I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: SteveK87 on February 16, 2012, 08:05:52 PM

Title: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: SteveK87 on February 16, 2012, 08:05:52 PM
Most of the time my wife can be perfectly fine during treatment and the entire day without cramping but for some reason she cramps and gets dizzy while in the shower or right after.  They soon go away as she lays down and tries to relax but I was just wondering if anyone knows why this happens?  I'm just assuming the hot shower could be raising her BP from the hot water increasing her overall body temp and that's what's causing it?  I honestly have no idea what causes it but just wondering if there's anything we can do to help it.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: Joe on February 17, 2012, 06:14:18 AM
I haven't experienced anything like that on PD, perhaps one of the other members can offer some insight.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: Rerun on February 17, 2012, 08:00:07 AM
Tonic Water has Quinine in it and that is a natural muscle relaxer.  Have her drink a half cup a day or maybe half cup morning and night.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: jeannea on February 17, 2012, 02:00:27 PM
If this happens take a blood pressure to find out if it's too high or too low.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: sullidog on February 17, 2012, 05:34:36 PM
I had the same issues pre-d, they are mostly gone now but since your wife is not pre-d I don't know. Could be a bp issue.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: tbarrett2533 on February 17, 2012, 05:48:59 PM
When I was on in-center hemo I had this prob, but only on treatment days (eves)
I think that it had to do with no fliuid and a BP drop so what I used to do was eat a little something with a little salt on it, and have a nice tall drink of water (yes I said water people  :rofl;)
and when I did this, I did not have the problem!!!
switch to PD and you wont have this problem, heck you prolly wont have half the problems you are experiencing!!!
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: boswife on February 17, 2012, 06:07:48 PM
I've always been currious about the quinnine as my mom used to drink it so i was planning on giving to Bo.  Neph said NO but i dont remember why  :embarassed:   Make sure it's ok to do just incase you have what ever was the reason Bo wasnt aloud to drink  ???
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: del on February 17, 2012, 06:11:50 PM
tbarett,
Not everybody can do PD.  Hubby had a lot of issues when he was doing PD and he almost died when it stopped working for him.  He has done excellent on hemo for the past 12 years!!
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: tbarrett2533 on February 17, 2012, 06:24:27 PM
tbarett,
Not everybody can do PD.  Hubby had a lot of issues when he was doing PD and he almost died when it stopped working for him.  He has done excellent on hemo for the past 12 years!!

well I say if it aint broke then dont fix it  :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: SteveK87 on February 17, 2012, 07:36:00 PM
Yeah I figured it had to be a BP issue..whether it's high or low we will have to test next time.  I know her pulse goes wacky so I'm thinking it is a low BP drop.  I'll have her try a few crackers and some water next time.

I've heard of the tonic water being mentioned here before when I was asking about RLS but we wanted to check with the nephr first and it kinda just faded since she got prescribed to the vicodin which took care of her RLS.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: Traveller1947 on February 18, 2012, 04:54:09 AM
Hot water will make your blood pressure drop, so will especially be a problem after dialysis.  Have your wife drink some salted broth or wait till the next day for a shower or bath.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: Riverwhispering on February 18, 2012, 07:12:42 AM
Last week i asked my pharmacist about tonic water for leg cramps and he said you would have to drink about a gallon of it to get the benefit.   Maybe that's why on dialysis the doctor said no.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: sullidog on February 18, 2012, 08:02:48 PM
Well then that explains why I get dizzy taking a hot bath and also my access's thrill goes a bit faint.
Vicondin for RLS? that's a new one on me.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: Rerun on February 18, 2012, 08:36:07 PM
Tonic water does too work and you don't have to drink a gallon.  Get a new Pharmacist!

           >:(
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: Joe on February 18, 2012, 08:45:15 PM
I keep a small bottle fo tonic water close by just in case. And it usually is enough to stop the leg cramping for the evening.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: The_Vincester on February 19, 2012, 06:33:08 PM
I hope the OP didn't do what he threatened. I have a hard time feeling sorry for him, though. Yeah, life sucks, but it's still life. If you can't live for yourself, live for others. Do good.

I see children with cancer who can manage a smile, so cowboy up and beat this.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: MaryD on February 19, 2012, 06:52:57 PM
I agree with Rerun.  Tonic water DOES work!

I am experimenting with the amount and frequency of tonic water imbibing necessary to eliminate cramps at night.  At present I take 250mls every other day.  If I forget whether it's an "other" day I spend half the night trying to un-cramp my legs - like last night. For the last month I have religiously had my tonic water every other day, and there have been no night cramps.  I missed two days of tonic water this week and I spent the night uncramping my legs and toes and dreading the next episode of cramps.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: SteveK87 on February 19, 2012, 10:41:20 PM
Well then that explains why I get dizzy taking a hot bath and also my access's thrill goes a bit faint.
Vicondin for RLS? that's a new one on me.

Yeah it actually works very well for her.  Opiates for some strange reason work for RLS, at least for her.  She was originally taking Tramadol but it took too long for it to take full effect so she tried Vicodin and it works great.  For some strange reason Klonopin didn't work at all for her and actually made it worse.  But I've read online that it works for alot of people.
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: lmunchkin on February 20, 2012, 04:27:19 PM
Steve, your wife is Blessed to have you.  You need to know that.

lmunchkin
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: tbarrett2533 on February 22, 2012, 09:07:46 AM
Steve, your wife is Blessed to have you.  You need to know that.

lmunchkin

This made me smile, so I know this will make him as well!!!! 
 :cuddle;
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: SteveK87 on February 23, 2012, 12:04:47 AM
Steve, your wife is Blessed to have you.  You need to know that.

lmunchkin

 :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Stomach cramps during/after shower
Post by: Whamo on February 23, 2012, 05:09:13 AM
Broth works well, which is salt and water, pretty much.