Flank pain? Help needed! - Kidney Disorders Message Board

TheMamaLisa · 09-01-2006, 10:25 AM

I posted about a week ago and got no response so I will try again. I have had leaky kidneys now for over 5 years. I can leak protien sometimes up to 4+ but currently am down to 2+. I also suffer from hbp but kidney function remains normal although I am awaiting 24hr urine results so we will see. A little over a week ago I ended up in the ER from stomach pain. I have had nausea and vomiting everyday now for over a month and have lost over 30 pounds in about 5 weeks. I havent really been able to eat. When I was at the ER my bp was extremly high but they released me anyways b/c my blood work was ok and my bp had gone down some. Well I went to the Dr the next day and they uped my bp pills and hctz but found I was leaking alot of protien. Well for the past 4 days now I have had alot of pain in my left kidney. It woke me up the first night and all I could do was toss and turn. No position was comfortable. Now for the past 2 days my left kidney feels severely brusied. I dont have blood or leukocytes in my urine and no fever. I thought maybe a stone but I have never had one and although I was in pain it has been more of a constant aggravating pain. I heard stones are comparable to chilbirth and I havent had that intense of pain. I turned in my 24hr urine this AM but it will take a few days. I also left a clean catch to recheck for infection. Should I just go ahead and call my nephrologist and say the heck with my pcp when it comes to this? Would an xray show stones? What the heck is happening to me? I am only 26. Any help or advice is welcome!

rpg · 09-01-2006, 09:10 PM

Stones that are lodged in the kidney can cause some of the pain that you're experiencing. A "passing stone" (a stone passing through the ureter that connects the kidney to the bladder) if large enough can cause the "childbirth like" pains. You will know when this happens and by all means have some pain medication ready! Xrays can show some stones (like calcium) but other stones (like uric acid) are almost invisible. Best bet, would be a CT (Computed Tomographic) scan of the kidney/abdominal area to see where the stone(s) reside (if anywhere). Unfortunately this type of scan does cost ($600 was the cheapest that I ever found) and some insurance companies don't cover (who knows why??). Maybe talk it over with you doctor, for other options. The composition, size and location of the stone is very important for medical diagnosis and treatment. So don't worry yet, until you find out what's really happening.

ForeverDebR · 09-02-2006, 02:25 AM

The Primary Physician is very important and he is the one that would give you a referral to see a urologist and a nephrologist. The best policy is to keep everyone in the loop as to what is taking place with you. The more help the better. Besides, doctors like to know what is going on and by all means you don't want anyone feeling left out.

Get a copy of the 24 Hour Urine test from your primary care physician. In fact, make sure you always get your medical records for continued care in the future.

Does everyone know how you have been having nausea and throwing up and how much weight you have lost? If not, all of your doctors should.

Just because you have never had a kidney stone in the past, does not mean that you do not have one now. (I had a growth on my ureter preventing my kidney from draining).

Call your primary care physician and get the results of your 24 hour urine as soon as possible. If you don't have a urologist, you should have one. The urologist will order tests. Call your nephrologist and let the nephrologist know what is going on play by play.

Be an active part of your health care and post back and let us know how you are doing.

Debbie

Isis498 · 09-02-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpg

Stones that are lodged in the kidney can cause some of the pain that you're experiencing. A "passing stone" (a stone passing through the ureter that connects the kidney to the bladder) if large enough can cause the "childbirth like" pains. You will know when this happens and by all means have some pain medication ready! Xrays can show some stones (like calcium) but other stones (like uric acid) are almost invisible. Best bet, would be a CT (Computed Tomographic) scan of the kidney/abdominal area to see where the stone(s) reside (if anywhere). Unfortunately this type of scan does cost ($600 was the cheapest that I ever found) and insurance usually doesn't cover (who knows why??). Maybe talk it over with you doctor, for other options. The composition, size and location of the stone is very important for medical diagnosis and treatment. So don't worry yet, until you find out what's really happening.

Why in the world would you say insurance would not cover a CT scan ???

I've never heard that before! I have BC/BS and they do. It is a usual and customary test.