Constant kidney pain, will be waiting months to see specialist

[Fanfeckintastic]

I've had problems with my left kidney since I was 6, including an operation as a child which didn't really rectify anything. I'm undergoing tests at the moment and an ultrasound has shown the kidney that was operated on to be distended and I'm currently waiting to see a specialist but as I'm in Ireland and don't have a lot of money I can't afford to go private, so I will be waiting a number of months and in the mean time nobody is willing to give me any information, lifestyle tips etc.

Has anybody got any information that might help until then? Should I give up alcohol? Not that I drink much anyway. Any foods I should particularly avoid, I hear low carb diets are out? I'm in pain 80% of the time and I just want to take as much care of my kidney in this time as possible.