Please, anyone & everyone post any info that may be of help. I am pretty scared. The Doctor seems to think I have kidney stones. I am worried about the pain. Everywhere I look, people say how excruciating it is, like childbirth. Well, I had both of my kids without drugs or an epidural, but I am pretty nervous to face this. Let me start with where this all began.

I am a very healthy 33 year old woman, mother of 2. I started having neck & shoulder pain & after not being to a doctor (don't have insurance) in over 2 or 3 years, I couldn't take the pain anymore, so I went in. Doc said it was a pinched nerve & gave me Mobic & Skelaxin. I started getting sick with a fever & feeling horrid so I quit taking the Mobic (I was done taking Skelaxin). I assumed the fever was from the medication since I am not used to being on prescription drugs. I was sore all over from my hips up to my neck. I was sick for a couple days even after I stopped taking the Mobic so I called my doc. She couldn't get me in until Friday (it was a Monday) so my husband took me in to urgent care. They did some tests & said I had a UTI. I did not have any pain with urination or any of the normal symptoms (I used to get UTI's very frequently until I stopped drinking soda). They called that night & said my white blood count was up to 17.2 & that I had a severe kidney infection & to pick up more Cipro (they had given me 5 days worth, but now they wanted me to take Cipro for 21 days!). The soreness went away, but then I had a sharp pain in my side every time I walked. This eventually went away, too. Then after nearly 2 weeks on the Cipro, I started to get a backache & a sharp pain in my side again like before. The sharp pain isn't there all the time. But this burning sensation in my lower back is. Along with pain that feels like it goes to my hip.... I called the doc & he was concerned & had me in that day (yesterday). He said he thinks I have kidney stones & wants a CT scan done. He also did the CBC blood workup & urine culture. They came back fine.

Here's the thing... No one thinks this could be a kidney stone. Even I have a hard time believing it. The pain is bad, but not as bad as childbirth. Is it supposed to get worse? I am pretty scared about this all. Does it feel like a burning pain & then a stabbing pain once in a while? I can't even make it up 12 stairs at work without being winded & so tired. I could sleep all day! Is this a symptom, too? My pulse has also been really high, 101+ when I am at rest... Is this a symptom? How long will it take for these to pass? I have cancelled my CT scan because of the expense... Are there cheaper tests that can tell if I have a kidney stone? Please help!

Scared:(

I had and do have stones that sound just like you.And one of mine is lodge in the ureter.It didnt hurt bad all the time.Mine feels like stabbing ,burning and comes and goes .Some times it is days and back again.usally hurts of a morning in bed.And when cleaning or walking/And there are such things as silennt stones too.I have been a lucky one so far.However a kidney infection can make you feel about the same.Just get this ct and you will know for sure.Infection,fever was my signs.However the blood in the urine( that i could not see) was shown up and that why i got the scan and was kidney - ureter stones.Good luck

Thank you for your insight! I was kinda hoping everyone would say it's not kidney stones....

I don't have the infection anymore.... They did check my blood & did a urine culture & they came back fine.

I remembered a couple of the other symptoms I have been having... I have lost weight (& continue to lose weight). I have lost 7-10 pounds so far & it's been about 2 weeks... I also noticed that the pain is worse when I lay down. I can't lay on that side. I was having a hard time getting my urine out, but today I am going fine. It kinda cramps up when I am done going, though.

How long does it take for them to come out? Is there anything I can do to move it along? When is it really painful, when they come out, is that the pain? I'm just a little scared & would love any input & reassurance....

Hi, what I experienced as my stone was making its way out of the kidney was sometimes sharp pain and sometimes a dull ache, sometimes not really anything at all. And it was always on the side in the same places, from my kidney down to my crotch. I don't know how painful it is really to pass any big stones because I got mine broken up into little tiny pieces, but some of the bigger of the pieces (1-2mm) I could feel some pain and pressure with, but nothing like childbirth (I've been through 5 of those!) My advice to you would be same as hopesprings, to get the CT scan. You might think it's a waste of money, but even ruling it out will make you feel better and will lead you to other options. Good luck and keep us posted!:)

O Yeah
About The Cheaper Price.a Xray Or Ultra Sound Might Be Cheaper.

I was told they can use ultrasound or x-ray... Is this true? I was just hoping there was a cheaper test....

I thought if you have a kidney stone, you have to pass it or they break it up & there's nothing you can do about it. I didn't realize you could face losing a kidney! Is it really that serious?...

yES VERY SEROIUS.
CAN CAUSE ALOT OF PROBLEMS.HOWEVER U USALLY HAVE 2 KIDNEYS
WHICH HELPS

Should I be rushing to get a test? Should I miss work? Is it that serious? I just thought it was painful without any treatment options, unless it's big, then they break it up into pieces....????

