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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Awful kidney pain/lifestyle changes, cures?

29 replies

Fanfeckintastic · 07/08/2014 20:10

I know this is the completely wrong forum and I'm sorry but I put a post in medical a while ago and got no replies.

Does anyone know anything about kidneys and can please help. I've had chronic pain in my left kidney after am operation as a chid, a recent scan showed that it's distended (swollen as far as I know) and I need to see a specialist which will take about a year as I'm in Ireland and haven't got the money to go private. The doctor assures me it's nothing serious though so that's something.

I'm in agony this evening and at a loss of what to do, doctors etc are pointless as everything counts on seeing this specialist in a year+ but can anyone tell me is there anything I can do lifestyle wise other than the obvious to keep the pain at bay?

I'm not usually a fizzy drink drinker but had two cans of Tesco diet drink this evening and I feel like the pain had to have come from that. But it can often happen if I've simply drank too much water too, or too little!

OP posts:

CarmineRose1978 · 07/08/2014 20:23

I'm sorry, OP, I don't know much about kidneys at all... I do get a lot of UTIs and I try to drink diluted cranberry juice as much as possible, as this is meant to be good for the whole urinary tract. I'd definitely avoid anything acidic like orange juice, and probably fizzy drinks too - I think they act as a diuretic which may have made your kidneys work harder this evening.

I hope someone here can advise! And I hope you feel better latter tonight, and manage to sleep a bit.

CarmineRose1978 · 07/08/2014 20:24

I should add that I mean cola acts as a diuretic - it's the caffeine - so not all fizzy drinks.

Honsandrevels · 07/08/2014 20:27

Did the doctor check your kidney function via a blood test? How is your blood pressure? It sounds like you need to be seen sooner than one year. Is that the maximum wait?

Original poster

Fanfeckintastic · 07/08/2014 20:29

Thanks so much for replying!

Yeah I've been doing some reading about diet drinks being terrible for kidneys, I really wish my doctor had advised me of this kind of stuff! She did tell me to only drink one coffee maximum a day though so I probably should have used my common sense!

Pain isn't quite so bad now, just hate that it's internal and I don't know what's going on. [Thanks]

OP posts:

Original poster

Fanfeckintastic · 07/08/2014 20:30

Yeah they did a kidney function blood test and it came back normal, which completely shocked me to be honest. Blood pressure is always a bit on the low side but I've no idea if that's related.

Thanks a million for the replies!

OP posts:

ALittleFaith · 07/08/2014 20:34

I had similar a couple of years ago. Fizzy drinks, especially cola definitely made it worse. Painkillers helped, as did buscopan (usually for IBS for works because it relieves spasm which is probably what your pain is). I hope you get it sorted soon

TheGonnagle · 07/08/2014 20:36

Careful with caffeine, sodium, artificial flavourings like MSG, red meat. Don't get too dehydrated, not a good idea to get drunk for this reason.
Lots of lean protein and veg, plenty of fruit.
Get some bloods done to make sure there's nothing strange going on with mineral balance etc. Phosphate and potassium particularly.
Have you had a urine test to make sure your output is ok?

Mrsjayy · 07/08/2014 20:37

I have only one kidney and have chronic pain I get it when ive had to much coffee my own fault I dont drink diet drinks sugar free gives me pain I dont eat alot of salt either but I am a bugger for crisps . I know you are not ithe uk im not sure how the health system works but go to the gp and ask for a kidney fuction test its just a blood test oh and drink water I drink about 700ml a day you dont need to drink loads and loads and hot water bottle or a hot wheat bag for pain.

Mrsjayy · 07/08/2014 20:38

Oh aye msg I can only have a chinese take away now and again

Honsandrevels · 07/08/2014 20:38

That's reassuring about the function but perhaps one kidney is working harder to compensate for the other one which is swollen. If the problem when you were younger was only the one kidney then, as function is good, the chances are that it is limited to one kidney.

I'm no expert though, I've just got progressively malfunctioning kidneys!

Can the doctor not rush the referral through as you have got more pain?

Mrsjayy · 07/08/2014 20:41

Och you had a kidney fuction I need to read on thats good its normal.

CarmineRose1978 · 07/08/2014 20:47

I think it's good that your blood pressure is on the low side... I'm pretty sure I've read that high blood pressure can cause kidney damage. Seconding (thirding?) the advice to avoid salt as much as possible!

