Kidney Pain: What do you all do when your... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

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Kidney Pain

Dragonfly1968 profile image
23 Replies

What do you all do when your kidneys are killing you? My left one started a week ago. My right one today. They are both deep dull aches and in and get comfortable in any position. I have a new PCP but haven’t seen her yet. And I have a nephrologist but haven’t seen him yet too. Those appointments are 2 weeks away. I see my oncologist next Tuesday. I know I can’t take ibuprofen. Right now I’m sitting up as straight as possible with the heating pad across my back. Last week was the first time my kidney hurt. Today is the first both have hurt. My right not as much as my left but it just started. The only dr I have contact with us my oncologist. Is this typical for CKD? Should I call my oncologist and talk to her? The referral she gave me for the nephew says ASAP but I had to wait a month to get this appointment. Any suggestions or advice? I don’t want to call my oncologist with every little ache or pain I have. I don’t want to be THAT patient! Lol

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Dragonfly1968
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23 Replies

If the new PCP won't see you right away due to the pain you are dealing with, there is always the Emergency Room. I was traveling a few years ago and had to do this when my blood pressure skyrocketed one morning. A few hours later, they sent me on my way and all was well.

Dragonfly1968 profile image
Dragonfly1968 in reply to

I haven’t thought of calling her because I haven’t had my new patient appointment. Also, I’m so cold. I turned up the heat but my hand and feet are freezing and it’s that cold to the bone feeling. I don’t have a fever.

in reply to Dragonfly1968

A few of my doctors call that type of appointment an "acute" appointment. If you have all of the paperwork completed (health history, personal information, etc.) Bring it with you when you go in.

It beats sitting at home in pain. If she can't squeeze you in remember the ER will see you.

Dragonfly1968 profile image
Dragonfly1968 in reply to

She is in with a large group of specialists. My oncologist and endocrinologist are in that group as well so all of my records are already in the system including my bloodwork.

in reply to Dragonfly1968

Again, I can't think of a reason why a PCP won't see a patient, even a new one, right away if they are in pain, so a call to the office and explaining your pain should get you squeezed in almost immediately.

Spedden1 profile image
Spedden1 in reply to

Where is pain from your kidneys located?

in reply to Spedden1

Kidney pain is usually felt on either side of your spine, below the bottom of your ribcage and your hips. It can happen on either side or both.

Dragonfly1968 profile image
Dragonfly1968 in reply to

On my side and right under my ribs. My oncologist said not to be concerned unless I start running fever over 100 or have nausea/vomiting. I do t have any of that. Just discomfort. I have an MRI on Friday and her reasons were for sclerotic lesions and kidney failure. Then I see her for the results on Tuesday. I guess I’ll find out then how damaged my kidneys are hopefully find a reason. It’s always good having that answer!

Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador

If you are in that much pain, go to an Urgent Care if you have one. If not, do as Mr. Kidney suggested and see your new PCP.

Dragonfly1968 profile image
Dragonfly1968 in reply to Bassetmommer

I spent the rest of the day on the heating pad and working. I have the privilege of working from home so I can take it with me anywhere. I have so many appointments this week. The only open day I have is Thursday! It’s like pick and choose what appointments you can cancel (none of these this week). Perhaps I can give my oncologist a call and she might be able to get me in sooner with my nephrologist since she wants me to be seen ASAP. Sometimes dr to dr can be a little more persuasive than what the actual schedule book looks like.

Flaherty741 profile image
Flaherty741

I can relate to the pain my kidneys started hurt really bad the last few works I am on my heating pad all the time. I went to the ER last week they treated me pain meds but then sent me home with Tylenol. I called my nephrologist and have an appointment next month. I hope you make an appointment soon to see how they can help! I am here if you need to talk. Call the nephrologist!

Dragonfly1968 profile image
Dragonfly1968 in reply to Flaherty741

I have an appointment with him on the 29th as a new patient. My referral says ASAP and their ASAP was a month out. I too spent the day on the heating pad and feel a bit better. I have so much going on in my life that this is the last thing I need to deal with!

