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Kidney infection?

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Guest
Guest

Since May 30 I've been having severe flank pain on my right side and constant nausea. I was on vacation and ended up going to an emergency room and they said I had an urinary tract infection but could be affecting the kidney as I have the back pain. Put me on antibiotics for ten days and it seemed to clear up. But about 2 weeks off antibiotics I started getting severe flank pain and nausea again and this time it's worse. I break out in sweats, I get the chills, my feet at night get really cold, I itch all over, have diarrhea. I've gone back in to my PCp and he said UTI and put me on antibiotics. I've been on them 4 days now and nothing has changed. I have ckd stage 3. The last test my function was 42 % . I really think I have something wrong with the kidney but no one will listen to me. It doesn't burn when I urinate and my urine is pretty much clear and I don't drink that much. Any suggestions?

0 likes, 36 replies

36 Replies

  • glenda66
    glenda66 Guest

    Posted

    You really need to drink more. I have ckd3 with gfr 40. My right flank hurts most of the time. They told me it's muscle

  • KenR
    KenR Guest

    Posted

    Hi Heidi,

    it seems that you have had sensible tests done if UTI has been diagnosed and kidney function messured,  Function can reduce with UTI and this can de difficult to cure with anti biotics - in my earlier years I once had to take an anti biotic for 6 weeks to clear an infection.  I suggest that it is best to get the UTI cleared then have function retested  and take it from there.  I would recommend taking plenty to drink though!

    Good luck,

    KenR

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I do drink water just not over excessive. My kidney function is normally that low but I have had a history of kidney stones too.
  • glenda66
    glenda66 Guest

    Posted

    I also have a history of stones, kidney cysts, and hepatitis. I try to drink 64 oz of fluid daily.
  • marj01201
    marj01201 Guest

    Posted

    Heidi,

    I've had UTIs that appear to clear following a round of antibiotics only to returnnin a week or two. The important thing is to have the labs run so they know which antibiotics are needed for the specific causal factor for your UTI. You've done that. At this point it will be taking antibiotics until it clears.

    I did have one UTI that progressed to a kidney infection. But that is, according to my nephrologist, relatively rate. In that case I'd been experiencing some flank pain, nausea, and a fever. But I mistakenly thought I had the flu. I didn't seek treatment until it had progressed to a kidney infection. For me, at that point, the flank pain was nearly unbearable, I couldn't eat anything, I had continual fever or chills and my irine had a very foul odor. Of course my renal function was compromised by the kidney infection as well. I mention all of this to underscore the difference I've experienced between UTIs and an actual kidney infection,

    However, your labs are the most critical piece of information. At this point they seem to clearly be identifying a UTI, albeit a somewhat stubborn ITI as far as responding to antibiotic treatment.

    Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      Yes it's been two weeks off second antibiotic and I have the flank pain back. Really bad at times. Floaties in my urine now again and foul smell at times. I again am away from home in another state and would like to get to er to get antibiotic started but getting my parents there under the circumstances we are here will be tough. This is stubborn infection. It just drains me. At times I feel sick to my stomach.

    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      Yes, I've had some challenges with infections too. They really can be stubborn. And they certainly can make you feel poorly.

      Best wishes!

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      Yes it is stubborn. I am at the emergency room in Arizona hoping to get an antibiotic to take care of it. And I am going to see if they can figure out if something serious or not. Probably not but dont want it to hurt the kidneys anymore than what they are.
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Well the dr st the Er did a ct scan and looked for everything on every organ. He found some stuff but found I have kidney infection. They gave me drugs in the hospital for pain, nausea, and antibiotic. Was feeling pretty good but today two days later I'm in a lot of pain and I cant keep my eyes open. I feel terrible. I dont want to eat nothing but sleep.

    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      How long are you supposed to take the antibiotic?

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      I am to take it 2 times a day for 7 days. I am In more severe pain at times today and more nausea than the day i went to the ER. My hands are itching like crazy which they never do. All I did today was sleep cuz I felt like crap. They found something on the ct scan that when I looked it up it said it is common with kidney infection so that is how they figured it out. But 5hey found other health problem I didnt know I had. My doctors back home wouldn't listen to my symptoms and just said uti. The kidney dr said I didntjump high enough when he hit my back where it hurt. He said it's a vertebrae problem. These doctors and nurses here listened right away and found the problem. But my question to you is how long will I have this?

    • glenda66
      glenda66 Guest

      Posted

      The antibiotic could be making you nauseated. I f the pain does not subside, I would return to the er

      Did they mention nephritis?

    • glenda66
      glenda66

      Posted

      I really think you should return to the er

    • Guest
      Guest glenda66

      Posted

      What is nephritis? That was never said but my ct scan showed mild bilateral nonspecific peripheral edema. Along with some other health issues I didnt know I had. I just had a ct scan done on the 19th with this same exact pain back home and they didnt find anything but they were only looking for stones. I am so much in pain and I itch like crazy.
    • marj01201
      marj01201 glenda66

      Posted

      I agree--it sounds like these medical people are listening and working on an eatablishing a treatment plan. I'd definitely go back.

      Marj

    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      If the itching is new you'll want to be sure you mention that when you go back. Even if not and it's worse that should be emphasized.

