What does any of this mean?

[tkroll0027]

My doctor wants to send me to a kidney doctor and I'm really scared and I don't know what any of this means. I just want to understand.

[tkroll0027]

My doctor did say there was blood in my urine which she was concerned about.

[1sam in reply to tkroll0027]

Hi dear! I remember you from a previous post .... yes, those tests say that some blood leaked into your urine, some white cells and protein too. No bacteria means no infection, simple as that.

Your Dr is right sending you to a kidney dr (nephrologist). It's ok to be afraid, we all have been there, but the important thing is not to get paralyzed by fear. You are on the right track, you need to find out if you have organ involvement or not, and obviously to get proper medication.

Now, take this from someone with "lupus nephritis stage I", I'm not a doctor and I'm not diagnosing you BUT... your results are very similar to mine on a bad month, so sorry to tell you dear. You do need to be seen by the specialist soon. I'll tell you what I understand so you can go on reading on your own: kidneys are formed of little filters called glomeruli, when they are inflamed (due to lupus attack, infection, kidney stones, etc) they are swollen enough that they allow cells from the blood to pass into urine, this doesn't happen with a healthy kidney. It is called glomerulonephritis and it can have different causes, if a bacterial infection was discarded then is very important to look into lupus or other autoimmune conditions. Maybe they will order you some ultrasound, X-rays or CAT scan to rule out kidney stones. There is a simple test for blood in urine, they see it in a microscope and if the red cells are round/normal then the blood comes from the lower urinary tract (bladder etc) but if they are spiked or acanthocyte then they come from the kidney, "chopped" by those filters we have. White cells don't appear in urine with a bladder problem.

Notice and record your symptoms so you can help your Drs a bit more....Do you have pain in your lower back? Are your ankles or hands swollen? Do you pee enough for all you drink? What is your urine color and smell? Any leg cramps or pain? Do you feel right a day after eating salty foods or red meat? (I don't and took me a while to notice). In the meantime, please try to stay away from coffee, alcohol, tea, soft drinks/soda/cola, those sport-drinks, moderate your salt intake, rest as much as you can and stay hydrated.

I really hope you can see the positive side of all this, with your test results and symptoms it could be more easy for you to have a diagnosis and the right medication. They can give you something to manage your disease and pain, finally! My experience is that I had to be sicker than you to be properly taken care of, it was awful but totally worthy; I learned that when my urine tests are bad my symptoms are bad too, and so on. I was diagnosed about 1 year ago and I'm a new person now, hopefully you will say the same soon. But go to the kidney dr

Sending you hugs and courage!!

Samantha

[PMRpro]

You have some protein present in your urine - and there shouldn't be. Your doctor wants a kidney specialist to check out why because most rheumatologists wouldn't know how or why.

Your doctor may have found blood with the dip test she would have used - but the lab obviously didn't find any, it isn't mentioned on the report.

If you have lupus it can sometimes affect your kidneys - and it is better to know and treat it than to ignore it. There is no reason to be scared about seeing a specialist about something to do with your health when you already know you have something. It means they are taking care of you.

[tkroll0027 in reply to PMRpro]

I always fear the worst. My anxiety is spiking so bad right now. I just need to rationalize it. I'm in a lot of pain and there isn't much I can do about it. I have to drink more water but peeing hurts. I'm just really emotional right now.

[mark3600 in reply to tkroll0027]

I can provide an expert comment as a retired specialist in kidney problems. The urine test is normal as there is no increase in Albumin (which would usually be expected with a major kidney problem) but other test for cells in the urine and for creatinine in the blood are also important, both to check if Lupus could be involving your kidneys BUT your symptoms suggest it is an unconnected badder infection, which is very common both in those with lupus and those without. It will not show on the test that you showed the result from. If it is a bladder infection it could be diagnosed and treated by any GP and does not need a specialist if it is not repetitive. Visit you GP and ask could I have a UTI (urinary tract infection) and do I nneed antibiotics. Stress to him/her that it hurts when you go to the toilet (that is a bladder symptom NOT a kidney symptom). While waiting, I hope not for long, take panadol or Nurofen (or both) for the pain and keep drinking plenty. UTIs are not often serious but can be very painful and unpleasant and are best treated early .... so get another GP opinion ASAP and take a urine specimen with you if you have the correct laboratory jar (or a very clean jar that has been boiled for 3 minutes).

[tkroll0027 in reply to mark3600]

We ran the UTI and yeast tests that came back negative. She did a vaginal exam and there are no signs of infection but she's running a test for VV that we haven't gotten back yet because its the weekend. I really appreciate your knowledge on this. Its helped calm me down a lot.

[PMRpro in reply to mark3600]

Mark - The report says no bacteria found. I'd have said the same as you otherwise. Is that not significant?

[tkroll0027 in reply to PMRpro]

I just got my urine culture results that say there's been no growth in one day.

[PMRpro in reply to tkroll0027]

Do they report it after 3 days too? 1 day is pretty short...

[tkroll0027 in reply to PMRpro]

She said she wants me to get my money's worth so I imagine they to 1 day and then wait another 2.

[mark3600]

A negative growth for bacteria does suggest it is not a UTI, although some with negative cultures have been found to respond to a course of antibiotic, perhaps because it is an unusual bacteria that does not grow well in testing. Doctors are often reluctant to prescribe antibiotics if no bacteria grows but others are prepared to give antibiotics a trial. There are other syndromes when people have symptoms of cystitis (UTI) but no infection on testing. Some have an excess of inflammation cells. They are grouped together as urethral syndromes and are most often unpleasant rather than dangerous . One of these is Interstitial Cystitis, which is yet another auto-immune disorder There are a range of potential tests and treatments, available usually only after consultation with a urologist or a gynaecologist with an interest. Another cause that is not always considered is an allergic response eg to a washing powder used for underwear or cleasnsing or contraseptive products used locally. Worth thinking about and changing to see if this makes a difference.

It sounds as if your GP is working through the possibilities in a sensible way and it may be that the "kidney" specialist is known to him as the local specialist most likely to be helpful even if the symptoms suggest a bladder problem rather than a kidney one.

[1sam]

I forgot to mention, there are a number of posts in this forum about "nephritis", there are some awesome ladies with similar problems than yours and their experience can be of much help.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi tkroll0027 ,

I'm glad to see that you've had some helpful and supportive comments from other members of the community.

If you would like more information about lupus and the kidneys, we have a booklet that you can read and download at lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

I hope your appointment with the kidney doctor goes well. Let us know how you get on.

[tkroll0027 in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you!