Now I am really scared!!!.......

I sometimes feel bloated too.... Is that another symptom or just PMS, LOL?!?...

I have bloat with mine.but i wouldnt rush.And i wouldnt be scared.But i wouldnt wait real long either.Like weeks noooooo.It could be nothing.Or alot of little somethings.Or a kidney stone which dont kill you.If treated.If you dont have infection any longer or,fever or serve pain your prb okay till you get the test .Cal your doctor and ask for sure since im no doctor just sharing.
Did they say if you had blood in your urine.?

Hi. I would also suggest not waiting too long to get tested. Maybe try an xray first before the ct scan.

stones can cause a wide variety of pain. I've had them for 8 years & I usually have pain in my lower back/flank and the front of stomach. But then I woke up one day with pain on one side of my upper back & thought I had just sleep weird. I had the pain for 3 days & found out 6-7 stones were in my ureter & blocked. I have a stent in so that kept the flow from the kidney to the bladder open. My doc said that the pain in my upper back was most likely from the pain radiating up my nerves from the stones in the ureter. Weird isn't it;)

Hope you feel better soon & drink plenty of fluids. If you don't have one, get a strainer so you see if you pass anything.

:wave:

O Yeah
About The Cheaper Price.a Xray Or Ultra Sound Might Be Cheaper.

Is this as effective? Has anyone out there used x-ray or ultrasound for their tests instead of CT scan?

I have bloat with mine.
Did they say if you had blood in your urine.?

Yes, blood in the urine still, but no infection & white blood count is okay.

I'm kinda on my period, though. (It stopped all day yesterday. I am normally very regular with my periods, but this time, it's very light & spotty....) Can that effect the test? I told the nurse, but they still told me I did have blood.

The blood in the urine could be due to your period depending on the type of test they do. I would not hesitate and I would get the CT especially with the accelerated pulse. It does sound like a kidney problem and CT will be the most reliable way to give a full diagnosis. You will just be wasting time and spinning your wheels if you schedule X-ray and then ultrasound becasue at the end they will do a CT anyway.

Don't wait on this your symptoms do not sound good. I also thought hey if it is stones and something happens I have a spare kidney --- do not ASSUME THIS! There is such thing as a horseshoe kidney and you can be doing a lot of damage by waiting.

Good for the test and let us know the results.

Hi. I would also suggest not waiting too long to get tested. Maybe try an xray first before the ct scan.

stones can cause a wide variety of pain. I've had them for 8 years & I usually have pain in my lower back/flank and the front of stomach. But then I woke up one day with pain on one side of my upper back & thought I had just sleep weird. I had the pain for 3 days & found out 6-7 stones were in my ureter & blocked. I have a stent in so that kept the flow from the kidney to the bladder open. My doc said that the pain in my upper back was most likely from the pain radiating up my nerves from the stones in the ureter. Weird isn't it;)

Hope you feel better soon & drink plenty of fluids. If you don't have one, get a strainer so you see if you pass anything.

:wave:

Thanks so much for the info. I have tried & tried to find some other reason that I have been so ill. It's very hard to keep my life running normally & smoothly right now. I had cramps so bad last night where my leg meets my crotch. Even my butt was cramping. But I keep telling myself that these things are from PMS... But I have never felt like this during my period, so I guess I had better face up to it.

After waking constantly last night with cramping & pain, I have decided to stay home until I hear from the doc on what test they want to do. He scheduled a CT scan, but I cancelled because of the cost. Hopefully he will get me into something soon. I just want this to be over. But it sounds like once you have a kidney stone, they haunt you forever. That's the part I don't like hearing. Maybe it won't be like that for me, right? Maybe it's not even the problem!!;) Hopefully..... Although I have been having a hard time finding something else it could be (except worse things) ....

I also have cramps with the stones. It gets so bad I sometimes kick my hubby out of bed trying to escape the spasms. You may be potassium deficient.

Hi. But then I woke up one day with pain on one side of my upper back & thought I had just sleep weird. I had the pain for 3 days & found out 6-7 stones were in my ureter & blocked. I have a stent in so that kept the flow from the kidney to the bladder open. My doc said that the pain in my upper back was most likely from the pain radiating up my nerves from the stones in the ureter. Weird isn't it;)

Hope you feel better soon & drink plenty of fluids. If you don't have one, get a strainer so you see if you pass anything.

