what does kidney pain feel like?

[apopnj01]

difference between kidney pain and back pain. When i work out nothing seems to give me discomfort. Once i am done, back discomfort comes and goes. does kidney pain come and go or is it there always? always i dont feel any pain when hitting my back or sides. i do feel discomfort when i bend certain way but not all the time. Does anyone have experience they care to share?

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Link to information on Kidney pain vs back pain from Healthline. healthline.com/health/kidne...

[apopnj01 in reply to orangecity41]

Thank you but i would like to hear from people that actually experiencing the symptoms.

[Hidden in reply to apopnj01]

I appreciate what you are asking but there are differences between people. Some have a high tolerance for pain and others a low tolerance. It's very subjective. I had one doctor tell me my pain was due to kidney stones. I asked another physician, they did an ultrasound and found gallstones. Unless and until the stones move and possibly get stuck in a duct, you really have no idea as to what pain feels like. Ask your doctor to run an ultrasound and get a look at the area the pain emanates from and get it taken care of.

[Chris1974 in reply to orangecity41]

I have had kidney stones one time and I have had back pain.

Recently I had a phlebolith or calcium mass in a vein in my pelvis area that probably needs surgery to fix. After I exercised for months I would get kidney pain right after or right flank pain that comes and goes. Went to nephrologists and ERs that did many tests and have determined my pain after exercise is from the mass and it needs to be dissolved or lasered out. So a phlebolith is basically a “vein stone”.

When leaning over getting pain sounds muscle skeletal.

Hitting the areas near your kidneys should cause you pain. If they don’t it’s muscle skeletal or a phlebolith.

[apopnj01 in reply to Chris1974]

thank you

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

The only acute kidney pain I ever had was when I slammed my back into a wall or back of a chair (by accident). It was so painful I would lose my breath. But it went away pretty quickly. I had kidney stones, lots of kidney stones and the most pain I had was when the stones were being passed out from the bladder. Lots of discomfort but not so much in my back. But...I have an extremely high pain threshold I've been told. Others would not have been able to tolerate the size and amount of stones I had so it is different for everyone.

The worse pain in my back was from gallstones and there were a couple of trips to the ED for pain. All gone once I had the surgery. That pain would start actually in the front and radiate around the back and up my neck. Very painful. There was no getting over it.

I think if you look at your question, you will have your answer. It comes after you work out.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Your kidneys by themselves DO NOT cause pain, that is what my nephrologist always told me. Only if you had an infection, a kidney stone or an obstruction would there be pain. Chances yours could be muscle strain or a disc problem or arthritis. You should ask your doctor to determine what is causing your pain by doing an ultrasound.

[apopnj01 in reply to WYOAnne]

thank you

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to WYOAnne]

That's like saying the heart by itself does not cause pain unless something is wrong. Pain is a sign something is wrong., a warning sign if you will. Now maybe I'm the odd person out because I have/had PKD but I had kidney pain from age 19 to the day they were removed. They would be a dull ache to sharp pain at times radiating down to pelvis (with stones or cyst bursts infections), flank pain radiating around to belly. I had severe pain with my kidney stones. I had more than 50 over the years and rarely took more than Tylenol. I also had blockages when they got stuck in the ureter. I've never had gallbladder issues so I wouldn't know.

I have also had multiple spinal compression fractures, and several bulging and ruptured cysts along with scoliosis due to bone loss...all within the last 10 years. Muscle spasms in the back are also part of my life. Kidney pain drastically differs from back pain for me.

My question is why is this an issue? Do you have kidney or back issues? Have you had scans or lab work done or is your doctor confused about what is causing your pain? Blessings

[apopnj01 in reply to KidneyCoach]

i have back issues but come and go - feel better when i stand - i just started HITT training and was going heavy in previous training - my egfr is 53 but all other numbers are in check with cratinin 1.5 BUN 16 albunim 4 total protien in check 7.7 and BP as of last night 105/78 with no meds - glucose 85- im 52 and dr has not said anything about diet restrictions - going tomorrow for a scan

[Chris1974 in reply to WYOAnne]

Correct. Both of my nephrologists said the same thing.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I am only repeating what my nephrologist has told me time and time again. And yes PKD can be painful. But there is a reason you have kidney pain! The average CKD patient should not have kidney pain unless there is a problem with the kidney - stone, infection, blockage, cysts (PKD), etc. If you have what is "kidney pain" you should get it checked out by your doctor. That is all I said!!

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to WYOAnne]

And exactly what I confirmed.

[Hidden]

When I’ve had problems it’s felt like I’ve got two tennis balls stuck in my lower back, not so much pain as a tender discomfort

[apopnj01 in reply to Hidden]

thank you

[spaceodessy]

Yes i get pain. In lower back. Very uncomfatable. Comes and goes. Had it a long time

[Marvin8]

I've had a few small kidney stones. Wouldn't wish the pain on my worst enemy. That's how bad. So bad I puked.