Advice about cramping

[Slats325]

I just had a second surgery, as my catheter had somehow shifted position. Prior to the surgery, I complained about cramping during the drain cycle. I am still experiencing this cramping. Can anyone tell me if this is the norm or whether I will just get used to it? My Dialysis Center is asking my Nephrologist to change my cycler prescription regarding "TIDAL" settings and my last drain. I am suffering from sleep deprivation and just don't know what else to do. Something is going to give. I would appreciate any words from you pros out there. Thanks!!?







EDITED: Moved to home dialysis section- kitkatz,Moderator

[KICKSTART]

Its quite common to have this ..we call it 'drain pain' its not so much cramping as a pinching / pulling feeling as you get towards the end of your drain. Putting you on Tidal should help and even stop this, as it doesnt drain out all the fluid. For some people the drain pain stops as they go on ,for others it will always be there. As for not sleeping this is also very common its Renal  Insomnia , most of us go through phazes of not being able to sleep ,so ask for some sleeping tablets,quite a few of us take them 

[Slats325]

Thanks very much for the info. I will talk to my physician. I hope the cramping eases some. I will make the best of it. Thanks again.

[KICKSTART]

  You are welcome ! Anything else you are not sure about, just post on here and someone will be along to help you !

[Hanify]

I remember being really worried about the cramping when I first used the cycler.  I though 'how can I sleep through this?'  but funnily enough I can't remember when it stopped being an issue.  How long have you been on the cycler?

[dh514]

I had a similar experience in the beginning what the PD nurses called a little pinch was so bad that I dd not think I was going to be able  to tolerate, and then one day I realized it did not hurt anymore.

[Rann]

 due to horrible pain upon the end of draining, we switched my dad to the tidal program on the Baxter. I bypass the initial drain, and he doesn't have any drain pain until the very last of his last drain.  Anyone solve this problem? Should I just encourage him to work thru it? We can bypass the last bit of the last drain, but what a terrible way to wake up each morning. He can't operate the machine, so he has to call for me to come and bypass it.

[KICKSTART]

due to horrible pain upon the end of draining, we switched my dad to the tidal program on the Baxter. I bypass the initial drain, and he doesn't have any drain pain until the very last of his last drain.  Anyone solve this problem? Should I just encourage him to work thru it? We can bypass the last bit of the last drain, but what a terrible way to wake up each morning. He can't operate the machine, so he has to call for me to come and bypass it.

You really shouldnt need to bypass if you have it on Tidal , thats the whole point in the tidal setting .. what % have you got it set on ?

[Rann]

 On the tidal, I am thinking we just changed the settings to 85% and then leaving 1000ml in the last fill. He slept straight thru the night on the 8th night of the cycler, but woke up this am with pain during the last drain. A nurse suggested we try him using 2 pillows under his head to help prop him up some. He is a wonderful sleeper....sleeps on his back and turns to his side only occasionally during the night so we are trying the extra pillow tonight. wish us luck.

[KICKSTART]

My Tidal is set at 80% and i dont have any problems , so maybe try that if the pillows dont work ?

[Rann]

using 2 pillows might have helped in that he slept thru the night. Could be he is getting used to the pain/it is going away.

Due to swelling in his foot, the dialysis nurse on call suggested increasing to 2 2.5% bags instead of one 1.5% and one 2.5% and to prop his feet up on 2 pillows. He looked very uncomfortable in the bed with extra pillows at head and foot, so I did away with the extra pillow at his head.  He just thinks I can't make up my mind what I want to do. But is being a good sport.

If the drain pain continues, we will most definitely investigate adjusting the machine to 80%. Since we are the first patients at our dialysis center to ask for the tidal program the nurses are working with us to make adjustments as we try to find " the perfect cycle"

We are thrilled that a CNA is starting tomorrow to help with all of his needs after he is taken off the machine.  The agency is recruiting an RN to stay the night and hook him up in the pm and disconnect in the am. And to deal with any of those beeps. we are trying hard so that he doesn't have to go back to hemo at the center.

[Hanify]

Good to hear things sound like they're improving.  Keep us informed.

[KICKSTART]

If you can try the Tidal setting at 80% for a few nights to see if it helps, im sure it will solve the problem and if it doesnt ,well you havent lost anything trying.