Please, I wonder if you can help my dad?

[cap]

Hi,

I am new to posting on this forum site, but I have read posts and I am impressed with the information and knowledge. My dad is 80 years old and has been on peritoneal dialysis for two years. His general health is acceptable, however he suffers from a number of debilitating conditions that has impacted his life in a profound manner. Essentially, he suffers from chronic fatigue including increasing lose of balance and stability. However, I believe what is most troubling is the fragmented sleep he suffers from on a daily basis (yes, he is on a cpap) and the nightly chills and heat flashes that makes every evening a nightmare.

Any advice, words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Cap

[jeannea]

The best thing for balance problems is physical therapy. Ask the doctor to prescribe a few months. Falls are so dangerous. PT knows how to help.

The sleep thing is a problem for a lot of us. He should try some sort of calming routine. Music he likes or quiet time. A book to read? A woman on a transplant board swears by rubbing her own feet with lotion for 10 minutes a night. Whatever makes him happy. I'm sure people here have other ideas. I like naps too but maybe he should try not taking naps so he's tired at night.

[cassandra]

I only ever got to sleep with Diazepam, I really hope your dad will feel better soon.

Good luck, and love, Cas

[cap]

My dad's sleep issue is more related to waking up often during the night (fragmented sleep). Is this common to dialysis patients? Also, does anyone have any thoughts on the extreme fatigue and chills in the evening?

Thank you

[noahvale]

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[cap]

Thank you all for your insightful ideas and knowledge. I have passed the information along to my dad, but I am still anxious to hear if anyone has an idea on why he is suffering from chills and heat flashes in the evening.

Thank you

[noahvale]

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[LisaBart]

I am Not a doctor...but i associate chills and hot flushes as an infection of some sort? might be best to get a GP to investigate.

[cap]

My dad, surprisingly, is not a diabetic. As a dialysis patient, my dad sees doctors quite regularly but the evening chills and later heat flashes has not yet been corrected / explained by his doctors. I was wondering if anyone suffers from the same condition.

Thank you

[jeannea]

I get night sweats. Those are often a sign of a low immune system and I am immune suppressed because I have my transplant. I get chills every day about an hour after I take my blood pressure meds. This is common with beta blockers. I am not sure about other meds. When he gets the chills and hot flashes, is he in the middle of doing his dialysis or not? Does he do the cycler or manuals?

Unfortunately not everything has an explanation. The sleep problem is important. I hope there is a solution. There may or may not be a solution to the chills. I truly wish we could all get rid of these things that make us feel like crap.