I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
November 24, 2024, 06:19:34 AM

Login with username, password and session length
Search:     Advanced search
532606 Posts in 33561 Topics by 12678 Members
Latest Member: astrobridge
* Home Help Search Login Register
+  I Hate Dialysis Message Board
|-+  Dialysis Discussion
| |-+  Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
| | |-+  cramps in legs
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. « previous next »
Pages: [1] Go Down Print
Author Topic: cramps in legs  (Read 10462 times)
Ohio Buckeye
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 1813

« on: August 04, 2006, 10:13:39 PM »

I've noticed that many of you have mentioned having restless legs but I have
a lot of leg cramps, mostly at night.  They get really bad.  Some nights maybe only a few
and other nights I hardly sleep because of them.  Do any of you have these or know
what causes them or anything that will help them?  I'm on several bp medications.
Don't know if that causes them.
Thanks for any info.
Logged

If I must do this to live, I must strive to live
while I am doing this.
angieskidney
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 3472

« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2006, 10:44:05 PM »

I've noticed that many of you have mentioned having restless legs but I have
a lot of leg cramps, mostly at night.  They get really bad.  Some nights maybe only a few
and other nights I hardly sleep because of them.  Do any of you have these or know
what causes them or anything that will help them?  I'm on several bp medications.
Don't know if that causes them.
Thanks for any info.


I used to get bad cramps until they raised my dry weight. Now I am feeling a lot better and my blood pressure is back to normal.

How is your blood pressure? Normal is 115/70 - 130/85
Logged

FREE Donor List for all Kidney Patients!

diagnosed ESRD 1982
PD 2/90 - 4/90, 5/02 - 6/05
Transplant 4/11/90
Hemo 7/05-present (Inclinic Fres. 2008k 3x/wk MWF)
Ohio Buckeye
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 1813

« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2006, 02:48:14 AM »

My bp had been out of control high and just recently has started coming down to more
normal levels.  But I am on 5 meds for it.  It is still not real stable yet but is in the
140+/80+  - 150+/80+ areas most of the time now.  Lower number stays pretty normal
but top number fluctuates more.  I'm on PD.  I'm probably about .6 more than the dry
wt. target they gave me, which I'm happy with.
 
Logged

If I must do this to live, I must strive to live
while I am doing this.
Joe Paul
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Posts: 4841


« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2006, 02:55:24 AM »

I agree with Angie, its probably your dry weight. My normal is 82 kilos, any less than that, my legs start the cramping too.
Logged

"The history of discovery is completed by those who don't follow rules"
Angels are with us, but don't take GOD for granted
Transplant Jan. 8, 2010
Panda_9
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 994

« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2006, 04:01:37 AM »

I used to get shocking cramps on PD. If your BP is 140/80+ and you are on 5 types of BP meds then I doubt you are too dry. What is your fluid restriction? Do you still urinate or eat much salt?
Logged
charee
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 1176


« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2006, 05:10:12 AM »

I am not yet on dialysis but I get really bad leg cramps mostly at night . I have about 15% function .
Logged

Home Hemo  18 months
Live donor transplant 28th October 2008
from my beautiful sister
Royal Prince Alfred Sydney Australia

Live donors rock
livecam
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Posts: 1182


World's Best Beach..Lanikai..Oahu, Hawaii

« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2006, 06:15:02 AM »

Following a transplant my incidence of leg cramping dropped a bunch but they still happen from time to time. The damn things come on suddenly with no warning.  A bad cramp was my wake up call yesterday and it was just as intense as any that happened on dialysis.
Logged
Ohio Buckeye
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 1813

« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2006, 09:25:15 AM »

I have 5pc function left.  I still urinate. Thank God.
I really watch the sodium.  They never gave me a exact number
regarding fluids but just to be moderate and not overdrink.
Everytime I have reached my dry wt. target it
has been lowered a little more.  I feel like I am where I should be but I am
slightly (maybe half pound) above it.  Last night was a bad night and I have to
work today. Not much sleep.  I can't connect the cramps to anything I eat or do
since some nights they are bad and others not and nothing seems to be
different that I do each of those days.  Stand up at work but I would think that
would be good for me. And it's not always a work day when I have them.
I'm only 3 mos. into this and I have so much to learn yet.  I have my cycler
training 8/9 & 8/10.  I'm anxious to see how that's going to work for me.

Logged

If I must do this to live, I must strive to live
while I am doing this.
BigSky
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Posts: 2380


« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2006, 01:06:32 PM »

A read a study about how cramping was reduced in dialysis patients who were given creatine monohydrate.

Might check with your doctor about it and see what he/she recommends.

Here is the study at the NDT Oxford journals site.


http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/17/11/1978
Logged
SpeedFleX
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Posts: 146

« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2006, 02:23:39 PM »

I get cramps sometimes so instead I going crazy and trying to sleep I usually get a bucket and put warm water in it and then I put my feet in it or at least the one thats cramping up and then goes away so then I wrap it in a towel because once it's a little cold it comes back again.


hope this helps!

It's just a temporary answer so u can get some sleep to work with full power the next day^^
Logged
Mom3
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 154

« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2006, 03:42:50 PM »

My son was given quinine for cramps. It is an old medicine and does work, but might mask the cause of the cramps! Bicyclists used to get that prescirbed for leg cramps for overexercising but I think that has come under scrutiny.

