Undiagnosed severe left flank pain for months - is this kidney related?

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I have had severe left flank pain for 3 months now and still not been able to get a diagnosis. I am a 24 year old usually fit female.

The pain started towards the end of April while i was in work (an office desk job). It was on my left side in between my hip and ribs, spreading down to my groin. The pain got worse over the next couple of hours, and it has been a constant dull ache since then. The pain is most strong on the back of my left side but i can also feel it from the front.

I went to the doctors with this pain where i done blood and urine tests and got put on antibiotics for a suspected kidney infection, as well as codeine to ease the pain. The results came back with an apparent slight kidney abnormality showing, but a week later, i was still in a lot of pain and unable to move much, so i went back to the doctors where i got referred into hospital. I spent the night in hospital where i had more blood and urine tests, as well as an ultra sound. The hospital told me my results showed a UTI, but the ultrasound was clear, so i got put on another course of antibiotics and sent home. A week later, i was still in a lot of pain so i went back to the doctors where i was put on another (stronger) course of antibiotics for 2 weeks. The pain eased slightly above the groin, but the main pain on my left side was still the same.

My doctor then referred me to gastroenterology at the hospital where i had to wait weeks for an appointment, only to be told that he didn't think it was bowel or stomach related (as i can still eat and pass stools normally) and that i should have been referred to urology.

My doctor referred me to urology where the waiting list was 2 months, so i decided to get a private consultation with a urologist. The consultant done a urine test, which confirmed i had blood present in it. He went over my symptoms and suggested a CT scan in case i had a small kidney stone stuck which had been missed by the ultrasound. He was also concerned at my frequency as passing urine (this is usually over 20 times a day with anywhere between 3 to 8 times through the night). He referred me back to the NHS for the CT scan which i had a few weeks ago.

The CT scan results came back clear of kidney stones. My consultant now thinks the issue could be musculoskeletal but he still wants to see me to do some bladder studies as he is concerned about the frequency of urination. I have an appointment with my urology consultant for a few weeks time, but to see someone to investigate if the pain could be musculoskeletal there is a 3 month waiting list.

I am still in a lot of pain, both when moving and sitting (it never eases), and it is effecting my every day life. I can't go into the office to work due to the amount of pain i am in, i can't drive with it, and i haven't left the house the past few month apart from doctor or hospital visits. I am constantly feeling down and tired, and often get spells of dizziness and my eyes blacking out when i stand up (i am unsure if the tiredness and dizziness is related or not). I had a breakdown the other weekend where i cried for 2 days straight with the pain, the frustration of not being able to get a diagnosis, and not being able to do anything. I am worried that depression is kicking in with how long this has dragged on for.

I had no injury or knock to the area before the pain started. My mums side of the family also has a history of nephritis (kidney disease) with 4 of my aunt and uncles having it, but my urology consultant doesn't think there is a connection.

Is anyone able to provide any help or suggestions on what they think this pain could be as well as how to help ease it (the codeine doesn't help)? I feel like i have been passed around so many different people who still have no idea what is causing this pain.

6 likes, 174 replies

174 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi, I tripped over this forum and it's Me too! I've had kidney stones and lithotripsys (sp?) to take care of them. I was sure i had another stone, went to Dr. Nope! Gall stones. Different Dr. She took out gall bladder and I still have pain. I thought I had stones again, Nope! he thinks it's musculoskeletal too. Argh! Really? is that another word for you don't really know? I have started yoga, as I work an office job, not much moving during the day, and it has helped, but due to work schedules of my night time job (I clean offices part time) i can only go once a week and i'm too tired to do it at home. I'm wondering if diet like others have suggested, would help? I am diabetic and should be watching my diet more closely, BUT, I'm allergic to many fresh fruits and veggies (seriously! I know, no one believes me!) so that limits my 'good for me' type foods. I'm hoping mine is as simple as bad diet and need more exercise, but I really appreciate all of you commenting on what you have experienced! We can really help each other by sharing our stories. Good Luck to everyone and I hope we can all get this worked out. 

