Dead kidney never working again? - Kidney Disorders Message Board

peacehopevision · 07-08-2009, 03:37 PM

I had a big stone blocking my kidney for a long time, and now my right kidney is not functioning at all anymore. My doctor says my rigth kidney has to be removed before infection starts. Even though he assures me that there are a lot of people living with one kidney and I will have a normal life after surgery, I am still very afraid. Do dead kidneys never have a chance to revive? Do I really have to remove my right kidney? Thank you very much.

Fizzickle · 07-08-2009, 04:54 PM

My wife had to have a kidney removed about 20 years ago (dead kidney, non-cancerous). It became infected and she had to have emergency surgery.

She has thrived on one kidney.

I understand why you would be nervous; no one looks forward to surgery of any type. But I wouldn't want to let this go until the non-functioning kidney becomes infected. Will the surgeon do this laparascopically?

Good luck,
Bill

greens · 07-08-2009, 08:33 PM

I had this done on July 7 2008 so its been a year and I tell you it is well worth getting it removed. I suffered for almost two years with the doctor trying different things so I would not feel the pain from the kidney, I had a upj obstruction that blocked my left kidney and did not know it until the kidney had no function. I wish I would of had it removed tight from the start, that two years of my life I well not get back. I live a perfectly normal life no special diet, but I do not do things that could hurt my remaining kidney like contact sports and I cut way back on alcohol and salt. If you have a choice make sure you get it removed laproscopically, I had mine done this way and it way less recovery time.

peacehopevision · 07-08-2009, 10:04 PM

Thank you so very much. It is very encouraging to hear. I am trying to stay strong right now. Yes, my doctor said he would do it laparoscopically.

greens · 07-09-2009, 01:50 PM

That great he will be doing it laparscopically. When I had mine done my operation was at 7:00am and was in my hospital room by 11:00am, I was walking around by 7:00pm. It does not hurt that much as long as you move slowly and hold a pillow when you have to cough. All I used for pain relief was Tylenol 3 and was in the hospital two nights. I was driving by 2 weeks and pretty much back to my normally self in 3 weeks, although my doc told me not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 4 weeks which was a pain because everything weighs more than 10 pounds. If you have any questions post them up and will do my nest to answer them.