First day

[mamagemini]

I had my first treatment today. They did a slow one and only ran it at 200? That may mean more to you all...lol. I left on my own but when I got home I was wiped. I just woke up awhile ago with a major muscle cramp in my thigh. Wile there my whole right leg camped up and they had to slow it down and put in more saline? same leg tonight too. Also weird pain in my jaws sometimes like they are cramping too....anyone ever have that? So many questions......

[jeannea]

The first few times can be rough. Your body needs to do some adjusting and the people at the dialysis center have to figure out what works for you. Ask lots of questions and get plenty of rest. I would consider getting a ride rather than driving the first few times just to be safe. I hope you start to feel better soon.

[SteveK87]

Cramping is probably caused by removing too much fluid...which could be why they gave you some saline.  Keep an eye on your BP when they check it too.  When it gets too low they'll usually give saline.  Once they figure your "dry weight" (actual weight without fluid) the cramping should be more controlled and less frequent.

[Big E]

  to you, mamagemini, for getting through your first session. I used to cramp a lot at first, but that got a lot better after the first few months.  It you do get leg cramps, I find it's helpful to push your foot against something--the floor if you can stand, or the seat of your chair if it happens during a treatment.

[Rerun]

I drink some Tonic Water everyday.  It has quinine in it which is a natural muscle relaxer.  It works for me.  If they get really bad for you and you are willing to try anything..... try some Tonic Water everyday.  At least a 1/4 cup or maybe 1/2 cup.

[YellowRose]

The first few months are very difficult. One time ( I think it was within the first few weeks), they try to take 2.5Kg off me and I cramp all over and felt really bad, I thought maybe standing up will help with the cramp but while trying to stand up, I passed out. Tech was scold because they were not supposed to take that much off a new patient. But now, one year later,
I am able to have 4kg take off of me, no problem.

Besides giving  saline, normally, in our center, they do not want us to stand up if cramp, fear of low blood pressure.... they will have tech or nurse to press against the leg that you feel cramp or message the muscle until you are better.

Remember you have the final say about how much to take off, so if some tech want to take off too much, speak up. You may reach your dry weight more slower but cramping really wipe you out, so give your body the time to get used to it.

Hang in there and good luck!

[YellowRose]

200 is pretty slow. It mean 200cc each minute of blood get dialysis.

[natnnnat]

 I wrote an answer to this and then lost it because our internet is so bad right now.  GAAHH
I said something like this: 
Starting at 200 is slow, and slow is good.  Also people may start with short treatments, like an hour or so, to allow the body to get used to the treatments (and it probably helps you to get used to it mentally and emotionally too).  I'm a bit freaked to hear that you have started, because you and Gregory seemed to be on a similar sort of trajectory into D.  He is still not on dialysis.  His numbers are shaky, but he is still working, walking every day, eating, and so on.  He has quite a capacity to eke things out.  Also his fistula is still too small.

Also weird pain in my jaws sometimes like they are cramping too....anyone ever have that? So many questions......

Gregory gets that sometimes now, and he used to get it back when he was on D before.  He doesn't get it a whole lot though, he mainly gets it in the hands at the moment.   I guess that its part of the 'way you cramp', people cramp in different places.  And as the others have said, when you are more settled into a routine and your body has adjusted, you should cramp less.

I guess you'll be going in for your second treatment on the 10th.  Good luck, I hope you get a smooth transition into a nice easy routine.  Let know how you go.   

[AnnieB]

You are really doing great with this. I hope when my turn comes I handle it as well. 

[boswife]

there seems to be so many "normal" things that happen at first... Bo really didnt have much goen on but he really didnt have much to take off so that part is what seems to be what causes the 'issues' .  Im glad they're taking it easy with you (that was something ours did great with as well) and sounds like with you helping out,,,,ie, letting them know mabie too much fluid off, you may just have a nice smooth start.  The cramping is hell i know.  though im not the crampee, i am on my feet with massage goen at the near thought of him cramping.  Even now, (at home) we go for months w/0 any cramps, and then boom, they seem this summer to be a bit of a problem.  Not during D, but at night when sleeping...  THAT is crap!!  not only ouch, but the waking up from much needed sleep... But,,, this too will smooth out.  Wishing you the best.. Glad the 'starting' is over, somethimes thats the worst of it 

[mamagemini]

Thank you for th great words and information! Yes I go again tomorrow and I hope Ron is there. He is the one who got my fistula to go without a Chest cath! 
The cramping has been for the past 2years but bad the past year. The cramp I had there was my whole Fricking leg! Never have had that. Was weak yesterday but today much better. It looks like a rough week is ahead...keep me in your positive thoughts.

