Newbie hasn’t a clue

[Pdbird]

Hi I’m 39F from Devon, UK. I had abnormal duplex kidneys which were removed in childhood but the past four years I have been plagued with kidney stones which I always manage to finally pass & have never had to have intervention for them. For the last 5 months the space in between an attack is getting shorter & shorter. I’ve had many X-rays & CT scans which have all been normal last CT scan was a year ago.

However this week I had an ultrasound done by a Doctor at my local renal unit. The kidney affected by the stones has calcification which the Doctor said isn’t too bad yet. She said she will get a proper look at the images she took & write the report which will be sent across to my GP who will then advise.

I need to have a blood test also but have been so unwell for seven weeks now that I have missed two appointments. The scan showed no large stones in either kidney & bladder was also clear. The pain in my side is unbearable a lot of the time & has been excruciating since the ultrasound even though it showed no evidence of stones right now (I know I passed some Friday & Saturday, scan was Monday).

Does anyone know anything about calcification?

About why all of a sudden I begin to get kidney stones?

Why am I in so much pain when there are no stones present?

Why I am sleeping around 18 hours a day?

I’m only 39, a lone parent too. I don’t have time for this. I’ve been off sick from work for seven weeks now, I just want to know what’s happening to me

Thank you to anyone who’s read this & in advance to anyone who may have gone through/going through similar xx

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Pdbird and welcome to this caring forum. I am sorry to hear that things are so difficult for you at the moment. You will know more when you are able to discuss the ultrasound report and will also be able to discuss the pain you are experiencing.

Calcification is the abnormal accumulation of calcium salts in body tissue. Calcification is the depositation of calcium salts, like chalk. It happens when calcium builds up in body tissue, blood vessels or organs. Kidney stones are usually formed following a build up of certain chemicals in the body.

For more information on this, please see the following website--

Kidney Care UK

https;//kidneycareuk.orgabout-kidne...

We are unable to provide a diagnosis, but since you are experiencing tiredness and sleeping a lot, it could be that you are anaemic. It would be a good idea to discuss this with your GP as treatment can be prescribed for this. Please stay on this caring forum where you will receive support from other members. Are any other members able to help Pdbird, please?

Thank you and best wishes

[Pdbird in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Thank you for your reply. I am sleeping around 18 hours per day right now. I’m struggling to stay awake & am no fit mother right now to my children (my youngest is only 9) I have no family anywhere near me & struggling to cope with everything. I don’t know where to turn right now for any sort of help xx

[MAS_Nurse in reply to Pdbird]

Hi Pdbird and thank you for your reply. As Bassetmommer has mentioned, please make sure the doctor knows how tired you are. You may find the following website helpful--

Advice and Support/ Kidney Care UK

kidneycareuk.orgget-support....

They have advocacy officers who may be able to help and support you. Please see website for more details. I hope this is helpful to you.

Thank you and best wishes.

[Bassetmommer]

Hi Pdbird,

Welcome to the group. The kidneys when they are not working well will make you tired. I am not a doctor and I cannot diagnose. But the fact you are passing all these stones would indicate an abnormal situation. As the Nurse said, there may be other issues such as anemia which is not unusual with CKD.

Find out what type of stones you are passing. Everyone does not have calcium oxalate stones. I have uric acid stones which is caused from another condition I have. And I have scarring and calcification from these stones as well.

Try to make your appointments because without the testing, they can't help you. And make sure the doctor knows how tired you are.

Are you drinking water? (I mean lots of water) Being dehydrated can compound your tiredness and cause stones.

kidneyfund.org/kidney-disea...