Does anyone else go through this?

[Tired!123]

Hello, other dialysis patients. I have been on dialysis for three, going on four, years, and I have been having symptoms that make me feel like maybe something is not right. After dialysis I sleep most of the day away and feel very weak, not even able to eat sometimes. My bones feel like they are on fire, my skin feels used, and my chest feels tight. I can't even breathe sometimes when I get off the machine, and my body temperature is off; my limbs are freezing while I also sweat like the temperature in the room is 100 degrees. My hands and feet tingle painfully and, just in a nutshell, everything hurts. I feel like my body is fighting itself and I have no idea what to do because I do not know anyone else on dialysis. I hate this feeling and I just want to know if it is normal, these symptoms. Does anyone else feel this way, or is it just me because something wrong is going on? Any replies would be appreciated!! Thank you. 

[Paul]

First off, check your blood pressure. Some of the symptoms you mention I get if my blood pressure goes too low during dialysis.

However not all these symptoms can be attributed to that. I am particularly worried when you say "my chest feels tight" and "My hands and feet tingle painfully" and "I can't even breathe sometimes". You need to see a doctor about these things ASAP, they could be signs of something serious (although don't panic, they may not be).

[cassandra]

Hi I agree with Paul. Go see a doctor. It could be a combination of things. Could be a change in meds too.


Love, luck and strength, Cas

[Tired!123]

 
I appreciate the answers and I will definitely speak to my doctor about my symptoms. Hopefully it is just a change in my medication because they just put me on a liquid phosphorus binder. It tastes like a liquid version of antacids and I just started it a week ago. If this is the answer, then that would solve some of my problems. 

[Charlie B53]

How much water does each treatment take-off of you?

Large take offs are hard on your body, especially for smaller people.  Think about how much circulating blood volume is in the body.  Take off a large amount, like 4 liters, or more, that can be a big percentage of the circulating fluid.  Granted, excess fluid that may be leaked into the flesh can be re-absorbed into the circulating volume, but that takes time.  In the mean time the circulating blood is somewhat thickened by the fluid loss.  This makes it much more difficult for the heart to pump and you will get tired, and stay tired, until that blood 'thins' back to a more normal consistency.

circulation in the extremities, hands and feet, may feel the lack of proper blood flow.

I'm no Dr, this is just my well educated thoughts that make a LOT of sense.

I try very hard to limit my fluids well enough that I rarely ever have to have even 3 liters taken off.

Tiredness is almost par for all of us.  We just keep pushing on, living one day at a time.  Tomorrow?  I'll deal with that tomorrow except I know I won't have a large take off.

So far this has worked for me.

Take Care,

Charlie B53

[GA_DAWG]

Charlie is right about excess fluid, and especially right that all of us feel tired when we get off. I usually eat a sandwich and then it is off for a pretty good nap. Some of the things you mention sound like things I feel when my dry weight is set too low, especially the light headedness, and I have learned to speak up if suddenly I begin to sweat. That usually is the clue that I am about to go out, and need fluid returned, quickly. One thing I have learned also is that if you have a doctor you feel you cannot talk to or one who does not listen, you should find another doctor.

[Whamo]

I've found eating protein before dialysis helps the energy level once the treatment ends.

[PrimeTimer]

Hello, other dialysis patients. I have been on dialysis for three, going on four, years, and I have been having symptoms that make me feel like maybe something is not right. After dialysis I sleep most of the day away and feel very weak, not even able to eat sometimes. My bones feel like they are on fire, my skin feels used, and my chest feels tight. I can't even breathe sometimes when I get off the machine, and my body temperature is off; my limbs are freezing while I also sweat like the temperature in the room is 100 degrees. My hands and feet tingle painfully and, just in a nutshell, everything hurts. I feel like my body is fighting itself and I have no idea what to do because I do not know anyone else on dialysis. I hate this feeling and I just want to know if it is normal, these symptoms. Does anyone else feel this way, or is it just me because something wrong is going on? Any replies would be appreciated!! Thank you. 

You might ask what your Hemoglobin level is. Maybe you are too anemic.

[SweetyPie]

I get those same feelings during dialysis. My blood pressure drops to 60/40 it's crazy. I start getting short of breath too. After I finish treatment and I get home its extremely hard to change my clothes and wash up. My finger tips hurt and like standing becomes so hard because I am put of breath and lack of better word so TIRED. Its funny because all I'm doing is laying in a chair for 3 and half hours and I get up feeling like I've been run over a bunch of times.
I know its hard for your body to take off a bunch of water at once but it's harder when u leave for the weekend 1 kilo above ur dry weight. So then you come back with a bunch of fluid!  Like today I told the tech I wanna take it all off and she was like that's 3.5. Lol I knew for sure that was gonna happen. Mid treatment I cant breathe and I ask for 200 ml saline. And turned the pulling off for a bit. Then felt better 20 min after and eventually pulled my norm 2.5. So yeah the symptoms you feel is probably your blood pressure getting low. Our body's are going through quite a lot during dialysis.
Hope u feel better soon.