Hi everyone...
My name is Laura, I'm still a teenager, and I'm in my 2nd year of university to train to be a nurse (ironic since I'm the one that needs help now)

Beginning in August this year I began having urinary frequency, we're talking from 10 up to 16 times a day. In the beginning of Sept. I began having recurrent headaches. Shortly after I began losing energy and was simply just tired all the time. Dizziness and a dull ache began in my left side as well. I finally went to the doctor in the beginning of October after my friends insisted, and a urine test releaved microscopic blood in my urine. BUT there was no sign of infection. Blood tests came back normal, and the next urine test showed protein, nitrates & ketones but no blood.
While working at the hospital one day as part of our clinical nursing class, I felt really weak & my friends looked at me and said I looked really pale. Before I collapsed they got me to a chair. I was then given an ultrasound which revealed my left kidney to be swollen (hydronephrosis). Doctor thought there "might be something there" but couldn't get a clear image. Next week I am going for a CT scan to see if the swollen kidney is still functioning, and shortly after that I will be having a cystoscopy, as well as a ureteroscopy to locate the blockage and find out what it is.

My mom has a history of kidney problems but doctors chalked it up to a "kidney virus" that made her very sick for a long time. People think it might be kidney stones but I don't have the characteristic excruciating pain that many people have.

I am SOOOOO stressed out not knowing what's wrong with me. I'm in another city for schooling, and my parents aren't within close distance. I have an insane workload of school full of nursing and sciences with exams and papers every week, and the appointments and being sick is beginning to affect my schooling. If it's somethign serious or I need surgery I may be forced to drop out :(

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP? OR GIVE SUGGESTIONS IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS? I'm afraid of it being cancer, or that the one kidney has failed after being blocked for so long.

(((laura)))

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you, just wanted to send you a hug. I hope you can receive successful treatment very soon x

Hi everyone...
My name is Laura, I'm still a teenager, and I'm in my 2nd year of university to train to be a nurse (ironic since I'm the one that needs help now)

Beginning in August this year I began having urinary frequency, we're talking from 10 up to 16 times a day. In the beginning of Sept. I began having recurrent headaches. Shortly after I began losing energy and was simply just tired all the time. Dizziness and a dull ache began in my left side as well. I finally went to the doctor in the beginning of October after my friends insisted, and a urine test releaved microscopic blood in my urine. BUT there was no sign of infection. Blood tests came back normal, and the next urine test showed protein, nitrates & ketones but no blood.
While working at the hospital one day as part of our clinical nursing class, I felt really weak & my friends looked at me and said I looked really pale. Before I collapsed they got me to a chair. I was then given an ultrasound which revealed my left kidney to be swollen (hydronephrosis). Doctor thought there "might be something there" but couldn't get a clear image. Next week I am going for a CT scan to see if the swollen kidney is still functioning, and shortly after that I will be having a cystoscopy, as well as a ureteroscopy to locate the blockage and find out what it is.

My mom has a history of kidney problems but doctors chalked it up to a "kidney virus" that made her very sick for a long time. People think it might be kidney stones but I don't have the characteristic excruciating pain that many people have.

I am SOOOOO stressed out not knowing what's wrong with me. I'm in another city for schooling, and my parents aren't within close distance. I have an insane workload of school full of nursing and sciences with exams and papers every week, and the appointments and being sick is beginning to affect my schooling. If it's somethign serious or I need surgery I may be forced to drop out :(

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP? OR GIVE SUGGESTIONS IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS? I'm afraid of it being cancer, or that the one kidney has failed after being blocked for so long.i had the same thing from a blocked urteral stone.mine was blocked for about 3 months with a stone 7mm big
it cause swelling for me also
i dont know when it will go down or away
i guess it depends on how you feel and what the doctor say

That is how I felt for the past 6 months. I passed around 30-50 stones. they say I have Hypocitraturia and I'm now on meds but I only feel a little better. The pain is less but I still pass small specks everyday. Have them do a 24 hour urine from Litholink. I will at least tell you something. Good luck.

