New onset foot and toe spasms

I will try massaging my feet/toes before going to bed, Shelly.  I'm well hydrated, so that's not it.  Could be the potassium, but the Aldactone is supposed to eliminate that problem caused by Lasix.  Yes, I have a clip on the Hemovac and clp it to the side, at or above the drain level.  The amount of drainage has diminished to practically nothing--only an ounce today.  The redness at the insertion site has diminished, too.

I slept all day today, and am going back to sleep soon.

 Connie, I am sorry to hear that you continue to have spasms. On the otherhand I am glad you are feeling well enough to do some baking. I know it is frustrating to not know the cause of the spasms. Hopefully the PA will do some blood work and find out. I was wondering if you might have a Vit D deficiency. It is only a thought but if I remember right this can cause feet and leg spasms/cramping too. Let us know what you find out. Since you are well hydrated, K+ levels are OK, you are not sedentary, your thyroid levels are Ok, then it's possible that your Vit D-Calcium levels are a little off. Just thinking outloud I guess. Hugs!!!!!!!!

                        Shelly

Connie, the clogged drain could be from a small clot that has formed at the opening. This is not uncommon. Mayo MAY let you pull it, it is up to your surgeon. How much are you leaking? You can cut a kotex in half and paper tape it over the drain site if you want to. That way your clothes won't get stained or ruined. As far as the nausea is concerned, I am not sure why you are nauseated. It could be so many things causing it. Is that your only symptom? No fever etc? Unfortunately nausea is a nebulous complaint because it could be caused by so many things. Try to figure out what you have eaten or done prior to the onset. For example, is it food related? Before or after meals, activity (cleaning house, walking alot etc), sleep deprivation, taking meds. You get the idea. Many times patients figure out the cause on their own just by reasoning it out as to when it occurs. I want you to know I am thinking of you and send lots of hugs your way. Let me know what you find out OK?

                       Shelly

PS

Your Dr may put you on Vit D supplements if you can take them. Get a little fresh air everyday if possible.

Butterflythree, I had to chuckle a little at your comment. "I hate this time of the year. I am anxiously awaiting spring." Here in the Ft Lauderdale area we are anxiously awaiting some cool weather. It has been in the high 70's low 80's all winter. I can hardly wait to leave my doors and windows  open and get some fresh-cool air in the house.

                          Shelly

Hi, y'all!  I hope everyone has had a good holiday season thus far.

Well, I did call the Mayo Transplant Center, where I am treated.  I explained the problem with the drain and a doc called me back.  He said the drain could probably come out, and if I wanted to come in that he could do it.  I told him I thought I could do it myself.  He laughed, but said okay...and that if I had any problems to call back.  The only surprise was that there was about 6" of tubing in me!  :o  I thought there was only a half-inch or so, as that's all I could feel subQ.  I had watched drains removed from me twice, so I knew the routine and had no problems.  I used a panty shield over the drainage hole for a few hours, but then it stopped draining altogether.  Everything is fine...I'm watching for infection, but it's healing over and the redness is diminishing.  I feel so free now!  I hated that thing.  I'll see my P.A. on Thurs. and she can check the site then.  I have no increased ascites...always seem to have a little, despite Lasix and Aldactone.

Shelly, I used an untold number of sanitary napkins--the full length--after I came home from the lobectomy.  They really didn't leave the drain in long enough.  I thought that thing would never stop draining!

Nausea has eased up, but I can't eat much at a time.  I'm sticking mainly with soups.

We only had a little sunshine this past week.  I got out on the balcony once and brushed my cats and soaked in some vit. D.  It was 79 and cloudy yesterday and the same for today...then temp is forecast to drop to 22 on Wed. night!  Yikes!  That's N. FL for you.  I lived in Miami for 10 years and really got tired of the constant heat and humidity.  Up here, the weather is quite changeable.

Hugs,

Connie

Happy New Year, everyone!  May it be a good and healthy one for all!

P.S.  I just had one foot spasm last night.

Hi Connie, glad your home and warming up. It's funny that you mentioned the Tums. I worked for a Rheumatologist in the early 90's. She had a lot of people on Calcium tabs. Interstingly, if they couldn't afford the tabs she had then chew 5 Tums a day. She claimed that it equalled the amount of Calcium in the tabs she RX'd. You might want to check that out. I am relieved that you are feeling better.

Shelly

That is interesting about the leg cramps.  My husband starting getting them in his feet and legs.  They started when he was on the lasix and Aldactone.  His GI Dr told him in the beginning it would get better.  They did for a while but started getting horrible each time they drained him.  Still nothing worked until he went to Vanderbilt and they gave him  IV Albumin (not sure of spelling).  That really made a difference.  He had them in his entire legs, both arms and his hands.  He would scream in pain.  Also his kidney Dr. gave him a prescript of a drug they use for restless leg syndrome.  They worked also if the cramps were mild.  We are in the hospital now and I don't have the name of the drug.  If you are interested let me know and I will look it up when we get home.  Hope this helps those muscle cramps can be awful. 

Hope everyone is doing well

JoAnn 

Interesting weather we are all having.  It was 14 degrees here this morning and didn't warm up much more then that.  I'm in East Tennessee and its not uncommon here.  Its suppose to be in the 60's next week here and I love that I can open the doors.