[M3Riddler]

I had my first treatment today. They did a slow one and only ran it at 200? That may mean more to you all...lol. I left on my own but when I got home I was wiped. I just woke up awhile ago with a major muscle cramp in my thigh. Wile there my whole right leg camped up and they had to slow it down and put in more saline? same leg tonight too. Also weird pain in my jaws sometimes like they are cramping too....anyone ever have that? So many questions......

mamagemini,

If you are cramping, they may be drawing too much fluid off during the treatment.  At your next treatment, pay particular attention to your blood pressure and pulse towards the end of the treatment. If your bp is on the low side and your pulse is above 90 or 95. then this is a good indication that you may have reached your dry weight and need to hold back on the amount of fluid removed.

//M3R

[Whamo]

This is how you feel for the first two months.   

[mamagemini]

BP was 140/something and my pulse was 95

[boswife]

Wishing you all goodness tomorrow    Your in my prayers 

[mamagemini]

2nd treatment...all night had muscle cramps in legs and feet. Today weak but good spirits. Silver lining...10lbs - gone! 

[AnnieB]

That's a rough way to lose the weight though...you have my sympathy. I get cramps in my feet sometimes at night, it really sucks. Did you try the quinine water? I'll have to see if that works.

Anne

[MooseMom]

   I'm glad you are in good spirits.  That's very important (and not always easy).  You have been very brave, and I admire you for that.

[mamagemini]

I wrote an answer to this and then lost it because our internet is so bad right now.  GAAHH
I said something like this: 
Starting at 200 is slow, and slow is good.  Also people may start with short treatments, like an hour or so, to allow the body to get used to the treatments (and it probably helps you to get used to it mentally and emotionally too).  I'm a bit freaked to hear that you have started, because you and Gregory seemed to be on a similar sort of trajectory into D.  He is still not on dialysis.  His numbers are shaky, but he is still working, walking every day, eating, and so on.  He has quite a capacity to eke things out.  Also his fistula is still too small.

Also weird pain in my jaws sometimes like they are cramping too....anyone ever have that? So many questions......

Gregory gets that sometimes now, and he used to get it back when he was on D before.  He doesn't get it a whole lot though, he mainly gets it in the hands at the moment.   I guess that its part of the 'way you cramp', people cramp in different places.  And as the others have said, when you are more settled into a routine and your body has adjusted, you should cramp less.

I guess you'll be going in for your second treatment on the 10th.  Good luck, I hope you get a smooth transition into a nice easy routine.  Let know how you go.   

You know my doctor wanted me on before I stopped urinating. To help preserve what I have.
I was having a nausea/vomiting once a week, swollen ankles (painful) and exhausted walking. I hope he made the right choice and so far I feel ok with the decision. I hope things work out better for him....and I. Transplants all around~

[natnnnat]

Transplants all around~

Hear hear! 
I'm glad you seem to be keeping on at present.  Thinking of you and watching this space to hear how you are going, so thank you for reporting back.

[mamagemini]

I went in yesterday and told them about the severe cramping at night after D. Also my feet were not swollen! So they only took off 1liter? I had no cramping during D and none until I woke up this morning. It was only a minor one and I got it to go away. A little nausea and almost tossed up but stopped it...lol.
Was prescribed a phosphate binder? This is a must have for those on D? 

[Joe]

Sounds like you are getting things under control, and that's great!

As for the phosphorous binder; yes, it's a must for those of us that don't have kidney function. The kidneys process excess phosphorous out of your system, too much can cause your heart to stop - that's a bad thing. And unfortunately, it's in just about everything you put in your mouth. So the binders help process it out of your system and pass it out through the bowel.

Good luck!

[Wat76]

Wow, I have been going to D for 2 months now and I am just beginning to feel a little better. My face still cramps when I eat something after D and I requested more saline when i start to cramp and I feel better.  I have a written order in my file to give me saline when asked.  I learn if the tech gives me saline, I feel 90 percent better.  I am still using the bathroom and I drink a lot of water.  They told me to drink extra daily because I am always under my dry weight.  I have no outwards signs of swelling, so they only pull .5 liters of fluid and give it back to me at the end, which also stopped the headaches.  Hope you feel better soon.  You are the first person I have seen complained about the pain in the jaws/face.  I though i was going crazy.

[gothiclovemonkey]

i still struggle with taking those darn binders, and ive been on d for 5 years LOL

i cramp in some very odd places! Mostly hands and feet though, but ive had them in my chin, cheek, forehead, neck, back, boob, butt... yeaaaa....

[chinksnicky]

Yeah remembering to take those binders is hard for me too, I've found that always keeping some on my place mat at all times helps me remember.