Hi,
I have had constant pain in my lower back and left flank area for 3-4 months now. Most of the time it is a constant dull ache, but sometimes I'll also get twinges of severe pain in this area. I had an abdominal ultrasound which found a stone in my right kidney, but my left kidney was normal. It is also very tender over my left flank area if I push on it. Is it possible for a small stone not to show up on an ultrasound? Could this cause a constant dull ache?
Thanks

Hi,
I have had constant pain in my lower back and left flank area for 3-4 months now. Most of the time it is a constant dull ache, but sometimes I'll also get twinges of severe pain in this area. I had an abdominal ultrasound which found a stone in my right kidney, but my left kidney was normal. It is also very tender over my left flank area if I push on it. Is it possible for a small stone not to show up on an ultrasound? Could this cause a constant dull ache?
Thanks

Could be, but maybe the left is feeling the pain. I didn't feel any pain, just a burning feeling all the time until they performed Litho two weeks ago. Boy, that was hard. When you feel your flank pain, is it right under the rib cage and down the front or in the back or both?

Andrea

Hi...thanks for your reply.

My pain is mostly in the back and side. I do also have a feeling of pressure under my left rib cage occasionally. I went to my Dr. again last week and they were stumped. My urinalysis was normal. If my pain were kidney related, would there be blood in my urine? They also drew some labs and I'm going back today for an x-ray of my spine. I just can't help but think it's kidney related since the pain is in my flank area.

Hi...thanks for your reply.

My pain is mostly in the back and side. I do also have a feeling of pressure under my left rib cage occasionally. I went to my Dr. again last week and they were stumped. My urinalysis was normal. If my pain were kidney related, would there be blood in my urine? They also drew some labs and I'm going back today for an x-ray of my spine. I just can't help but think it's kidney related since the pain is in my flank area.

Not necessarily would there be blood in the urine. And yes there could be too. But sometimes I think the kidney is just sore from being pounced on by a kidney stone. They are pretty hard, those stones. Yes, take a picture of your back, I have a diffused disk in my spine but it doesn't make me have flank pain on my side or back where the kidney and urethra are. I believe you are right, still kidney related cause of the flank pain.

Andrea

Yes, it's possible the ultrasound don't reveal anything if the stone in your kidney is smaller than 2mms. Which is good news! And I agree with Andrea, the urine test sometimes can come out totally negative and with no traces of blood and yet you can have a tiny stone or, better still, some gravel. The pain you're describing is something I know pretty well. If I were you I'd drink plenty of water and take some herbal teas that are mildly diuretic. I'm sure whatever is inside there will be passed with just a slight discomfort:)
Let us know
Carla

Andrea and Carla...Thanks for your help. :)

I saw my Dr. again today...my labs were all normal(except my hemoglobin was a little low). They couldn't fit me in for imaging today, but I'll be having a KUB and lower spine xray done tomorrow. Hopefully, they'll figure out what's causing my pain.

Thanks again

Andrea and Carla...Thanks for your help. :)

I saw my Dr. again today...my labs were all normal(except my hemoglobin was a little low). They couldn't fit me in for imaging today, but I'll be having a KUB and lower spine xray done tomorrow. Hopefully, they'll figure out what's causing my pain.

Thanks again

No problem, I'm here for you and I'm sure my friend Carla is too. She is so supportive.

Andrea
Good Luck, keep us posted.