quinine for cramping

wmarat, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2003

My experience says that Quinine does not help at all, but my pts. tahe it a few hours before a dialysis.

1dernurse · Nov 24, 2003

Most of our pts take it about 1 hour prior to run. I have heard from other nurses that it doesn't help, however, many pts feel it does. If a patient believes it helps with cramping then it probably does. Do you use SVS and UF profiles? Since we began using them we have had very few pts c/o cramping. Much easier to tailor a treatment for individual needs.

Gibbie · Nov 28, 2003

We do have uf profiling on our machines but the company I work for has not been totally sold on its use and therefore I cannot find anyone around to explain it. What is svs?

1dernurse · Nov 28, 2003

SVS is our sodium modeling that we use together with UF profiling. We current use 3 different SVS models. It allows you to adjust the amount of sodium in dialysate to assist in fluid removal without risking low BP, cramping etc. UF and SVS are wonderful tools.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 28, 2003

Originally posted by tgronski
SVS is our sodium modeling that we use together with UF profiling. We current use 3 different SVS models. It allows you to adjust the amount of sodium in dialysate to assist in fluid removal without risking low BP, cramping etc. UF and SVS are wonderful tools.

Ditto. Same here. We use ours all the time. The two programs are built into the machine and you program it on your screen.

An interesting thought... one of our patients who does cramp occasionaly... he tkaes a few sips of straight vinegar and PRESTO ! Cramp GONE. Works every time.

wmarat, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2003

Nobody knows why cramps occur, consequently nobody knows how to treat it. I think that quinine, vinegar and presto, UF profiling etc. are kind of placebo. If patient felt good with vinegar I would give him/her vinegar.