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      I forgot to mention it this last time I went back to the emergency room. I normally have itching but dont know why it is now includes my hands but I have severe anxiety so that could be the cause. Anyway, I just finished my 3rd round of antibiotics and have been on them for 24 days since june 17. I've had pain since may 30. I can tell it isn't gone as I am really nauseated and my flank pain is bad. 9 still have sediments in my urine. I am heading home this week so I'm going to suffer it out until then but what is next step since I'm allergic to the antibiotics that treat kidney infection. Will they hospitalize me or should i ask to be.

    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      I have no idea what the next steps would be but am glad to hear you're heading home. You'll be able to really focus on this situation and working with any snd all medical professionals to get to the bottom of the situation.

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      Yes I will be home next week and will be going to my primary care doctor and discuss my options. The last emergency room doctor said to follow up with a urologist so I know that is an option. I've talked with my mom today and i said i may ask to be hospitalized since it's been so long. I get so sick to my stomach and knife stabbing pains in my back. Last night i went from being so hot to so cold. Something's got to give. Thanks for your advice

    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      Do you still have your gall bladder? Of course I would expect the medical people would rule that out fairly early.

      Definitely seeing a urologist is a good idea! 

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      Yes I've been asked about gallbladder. And no I dont have it anymore. The ct scan showed something I dont remember what it's called but it's related with kidney infection. Every dr I've seen has said something else but I'm going by the actual findings of the tests. My ultrasound I had the second time in the er didnt really show anything but I compared it to my first ultrasound when I found out I had ckd. My right kidney has decreased in size and the left one has increased some in size. I just think that is strange. This last antibiotic I was on I've looked it up and it states it is not used for kidney infection.

    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      Definitely a real puzzle. Just so glad you'll be back home soon. You need a good medical team looking at your case.

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      That is for sure and hopefully I will get it when I get back home. Thanks again.
    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      Well I got home on Monday and had an appointment with my dr yesterday. I took all my reports from the er visits and he agreed about the kidney infection (which he never thought of before when I saw him) but he is trying one last dose of antibiotics and I go back on Monday to see if we are on the right track. If not then I will he hospitalized as I cant take the oral drugs used for kidney infection. He gave me a shot of rocephin and then cefdinir (omnicef) capsules for two weeks. So we will see but right now I still have the pain and I know it will take time. But was told u should feel better in a day or two. So time will tell. May have to see urologist as I still had blood in my urine. So that is been 4 months with blood in my urine. Sony think that is good.
    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      Heidi, I'm glad to hear that you are back home. I'm certainly hoping this new treatment plan will resolve your kidney infection. And, perhaps when that is resolved the blood in your urine will also be resolved.

      Let us know how you're doing.

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      So far I didnt feel as fatigued this morning but did sleep anyways. So far no change but the longer I'm up is when I feel the pain. So will take my meds and see.

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      Well this is day 3 of the new mess I'm on and I am feeling like myself again. Still a little tired but I have anemia too but no severe back pain or nauseau. And I dont feel run down. I go back for check up on monday

    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      Good! It sounds like progress is being made.

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      Well things have taken a turn for the worse. I am on antibiotic was doing good for a week and am still on it and the pain has comeback with the upset stomach. And now i feelpain on theother side.
    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      Have the doctors talked about a biopsy to figure out what's actually going on with your kidneys? I'm not sure that would do any good. But it certainly seems as though they may not have a handle on your situation. When do you see them again?

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      I just got home from the hospital. I am feeling much better now at this moment. The did blood work, a catheter urine sample and gave me a muscle relaxant. Everything came back good even my urine sample. So no infection. The dr thinks it could be interstiatal (spelling may be wrong) cystitis. I have to follow up with family dr on monday. And then call urology and schedule appt to have tests done to find out why my kidney hurts so bad. So in mean time I am to take a muscle relaxer over the weekend to see if it helps...
    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      This is better news--at least they're beginning to rule things out with testing. And it sounds like your kidneys may be alright. It's good that you'll be seeing a urologist!!

      I often thing that one of the hardest parts of dealing with medical issues is figuring out which specialist you need to see. And if you're seeing several doctors it can be challenging to figure out who to talk with about what...

      But it sounds like your may be on the right path now!!

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      Well it's been a little bit now and I had surgery two weeks ago for something different and been on pain pills so I havent felt the pain in the flank area. Well the urologist scheduled a cystoscopy and I had that yesterday and all I know is they had to dialate the urethra. Dont know why the dr never talked to me about what he found out did. So I have a call into him. But today sitting in my recliner I am starting to feel the flank pain back. So I dont know what to do.. it's not muscular cuz rhe muscle relaxers didnt work. This is all getting to me now.

    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      How is your renal function looking at this point? (Creatinine, eGFR, potassium, phosphorus, urine and blood in urine, etc)

      And, have you seen a nephrologist at this point too?

      Marj

    • Guest
      Guest marj01201

      Posted

      I had blood work done and am not sure of the results of the function egfr, creatine etc. I will find out on monday when I go see my nephrologist. The pain in back seems to have gone away now but it was there this afternoon. I just wish this was all taken care off but looks like its somethings I will be living with another problem
    • marj01201
      marj01201 Guest

      Posted

      I'm glad to hear you're seeing a nephrologist. I'm also glad they're running tests. Just keep working with them and hope for the best; that they will get this figured out and that it is something that is treatable.

      It is definitely not easy when you don't feel well. I suspicion most of us who post in this forum feel less than our best most days. While I can't speak for others, I do constantly push my own medical team for improvements in how I'm feeling and functioning. It's not always possible but it is always my hoal🐶

      Marj

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