Stickerrocks · 07/08/2014 20:48

I have problems with recurring kidney stones. My specialist expects me to avoid caffeine & fizzy drinks, eat no more than 60g of meat at any meal and avoid chard, spinach, rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, any other berries and a whole load of other stuff like nuts, some oily fish & shellfish and offal. At the same time as having to avoid superfoods and protein, I'm meant to eat calcium rich foods, but eat a low fat, low salt, low sugar diet. Look up low purine diets and low phosphate diets online for more info.

Original poster

Fanfeckintastic · 07/08/2014 20:56

Oh I'm so appreciative for all your replies, I've learnt more in five minutes than I have in twenty years since my op!
The doctors here are afraid to steer you wrong and it has always seemed to confuse them.

Every urine sample I ever give says I have a kidney infection, when I feel I definitely don't. When I was 19 I lied about having a kidney infection to get a week off work for a last minute holiday and my urine test showed that I did in fact have a bad kidney infection

It's great to hear from other people with similar problems, is there anything else I should know?

I'm a salt fiend, giving that up as of now! And coffee!

What's the stance on alcohol? I drink occasionally though recently it's been a few every weekend and quite often I end up crippled with pain, but other times there won't be a bother on me!

I wish I knew the official line. For some reason I thought painkillers would be a no no because the kidneys would have to flush them out but I just took two ten minutes ago and pain is definitely subsiding!

So grateful everyone!

OP posts:

CarmineRose1978 · 07/08/2014 21:15

Alcohol is also a diuretic so I would avoid... I know it makes my UTIs worse, if I have one brewing.

Mrsjayy · 07/08/2014 21:23

Neurofen and paracetamol is fine as long as you dont go over the dose obviously, I have constant nitrates and blood and something else (can never remember) in urine samples its a pita I was on constant antibiotics for a while. My kidney has been a lot better since I had the damaged one removed. I have yearly scans all come back fine but get pain.

onlyjoking9329 · 07/08/2014 22:07

A year is too long to wait when you're suffering so much.
I've some experience with kidney problems, I've had stones three times, last lot have been removed but I still suffer constant kidney pain.
Avoiding salt fizzy drinks sweeteners and alcohol will help as will drinking loads of water.
You need good pain management see GP if over the counter stuff doesn't work.
Hope you feel better soon.

notnearlythereyet · 07/08/2014 23:31

Quebra Pedra is your friend. I used to have awful kidney pains and came across this on Amazon. It really sorted me out. Your post reminded me of the excruciating pain I was in, now after a course of two bottles no symptoms whatsoever. The pain came back once, took a few more tablets and it was sorted.

Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster

Fanfeckintastic · 08/08/2014 09:51

Oh my God I'm so happy!! Post just arrived and I've got an appointment to see the specialist on the 4th September!! What a happy coincidence after writing this.

Thanks everyone!!

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Mrsjayy · 08/08/2014 09:53

Ooo spooky coincidence, not long to wait let us know how it goes

bluesbaby · 08/08/2014 11:19

Avoid extended use of ibuprofen too. Hard water is also really bad for the kidneys. Try filtering your water or buying mineral.

My oh had kidney problems last year and pretty much said to avoid everything everyone else has already said, plus the hard water and ibuprofen.

TheGonnagle · 08/08/2014 12:12

Ohh forgot to mention the ibuprofen, that's a really important one. And any other NSAIDS as well (that's an awful lot of drugs including all codeine based ones- read the labels v.carefully).
In what way does it suggest you have a kidney infection? Blood or albumin?

Original poster

Fanfeckintastic · 08/08/2014 17:33

Other than a headache from no caffeine and a saltless dinner, I'm feeling great!!

Bought some nice decafe, should that safe enough?

I learned the hard way about codine based pain killers after some dental work caused severe pain!

Been Googling the specialist I'm going to see, she seems really highly regarded I'm thrilled!

OP posts:

RevoltingPeasant · 08/08/2014 18:42

Hi op, I have a distended kidney (hydronephrosis). I had an operation called a laparoscopic pyeloplasty which largely sorted it out. It is a big op.

After you see the specialist and learn your diagnosis feel free to pm me if it turns out you have the same thing and I can answer any questions you have :)

Original poster

Fanfeckintastic · 08/08/2014 19:28

That's so kind of you revolting, I'm pretty sure that's the operation I had as a child. I know it was a long enough hospital stay as I attended school in the hospital, really going to have to get my old files because I was only 6 and my parents didn't really have a clue what was going on. It was the removal of a blockage in the tube between the kidney and bladder but I never had any follow up examinations or anything.

Really pleased the ball is rolling to sort it out though, what ever the outcome!

Do you mind me asking what sort of lifestyle changes you've had to make if any? I'm so ignorant to the whole thing really

Still no pain today but felt it shudder a few times, if that's even possible!

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