Help needed please

[KICKSTART]

Im going through hell at the moment after each hemo session im getting the most awful headaches (more like a migraine) and feel  all the time . I know its common but surely there is something i can do? I take headache tablets either before i go or as soon as it comes on (usually about an hour into treatment) but they just dont touch it. My head feels like its being hit with a jackhammer and my eyes cant stand the light at all, ive tried to sleep it off but cant for the pounding and i cant eat either. Anything you can suggest ?, im willing to try anything so as not to face this every other day . Thnx.

[tyefly]

       You need drugs......        its too bad that you can go in every day and do dialysis just until you get your fluid off and start feeling better...     I really dont accept statements like  ....  well this is normal to feel like crap.... or .....   do worry we all feel like crap...... or     just dont deal with the crap..
 
           Life in not fair.........

[nursewratchet]

How is your BP?  It's not "normal, or expected".  If they do it right, you should feel ok afterwards.  BP highs and lows will give you BAD headaches, or nausea, respectivly.  They need to adjust your dry weight.  Also, ask them if they can "profile" the machine.  They can adjust how much fluid comes offat certain points of the treatment.  There are different profile to remove at different rates.  If you come in and your BP is really high, more can come off at the beginning, or vice versa.  What happened to your PD?  I'm sorry you are having so much trouble with this. 

[KICKSTART]

Hi nursewratchet and welcome , we havent spoken yet ! My bp is ok  , goes slightly higher or slightly lower but nothing major to cause this.  I will ask about a profile but as far as i know they dont do them (the lady next to me today was only telling me about them, still dont quite understand it yet or why they dont do them?) I do know i was put on a 'loop' today , but again im still learning (early days only done 5 sessions) They did seem to pull alot off at the start though. My pd slowly stopped working about 3 months ago but it took the hospital 3 months to realise this (despite my telling them it didnt feel right) the blamed low HB, high Phos, you name it ! This is how i became fluid overloaded and now ive been told to expect the  and headaches as its quite common , but surely not so severe ? Life is going to be a living hell if i have this every other day !

[iketchum]

They have to slow down how much fluid they draw from me because I crash really fast. They put me on for a longer time and take off less fluid per hour. They may not like to do this in one of the for profit centers. I am at a vetrans hospital and there is no problem for them. A few of the other people have to have pain killers about half way through to get rid of headaches. Everyone is different. You will get feeling better, but it does take time. No one wants to hear that, I know.

[Loretta]

Hii!  Only five sessions done?  Give your body a chance to adjust.  I know at first I was super discouraged thinking about feeling that bad all the time.  It gets better.  Relax!  Talk to someone about some pain meds for awhile.  give yourself some time.  This stuff is hard on our bodies!
Loretta

[dwcrawford]

Kickstart, you need your doctor.  This is not norml.  I've been on hemo almost four months now and have never had anything of that nature.  Yes, I've had a couple of slight headaches but they went away and I had a cramp once though not really severe.  I don't know a lot about this but I would say that they way you are feeling is unacceptable.  Could there be some else wrong, I mean other than kidneys.  You need to talk not only to your neph but also to a general doctor who can evaluate you thoroughly.

[maritza0486]

If you just started hemo dialysis, I think it is normal to feel sort of sick at first until they can make the proper adjustments. When I started hemo in May, I had headaches as well...migraines that is. I even threw up once or twice. I hope you feel better.