kidney pain, no stones or infection

[viwi]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, I didn't know where to put it.

I'm a 67 year old male, about 5'10" tall and weigh about 132. I've had kidney stones in the past, had a hernia operation in 2012 that has affected my reproductive system some, have a few bad teeth, and other issues too.

On October 15th my kidneys started to hurt quite a bit. They'd hurt for a few days, stop hurting but then I'd be nauseous for a day or two. I've had some very good days too, the last stretch was a long one, December 3rd to Dec 13th - I thought I was all better.

On the 14th I had a burning sensation in my chest and have had quite a few problems since including chest pain, nausea, and feeling really bad - I might even have had a bout of appendicitis for a day (not sure). Only one day of kidney pain though (some days they feel funny), the other symptoms are more of a problem now and I'm getting worse.

I've had my kidneys, heart, blood, and urine all checked out and everything is basically OK, nothing majorly wrong. What could have happened on Oct 15th that caused considerable kidney pain? Is it the kidneys or could it be something else? I assume the kidney problem has progressed to my chest and I'm sure the nausea and ill feeling are associated with the kidney problem.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Viwi,

Kidneys don't usually hurt. The area around the kidney can from pulled muscles, and if you have stones they will. I would have your doctor check it out for another stone. Also have him check for gallbladder problems with stones. Take note the next time this happens if it occurs after you eat and what you ate. The fact you are having chest pain is not something you should put off either. You can't have a bout of appendicitis for a day. When that goes off, it goes off until it is removed. If your GFR, creatinine and other labs are fine..normal, then pursue the gallbladder. I had issues for years and the pain is pervasive. Started in the chest area and spread and I was nauseous. But I am not a doctor so go see one.

[viwi in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hi Bassetmommer,

Thanks for the response. Addressing points you made:

1) Had my kidneys checked and everything was fine. Blood levels were good with serum creatinine slightly below normal.

2) My heart checked out good too. I've ridden a bicycle over 4300 miles this year with many of those miles traveling at a pretty fast pace (15 to 20 MPH) and I've never had a problem.

3) I eat pretty good limiting my fat and sugar intake - no fast food, no fried food, no sweets. I probably should replace the one percent milk I have with oatmeal with skim milk.

4) I guess I didn't have appendicitis then. I had pain on my lower right below my hernia operation site, felt like it was going to explode. It went away and hasn't returned.

5) I do have polyps in my bile duct and borderline pancreatitis, perhaps that is the problem. Still, it's odd that my kidneys hurt on and off for over two months with no pain anywhere else.

I hope your gallbladder problems are under control and you're doing well.

[GERALDDAVID]

Hi, I am 72 and was 5`10" quite a while though I am only 5`9.2"" now. I weight about twice what you weigh. I have a lot of neck pain so I have just started a round of treatment with CBD, I hear it is quite good for a number of ailments. You may have to shop around for a good one.

[viwi in reply to GERALDDAVID]

Good luck with the CBD treatment GERALDDAVID, I hope it works for you.

[DadviceTV]

I agree 100% with Bassetmommer. The only way to get correctly diagnosed is from a doctor and this does sound like possible gallbladder issues. I had extreme back pain, nausea, and upper shoulder pain about 12 years ago. Was hospitalized for what they thought was food poisoning. Things got better and time went by with no issues, then it all happened again. Took almost 2 weeks before a doc checked my gallbladder. Got it removed and those problems never returned.

Good luck - document what Nd when you eat and the symptoms (including the time). That could be helpful in your doctors finding the source of the pain.

James

[viwi in reply to DadviceTV]

Thanks for the advice DadviceTV.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

My nephrologist has always told me that kidneys by themselves do not cause pain. Pain can only caused if you have an infection, a kidney stone or if there is a stricture or kidney cysts. So, as Bassetmommer has said, it could be pulled muscles or gallbladder issues can cause pain in that area too. If your renal labs and urine was OK, then the problem is NOT from your kidneys. Sometimes pain radiates and is coming from somewhere else.

We can only speak from our own experiences, wo would advise you to go back to see your doctor.

[viwi in reply to WYOAnne]

Thanks for responding WYOAnne. It's definitely not a pulled muscle, maybe it's my gallbladder. After 2 months of off and on kidney pain I haven't had much lately, the worst problem now is just feeling ill.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

It IS possible to have chronic appendicitis but must be diagnosed professionally. Nobody here is qualified to diagnose anyone. Please listen to counsel of your physician. Blessings.

[viwi in reply to KidneyCoach]

Thanks for the sound advice.