posted
I ended up in the ER again Friday night with severe kidney pain, fever, and chills. My LLMD asked me to go asap since he had already treated me 10 days with antibiotics for a "kidney infection" diagnosed when he found blood and e coli in my urine.
This is the second time in a month I've been to the ER for the same problem. The first time, they discovered ovarian cysts and focused on that instead of the kidney problems.
This time, the doctor said my blood tests are 'pristine' and my CT scan absolutely normal. He insisted on knowing why I am on Ketek, so I had to tell about treatment with my LLMD, which he questioned for a long time very rudely. He treated me like I was bothering him even being there.
Then he gave me a prescription for more antibiotics and for Vicodin, which I refused to take, because I want to know the cause of the pain and not just medicate myself. Then I asked him what the cause of this pain might be. He had no idea, apparently, and said he wouldn't do anything else for me.
What should I do next? If there is no infection, hematuria, abcess, kidney stone, etc, what else can be causing such awful pain? Does Lyme cause this as well?
Posts: 236 | From Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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DebAz
Unregistered
posted
Hello Wow. I have been on Ketek and have kidney pain and even posted recently about it. I am seeing my doc on the 15th and will address this issue. I had asked him about these sort of pains as I had them at the end of my mepron treatment and his comment was that it was the antibiotic penatrating them and getting at the bacteria to get rid of it.?? Hmm but it has been ongoing now and as well it sounds like yours is much more serious. I would like to know for you if you find any connection between the Ketek and the kidneys or just the abx overal?? or the infections?? I do not know.. I hope you get this resolved and maybe your lyme doc would be a better person to get some answers from.. ??
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posted
Thanks, Deb. I remember reading your post because it was right around the time I started hurting really badly. I was already in pain before starting the Ketek, while I was taking Biaxin/Alinia/Diflucan, but since I've been on Ketek over the past two weeks, it's been getting worse.
I'm just really not sure what's going on because I have never ever had kidney problems before. I mean, it's a great thing I guess if the antibiotics are working on bacteria in the kidneys, but I would like some reassurance that nothing more serious is happening.
My LLMD has been on vacation this past week, so I only got to talk quickly to him while he was away with family on Friday, which I hated doing to him. I'll probably have to wait until he's back in the office to talk to him again. It's just so unsettling to be in so much pain and have NOTHING demonstrably wrong!
Posts: 236 | From Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
This was my daughter's story Saw kidney specialists, infectious disease, urologists, etc. years before she was diagnosed with Lyme. Sometimes bacteria in urine, sometimes not. Ended up with lots of blood in urine (babesia?). Didn't go away until treated with IV Primaxen for an extended period of time. She then changed to Bicillin injections. Has had no kidney pain in over 4 years, but relapsed a bit and is now on Bactrim and minocycline.
Hope this helps
Posts: 132 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
I am having similar problems . I suspect a kidney stone . There is a kidney stone dissolving technique you can use that ends the pain and cleanses kidneys.
You can find it on the net . You drink 2 ounces EACH of olive oil and lemon juice twice a day . The oil does kill the pain ! Also , drink lots of water ! Good Luck!
lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
when you guys say kidney pain-where is it? what is it like?
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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You wrote: " . . . he gave me a prescription for more antibiotics and for Vicodin, which I refused to take, because I want to know the cause of the pain . . . ."
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the new abx are likely to specifically address a kidney infection - even if the blood tests are "pristine" - it sounds like he still suspects an infection and is doing a clinical diagnosis.
Please do reconsider following the doctor's advice and take the antibiotic. This is extremely important.
And as for the Vicodin - a kidney attack is one of THE most painful things there is. You will kiss the doctor for giving you this. It would be only for day or two - at most. As it contains tylenol, it can be hard on the liver but, in an emergency, it can be a wonderful, wonderful, thing to have.
You don't have to take it unless you simply have to do so. However, once pain reaches a certain point, it is better to keep ahead of it a bit. Once the abx start working, the pain will be manageable w/o that. Probably within 2-3 days.