My mother who is not on dialysis has always been plagued by leg cramps and she drinks tonic water before bed. Real tonic water contains small amounts of quinine. Gives it the bitter taste.

Mom 3
Logged

Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to the will, unless the will consent.
Epictetus
Sluff
Member for Life
******
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Posts: 43869


« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2006, 03:44:47 PM »

I was told to try tonic water and it appears to relieve the cramps a little.
Logged
angieskidney
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 3472

« Reply #12 on: August 05, 2006, 05:25:46 PM »

ugh .. I hate the taste of Tonic Water but my friend Marco always loved it  :-X
Logged

FREE Donor List for all Kidney Patients!

diagnosed ESRD 1982
PD 2/90 - 4/90, 5/02 - 6/05
Transplant 4/11/90
Hemo 7/05-present (Inclinic Fres. 2008k 3x/wk MWF)
Panda_9
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 994

« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2006, 01:38:31 AM »

I used to have a small glass of indian tonic water before bed and it helped quite a lot. Tonic water contains quinine which is why it helps. I found the Indian Tonic water tasted nicer than others, and I dont think the cheaper ones had quinine in it. If you dont like it, put a bit of cordial in it or mix with half juice.
Logged
Mom3
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 154

« Reply #14 on: August 06, 2006, 03:53:02 AM »

If a doctor will prescribe the quinine it won't impact your fluid. You have to drink a lot of tonic water to get any significant quinine.my son's nephrologist prescribed it. He didn't ask, but I would have.


Mom 3
Logged

Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to the will, unless the will consent.
Epictetus
Panda_9
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 994

« Reply #15 on: August 06, 2006, 05:45:40 PM »

I know theres not much quinine, but Im just talking about my own experience. It may not help others. I drank 200mls at bedtime and it was enough to help with the cramps. I either only got mild ones, or none at all. If I forgot to drink it, I got bad cramps. It also helped both my dad and nan who also suffer cramps.
Logged
angieskidney
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 3472

« Reply #16 on: August 07, 2006, 01:40:08 AM »

Wow this is very good to know! I used to get cramps even before I got back on dialysis and people told me to eat bananas.
Logged

FREE Donor List for all Kidney Patients!

diagnosed ESRD 1982
PD 2/90 - 4/90, 5/02 - 6/05
Transplant 4/11/90
Hemo 7/05-present (Inclinic Fres. 2008k 3x/wk MWF)
Ohio Buckeye
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 1813

« Reply #17 on: August 07, 2006, 08:05:08 PM »

Thanks for all for the suggestions.
I try to stretch and bend and works my legs before I go to bed.
I'm definitely going to try the tonic water. and the warm soaking sounds relaxing
especially on work days when I stand all day. Going to try to avoid another
medication if possible as I am on so many already.  Thanks again.
Logged

If I must do this to live, I must strive to live
while I am doing this.
redheadedangel
Jr. Member
**
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 74

Smiling for you!

« Reply #18 on: September 04, 2006, 09:21:22 AM »

The leg cramps could be due to neuropathy. If you get up and hang them down on the floor and the pain ceases it is most likely due to neuropathy. It took years for the Doctor's to diagnose mine. I now take a medication called Topomax which works wonders. No more cramps. Neuropathy is very common in diabetics. Ask your Doctors...Good luck and hope it ceases soon, as I know the misery. Sassy
Logged
Black
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 1243


« Reply #19 on: September 04, 2006, 11:21:49 AM »

The leg cramps could be due to neuropathy. If you get up and hang them down on the floor and the pain ceases it is most likely due to neuropathy. It took years for the Doctor's to diagnose mine. I now take a medication called Topomax which works wonders. No more cramps. Neuropathy is very common in diabetics. Ask your Doctors...Good luck and hope it ceases soon, as I know the misery. Sassy

I agree that it may be neuropathy.  My husband takes Lyrica (half of a 50 mg) at bedtime and it has helped with the RLS, cramps, and the prickling/tingling, all of which used to disturb his sleep.  He is not diabetic, just toxic.
Logged

Lorelle

Husband Mike Diagnosed with PKD Fall of 2004
Fistula Surgery  1/06
Fistula Revision  11/06
Creatinine 6.9  1/07
Started diaysis 2/5/07 on NxStage
Panda_9
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 994

« Reply #20 on: September 05, 2006, 04:54:30 AM »

My cramps are pretty much non existant since I started nocturnal hemo. When I was on PD and getting poor clearances I had extreme cramping that kept me up all night, as well as restless legs. I now have next to no restless legs either. Im on gabapentin for neuropathy pain in my feet and it has done wonders.
Logged
angieskidney
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 3472

« Reply #21 on: September 08, 2006, 10:12:37 PM »

Did you know that low ionized Calcium can make you get cramps? I was getting them just recently and found out my ionized calcium is too low :(
Logged

FREE Donor List for all Kidney Patients!

diagnosed ESRD 1982
PD 2/90 - 4/90, 5/02 - 6/05
Transplant 4/11/90
Hemo 7/05-present (Inclinic Fres. 2008k 3x/wk MWF)
Pages: [1] Go Up Print 
« previous next »
 

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP SMF 2.0.17 | SMF © 2019, Simple Machines | Terms and Policies Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!