Post nephrectomy problems: This is my... - Early CKD Support

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Post nephrectomy problems

Patricia-zacatin profile image
8 Replies

This is my first time on this site and would love to hear from anyone else who has had this problem. I had my left kidney removed two-and-a-half years ago but I am still experiencing swelling and pain or discomfort on that side of my abdomen. My consultant has assured me that there is no problem with the surgery - which I do not dispute - but I feel there is something wrong and would just like to know what it is and if there is anything I can do about it.

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Patricia-zacatin profile image
Patricia-zacatin
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8 Replies
jillab profile image
jillab

Hi , I too had a left kidney removed nearly 5 years ago now, I was very tender for about a month after but only what I had expected, I was left with the news that I had only a partial kidney left on the other side, which I know now is why I get exhausted very quickly and I have to have regular check ups to check if the remaining kidney is holding steady at about 25% . Re. your question though I have had no pain or swelling since at the operation site, and if I was you I would be asking for a proper check up with X rays etc. to check everything is ok inside. Good luck x

ElaineKeith profile image
ElaineKeith

Hello Patricia, my name is Elaine you have the same name my sister has. I know what you going through I had my left kidney remove for renal carcinoma 2 years ago I was in pain before I had the surgery and was in severe pain after I had the surgery. My urologist finally send me to a pain clinic first they gave me some medication that really didn't help it just me sleep so they said that they can give me a block. And after the first block I didn't have any pain for 8 months. Then the pain came back so I went back and they was going to give me another block but when the doctor gave me a block it just took half the pain away and they was going to give me another block. At that time my husband had to go to a neurologist in another city so he was talking to his doctor about what I was going through and they told him that a lot of people who had their kidneys out what have what they call phantom pain and it's just like you still feel your kidney there but it's not there. And I feel okay since I am a retired nurse I said I should have known that so I said no more pain pills or injection 2weeks l later the pain stopped. Hope this will help you.

ElaineKeith profile image
ElaineKeith

Patricia I left you a message down under the next message please search for it and I hope it can help you

SharonBakley profile image
SharonBakley

I had my right kidney removed 2016 and still have pain in back and stomach! Just like before my kidney was removed.. my doctor says there nothing wrong.. but the pain gets real bad sometimes..

Patricia-zacatin profile image
Patricia-zacatin in reply toSharonBakley

I can’t read the whole of your message but, what I read, appears we have similar problems. I also get swelling on left side of abdomen. I’ve asked hospital and GP about it several times but get no answers. Don’t know where to go from here

SharonBakley profile image
SharonBakley

I dont have answers but only questions since no one can tell me why I have pain

PurpleMinded profile image
PurpleMinded

I had a staghorn stone in my left kidney. I was born with duplicated ureters (tube from kidney to bladder). Due to this I didn't have the classic kidney stone pain. In November 2015, I had the upper pole of the left kidney removed. Surprisingly, my pain did not diminish, it got worse. I had another kidney study and discovred that a stone had completely blocked the remaining portion of my kidney and killed it. So in March 2016, I had the remaining portion of the left kidney removed.

I still have left flank/abdominal pain. Sometimes even more severe than when the kidney existed. I am seeing a pain specialist for numerous chronic pain conditions, including interstital cystitis.

At my quarterly appointments with the bephrologist, there are always some crystals in my urine. All of a sudden the mild diuretic I've taken for 10+ years made my potassium drop.

Kidneypainpro profile image
Kidneypainpro

I had my right kidney removed nearly 4 years ago due to having stage 5 ckd....I'm in bed as I write this message, swollen right side, terrible pain , feeling sick with no energy.....I can relate to your pain, it's really not nice to think that we have to live with this, it affects my every day life when in pain x

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