Swollen Kidneys, pregnant with twins

[Jester]

I don't know if there is anything I can do... My friend is 5 months pregnant with twins. She has been in and out of the hospital for the last month with "false labor". The first time she went in they told her she had a bladder infection and they gave her drugs for it. Since then she has been in three more times - twice they couldn't figure out what is wrong, and the last time (right now), they told her that her kidneys were swollen (she had major lower back pain this time). So now she is waiting on a specialist. The thing is the babies are fine, but all of the drugs that the doctors are giving her for the treatments and the pain (antibiotics and morphine) cannot be good for the babies. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas I can pass on to her. She is taking her pre-natal vitamins (x2) and she is doing good staying aways from booze and drugs (illegal ones anyway). I just wish she wasn't in and out of the hospital. I appreciate any comments, hopefully someone out there has some great alternative therapy that is inexpensive that will allow her to come to term with the little ones. Thanks...

[Jester]

So the news with my friend... The tube between her kidney and her bladder is blocked. She was given the choice to have sergery (which will enduce labor - only 21 weeks) or to hold on until the babies are stronger and then have sergery, however if she waits she may risk living on dialisis her entire life (she is only 21). I wish there was something I can do. Any ideas?

[Rob]

Your absolutely right. I didn't reply to your message. I don't know anything about your topic but I hope everything will or has work out for your friend. Thank you for responding to my message. I thought this forum might have people here that deal with this stuff all the time. I am doing better and I sincerely thank you!

Rob

[Jester]

For those who care:

My friend is doing better. Her kidneys have decreased in swelling, and she didn't need the surgery. However she is not out of the water yet.

[DianaJ]

Jester,
Back in 1990 I also had kidney problems while pregnant. It was only on the right side, but then, I was only carrying one baby.
Was in and out of the hospital often too. It started when I was 4 or 5 months along. The uretur had a "kink" in it and the baby was pressing against that area. They did a surgery using the much loved epidural so I wouldn't be sedated with harmful drugs. I was able to watch the whole show and knew the whole time that the baby was also fine since the anestesiologist was monitoring both of us!
They placed a stent (small tube) through the bladder into the uretur and the kidney started flowing. The flank pain continued like there was a bruise there but I urinated what seemed like constantly.
There was discomfort with the uretur since there was a wire attached to it leading to the bladder and it would "tickle" the area that gave me the sensation I had to urinate (even though I really didn't). It was sometimes unbearable, but there was a baby at stake.
For pain, they gave me opium suppositories and they helped alot.
You mentioned dangerous drugs...I know there are certain drugs they can use during certain times during the pregnacy. Morphine as an example might be allowed during one trimester, but not another. OB docs usually know which they can use and when.
Tell her to hang in there!
Inccidently, this might be the same thing that's happening with Rob, the guy that's posted a time or two. (without the baby attached, of course!)
He would want to have an IVP done to see how things are flowing as this might be more than a prostate problem going on with him.
Good luck to both your friend and Rob!
DianaJ