I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: GoingThere on June 20, 2012, 05:19:02 AM

Title: Sweating, anxiety and panic attacks
Post by: GoingThere on June 20, 2012, 05:19:02 AM
Well, here is another question from me.
Since I started with D, I sweat a lot more than before D. Let me give you an example. When I tell the nurse how much fluid should she take off, at the end there can be difference for about 0.5 kg (sweat). It is annoying that I sweat almost only in head, armpits and palms and also a little bit on my back.

Sometimes I'm so sweat that nurses can put the gloves on my arm to put the pressure on Fistula at the end of session. This started to influence on my selfimage. I even considered the operation to stop sweating in armpits, palms and head. I asked 2 neph doctors and they disagree and say I should be thankfull because my skin does a little bit of a kidney job.

But when socializing this can be embarrassing. Do I over react? Do you notice when people are sweating?
Well, this contributes a lot to my anxiety. I take Zoloft but no visible improvements. Sometimes I also take Seroquel (25 mg), but it makes me sleepy and it also washes with D.
Have you ever experienced panic attacks while on D? I'm a little bit worried that one would hit me when on dialysis. And the magic circle begins.....:(
Title: Re: Sweating, anxiety and panic attacks
Post by: adairpete on June 20, 2012, 09:38:38 AM
When I was on hemo, I would get panic attacks before going in.  I ended up being put on Ativan and would take them 90 minutes or more before each hemo session so I would actually show up.  They made me so sleepy I would just pass out once I got there, which helped make it bearable.  Never experienced the profuse sweating.  Once in awhile maybe when I was doing hemo, but never once I was unhooked.  I think most people don't notice when someone is sweaty.  It's more noticeable and uncomfortable for the person who is sweating, but most people are clueless.  I know at work, I couldn't even tell you if people wore the same thing every single day of the week and I see them all the time, let alone notice if they seem sweaty. 
Title: Re: Sweating, anxiety and panic attacks
Post by: Rain on June 22, 2012, 05:23:35 AM
I sweat during dialysis, just because I"m freezing.  It's gotten better now that they moved me away from the AC vent.  But i use to sit there shaking.  And blankets just made it worst.

Title: Re: Sweating, anxiety and panic attacks
Post by: cassandra on June 22, 2012, 07:54:39 AM
I don't know what to say, I sweat a lot before,during, and after D, and am really, really pleased about that. Most times I only have to take a liter or less off (m,w,f) Especially in summer I think its great, I can drink quite a lot, and sweat it all out (pretty sure I sweat out quite a lot of toxins too) Yes it takes a lot more laundry, showering etc, can only wear  makeup when its below 20'. I don't feel embarrassed about it. Maybe try seeing it as an advantage? Maybe your nephs are a bit right (sometimes they can surprise you?)

Love Cas
Title: Re: Sweating, anxiety and panic attacks
Post by: Whamo on June 22, 2012, 09:47:34 AM
Sweat?  I get cold in our kidney center.  Although lately, with the temperature in the 90's outside, I haven't had to huddle under the blanket as much.  Usually you could hang meat in our kidney center.  I have another fistula surgery July 12th.  A very pretty doctor-in-training, a girl from India, told me it was move the vein so it would be easier to poke and more comfortable position for inserting the needle. 
Title: Re: Sweating, anxiety and panic attacks
Post by: smokinbeaver on June 26, 2012, 05:21:26 AM
So sorry about the sweating problem. I don't notice people sweating a lot and I live in the deep south. I think your self consciouness even may add to it. In social situations, I would just say to people, hey I sweat a lot and wipe your brow. Its hard to get used to I am sure especially since it makes you self conscious. Just another one of those awfull things people have to put up with having kidney failure. At least you get to sleep through the dialysis which must help with the boredom.

Sharon