It appeared about eight months ago, very minor but on most days, usually after waking up, sometimes when tired, about 2.5” above the waist, 3” from spine.
I’m in mid 70s, AFib, CAD, recently CHF. Walk at least four miles a day, sometimes fast. Not a hint of back problems or with lifting weights asymmetrically.
Ultrasound and blood creatinine, BUN, eGFR are fine. Strong response to the punch test.
If the pain is one the right it might be gallbladder issues. That can be very painful. they looked for kidney stones if an ultrasound was done. Does it feel better if you drink water when you get up?
Thank you for the quick response! The pain is symmetric, at times slightly more on the left, always mild. Ultrasound does not show gallbladder issues. Drinking water has no effect.
Not sure what a "punch test" is, but my money's on musculoskeletal issues.
Punch test: "gently tapping the area of the back overlying the kidneys.” My body responded with an unpleasant noticeable pain lasting for an hour. In no way it was musculoskeletal.
I assume your spine and related was checked carefully? You're at an age where disc degeneration affects over 90% of the population. I'm an active person in your age category, and noticed that exercise often masks musculoskeletal issues instead of exposing it. With regard to kidney disease, it's very sneaky and quiet unless, of course, one has polycystic kidneys, a kidney infection, etc. Your scan and kidney data are normal...you're very blessed.
My recent urinalysis: everything that should be negative is negative, hyaline casts are 0, the rest is well within limits. So, blood, urine, US are good, but strong response to the punch test. Minor pain in both points, where kidneys are, is about daily, not for long. It is not caused by exercise, and, when present, not affected by exercise (tested a few times by lifting 25-35 lbs asymmetrically - in one arm, then in another).
Did you have urinalysis with spin down to check under microscope. If not get one. That should have been first step.
From my perspective that seems low to be kidneys, but not everybody is built the same. My kidney pain is usually behind my lower ribs (they had to stick the needle between some ribs to my biopsies). It is also a different pain than I have felt anywhere else in my body. They ask if it is sharp or dull etc and I want describe it as foamy... more on the dull side and when it happens it aches for hours. It comes on slow and hours later fades away. I should mention that I have never had kidney stones and most people describe them very differently.
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