I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: maritza0486 on June 26, 2009, 05:39:18 PM

Title: Cramping...
Post by: maritza0486 on June 26, 2009, 05:39:18 PM
I thought at first that cramping was caused from the low blood pressure that constantly occurs to me during dialysis but I researched sypmtoms of low blood pressure and cramping is not in there so im wondering, what causes the cramping overall?
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: willowtreewren on June 26, 2009, 05:40:49 PM
Cramping is often caused by pulling the fluid off too quickly.
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: maritza0486 on June 26, 2009, 05:52:38 PM
Well, I also get cramping when I am not on dialysis and am home. A few minutes ago I had a cramp on the middle finger of my right hand. Horrible but its finally gone. I just dont understand it but thanks for the answer. Youre right. I remember asking a nurse a while back about that and you just reminded that her answer was that its the blood flow while on the machine. thanks again.
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: dwcrawford on June 26, 2009, 05:55:55 PM
Or, in my case, they are trying to take off too much fluid.  They won't believe I'm not gaining more between treatments.  But then, correct me if I  wonrg someone, doesn't too little fluid bring on low bloodpressure?  Is it the old horse and cart story?
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: maritza0486 on June 26, 2009, 06:03:59 PM
Yeah, I usually dont gain much between treatments either. I never gain more than 2 kilos. I am at a proper weight as well, being that I am 4'11" tall and weigh 110 lbs. They are probably removing too much fluid from my body. My blood pressure is constantly low.
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: dwcrawford on June 26, 2009, 06:06:49 PM
Please don't take my word for anything.  Others are far more experienced than I.  Just stating my personal experience.
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: maritza0486 on June 26, 2009, 06:13:12 PM
I actually think your opinion makes a whole lot of sense. I am a researchaholic when it comes to health. I know cramping can be caused from having low potassium as well. Im pretty sure that my potassium is not low but it could be, who knows. I guess when I get my blood work done I will find out.
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: Maxridex on June 27, 2009, 02:25:32 AM
Cramping is often caused by pulling the fluid off too quickly.

yep and also you might took too much fluid off your body.
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: tee on June 27, 2009, 03:55:54 AM
My husband had really bad cramping when his calcium was to low, ask the doctor to check.
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: RichardMEL on June 27, 2009, 05:17:00 AM
pulling of too much fluid from the body is a common cause of cramp (I think it has something to do with the uric acid levels increasing because the fluid doesn't "refill" in the body cavities correctly/fast enough) - it's associated with low blood pressure because pulling of too much fluid, leaving your body "too dry" also lowers blood pressure - so they are both symptoms rather than associated causes. I reckon.

I rarely(thank god) have leg cramps in the middle of the night when I'm far from Dialysis and that's due, I believe, to uric acid crystal build up.. which is not really related to the Dialysis stuff (I had this happen long before I started on D).
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: RightSide on June 27, 2009, 07:52:07 PM
Well, I also get cramping when I am not on dialysis and am home. A few minutes ago I had a cramp on the middle finger of my right hand. Horrible but its finally gone.
That type of cramping often indicates an imbalance of calcium or potassium ions in the blood.

Find out what your serum calcium and potassium levels are. 

I was getting terrible cramping (my thumb would just cramp up against my palm) when my calcium level was way too low.  Once it started approaching normal, the cramping went away.
Title: Re: Cramping...
Post by: kitkatz on July 03, 2009, 07:02:48 PM
I am currently getting a new cramp under my graft area in my left arm. There is nothing to do about it that will not kill the needles. What a pain!