Freezing at dialysis

[cambonesegirl]

I don't know if it's just me, it seems like it at my center, but in the middle of dialysis I just get soooo cold to the point I'm shivering. I know that dialysis machines are set at a certain temperature, does anyone know if that's the default temperature for everyone or can it be adjusted?

[Adam_W]

The heater on the dialysis machine can usually be adjusted, but some centres don't like to change the temperature settings, partly because if the blood gets too hot, you can get hemolysis, which is destruction of the red blood cells. I have been able to use the temperature settings to my advantage in the summer, though. If I am really hot, I just turn the temp on my dialysis machine down a click or two, and I'm comfortable, until I get off dialysis at least.

Adam

[thegrammalady]

if mine isn't set at 37 to 37.5 i freeze. since i refuse to freeze i have them turn it up. but there is hope out there (somewhere) they make dialysis chairs with heaters!!!!! i tell you no lie. the center i used when in oregon for christmas had heated chairs. perfectly loverly. should be required for all centers. i'm not holding my breath.

[donnia]

They go as far as 38 for me.  I also take a heating pad and have them plug it up for me.  That helps alot!  I just changed blankets and started taking a thicker one and now I am content

Hope you find what works for you.

[kitkatz]

Go to a Sports store and purchase skiers hand warmers. They last seven hours warm. I put one on my chest under my blanket and it solved the cold problem.  Sometimes I use two of them if I feel really cold. 

[Deanne]

Would you be allowed to take an electric blanket with you? Being cold is one of my biggest fears about starting dialysis. I'm always cold as it is.

[Joe Paul]

My problem with freezing is my upper lip and nose. I have a nice warm blanket, but the techs have the air conditioner blowing as if it's 100 degrees inside and the vent is directly over my head. Matter of fact the vent's are every 4 feet apart and no matter where you sit, you cannot escape it. If there is such a thing as karma, id love to see what is in store for those people.

[Joe Paul]

Would you be allowed to take an electric blanket with you? Being cold is one of my biggest fears about starting dialysis. I'm always cold as it is.

That is a question you would have to ask at your center, they are allowed at the clinic I go to.

[stauffenberg]

Patients are deliberately kept cold during dialysis because this elevates their blood pressure and helps avoid the danger of extreme hypotension when a large amount of fluid is withdrawn.  When you are warm, you will notice that your circulation goes to the periphery of your body in an attempt to exchange the excess body heat with the colder surrounding atmosphere, thus lowering your blood pressure.  But when you are cold, your blood concentrates at the center of your body to maintain sufficient warmth in the vital brain and spinal column regions, thus elevating your blood pressure.  If you try by using blankets and heating pads to counteract the deliberate lowering of your body temperature done for medical reasons at dialysis centers, you will increase your chances of a serious hypotensive crisis.  You have to decide where to draw the line between comfort and security.

[Deanne]

Where do you learn all this stuff!?

[Hawkeye]

Would you be allowed to take an electric blanket with you? Being cold is one of my biggest fears about starting dialysis. I'm always cold as it is.

That is a question you would have to ask at your center, they are allowed at the clinic I go to.

Though I know many people bring in things such as laptops, PSP's and other things and plug them in while hooked up it is technically against Fresenius policy for that to be done.  This is not to say that is isn't done or can't be done, it varies from clinic to clinic.  The only plug in item that I have ever seen strictly forbidden is fans since they create a cross contamination hazard.

[kitkatz]

Oh BS! If it is cold I am going to get warm!

[joezee]

If you try by using blankets and heating pads to counteract the deliberate lowering of your body temperature done for medical reasons at dialysis centers, you will increase your chances of a serious hypotensive crisis.  You have to decide where to draw the line between comfort and security.

This is shocking news to me. I've been on in-center dialysis for over two years at two different centers. Just about everyone brings a blanket to stay warm. I've never heard any dialysis nurse or Neph say this is a bad practice and could cause problems. When I first started and used a blanket I still got cold and at one part started shaking and couldn't stop. A nurse made a hot water bottle out of a rubber glove and it helped. If what you say is true why would DaVita give away mittens, hats, and heavy socks and sell vests specifically designed to help keep people warm during dialysis? It's challenging enough to sit in any chair for 3-4 hours without being able to move, but to suggest one might be better off freezing while doing it seems crazy. Blood pressure is closely monitored at all times throughout the treatment. Never have I ever heard a nurse tell a patient to remove a blanket for any reason.