Question 1

i am in peritoneal dialysis and my legs have started swelling, why?

Accepted Answer

Much liquid intake: Your intake of liquid exceeds your dialysis removal amount. You need to drink less or remove more liquid or both. Also, low salt diet makes your life easier since you don't get thirsty much a matter that makes you exceed your limits of intake.

Question 2

why i'm getting leg cramps at night after kidney dialysis?

Accepted Answer

: Muscle cramps are common after dialysis, due to shifts in water and electrolyte balance. Your nephrologist or other dialysis provider is the one to ask about ways to perhaps alter the dialysis program to prevent it, or for advice on treatment. Good luck.

Question 3

what causes severe leg cramps in a dialysis patient.  especially at night or during dialysis.  ?

Accepted Answer

Electrolytes: Most likely rapid changes in electrolyte concentration.

Question 4

will glucose or dextrose 50% help treat leg cramps for patients during dialysis? why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Doubt. But, possible: Usually cramps are due to electrolyte or fluid changes. So, saline (sodium electrolyte) is effective. In cases of fluid alteration i.e.Dehydration, dextrose 50 will remove water out of muscles by osmosis and make it more dehydrated. However, in cases of the opposite (over hydration) it may work. But the latter is usually not the common mechanism.During dialysis. Cramps occur w fluid & salt removal.

Question 5

leg pain i have leg cramps often , sometimes very painfull. one night i was up all night . about 4am i heard a pop and unberable pain for a few min.s the cramp didnot stop for 2 days.

Accepted Answer

Leg : Leg cramps occur frequently and awaken many people. They are sometimes related to circulation problems, wearing high heeled shoes, spending a lot of time sitting and other activities that shorten the calf muscles. Doctors used to prescribe quinine for the cramps but fda no longer approves of this use. A paper in the new england journal of medicine about thirty years ago suggested leg stretches at bed-time. Stand up against the wall with one foot in front of the other and bend the front knee while keeping the back knee stiff. This stretches the gastrocnemius muscle in the back of the leg. I usually suggest calcium/magnesium tablets as well.If the cramps are in the front and back of the leg at the same time, i usually push hard on the cramped area to make the cramp stop. If you try to stretch one muscle out, the other uscle will cramp more. You may have popped some of the fibers with a severe cramp. The reason it lasted so long was that you may have had some bleeding into the muscle causing irritation. Depending on your age it also would be wise to see your doctor for blood work to check for inbalance of salts in your blood or abnormalities in calcium levels.  
Good luck in resolving this really common and annoying problem.

Question 6

whats the difference between leg cramps and actual leg pain? my pain lasts only few minutes when it happens. no longer than 10 minutes. it happens at random times especially while walking  after getting out of bed or while in bed. thanks

Accepted Answer

Cramps,pain: Muscle cramps are sudden spastic contractions of a muscle that can last a minute or two and leave behind a full ache. In my opinion, leg pain has a less dramatic onset, tends to be more steady and could be from muscle, bone or nerve. It usually occurs in the same problematic area. This is not a clear cut answer,though. Where in the leg exactly does your pain occur and should it be investigated?

Question 7

i had prolonged, massive vomiting for hours. im having leg cramps so im guessing its electrolytes. what can i do for this?

Accepted Answer

Drink: some Gatorade/ Powerade or Pedialyte, or natural coconut water.  Those have the most consistent concentration of potassium (and sodium/ chloride) that you need to rehydrate.  You can also go for some grapefruits ,oranges, bananas and other fruits with potassium.   Keep drinking water, 1 L every hour while you have diarrhea and vomiting.  Cramps don't always mean electrolytes, they could mean water

Question 8

can swelling on back of knee cause leg cramps or are the two unrelated? i wasnt sure if theres a nerve in back of knee or not. it cramps when not swollen too though. thank you.

Accepted Answer

Swelling in the back: The. Knee often is a sign of. Cartilage  Problems  in the knee!  Suggest you see 
Board Certified Orthopedic  Surgeon.
Hope this is helpful
Dr Z

Question 9

can someone who is doing peritoneal dialysis have a pet?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The main issues would be hygiene and cleanliness. It would probably be a good idea to establish a "pet free zone" in the area where you do your treatments to prevent contamination and infection. Also, don't allow you pet to bite, scratch or otherwise contaminate your catheter.

Question 10

what is the longest you can survive on peritoneal dialysis ?

Accepted Answer

Indefinitely: It is impossible to predict how long any individual may survive most medical conditions, as there is too much variation in tolerance, genetics, associated factors, and the human spirit! i've never seen an "expiration date" on any patient and would question anyone who believes there are specific time frames for survival in any given person with any disease!

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Doctor answers about:

Peritoneal dialysis leg cramps

A member asked:

I am in peritoneal dialysis and my legs have started swelling, why?

A member asked:

Why i'm getting leg cramps at night after kidney dialysis?

A member asked:

What causes severe leg cramps in a dialysis patient. especially at night or during dialysis. ?

A member asked:

Will glucose or dextrose 50% help treat leg cramps for patients during dialysis? why or why not?

A member asked:

Leg pain i have leg cramps often , sometimes very painfull. one night i was up all night . about 4am i heard a pop and unberable pain for a few min.s the cramp didnot stop for 2 days.

A member asked:

Whats the difference between leg cramps and actual leg pain? my pain lasts only few minutes when it happens. no longer than 10 minutes. it happens at random times especially while walking after getting out of bed or while in bed. thanks

A member asked:

I had prolonged, massive vomiting for hours. im having leg cramps so im guessing its electrolytes. what can i do for this?

A member asked:

Can swelling on back of knee cause leg cramps or are the two unrelated? i wasnt sure if theres a nerve in back of knee or not. it cramps when not swollen too though. thank you.

A member asked:

Can someone who is doing peritoneal dialysis have a pet?

A member asked:

What is the longest you can survive on peritoneal dialysis ?

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