:wave:

I have been having upper shoulder/back pain since this whole thing started. Pinched nerve they said, inflammation & the muscle that goes from the base of your head to your shoulder blade was all cramped up. About a week later I was sick with a kidney infection & in urgent care.... I doubt these are related, though.

Eeeekkkk! It hurts really bad right now. Sorry for whining. It's chilly in here so I am going to shut the windows & blow dry my hair... I am trying to be all ready so I can figure out what I am doing today.

How much water are you supposed to drink? I have been drinking nothing but water since the kidney infection & being on cipro... It's about 4 bottles of water... Is that enough?? I know I need to eat too, I was kinda ill on the toilet & I am pretty empty & hungry but nothing sounds good. Maybe toast.... I willl check back soon. I appreciate everyone's help.

If you don't have one, get a strainer so you see if you pass anything.

:wave:

What kind of strainer? Any old kitchen strainer?

I'll let the more experienced ones around here comment on the amount of water. Off the top of my head, I'd say you probably need more specially if you've been sick on the toilet.

Food's my specialty. I've learned to eat thru the sickest of times. I've got a very rapid metabolism and can't afford not to eat. Toast is a good start. Make sure you butter it and add a touch of jam or jelly for the quick sugar boost. I'd also suggest baked potato with some butter and a touch of salt. Really high in potassium and they sit real well on a bad tummy. Banannas also sit good and are fairly high in potassium. Applesauce, rice and oatmeal help slow down the bowels. Saltines settle the queasies. Cheerios do too. Start with the bland foods and work up from there. Not getting the nutrition you need can make you feel a lot sicker than you are and it has a habit of perpetuating itself.

I'll add to your poll too. CT. See if you can get financial help with it or make payments. You will get it paid off eventually. Your health is too important to let cost get in the way.

Yes that will effect the urine test.But shouldnt the xrays or ct.

What's a horseshoe kidney?....

It is when the left and right kidney fuse together and are bond by fibrous tissue. If they share a blood supply, an infection in one can quickly spread to the other. It is also called renal fusion. The fusion point can cause stones and may retrict them from passing. Only the CT will show for sure if you have this.

I will have to look that up. My brother had an extra filter on his kidney, I guess. (He has been having gall blatter problems & they did an ultrasound on him....) My mom has a problem with her ureter which causes frequent UTIs. She's never had a kidney problem though. No one in my family has had a kidney problem.... I was born with congenital hip dislocation (a birth defect), though when I was born.

What you are mentioning is structural kidney issues and with this type of history you run a more then greater risk of having kidney deformities. Many times a horseshoe kidney is seen with gynecological and/or skeletal deformities (such as your hip).

(I was born in Dow Chemical ville, so that's why I always say we have these issues - my brother also has spinal bifita). It sounds like this runs in families, but I have no previous knowledge of any kidney issues in our family...


I don't want to be an alarmist but I always believe in telling the person all possibilities. Good luck and keep us posted.

Please go for a CT or MRI - forget the expense right now.

Ive heard you can get paint strainers.from paint stores guess there paper or plastic.You might not even need it .Since you dont know if it is a kidney stone or kidney infection.Infections can make the back and side hurt also.Good luck
Hopefully it was a infection and is all cleared up by now.

I called the nurse about the CT Scan & when she heard my cramping & pain last night she wanted me to go to urgent care. I just got back. Getting ready to lay down. I keep having this urge to push & my belly cramps up & it's very uncomfortable. They did a pelvic to check my ovaries & a pregnancy test & all that jazz. Still having blood in my urine, I guess. The pain just seems to get worse. I am so tired.....

Anyway, the urgent care doctor was really nice & the great thing is that the urgent care is connected to my doctors' office so the urgent care doctor was back & forth talking to my doctor (well, my doctor is a PA-C but she's gone for the month of July so I have been seeing the doctor she shares an office with). We have went through a different place for the CT scan - I go to have it done on Monday. At this point, with the pain I have been having, I just want to get it overwith & don't care how much it costs. Well, I do, but I will worry about that later.... This new place gives a 30% discount to people that have to pay without insurance & they also have payment arrangements, where the other hospital wouldn't work with us at all (they wanted us to apply for a loan.) So I go Monday & the doc says they are pretty quick about it, although she seemed pretty sure it's a stone. She gave me a script for something that starts with a "P" I can't right off hand think of the name of it, vicodin must be kickin' in LOL! Anyway, this stuff is for spasms of the bladder or something & she thinks that is what is making me cramp up... Hopefully it works. I am having a hard time with that. I can deal with pain a bit better than than that cramping, tightening feeling I keep getting.

We were going to get a strainer from the doc, but forgot on the way out. So we rigged up a bowl & a coffee filter to see if that will work... I don't even know what to look for... They are small aren't they? She said anything 6mm & larger can cause problems. How big is 1-5 mm?

