Allergy

[hotnspicyazgirl]

Hi,
I need some help. On Monday night about an hour into my Dx I started to itch, and my mom noticed my eyes got bright red. I got home, and things got worse. I got into the shower several times, and then ended up going for a long walk to let the cold air numb my skin. I also noticed I became very grumpy, irritated, anxious. I called the dialysis center and told them. We noticed a bleach towelette had been left on my machine and asked that they not put it there while I was still running. So today I go back, and am feeling better and about an hour in to my Dx I start itching, and my eyes turn red and I can't take it anymore, so my mom and I ask that I be removed from the machine. I am home now, and still itching. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? What am I allergic to? I don't want to go back if this is going to happen again. I brought a blanket to sit on, and I still itch. HELP! 

[KICKSTART]

Some people do get bloodshot eyes .. sorry no explanation ! Itching can also be a sign of high phosphorus , have you had your levels checked?

[silverhead]

Several possibilities, but first thing that comes to mind is if they have changed the type of filter or type of plastic lines connecting you to the machine, anything new on the medicine you take?, question the clinic about whether they have made any changes in the Dialysate mix or strength.
If this has come on all of a sudden, it would seem that something external, rather than internal. For sure bring it to your Nephs attention....
Tom 

[hotnspicyazgirl]

Kickstart- Yes, my phosphorus levels are perfect, so it is not that. The nurses are working on figuring it out, and I think Silverhead is probably on the right track.
It is a real nightmare because later that evening it got much worse...I go back tonight, so hopefully we can figure it out. Im dreading it.

I guess Im alone in this group.

[cdwbrooklyn]

You may be allergic to something on the machine that’s causing you to itch.  Do you bleed on the machine (empting some of the saline)?  I’ve noticed that a lot of saline can make someone itch a lot.  Maybe you should try to bleed on if your center permits or ask the tech that puts you on if the dialyzer was rinse with saline before putting you on the machine.  Without rinsing the dialyzer, it can cause you to itch a lot as well.     Most likely that may be the case.  If not, it can be that you are eating high phosphorus food, which is another reason you will itch while on the machine although your results are okay.   When I eat high phosphorus foods, I definitely itch a lot while on the machine.  Sometimes, I try to scratch myself without anyone looking.  It is part of the treatment put soon will go away if you can be more aware of what you eating.   However, do not stop going just find ways to avoid high phosphorus foods, which can be a little hard at times.   

Also, I’ve noticed that some techs are lazy when cleaning the machine. There is more to just wiping down the machine.  They are suppose to prime the machine by running the inside test to bleach the machine from the previous patient’s treatment. Then run a bag of saline thought the dialyzer once so it can clear the chemical that causes patients to itch.  Then the machine is ready for the next patient. It may take some time but at least it will not cause severe itching. 

Hope this helps!       

[RightSide]

Where on your body was the itching?

On your arms, on your back, or all over your body?

[kitkatz]

Did they change the type of dialyzer you use? Ask them.

[RightSide]

When my PTH was high (over 900),
the hemodialysis itself would cause me terrible itching, from the site up through my neck where the catheter was.

I've seen in the medical literature that just the hemodialysis machine changing blood pH and electrolytes, while pumping blood at unnaturally high speeds, can set up little electrical potentials in the body, which your nervous system interprets as tingling and itching.

Nurses I talked to confirmed that phenomenon:  If you're already susceptible to itching from high PTH or high phosphorus, then hemodialysis can make the itching much worse as it "stirs things up."

I stopped having these problems once my PTH and phosphorus had dropped back into their target ranges.