IF this is a kidney infection, please do not waste time. Take the abx - as it's probably only a 10 day supply. A kidney infection that is not treated can result in permanent damage, including scarring of the kidneys - or it can even be fatal, in some cases.
The e coli in your urine is a very serious thing - it means the kidneys may be affected and that requires strong measures. The previous 10 days' treatment from you LLMD may not have been enough.
The blood in your urine can indicate a kidney stone - are you straining your urine? As, if you can catch it, examining it can guide you to specific causes/treatment.
The blood in your urine can also be for other reasons connected to kidney or bladder, of course.
It is too bad that the ER doctor was not more helpful (and awful that he was so rude). Still, with some of these kinds of things it can be hard to figure out and they want to be sure to treat in case of acute infection to prevent possible damage.
And, there have been some serious reactions to ketek. So, even if this doctor and you did not hit it off, and even if he does not understand chronic lyme, he may have had some legitimate concerns as to whether you might be reacting to the ketek.
I do hope this works out for you soon.
Along with one question above, how do you interpret "kidney pain" ? What is is like?
Does this pain wrap around from back to the front and down the middle ?
Obviously, the ER doctor was concerned enough to give you two prescriptions. Had he not thought anything was wrong he would not have done that.
Again, please reconsider and follow his advice. You don't have to marry the guy. You don't even have to like him. But, it seems his prescription - based upon his experience and your symptoms - is intended to help you.
By not following his recommendations, it can get worse and you could be spending your days at dialysis. That would be no fun at all. And, if that happens, constant fibro-like pain and fatigue goes with it. Kidney disease is a horrible condition to have. Many times, it can be prevented.
Oh, your kidneys will also be really happy with lots of water - but you are probably already doing that.
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[ 01. December 2008, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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blinkie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14470
posted
I had severe kidney pain and ovarian cysts.
I started taking cortisol for low adrenal function and the pain is gone as long as I stay on it. It was instant relief. The adrenals sit atop the kidneys so this could be the pain you are experiencing.
Posts: 1104 | From N.California | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
Thank you so much for all the thoughtful responses. Just to clarify, I did take the Levaquin he offered just in case there is still an infection, but it was the Vicodin I wasn't so thrilled about. I think Keebler is right, I am probably going to be wanting it.
I just rested for most of the weekend and drank so much water. Not feeling better yet, but hopefully within the next few days (unless it's something more serious than an infection).
For lpkayak, the pain for me is in my lower back and wraps around my side. It started below my rib cage in back and has moved up a little higher. It feels like pressure and a dull, achey pain.
Posts: 236 | From Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Oh, sorry - guess I read it wrong - but glad you have some protection if this is a kidney infection.
Now, I didn't know it was levaquin. Be sure NOT to stress your legs, especially your Achilles Tendons - as some on levaquin have had problems. I don't know if that is with short term use or not -
and I don't know what preventative measures one might take but just don't go trying to stretch those legs like a ballerina, okay ?
Hopefully, others will come along with advice for your tendon protection.
Kidney pain can wrap around as you describe, especially with infection or stones.
posted
keebler posted very good info. you said the er labs were "pristine" what labs?
did they look at chem. panel? renal function labs? follow-up urine culture? (takes few days to get results)
e-coli can cause very nasty,painful infection. would like to know if follow up culture positive.
as advised, vicoden good for pain. just know that contains tylenol so do not use any other acetomenophen products with it, also take on full stomach or can cause bad nausea.
i would follow up on kidney studies and cultures with your PCP or LLMD and make sure e-coli is gone and take it from there..are you running fever as well? would indicate ongoing infection if fever, pain, tender to palpation on area (did er doc tap the area to see if hurt?), and cloudy,dark, painful or odor to urine
best wishes
-------------------- i am not a Dr. any info is only for education, suggestion or to think/research. please do not mis-intuprest as diagnostic or prescriptive, only trying to help. **
dx in 08:lyme, rmsf, bart, babs, and m.pneumonia. Posts: 422 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2008
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