My father has been on HD for a little over one month. Lately, following his treatments, he experiences brief episodes of lightheadedness, nausea and difficulty speaking or moving for a few minutes, which then passes. It is very frightening for family members.
These appear to be hypotensive episodes (blood pressure crash).
I have not been able to find out much about this phenomenon. Is it common? Is there anything that should or should not be done when he is in this state?
Please note, he is also on a myriad of hypertensive medications that he continues to take (even when he arrives home from HD).
Any advice, info, resources would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Hi Yona:

A lower-than-normal blood pressure reading after dialysis is not uncommon. It usually means a bit too much liquid has been removed. Talk to the nurses or nephrologist about this.
Also, make sure your father does not get up too quickly after a session. This can exagerate the light headedness.
Hope this helps.

Best,
Mike

Hi Yona:

I remebered after my first reply that I was slowly taken off BP medications after starting dialysis. It was not until "nocturnal dialysis" that I stopped the medications altogether, but regular dialysis, to an extent, took over control of my BP.

I had taken BP medications for more than 20 years prior to my kidney failure. I think your nephrologist must re-evaluate your father's condition on a regular basis and reduce the medications as allowed.

Would be interested to hear how things proceed. Please write again.

Best,
Mike

Mike,
How do you know if you can be gradually taken off of bp meds?

Hi Jill:

Most people being treated for high BP are prescribed a combination of at least two medications, one being a diarhetic to control the flow of liquids through your body.

Once on dialysis, and a target weight has been determined, your nephrologist might consider at least reducing such medications.

Being on nocturnal dialysis removed all need for me to take BP medications and I have not had to resume them since my transplant over a year ago.

Best,
Mike

Howdy

You should also get a blood pressure cuff for home use. My doctor and nurses advised me to wait until my blood pressure returned to normal then take my pill.

Good luck
jim

I feel really bad one to two hours after treatments. I have to lay down. I don't have any fluid drawn off, as I have pkd and still produce urine. I'm on bp med. (Norvasc) which I was advised to take in the a.m. as my treatment is at 3:30 p.m.. It didn't occur to me that my bp could drop after treatment, as they take it before I leave and it's normal. I have a cuff and will have to start taking it once I get home, and see what the result is. Dr. did mention that the bp med. might be at least cut back. Lin.