I wouldn't worry too much yet if I were you! I don't understand you becoming pale or passing out (unless it's from pain) but I have had hydronephrosis since I was in the womb! I dealt with a bulging lump in my stomach that would come and go....for 26 years. I think my kidney functioned at about 26% by the time i went to a surgeon (in December of 2006) and he said that wasn't too bad. So, please don't worry too much and you may just need to watch it for a while. Good luck and don't go dropping out of school! :)

Hi! I had sort of the same situation, however mine ended up being scar tissue in the ureter. My doc tried to clear it with the laser tecnique but a year later realized it didnt work when I started to have pain again. So he had to physically cut me open and cut the scar tissue out. It was a 7 hours surgery and I was 20 when it happened. I had to withdrawl from classes and it was and still is very tough to deal with. A year later, now I have to go back to get a test to see if its functioning bc Im having pain again. SIGH. A never ending story, so if you need someone to talk to, Im here.

Thanks for the replies everyone, especially to lisalikesmakeup, it makes it easier that somebody else on my level (you know with the whole school situation added on) knows whats going on and that it can cause major disruption in your life.

For now the only new news is that I had my first CT scan done this past week to look for any stones/growths. In 2 weeks I will have a Nuclear CT scan with the dye to see how my swollen kidney is functioning. Then a few days after that I will be having a cystoscopy and a ureteroscopy done. It's still hard doing this on my own but my ex-boyfriend has been coming with me to appointments and helping me out, as have my friends. I shall keep this posted. Thanks again :)

Laura good luck with the nuclear scan. I get one done every three months. It is a long test and can be quite painful afterwards. I would try to schedule an easy day after that - rather then running rounds. I also suggest wearing a pad on that day - sometimes leakage can occur, as they fill you full of fluids and then make you stay on a cold table for a long period of time. If the lab lets you, bring an IPod or something to help distract you. It is not as pass as I make it sound but I am down to 45% function and the lower the function the more painful the test. Keep us posted as to how you make out. We will be thinking of you.

Hi everyone...
My name is Laura, I'm still a teenager, and I'm in my 2nd year of university to train to be a nurse (ironic since I'm the one that needs help now)

Beginning in August this year I began having urinary frequency, we're talking from 10 up to 16 times a day. In the beginning of Sept. I began having recurrent headaches. Shortly after I began losing energy and was simply just tired all the time. Dizziness and a dull ache began in my left side as well. I finally went to the doctor in the beginning of October after my friends insisted, and a urine test releaved microscopic blood in my urine. BUT there was no sign of infection. Blood tests came back normal, and the next urine test showed protein, nitrates & ketones but no blood.
While working at the hospital one day as part of our clinical nursing class, I felt really weak & my friends looked at me and said I looked really pale. Before I collapsed they got me to a chair. I was then given an ultrasound which revealed my left kidney to be swollen (hydronephrosis). Doctor thought there "might be something there" but couldn't get a clear image. Next week I am going for a CT scan to see if the swollen kidney is still functioning, and shortly after that I will be having a cystoscopy, as well as a ureteroscopy to locate the blockage and find out what it is.

My mom has a history of kidney problems but doctors chalked it up to a "kidney virus" that made her very sick for a long time. People think it might be kidney stones but I don't have the characteristic excruciating pain that many people have.

I am SOOOOO stressed out not knowing what's wrong with me. I'm in another city for schooling, and my parents aren't within close distance. I have an insane workload of school full of nursing and sciences with exams and papers every week, and the appointments and being sick is beginning to affect my schooling. If it's somethign serious or I need surgery I may be forced to drop out :(

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP? OR GIVE SUGGESTIONS IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS? I'm afraid of it being cancer, or that the one kidney has failed after being blocked for so long.

Hi there, I was reading your story and I too am new to this. I just went to the Dr. two days ago. I too have headaches all the time and very dizzy every day. I'm tired all the time , all day. I have lost weight fast more then 15lbs in less then 2 weeks without trying.I have pain in the upper part (R) side, more so in the front under the ribs and to the back. I'm swelling,but it comes and goes, mainly in arms, hands and neck. My eyes swell and hurt. They are very dark under them.My urine is dark. My urine has protein in it 30+ and riseing. Also have ketones,nitrates,billi,urabilli,and blood. My kids started telling me I look pale. My blood work came back not to bad, only showing low potassium, and low hemoglobin.I also have heart palpations, high pulse. I'm very moody and now depressed.
I would like to know how you are doing now and what have they said. I'm waiting to here for my Dr. about the ultrasound. Please let me know

it could be your kidneys
or kidney
only your doctor would know.however low potassium will cause heart related problems
eat pototoes and bananas drink orange juice also