major kick --s cramps

[BRANDY]

I usually have cramps in my feet and legs  sometimes in my fingers and hands.Please someone help explain what is going on.  I have mentioned it for several years and got no response.. That is with several drs.  I drove 15 miles with major cramps tonite.   they also went into my sides under rib cage.  I am so sick of this.     

[Pam]

Brandy I'm sending you lots of  . I;ve had those cramps too and they are h.....ll! I finally figured out mine were caused by out of control BS. My Dr. said it had something to do with electrolytes. He put me on a fast acting insulin called Apidra and it has worked good. I tried using icyhot but that didn't help at all. Then I got Bengay and that at least made the cramps lighten up a little. Hope you find answers for yours.
Pam

[KICKSTART]

Its quite common im afraid!  One of the known causes is dehydration  though sometimes.

[BRANDY]

seems to me I have heard of drinking  more.  I m  sorry but I forget so much. I just panic when these cramps come on.  Actually I have been taking lasix for years  for the swelling in legs.  My neph told me not to drink  as much water , it was  defeating the purpose of the lasix . I stay offf of salt as much as possible ,  they put salt in everything ,  I usually rinse all my can goods 2 xs . As for my bs it is fairly good.I havent had not one cramp today. 

[Rerun]

Cramps are indescribable to someone who has not experienced them.  It is torture.  I always say, forget waterboarding, just put them on dialysis until they cramp and they will tell you where their own mother is hiding out.  OMG it is like twisting my legs in half and then pulling my foot thru my ear and back again.  I've been saved a thousand times begging God to stop them.  I have not sold my soul to the devil yet.      

Yes, watch the salt, maybe raise your dry weight.  I still have some Quinine Sluf Tab 260mg left so I take a half tab of those sometimes.  They won't perscribe it anymore for dialysis cramps. (I don't know why) But, I guess you can get something at the health food store that is natural and similar to Quinine.

Best of luck.... I feel your pain!!!   

[nycrtst85]

yes i had those cramps before like your insides are pressing against ou,i found out that it depends on your dry weight.I used to get cramps all the time,mainly because i drank too much liquid or they too much liquid off in dialysis.Watch the salt intake,and follow the diet.

[sullidog]

I had cramps like this before I got on dialysis, turns out it was dehydration but too much fluid removal can also cause this.
Troy

[iketchum]

I do hemo dyalysis. I had the dr change my treatment useing sodium modelling and that has almost stopped the major cramping. they use a strong sodium to start for an hour, then go to a medium sodium for an hour, then go to a low sodium for two hours. they also change the uf to get the required fluid off in the 4 hours. This may help you too.

[Rerun]

Tonic water has quinine in it.  I take a couple of gulps of that before dialysis.  It seems to help.  Tonic Water also has potassium in it, so don't drink too much.

[Stacy Without An E]

It took some time to determine the signs that cramps were insisting on paying me a visit.  I'm fortunate that now my body gets really warm, really fast, so I knew cramps are in the vicinity.  Some techs will insist on taking off a certain amount of fluid, even though you know what is best for your body.

For those who haven't experienced them, imagine a giant bear trap clamping down on your leg while a monkey takes a sledgehammer to the same area relentlessly.

The only pain that comes close is listening to a fellow patient scream from cramps as though they're being tortured.  Makes my skin crawl and my stomach cave in upon itself.

[kitkatz]

In the daytime centers, one person will cramp and it seems to get everyone in the room.