Anyway, I am going to try to take a nap. I am really tired but have a hard time sleeping. Thanks for all the help & insight. I will keep you posted & let you know how the test goes Monday.

By the way, the urgent care doc thinks that the stone came first & gave me the kidney infection.... Did this happen to others?

Did they do a 24 hour urine?


Is that a urine culture? Yes, they did that monday.... From what I understand, it came back fine. They said all my blood work & urine came back fine just blood in the urine.

I'm glad you decided to go ahead with the CT scan. You will feel better about it once you can get the ball rolling. BTW, 1mm is about the size of an I lengthwise. Does that make sense? so 5 mm would be about 5 times that. Some rulers have cm on it with little lines between them, and those are mm. Hope that is helpful!

I just realized that your monitor might be smaller than mine, lol! So it might show up a different size. Anyway the best way to know for sure is with a ruler that has cm on it.:)

It might of with me.I had smelly urine for months and thought it as my brother in law not flushing after use and hes is a diabetic so sometings it smells.I told him to check it out when he went to the doctor.It was not him it was me.
I had no nothing but smelly urine the first time i found out.It passed and hurt and went away.
second stone has been more troubles.It still doesnt mean you have one.I know people whom got as sick with a kidney infection also.Blood in the urine it what makes them wonder i think.I had it but i couldnt see it there it was in my urine test with infection.

It might of with me.I had smelly urine for months and thought it as my brother in law not flushing after use and hes is a diabetic so sometings it smells.I told him to check it out when he went to the doctor.It was not him it was me.
I had no nothing but smelly urine the first time i found out.It passed and hurt and went away.
second stone has been more troubles.It still doesnt mean you have one.I know people whom got as sick with a kidney infection also.Blood in the urine it what makes them wonder i think.I had it but i couldnt see it there it was in my urine test with infection.

I had 3 kidney infections in 3 months before I finally went to the urologist where I found out I had the stone. Btw, stones don't run in my family either.

A 24 hour urine is were you collect your urine in a container for 24 hours and bring it to the lab and most of the time they draw blood with this test..

Did you give them a urine sample in a cup in the office?..if so this how they do a culture and they can do a quick dipstick test to check for protein, blood, PH, Ketones, Leukocytes, Specific Gravity, etc..

The 24 hour urine is a better look of the urine that you put out over a 24 hour period.

No. I have not had the 24 hour urine test.

It might of with me.I had smelly urine for months and thought it as my brother in law not flushing after use and hes is a diabetic so sometings it smells.I told him to check it out when he went to the doctor.It was not him it was me.
I had no nothing but smelly urine the first time i found out.It passed and hurt and went away.
second stone has been more troubles.It still doesnt mean you have one.I know people whom got as sick with a kidney infection also.Blood in the urine it what makes them wonder i think.I had it but i couldnt see it there it was in my urine test with infection.

I have had smelly urine for a while too. Just thought I was stinky, LOL! I am a bit more of a smelly person when I sweat & stuff, so I haven't thought anything of it. I know I don't have the infection anymore, they have done the blood tests & everything on me. It's cleared up even though I am still on Cipro until Monday or Tuesday of this week coming up. So whatever pain I am having is not from that. I thought that the infection was coming back when the back pain flared up, but there was no fever. They keep running the tests on me to check for infection, but nothing. Pain is still there, along with blood in the urine (the nurse said 30% blood?). I know I am on my period, but it is really light & strange (doc said from cipro) & I am very careful when I provide a sample to just have pee in it so that my period doesn't mess up the results, although I am sure I can't stop it from affecting the results a little, right?

I just realized that your monitor might be smaller than mine, lol! So it might show up a different size. Anyway the best way to know for sure is with a ruler that has cm on it.:)

OMG! Why didn't I think of the ruler? I think this whole mess is playing tricks with my brain, LOL! Yes, I have a ruler with the metric side on it. Thanks!!

Should I have a 24 hour urine, you think? What will this tell me that's different?

I was told by the urgent care nurse that they take about 7-10 days to pass, is this true? She seems to think this whole thing will be over for me soon, unless they are too large to pass....

7-10 days???? Hmmmm....I am thinking she is very optimistic on that one. I have some take months to pass.

As for the 24 hour urine, do not do it until you no the stone is gone, it can skew the results.

2plus1not 3. Where was your located?and how big?

To be honest, they don't know for sure that I have a stone, but they are pretty sure. They have checked other things, but still think that is my problem. I will know Monday after the CT Scan.

there are some stones that pass quickly. And if it is in there for a while you will have bouts of feeling this way but it should not be constant.

