Is this Normal & what can i take?

[Tinah1968]

I have had a headache all day and my stomach feels like it is turning is this normal? Can i take anything for the headache. i called neph and i am waiting for a call back..  Just wondering. I also haven't seen the dietician so not sure what i should really be eating

[twirl]

I think you are normal with the headaches - I always have headaches the day and day after dialysis -
the stomach part -- I get diarrhea often and of course, it is always best to call your doc when you are in doubt
do you think the tummy issue is nerves -
you have been through so much

hope you feel better

[Tinah1968]

Well the tummy aches and i feel nauseous but have not thrown up or anything like that yet. I guess it could be nerves. Thanks Twirl..

[MIbarra]

I didn't see the dietician right away either. All the diet information is a LOT to take in and remember and when you have so much to take in from the procedure itself, it's probably a good thing they wait. Worry now about getting used to dialysis itself. I'm sure they'll come around and talk about diet soon.

For headaches, they always said I was ok to take Tylenol, but I'd make sure with your doc first.

[jbeany]

Try a glass of water, too.  If I'm headachey after D, it's sometimes because I'm too dry.  I'll be fine when I leave center, but eating anything makes all the blood shift to your abdomen, and you can get dehydrated because of it.  If you've just started, it's going to take a bit to get your dry weight worked out, and your body used to the process.  The first month can be rough.

Tylenol is generally a dialysis patient's best friend.

As for the diet, start reading some of the posts in the diet section, and don't get too worried until they start giving you some feedback from your labs.  Just make sure not to eat any starfruit.  That stuff will kill a dialysis patient.  The next thing to start thinking about is potassium.  Having that high can get serious.  Check with the nurse when your lab results come in and find out if it is high, low or in the normal range. High potassium can cause serious problems, so that's the first thing to check. If it's high, then you can start changing your diet to adjust that.  The phosphorous being elevated can cause problems - but it's a long term thing, not an immediate crisis.  There are meds called binders to help with that.  Take everything one issue at a time - there's only so much you can handle at once!

[Tinah1968]

yep the Dr said take tylenol... Thanks for the input it is greatly appreciated

[dwcrawford]

Tylenol
and I too had a headache the first couple of times.  I never had headaches to I do remember then now.  But nothing anymore.

[twirl]

Tinah
please go to the Dear Diary by Rerun and read it - you laugh and cry and you may see a little bit of yourself in it
I asked for it to be moved so you could read it -
I is a masterpiece -

[dwcrawford]

The first time I was in the center I got nauseated.  Was it from the dialysis or nerves, I don't know, but they gave me Maloxx (yuk, it was nasty, but it straightened out my stomach fast).  But I understand that they must get approval before giving  you anything.  Sometimes that I why it takes a little longer to get it to you.

Hehe, I'm thinking I'm the expert now with all of four weeks behind me.  I hope nobody listens to me....

[Tinah1968]

Hehe, I'm thinking I'm the expert now with all of four weeks behind me.  I hope nobody listens to me....

everyones input is appreciated thats how we learn..  u doing ok today







EDITED:Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz,Moderator

[dwcrawford]

Tinah, i hope you are feeling a little better.  That first weekend was bad for me to as far as bing tired.  I have a cardioversion (heart shock procedure)  this coming Thursday so it  will be a long week for me.  Only in hospital from 8 till 12 on thrusday though.  He one before and it wasn't bad but, again was tireing so this coming week I'll probably be sleeping every free minute.

You did great....

[Tinah1968]

today was not a great day. been having lots of back pain and woke up with gout so im  limping when i walk it hurts alot. tomorrow will be my second day of dialysis and i am hoping that it goes as well as the first...

[dwcrawford]

Ouch Tinah... Gout is painful.  What do you take for it?  Was it from the trauma of your first dialysis?

[Tinah1968]

not sure what the gout was from but i take uloric to keep my uric acid levels down and  it works

[dwcrawford]

Yea!  Well, its Monday and we don't get a holiday from D.  Are you ready?  I go at 10:30 today.  Wish they would decide so I can get on a schedule.

[Tinah1968]

yeah i guees im ready i have to stay on for 3 hours today... i really hope it goes well

[willowtreewren]

Best wishes for a good run today, Tina.
 

[dwcrawford]

I forgot to say this and don't know if it is important to you or not, but a couple of days after I start all of my medications were reviewed by the Neph and the internist.  I was take several blood pressure pills and calcitrol (vitamin D supplement).. They were all cancelled.  The time for other meds lilik Chlosteral, etc. were changed from morning to "after dialysis".  If they haven't mentioned it you might want to ask.

[MIbarra]

During dialysis I was taken off of almost all of my BP meds.

I had gout too, Tinah and after some time on dialysis, I never had another episode and didn't have to take anything for it. Since the transplant I'm back on allopurinol.

I hope your treatment goes well today!

[donnia]

Hi Tinah.  Sorry you are having a hard time dear   

I get headaches when they take too much off.... tell them not to challange you so much... take it slowly to find your dry weight.

For the upset stomach, try sucking on a mint, like a Sonic mint.  That always helped me.

Also, for the meds you take for gout.... do you take it right before dialysis?  If so, you need to find out if it is a medicine that will wash out in dialysis.... if so, you need to change the time you take it. 

Keep us updated!

[Tinah1968]

Well i found out the gout med is a wash so dont take it before dialysis.. Got my labs all good except my iron was to low and my pth was high.. So the gave me meds for it. the only thing was i had cramps today 3 different times and they hurt.. 

[kitkatz]

Cramps are the most painful things while on dialysis. You cannot go anywhere and do anything for them except sit there and wait them out.  They suck rocks! Adjust your dry weight for awhile until you adjust to the new dialysis routine.

[dwcrawford]

Tinah probably doesn't have a dry weight.  My big crappy center  said it would take several weeks and trials.  I don't have one yet either.

[Tinah1968]

My first Blood clot happened last night at the same time that the cramping started and the BP monitor turned on.. 3 things all at once not fun. They massaged the cramps and had to change the dializer tube. i stayed an hour extra last night. Then when it was finally time to go home and my BP dropped to 86/67 got dizzy and had to stay another 20 minutes.. i hope this doesnt happen to me on a work day..  other ten that i am still ok

[dwcrawford]

uh oh.  that's bad stuff.  and I posted hate D messages because I had to wait over an hour for a chair....Sorry.

Tinah, the first few time my BP got like 60/40 or so.  Did he take you off your meds?  When I got really low theyy turned off whatever they do to extract fluid and  gave  me saline....But now its up and pretty normal.  Except Friday when I was so mad it got to 180/100...That'll teach them.