I've been having extreme kidney and flank pain on both sides for over a month, and last weekend was diagnosed with bilateral hydronephrosis after a CT Scan. After seeing a urologist, he informed me that my bladder and both ureters were also very swollen and urine had backed up into both kidneys because of this, however, he gave me no clue as to what is causing this sudden problem. He ordered an IVP test, which was done today, so I must wait on those results.

In the meantime I'm in a great deal of pain, both in the kidneys and back and also the pelvic/abdominal region (feels like I have the worst menstral cramps ever for a solid month now.) Can someone here with more experience than myself give me some hint as to what diseases, conditions, etc., cause this type of problem? I've done some reading on my own but would like to hear first person accounts of hydronephrosis.
Thanks

Still having severe pain and still wondering...can ANYONE take this one??

Hi Gillian, I am sorry I can't help you. I have a 9 month old son that has the same problem and has had since birth and I know just as much as you. I am desperate for answers, in terms that I can understand.
I do have two questions though. Does it hurt when going to toilet? Are you on antibiotics? My son has been on antibiotics since birth and I am worried that he is hurting while weeing as recently he has started crying in his sleep several times a night.
Goodluck and thanks. Let me know how you go and I hope they fix you up soon

I had the same problem, except I had hydronephrosis in only my left kidney. It was diagnosised, first by ulstrasound, than I went for an IVP. The IVP injects iodine into your veins, then it goes to you kidneys and a seris of xrays are taken. When I had mine done, I was not filter any urine from my left kidney at all. It held all the dye, even after 4 hours later of taking x-rays. I was than immediatly admitted into the hospital, I was put on fluids, and given antibiotics. The next day, I wa seen by a uroligist. I was told that I had a blockage. They were not sure if it was a kidney stone blocking, or if it was scar tissue. I was then told that I would have to have surgery. I had a scope put but where you pee from (iwas under anethesia of course). They were unable to put the scope into my kidney because something was blocking it. So they put a stent in. A stent is kind of like a straw. It goes in the kidney, than down the ureter into the bladder. It helps drain the kidney. Since they didn't know what the problem was, I went through a seris of tests. CAT scans, which ruled out stone, then I had a renal function test to make sure that the kidney was still working, then an MRI. They were suspecting UPJ obstruction. UPJ stands for Ureo Pelvic Junction obstrustion. They were thinking that something was blocking my kidney and ureter at the point where my ureter meets my kidney. I had an MRI done to rule out the a blood vessel was causing the obstruction. So the urologist assumed that I had a narrowing of my ureter.

I then went in for surgery for the second time. They went in with a scope again, and this time i was stretched out from the stent being in my ureter, they found that my ureter was basicaly closed up. This is a birth defect, so I was born this way. So they cut my ureter open and placed a bigger stent in, then closed my ureter shut around the stent. So this is where I am today. I have this stent in for 6 weeks, and I have 4 weeks left. I have an 80% chance that this will work. if it doesn't I have to have another surgery, to remove part my kidney and ureter.

So basically there are a couple of things that can cause hyrdroneprosis. Kidney stones and UPJ Obstruction are the most common. I have been dealing with these problems since November, so I know alot about these issues. If you have any questions please feel free to ask them.

For the pain, I was taking tylonel, or motrin. I also found that a heating pad on yur back does wonders! When you see the doctor, ask for some stronger meds. Good luck, and let me know what happens, and if you have any other questions.

Michele

My son recently had a UTI an thankfully I caught it before it go too severe. I now have to take him to the docs weekly to have a urine test as he bears then well and the last one he had was almost unnoticable. I realise that hydronephrosis can be caused by these things but my son has no blockage nor is his kidneys scarred. The speciallists are baffled as to what 'his' cause is. I just feel really uneasy as he is only a bay and cannot tell me if he is suffering any symptoms. I can only keep doing what I am doing and that is to keep a close eye on him.

Oh yeah, and I found out that the bug that caused his UTI is resistant to the antibiotic he is on

My son recently had a UTI an thankfully I caught it before it go too severe. I now have to take him to the docs weekly to have a urine test as he bears them well and the last one he had was almost unnoticable. I realise that hydronephrosis can be caused by these things but my son has no blockage nor are his kidneys scarred. The speciallists are baffled as to what 'his' cause is. I just feel really uneasy as he is only a baby and cannot tell me if he is suffering any symptoms. I can only keep doing what I am doing and that is to keep a close eye on him.

Oh yeah, and I found out that the bug that caused his UTI is resistant to the antibiotic he is on