  • Posted

    I have been having similar pain for last one month. CT , Ultrasound, Blood work is all normal. This started as an UTI  . 4 days after I completed the course of antibiotics the pain started  in right flank. Sometimes it is in the front below rib and sometimes in the back. It does radiate to left side sometimes but it is predominantly on the right. Doctors think its in my head and hence asking me to wait. They have put me on probiotics which did reduce the pain for sometime but it recurred back. Not able to do anything because of the pain and it is constantly in my head. Hoping someone here can point me do right direction,
  • Posted

    I know you posted this some time ago. Did you get to the bottom of things ? I have had severe pain since December got erosions due to taking anti inflammatory tablets but not getting any better - I have been having awful dizzy spells as well. seen the Dr and said possibly dehydration or stress. I don't think stress is the issue so drinking loads of water and still no better. Im really fed up as cant get comfy and fed up of moaning about

  • Posted

    Sad to hear that you're having so much pain also. But I've never gotten better. I listened to my doctor telling me that it was my uterus w ith fibroids, and I needed it removed. I had that done. Pain was gone for about 1 month, and now has come back with vengeance.

  • Posted

    I am so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. I can’t imagine the frustration! A whole assortment of medical professionals and none can identify the issue sad

    If you’re looking for a Hail Mary, I would hop on amazon and order yourself a product called “Stone Breaker” by EU Naturals. It’s a kidney and gallbladder health supplement and the main herbal ingredient is Chanca Piedra. If your issue is kidney related, this stuff will start to make you feel relief within 30-60 minutes (at least it did for me). It is a miracle herb. So much so, that I now don’t even need pain meds when I’m passing a stone. Plus, it’s good for kidney and gallbladder health, even if you’re not dealing with a stone in the end. 

    I’d go to Amazon right now and same day this product if that option is available. It’s $30, but if it solves your issue, it’s worth 100x that!

    Best of luck!!

  • Posted

    hi, I was just reading your issues going on and it sounds like painful bladder syndrome

  • Posted

    ive been dealing with left flank pain and lower back pain since may of 2019. started on the right side very slighty but then it got worse that i couldnt even work. went on a trip to michigan in june and on my last day there left flank pain came on very badly bawlled all the way home. three days later im in the hospital with fever of 102 blood pressure sky high and pulse so high. i was stage 3 going septic. i couldnt catch my breath and was so hot. it was a uti that spread to my kidneys causing an infection in kidneys. i never had a uti before so i didnt know wht it was. ever since then my left pain never goes away. its like a pulsating pain hurts goes away and gradually cone back with more pain. every other week i was back in family doctors for more bactrim for utis bc that was the only thing that helps. ive had multiple urine sample all come back with traces of blood. all come back abnormal. i have an infection every other week. it never fully goes away. had multiple blood test, ct scans, vaginal exams, kidney exams, everything. im tired of being in pain everyday. and still to this day no doctor can find anything:(

    • Posted

      I'm so sorry you’re going through this! Boy do I know that pain. Have you considered your gut? I know that sounds weird and I went through something VERY similar with multiple infections (never had before), kidney infection, then kidney cancer. After the cancer I thought that the infections would go away, but they didn’t, and the back pain stayed. Everything else came out clean except for the fact that I had blood in my urine. I continued to try various probiotics, focused on reducing stress and sleeping as much as I could. I even moved to states to reduce stress. After about two years on the right probiotic it actually has amazed me and gradually has gotten much less. Your gut is connected to everything, the wrong bacteria, anything wrong, will affect other areas.

      It cant hurt to start concentrating on that.

    • Posted

      found out chrons and ibs and auto immune disorders run in the family so have to wait to go back for testing to see if any of those could be it. just sucks being innpain everyday of ur lofe 

  • Posted

    You're getting closer to an answer, try to keep your head up.

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