Shit day - GP rang with a cancer scare.

[DanglySpider]

Yep - three wee infections, a couple of wee tests and a scan, and they rang today to say a) I have some kidney scarring, and b) they're not sure whether the mass they can see in my bladder is sediment or a lesion, so they're referring me to the urology investigation suite and to expect a phone call with an appointment within the next couple of weeks.
Three hours later hospital called with an appointment on Monday at 8.30. Now I'm shitting myself. I KNOW I shouldn't. I've just had 3 wee infections that wouldn't go away with antibiotics, I know I have a small adenoma on one adrenal gland, and I'm always getting utis, so logically, it should be sediment. But fuck.
SO - who's had the same thing? Tell me I'm being a dick or something!

Not had the same thing.... But 💐... Totally get why you are worried even though its very unlikely... Just the weekend to get through and then you'll know.... Good luck

Try not to worry. I have had this before in the NHS.

Sometimes important investigations take weeks to organise and at other times you can be blinded by panic when they say you 'need to come in urgently first thing tomorrow' for something quite straightforward.

I am glad they managed to make an appointment for you quickly. Hope it all goes well.

Some appointments are coming through really quickly because so much has been cancelled because of Covid... so say friends of mine who are hospital consultants... don’t panic! I had one appointment come through so quickly that I missed it because the appointment was for the day after I saw my GP and the letter took longer! They rearranged it for a couple of days later. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Wow, ok, thanks! That's slightly more reassuring! :D

How did it go OP?

Aw, thanks for asking, @happytoday73. Weirdly, when I went in for the scan, it was absolutely clear - no sediment/stones and definitely no cancer. Thank fuck. I was v v relieved. Still no answer as to why my kidneys are scarred and spouting protein and blood, so it's back to the GP when I can get an appointment.

What’s your blood pressure like op?
I’d push for a referral to a renal doctor ASAP

That's such good news. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon

That’s great news and great to hear your GP is looking at why you keep getting utis.

I don’t think the GP is the best person to diagnose you now. You need a renal specialist.

Thanks, people - I rang the GP this morning and I have a callback from the paramedic at some point today. I've stopped taking painkillers for fear they're making the problem worse, but of course it means I'm in pain and grumpy because of it. Hopefully, he'll clarify whether or not I should keep taking paras/ibuprofen, but I'm just quite tired of it all now. I know they're overstretched, and I haven't gone down to A&E because I know there are far more sick people who need help, but I'm struggling to function now. I do have a high bp, but I also have 2 ds's with SEND and a high-stress job, so I just keep taking the tablets and hope that it's enough - I'm only on 5mg of amlodipine so I'm sure if it was really bad, they'd haul me in to check it. But I shall keep plugging away!

My point about blood pressure is that it’s related to the kidneys. Kidneys control blood pressure. I wouldn’t take ibuprofen if you have suspected kidney problems - that can cause damage in itself.

I had a very similar scare myself - they thought it might be kidney cancer. It wasn't, thankfully, but did require an op (I'm fine now)

What happened @LadyWhistledownsQuill? (If you don't mind me asking?) I have an adrenal adenoma but it's not functioning, so I'm wondering if that's started to 'function'. Or perhaps it's autoimmune related, as I've previously been dxed with UCTD, so maybe it's progressed to lupus or something similar. Paramedic said he's writing to urology again for me, to see if they should check the kidney again, and said I could take paracetamol, so I'm satisfied with that.

@DanglySpider

What happened *@LadyWhistledownsQuill*? (If you don't mind me asking?) I have an adrenal adenoma but it's not functioning, so I'm wondering if that's started to 'function'. Or perhaps it's autoimmune related, as I've previously been dxed with UCTD, so maybe it's progressed to lupus or something similar. Paramedic said he's writing to urology again for me, to see if they should check the kidney again, and said I could take paracetamol, so I'm satisfied with that.

I'll DM you x