The 24 hour urine looks at what is coming out in your liquid waste. You may be passing small pieces of stone without realizing it as they would be too minute to see. Since the stone is made of elements normally found in urine the addition of the stone can show false positives for things like protein, uric acid, calcium etc. It's like kool aid - after you add the mix you can not seperate again as the particles are too small.

I went to the osteopath dr. today for my pinched nerve in neck issue. Although he didn't read through my chart or check through all of my tests, he did question why I should be on Cipro for 3 weeks. He also questioned my CT scan appointment & thinks since I don't have insurance I should wait instead of spending $1200. (Although if I had insurance, he says I should since I have the blood in my urine.) He says that my back is a mess & questioned my where my pain was as opposed to pain from a kidney stone. He said it would hurt more up in the kidney & not in the groin/bikini line area & the side/lower back. He snapped my pubic bone (which really hurt) & did some other things to my back. He wants me back in next week but he's out so I can't see him for nearly 3 weeks. He says I can go 2 weeks before it would become serious if I had an obstructed stone. Should I cancel my CT scan appointment for Monday like he thinks I should? He said he had a kidney stone & that laying on your back or side should not hurt if you have a kidney stone. Or should I listen to the other 2 doctors? I quit taking that cipro. I am done with that crap. I have been crying all afternoon, what an emotional roller coaster! They say I still have blood in my urine, but may my spotty wierd period messed it up even though I tried to be very careful. Anyway, I feel like the cramping that was so horrendous was probably more from the cipro as a side effect than anything. Although the meds they gave for the bladder spasms did help & take that away. I still have the pain there, though. I guess I am asking you all your opinion. Does any of my symptoms sound like kidney stones? Or is these 2 doctors mistaking the side effects of Cipro for the symptoms of kidney stones? My symptoms again are:
Pain in lower back,
Pain in groin/crotch/bikini line sometimes radiating down butt & front/inside thigh,
Pain in lower abdomin,
Weight Loss,
Fatigue,
Nausea/loss of appetite,
Blood in Urine,
High heart rate
I had Extreme cramping the other day in lower abdomin & down legs with pain in back,
Pain worse at night because laying down painful,
Sometimes peeing my burn or seem hard to come out like I have to push out but then sometimes it's normal,
& I feel bloated.

I guess that's it. I might think of something else. Oh! And this started with a severe kidney infection (very high white blood count & nitrites & blood in urine) where I had a fever & was sore all down my entire trunk of my body with no burning when I urninated & not just pain in my kidney, it was my entire body from my ribs down to my thighs. Then the cipro fixed that pain in about 5 or 6 days.

Please chime in your 2 cents. I am very curious to see what you think about my symptoms - if they even slightly sound like a kidney infection.

Thank you up front for anyone who replies to this post. I REALLY appreciate it.

The blood in urine would be monthly reasons.I guess you can only do what the doctor says.Since stones and back pain could or could not be the same thing.It all depends on where they are.If there even is one.Good luck

The blood in urine would be monthly reasons.I guess you can only do what the doctor says.Since stones and back pain could or could not be the same thing.It all depends on where they are.If there even is one.Good luck

I know. I am feeling better this morning. I still have pain in my groin/pelvic area & my lower back, but it is now a deep dull ache, no horrendous pain. I passed something this morning (I have peeing constantly!) that was weird. Not a stone, though. 3-4 mm round thing that was floating in the toilet. Not super soft but you can dent it slightly when you push on it & then it goes back to being round. Did not really hurt coming out though.... Any ideas????

puss prb.dont sound like a stone.

Wasn't a stone! Didn't pass it, it just was stuff from the plumbing in the toilet, LOL! Sorry!

Just try not to worry as long as you dont have a infection or fever or chills.Then go to the er if you have fever ,serve pain ,chills.The test will show .However cont to watch for them when you go to the bathroom.

I am feeling much better right now. I still have lower back pain & pelvic/groin pain, but it is decently tolerable most of the time & every now & then I have a sharp pain in my lower abdomen, but it's not too bad. Although i have been still taking some pain medication, but not as much as before. Besides, it's not all the time. I feel fine for a while, then not so good. Very weird. And the urination issues come & go, so I think everything is just trying to heal up. I decided to go ahead with the CT scan just to be sure. I think I am fine & that this is not really necessary, it's just aches & pains or my back like the D.O. says, but with the severe kidney infection that came out of nowhere, maybe it is a good idea to check everything out. But, really, I think there's nothing wrong at all. I feel like these doctors maybe have been a little too quick to think of something so serious...