Anxious about totally bizarre symptoms

[Loobs39]

I suffered Nephritis as a child (60 years ago) and have since then had no kidney problems except passing a kidney stone around 5 years ago. For the past 5 or 6 nights I have been woken with quite severe pain in the area of my right kidney. At first I assumed I was passing another stone and the first night took painkillers and felt pain free when I woke. Every night since then I have suffered from the same pain and had to take a pain killer. Last night I decided not to take one to see how the pain progressed and what I have found is that the pain almost completely disappears once I am up and about - I had previously assumed it went because of the lasting effect of any painkillers. It is definitely not just a case of being distracted from the pain - it is too severe at night and I would absolutely feel it during the day - but it seems that being vertical solves the issue??? I cannot work out what that means (and I am assuming it is a kidney issue, maybe it's not that at all). Anyone any ideas??

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Call your doctor. You may have another stone lodged and when you lie down it presses on your kidney and causes pain but when you are vertical, it doesn't. Whatever the issue, the doctor should be made aware. Why suffer?

[Loobs39 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yes, thanks, I have actually got an appointment booked for Monday week but I think I will try and get an emergency one for this Monday. I was just curious as to whether anyone else had experienced similar - it all seems so odd.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Loobs39]

I did. For two years I had issues with stones and had the same symptom. When laying down, sneezing, or hitting my back I would be in pain. Turned out to be 5 stones in my right kidney. 9mm, 6mm and several 3 mm. I could not pass them because they were too big.

[Loobs39 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks for that, it does sound similar - how did they find out you had the stones and how did you get rid of them?? Btw, I took painkillers just prior to going to bed last night and slept right through for the first time in over a week. Slight discomfort this morning but nothing more. I will wait for my GP appointment next week if the pain stays like this.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

I had to have a ultrasound done. I hope the painkillers you are taking are not NSAIDS because they are kidney killers and will damage your kidneys. That's what started my CKD.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Sometimes gallstones, gallbladder issues are similar in pain. Best to get this checked out. Blessings

[Tabookitty5]

could be so many things! It is still important to “look for horses instead of zebras” with symptoms (I’m a hypochondriac by heredity - haha). But, your situation sounds too unstable to wait for you to wait a week before getting SOME IDEA to the cause of the pain. You need not just “ride it out” for a week unless you’re financially unable to seek medical attention?

[Loobs39 in reply to Tabookitty5]

Thanks for replying - I nearly went to A&E a couple of nights ago but the pain went. Actually, last night I didn't take painkillers and was fine, it has definitely almost stopped so I think I will wait the week unless it gets worse again.