Can i ask ?

[KICKSTART]

If it is usual to feel like crap after Hemo ? I have had a blinding headache and feel sick and generally crap after these last two sessions. If its the 'norm' any hints or tips to help me out ? 
Ps ,ive had another weeks reprive and they are letting me do next week at this 'nice' hospital !  Keep your fingers crossed for a permanent place there !

[willowtreewren]

KS, this is probably because they are having to draw off that extra fluid you are carrying.

I hope this improves soon once they get your treatments "normalized." And here is hoping you get to stay at the good hospital.

Aleta

[twirl]

I always have a headache after dialysis and sometimes I have sinus problems --

[del]

KS feeling crappy can be caused by the machine trying to take the fluid off and your body not wanting to give up the fluid.  If there is a lot of fluid to be removed it is very common to have a headache after.  Takes your body a while to get used to hemo too. 

[LightLizard]

yup. sounds like hemo. when i started dialysis i did hemo for the first six months or so. i would come home draggin my butt, feeling like i'd been yanked thru a keyhole backwards, headache, weak, and i would have to sleep for a few hours, right away.
it gets better though, when your fluids are more balanced.
hang in there sis!

 

[YLGuy]

KS, may I ask how long are you on the machine and how much are they pulling off each session?

[billybags]

Hi Kickstart, I dont know if every one is the same, probably not, but my husband has been doing emergency hemo for about three weeks now, you more than likely read my post (had tube out because of e-coli bug) any way he has not felt right since. He comes home from Hemo and just wants to go to bed. His hb has gone so low because of the Hemo, apparently this is what happens, he has had to have 2 blood transfusions to try to bring it up, he does not sleep at night and he has developed a very dry cough and can not get his breath. We saw the neph yesterday and he explained this is what can happen its normal and it does take time and a lot of tweaking to get the weight right and the fluid balance level.. Next week he is down for pre op to have his tube back in and give it another go, whether he is well enough, I don't know. Headaches and tiredness are part and parcel of Hemo so I'm told. I think we have been spoiled by doing CAPD, a gentler way of dialysis, this f**er is a whole different ball game, all you can do is go with the flow, it's got to get better.

[jpearce]

I've been doing hemo for a year and a half, and whether my fluid is balanced or not I still feel like crap after. My remedy 2 Gravol and 3 Tylenol before I go, 2 gravol when I get home, sleep most of the afternoon and by 7 pm I'm only feeling semi crappy. I understand how the crappy feeling can bring you down, but if you have a good day the following day it gives you something to look forward to. I'm getting a rejuvenating facial today and I 've been looking forward to this for weeks! You'll find your groove, just keep trying different things. I still feel like crap but tomorrows a new day!!!!!!

[Melissa]

Hi Kickstart,
Yes, that happened to me....unfortunately I think it is somewhat "normal" in the beginning.  I had headaches for a few months after starting.  Now, after dialysis, I have to lay down or sleep for a couple of hours immediately afterwards, and then I feel sort of ok.  The next day I feel really good though!
And every now and then I do not feel like I need to sleep afterwards, which is a treat.
Good luck...glad to hear you are still at the nice hospital.  Hope they keep you!

[lola]

KS. Otto would want to lay in a dark room after because that's how he ALWAYS felt after. He was on the M W F schedule and Sunday was the only day of the week he felt OK. I'm so sorry you are feeling so crappy.

[Goofy]

Again, speaking from a care takers point of view, part of why my dad would have "issues" after hemo was because he didn't always follow the kidney diet. 

The worst was when he would drink too many fluids.  When he was good with his diet, his treatments seemed to go a little easier.

I wonder if anyone else sees a difference when they don't follow the diet?

[jbeany]

Not having excess fluid is a huge part of it, Goofy.  The more you have on, the worse the session is likely to be, and the worse you are going to feel afterward.  Unfortunately, Kickstart was fluid over-loaded to start with, so being good on her fluid restrictions isn't helping much.

Kickstart, it does get better, and you do get into a groove, but it's a long, bleak run of sessions at the beginning.

Any chance you could get to a sauna to help sweat a bit off?

[RichardMEL]

I volunteer to fly up and take KS into a sauna to sweat it off... 

I agree with the others on the fluid issue. Until you stabalise on hemo it's going to be rough unfortunately. Even for me some sessions I come out, get home and have a cat nap (including cat!) for a few hours because I feel washed out. Other times I am up and doing stuff.

I hope you will be able to stabalise soon and feel better after the treatments!