So thirsty after diaylsis

[storksRN]

Hello, this is the first time I have joined.  I have been searching for sites on diaylsis.  I have been on diaylsis since april 2008.  they ususally give me too much saline I think, then I am so thirsty the rest of the day.  My throat feels like it is swollen and I cough all evening.  Any suggestions.  I drink way too much water

[willieandwinnie]

storksRN. You need to go to the introduction thread and tell us a little about yourself. How much saline are they giving you and how is your blood pressure? We need more information to answer your questions better. 

[Zach]

Perhaps you need the doctor to adjust your sodium variation (138-140), and have the staff check the machine with a conductivity meter before you go on.

Just be careful that it isn't set too low, or you might get cramps.

[monrein]

  to IHD .  I agree with Zach about the sodium setting on the machine.  We once tried raising my sodium setting at the beginning of my run and lowering it every hour afterwards to see if that would help with my Monday headache (I do two and a half hours every day during the week but go without on the weekend).  It made so thirsty I thought I'd go mad, so we only did it the once.  They felt that it didn't work because I do short daily so that sodium profile is too dramatic in a short run. 
How careful are you with your salt in food? 

Like you, I started dialysis this time around in April of this year.  I had a transplant for 23+ years but did hemo for five years before that.  Post often and I'm glad you decided to join us here.

[aharris2]

The unit Rolando goes to uses Fresenius 2008(K?) machines. He goes three days a week for 4.5 hours. If they use any of the sodium profiles on him, he is very thirsty between treatments. He never lets them "run sodium" on him.

[twirl]

tell your doctors
I am not as thirsty as I am hungry after dialysis
I used to think it gave me a sinus headache
after dialysis I would have a horrible headache and all the drainage
now I just give up and think it is just one of those things

[Katey]

I am ALWAYS thirsty after dialysis.  I can't wait to have my "treat" of a soda for being a good patient   I am not sure of the correct verbiage or question to ask the tech about the sodium??

[Run8]

You have to say or ask like this " Yo, Tech how much salt you giving me, cause when I go Home I'm so thirsty I could drink a tub of water." That should work.

[Katey]

See how ignorance hinders?  I had no idea they are even giving me sodium or anyone in dialysis!!  Thanks for the responses

[twirl]

or  "Yo tech - how about some fries with that sodium?"

[monrein]

You can ask "What's the sodium profile on my machine?"

[sumodidit]

i just got home from dialysis. I am so thirsty. they give me the sodium during my 4 hour treatment to keep my blood pressure up enough for the treatment. Afterwards I am usually just strong enough to make it home and crash in the bed after gulping 2 to 3 glasses of juice, water, soda, something liquid and cold!!

[RichardMEL]

Lately they let me set my machine numbers up I love it on the 2008K's it is so easy. I set my temp 35.5, my UF target, the time & UF profile 6, NA profile 0. Luckily they don't use Sodium profiles in our unit so I've never had that problem.. if BP goes down they usually either give some saline or more generally a cup of coffee Also one nurse suggests sugary sweets to up the BP so I have a little container of peppermint leaves or musk sticks or something on my table.. just in case... (and usually the staff gobble some hehe)

[paddbear0000]

This is great!! I'm so glad this thread was brought back to life. This 'sodium profile' just might solve my wacky bp issues at dialysis! I am definitely ask about that tomorrow.

[Zach]

 

[RightSide]

I have found that the best way to fight thirst (and control fluid balance) is to cut my sodium intake down as far as possible.

They tell you to try to keep your sodium intake below 2,000 mg per day.  But I have cut my sodium intake down to only 800 mg a day or less.  At that low level, I don't retain much fluid and I don't feel thirsty, even after dialysis.

The ONLY daily food I eat that has salt in it is one bagel.  Other than that, the only sodium I get is that which occurs naturally in meats.

[pagandialysis]

My secret weapon against my thirst?.....hmmm thirst....maybe I should change my name to Blade. ~snickers~

Anyway, my weapon against it is Big Red gum. Why Big Red? It tastes good and anything I would drink afterwards would taste nasty and burn my tongue. I use to suck on hard candies but they just didn't last that long.

Wow...we do sound like vampires. o.0

[Riki]

I"m never given saline unless my bp drops.  I also get a large ice cap after each treatment. actually, I have one every day. I can make them last hours

[mcclane]

since i do home hemo, i find if i crank up the uf and flow rate, my thirst level goes thru the roof.  However, if i use common sense and keep the uf at a reasonable level, and the flow rate at 300, the next day after dialysis, i don't have the urge to drink at all.  in fact, i'm not even thirsty (until dinner time, that is when i tend to guzzle a little more fluid, but it doesn't matter as i'll be pulling it out at nighttime anyways)

[YouDontKnowCecil]

I am ridiculously thirsty if my machine's sodium level is set at 145. I can't handle that. Too high!! I prefer it to be 138-140.

[brandi1leigh]

I'm usually more hungry than thirsty after a session. Of course these days in Texas with the heat in the triple digits for the 80th day in a row, I seem to be thirsty all the time! LOL can't wait for the temperature to drop, even just a few degrees. On Monday, the AC at the clinic broke while I was there...talk about miserable. It was the first time since I started dialysis that I seriously considered asking them to cut my treatment short. I managed to stay but just barely.