am I over reacting?

[texasstyle]

Probably, maybe, but I am alone here tonight with my sick husband and I have to admit slightly nervous. He has been throwing up quite a bit  and diarrhea quite a bit. He says he thinks it's a stomach bug (no fever). Hopefully this will pass shortly. My concern is about how to "rehydrate" after all these episodes because of the fluid build up you easily get.  Most people could drink a Gatorade or something but I know that is a no no because there is a lot of k in it as well as other stuff. Jeez...how do you deal with this?

[MooseMom]

I don't think it's really possible to overreact when looking after a person with a chronic disease.

I don't have an answer, but if I were in your shoes and had to ask the question, I'd get in touch with his neph for advice.  I wouldn't risk guessing, but I don't have the experience you do in these matters.

If it's just a matter of rehydration, would simple water not be the best thing?  Or maybe a clear carbonated soda like 7-up?  That often helps an upset stomach, and you don't have to worry about K or phos.  OK, I'm just guessing, so don't pay attention to me.  I hope you get a good answer from a more knowledgable IHD member.  I hope he feels better soon.

[Riki]

The hospital always gave me apple juice if I was dehydrated.  I don't know if that means anything

[thegrammalady]

if he can't keep anything in his stomach, call neph or gp and i'll bet you'll find yourselves heading to the hospital for iv hydration.  especially  if this  has been going on for more than 1 day.  we may retain fluid, but vomiting and diarrhea will  cause dehydration quicker than anything and that's not good either.

[texasstyle]

thanks everyone. Looks like the worst is over this morning. He is sipping on some ice water. He says he feels ok. I have to wonder in the back of my mind, if this was his body's way of getting rid of all the extra fluid he's been retaining. Hmmm.. Thank goodness nothing severe happened last night. MM I think you're right, it's impossible to over react.....

[willowtreewren]

TS, something else to consider is that it might be his body's way of trying to get rid of the toxins that are building up.

It must be so stressful. I hope he can get a handle on watching what he eats and drinks. 

Aleta

[texasstyle]

yeah Willow, in my heart of hearts I really feel that way. I remember before he went on D the constant vomiting. And then when he was supposed to be doing 3 days a week and refused all the vomiting. I did notice after he did start the 3 days the vomiting has subsided a considerable amount. Almost night and day. He seems to think this is the normal way of living. Urgg...... It's a shame because he could have such a better quality of life. Not perfect, but better. Seems like it's just "exsisitng" from day to day anymore.

[rsudock]

isn't it when your K is high you will have diaherrea as well? just a thought...glad he seems to be feeling better TS!

xo,
R

[texasstyle]

yes, that is a symptom. other symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, muscle paraylsis, and cardiac arrest . You can be Hyperkalemic with no symptoms as well and that is scary. It is SOOOOOO very important to everyone on dialysis that is reading this to watch your Potassium please!

[calypso]

TS, something else to consider is that it might be his body's way of trying to get rid of the toxins that are building up.

It must be so stressful. I hope he can get a handle on watching what he eats and drinks. 

Aleta

Something else to consider is to stop guessing and ask your nephrologist. That's what they are there for.

[lmunchkin]

TS, my husband occasionally has this problem too, but not very often.  You should ask your neph to be sure, but I find that with NxStage (and I know that you two don't do it) that after I have removed his extra fluids, he still has time left to remove his toxins.  I agree with Aleta, toxins can be just that, TOXIC!

If he has a huge build up of it, it very well could make him sick and dehydrated.  Ask his neph and ask the clinic to set his UF to -0- when his fluids have been removed and let him remove just toxins for 15 to 30 minutes!  I think he would see a big difference in the way he feels. 

I may be wrong, but I don't believe he is dehydrated.  Those symptoms are usuallly cramping and headaches, for people with ESRD.  The diahrea and vomiting sounds more like toxin build up!  But Im not a doctor, so please do check with the Professionals on this.

Let us know how he is doing, and Thinking of you TS.

lmunchkin   

[RichardMEL]

TS.

We know Mike has had these issues for seems like years now - and as we endlessly conteplate it's mostly, but not always of course, due to his own choices. As you say he could have a much better quality of life if he actually followed a few of the rules of D - which are put there for a bloody good reason.

Sometimes I wonder if he needs a mentor or role model of sorts - someone doing WELL on D to show him it doesn't have to just be about existing on the couch all day, but actually being able to do stuff - and with restrictions that can be managed to a point that becomes just a normal every day thing (at least that's how it worked for me). I do realise and understand that everyone's situation is different, but I wonder if his isolation coupled with a lack of seeing that you CAN live pretty OK within the dialysis restrictions means he finds it hard to be motivated to do more to help himself?

