Help! Looking for some advice about this pain! - Kidney Disorders Message Board

Terrigrrl · 06-20-2007, 11:23 AM

Hi. I am at work now and am in a "waaaaaaay past moderate" amount of pain on the left side of my back, kidney area. I am single and take care of myself and I can't afford to lose this job. I have been to the point of tears today. I don't know what to do! Do I call my PCP or my Urologist? Is it just something that comes with this crappy thing called CKD? Would it have anything to do with my GFR dropping from 56 to 51 in 6 weeks? My dr. appointments aren't for a few weeks yet.

I am literally at my wits end.
Thanks.

duzford · 06-20-2007, 11:45 AM

You may want to call both and see who responds sooner. This time of year many of the docs are on vacation and getting an answer from even one is like pulling teeth.

Good luck and if you have to - go into the bathroom - lock the stall - have a cry. If anyone asks you can tell them the truth or blame it on allergies - damn pollen count.

Terrigrrl · 06-20-2007, 12:19 PM

Thanks, you guys. I just called my PCP's office. I told the nurse I had been crying in the bathroom here at work and was in so much pain that I do not know what to do. I spoke with a nurse I am not familiar with, so my doctor will be told and she will (supposedly) call me back. I've only had a renal ultra sound and a lasix washout/scan as far as testing goes. I don't know yet what type of CKD I have. Urology appt isn't until end of July.

Their office told me "it wasn't that bad", though the first time I went there I had blood in my urine and the next visit they did urethral dilation. Ever since that last visit I have had discomfort in my urethra, often just as I am in the process of sitting down.

I don't know what is happening to me; this is all so new to me. I am scared right now and really haven't felt this kind of emotion connected to the CKD before. I know that my problem is miniscule compared to what you all have been through and believe me, I pray for you all every day.
Thanks.

Terrigrrl · 06-20-2007, 12:36 PM

Allie, you are amazing at your ability to help others. It definitely appears to be your "calling".

Your response did help calm me. I am afraid to ask if I can go home because I have lost a lot of time from work due to my father dying in January after an awful, horrible 3 months in the hospital and have also taken time for doctor's appts and not just for the kidney stuff.

I am also bipolar and it is one of the drugs I take that caused this all. I will say though, if I hadn't been on that drug (and the many others I take) I know that by now I would be dead, no question. I see a therapist, a nurse praticitioner and a psychiatrist. Now I see my PCP and Urologist also, so you can imagine the time I have to ask for to be away from my desk.

I almost feel like I need to work only part-time, but I am sooooo strapped for $$$ it isn't even funny. Maybe I should pursue that and work at home online or something. Any input on that? Thank God my daughter is grown and lives in Mass, so she doesn't have to be worried so much about me. If I had small children I'd be up the proverbial creek!

Thanks,
Terri

Terrigrrl · 06-20-2007, 12:46 PM

Oops! I just realized that it is impossible for me to work part-time. I NEED THE INSURANCE! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr....................