Dragonfly1968 profile image
Dragonfly1968 in reply to Flaherty741

Do you know what is causing your pain?

htpi1543 profile image
htpi1543

I was in a similar situation with minor pain near my left kidney. I talked to my Nephro. He says kidney will never give you pain even if it is scared/ hurt

In my case I found out that it was due to my hip muscle problem

Can you call and talk to your Nephro or his nurse and explain the pain and get some professional opinion about your pain

God Bless

KidneyCoach profile image
KidneyCoachNKF Ambassador in reply to htpi1543

I also have been told this by a nephrologist and it's BS. Kidneys have nerves in and around them. If you get a stone, infection it hurts. PKD can be very painful when a cyst bursts/ruptures or if they are large, inflamed etc. Any doctor who says no pain from kidneys should not IMHO be trusted. Blessings

htpi1543 profile image
htpi1543 in reply to KidneyCoach

I agree with you that if you have stone problem, then It could be very painful

My brother in law had such pain especially when he was passing stone thru urine

😇

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador

My nephrologist has always told me that kidneys by themselves DO NOT hurt. If you feel that the pain is coming from the kidney area you could have an infection, there could be a blockage, a kidney stone, kidney cysts, etc.... I would see like Mr_Kidney said if your PCP has any same day appts. I know my doctor's office always some "acute" appts. Only you can tell if you can wait or maybe you should consider going to urgent care or the ER. They will only treat the immediate problem, but that is probably what you need right now.

RhenDutchess123 profile image
RhenDutchess123

As CKD progresses the muscles begin to weaken and its easy to strain them....the pain may be comming from Sciatica Nerve and not your kidneys....I was told to be careful with heating pads and to not use them constantly as it will weaken the muscles even more..They recommended ice instead of heat...I know its painful..but you might want to try gentle stretches and walking more...and as always..continue to seek medical help and opinion

KidneyCoach profile image
KidneyCoachNKF Ambassador

You're lucky. Even with ASAP referrals many specialists have had 6-10 month waits for appts. I've never heard normal CKD patients have kidney pain unless combined with kidney infections, stones or PKD. Tylenol should help. Blessings

Dragonfly1968 profile image
Dragonfly1968 in reply to KidneyCoach

I live close to the Baltimore/DC area. Fortunately for me there is a kidney center in the town where I live with a larger practice. Sometimes I’ve had to wait up to 3 months to see a specialist but he was downtown DC. I tend to head to the Baltimore area or if there is actually a good one here I may only have a few weeks.

T-ip profile image
T-ip

My kidney doctor said you don’t get pain I say I do but he says it’s not in my kidneys probably arthritis had an ultrasound showed no no problem so I don’t know I’m lost I also get it on my left side and sometime in my right so I don’t know what Do you think

daxielovinglady profile image
daxielovinglady

Impress upon your kidney specialist you need to see them urgently.

Do not be fobbed off , this is your body. God Bless.

Chris1974 profile image
Chris1974

I have very interesting case. I am new here but have been in the medical field for over 20 years. Anyway, I believe I have antibiotic induced acute interstitial nephritis. Due to Cipro in 2016. I have been sick for 3 years and have seen a dozen specialists. All ct scans, MRIs, labs, ultrasounds, xrays, endoscopy, colonoscopy etc over these years have all been normal. My BP started to rise and I had dozens of symptoms matching AIN and CKD. I have right flank pain that’s been hanging around since 2017. They thought it was nerve damage from the Cipro and I finally went to the ER on December 16th of 2019. All normal again except I showed a creatinine level of 1.51mg/dL and blood sugar of 101. Everything else was normal. That was the first time I have had an abnormal test. Well was back at UCSD lab this morning and results were normal GFR and creatinine was 1.1mg/dL. Yet still feel sick and right flank pain. The pain almost was gone after 3 years until I took 3 tablets of Bactrim a month ago and now the pain won’t go away. So I am on my way as a walk-in patient in 8 hours to the nephrologist. Something is not right. No cancer and thyroid issues you name it. Will update.

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