As always I know how difficult and stressful it is for you as someone who loves and cares for him. Again, as always, you have my best wishes.....

[lmunchkin]

Richard, that is a great idea about a role model!  Is that a possibilitie TS?

lmunch

[ToddB0130]

Richard ROCKS.   Great advice.  Hopefully there are support groups near texasstyle and hubby where he can meet someone who is managing the many restrictions, etd of D a bit better and more consistently.  Good luck to both of you !!!!

[RichardMEL]

awww shucks you guys. Thank you.

I fear though, knowing TS' hubby the way we do, that this probably wouldn't do much to help him, but it's a thought. I was thinking about how I try and show people (specially the womenfolk  please pass on to them all that I rock  ) that you CAN deal OK with D and it isn't the end or anything like that.. so I got thinking what if he met or knew anyone or some people in the area who do do ok on D. He probably sees some at his clinic, but given his rather closed mind to his dialysis sessions it probably wouldn't register much. Maybe a word to the clinic social worker might get something going.

I know when I visited KarenInWA's unit a month or so back they had guys who came around who were patients and they were there as mentors, to encourage people etc. I thought it was a great idea!! So I do know it does happen.

[KarenInWA]

My local mentors also have a website! 

http://livingwithrenalfailure.com/index.htm

I first met Don just over a year ago at an RSN meeting I attended with Wallyz (and a BIG Thank You to RichardMEL for emailing me about that meeting and telling me to go!)  If you click on My Story on that web page, you will see Don's story and others, also.  I have also met Carol from the website, who is a CNA at the hospital where I had my fistula and chest catheter placed.  Two nurses had told me about her, and I gave them my phone # so they could give it to her.  She called me a couple of weeks after I started D.  I have also met Bob, who visits the clinic fairly regularly.  He had a transplant just over a year ago.  Don had a transplant from his daughter a few years ago.  Carol does NxStage at home, and is a patient of my neph.  I have bumped into her at the dr's office a couple of times.

Yes, mentors are priceless!  I also believe that having a can-do attitude is priceless as well.  I may have bum kidneys and have to do dialysis 3 times a week, but I REFUSE to let this disease win!!!! Take THAT, ESRD!!!! 

KarenInWA

[Whamo]

I'm glad I'm reading this thread.  I'm in my third week of dialysis at the center.  Friday I got cramps, and today, Monday, I got cramps and a huge headache.  They had me drink water and spend an extra ten minutes at the center.  Now that I know I was dehydrated at least I know what the hell is going on.  I feel like I'm eating like a pig, but I am losing weight.  I crave protein, and little else.  Is that normal?  My nutritionist said my labs were perfect Friday.  I also got freaked out by this lady across the aisle from me.  She always looks so unhappy, praying, crying, and vomiting.  I feel sorry for her because she looks less than half my age.  And that's not all, she hasn't been at the center during my last two visits.  At first I liked the way dialysis made me feel, but now, I hate dialysis. 

[Lindia]

I'm glad I'm reading this thread.  I'm in my third week of dialysis at the center.  Friday I got cramps, and today, Monday, I got cramps and a huge headache.  They had me drink water and spend an extra ten minutes at the center.  Now that I know I was dehydrated at least I know what the hell is going on.  I feel like I'm eating like a pig, but I am losing weight.  I crave protein, and little else.  Is that normal?  My nutritionist said my labs were perfect Friday.  I also got freaked out by this lady across the aisle from me.  She always looks so unhappy, praying, crying, and vomiting.  I feel sorry for her because she looks less than half my age.  And that's not all, she hasn't been at the center during my last two visits.  At first I liked the way dialysis made me feel, but now, I hate dialysis.

Hi Whamo -  a lot could be going on.     How much fluid are they pulling off ?    If they pull off more than 2 from my hubby, he feels bad.  (everyone is different tho)   

Are they sodium profiling you ?   My hubby goes to DaVita - and they were doing that -  it made him really thirsty, so he was drinking more than he should have, it was a struggle.  He's been doing diaylsis for 5 months, and it does make him feel better,  so talk to your team and doctor -   theres a LOT of factors involved.  If you think yiou are dehydrated, there are ways to figure that out for sure.   I'm just saying - be careful with the fluid - TS hubby was sick at home - I think,  and he doesn't watch his fluids.

Also, do you have any residual kidney function left -  that also makes a difference.   Hang in there -  and keep coming here for suggestions and help.               THis forum has REALLY helped us.