wasnt in the mood for that...but he might be later if we can't get rid of it !

[Rerun]

I've had cramps in my hand before and heat would feel really good. 

                                   

[Ang]

sounds  like  to  much  fluid  is  coming  off,have  a  chat  to  your  neph.

good  luck.

[Wallyz]

You could be experiencing steal syndrome, where your fistula is diverting too much blood away from your hand and arm, and you are cramping because of too little circulation.  Heat and squeezing a ball or hand excercizer can help.  Talk to your doctor if it continues.

In nephrology, vascular access steal syndrome, also known less precisely as steal syndrome, refers to vascular insufficiency resulting from a poorly constructed arteriovenous fistula

[jbeany]

Heat, and forcing yourself to stretch the cramping muscle.  I'd look into upping the dry weight, too.  Even just 0.2 K or so can make a huge difference in how much you end up cramping.