posted
I have been experiencing left flank pain on and off for the past 2 weeks and now it seems to be leaking over to my other side as well.
It started out severe and I was seen in the ER where I had a Sonogran, CT Scan, blood and urine tests done. All come back fine.
It has improved over the past 2 weeks. Some days no pain, other days it can be mild to moderate, day or night.
Does anyone have any idea what this could be?????
-------------------- Maria Posts: 23 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2009
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lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
I've had chronic kidney infections for the past three years since getting Lyme and co.
Some people say babs can cause problems with your kidneys, but I never found out what the culprit was exactly. I had a biopsy done on my left kidney and several cultures as well and the docs came up empty handed.
I can tell you that now that I'm further along in treatment my flank pain is gone and I haven't had a kidney infection a some time...
Lauren
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I also have pain in the flank area. I think mine is Lyme related. Probably inflammation maybe of the kidney.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
"Flank Pain" is often an indication of adrenal fatigue, low cortisol. You might want to look up previous posts on these terms, or google adrenalfatigue.org
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I have had this since November, on the left and right sides. After two trips to the ER and all the tests you mentioned, they've found nothing. I also have blood in my urine but nothing that can explain it.
Pain meds work a little, but Azo is the best that I've found so far to help with the discomfort. I wish I knew what causes it!
Posts: 236 | From Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I had an inflamed spleen (splenomegaly)for 2 years that docs missed. My llmd found it immediately which was related to lyme. It hurt so much i couldn't lay on my left side.
I also have a distressed kidney and it gives me some pain when i am toxic - lots of detox.
And fried adrenals.....'i know your pain'. I hope it gets better!
Posts: 47 | From morgantown, wv | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
It must be Lyme related. A backup of dead bacteria makes sense. Thanks everyone for the advice.
-------------------- Maria Posts: 23 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Yes, lyme can cause problems with kidneys. Since you had scans and such that is good.
Still, since you are still having symptoms - you still have questions to ask.
Are you drinking at least 8 - 10 glasses of water a day?
Might this be from either muscle strain or lack of muscle toning?
Do gentle yoga exercises help? Does walking help?
Do you have a fever?
Any urinary tract pain?
If so, follow up kidney tests would be good.
Are you being treated by a LLMD? It is important that your LLMD know about this.
Even if tests were okay, a follow-up is in order if you continue to have moderate pain at night as you described.
Be sure to drink plenty of water - go very light on sodium (if you eat any processed foods, be sure to check the content on the label).
======
This is not to scare you but notice that even the doctor in the article was sent away but had problems later.
Lyme creates a lot of pain and most of us just have to deal with it for the duration. However, it's good knowing how to sort out emergencies - or prevent them.
From today's news, an article on how urinary tract infections can become dangerous. Usually, this happens very quickly - still this is good information for everyone to know - just in case:
If you are even around smoke or smoke residue - that can put your kidneys at greater risk.
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Excess Salt can be very hard on kidneys. But we all require a certain amount. And, for some of use who may have low blood pressure (POTS, NMH, or orthostatic hypotension), a slight increase can really help as long as kidneys are in good shape.
Our adrenal function requires salt - so don't try to cut it out totally. Just keep it in the safety zone, especially until this pain is figured out.
Sea Salt is better to use than regular table salt, but still, no more than a total of one teaspoon a day - or figuring by packages:
The US sodium RDA of less than 2,400 mg is higher than the UK Recommended Nutritional Intake (RNI) whose upper limit for sodium is 1,600 mg.
. . . Fast foods are generally very high in sodium. Another reason to eat in.
======
It's best to avoid all artificial sweeteners or MSG in any form (you can google for all the names).
Stevia is a sugar substitute but it is not artificial. It is very helpful - and just a tiny amount will do.
Agave, too, is natural. It's a syrup from a cactus plant. It is supposed to be low glycemic impact but is still best used only in small amounts - especially if you are dealing with candida.
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And, after all that, you may have seen this book but just to be sure, I'll post the link as there is some wonderful information in it that may be of help.
Best of luck and I hope you feel better soon.
This book, by an ILADS member LLMD, holds great information about treatments options and support measures:
[ 01-29-2009, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
I would have to agree with bejoy. I have had similar flank soreness for a couple of years (waxes and wanes). My kidneys are fine but at least one MD and some saliva tests have suggested adrenal fatigue. That idea makes sense to me if the adrenals are compromised and other tests are normal...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I am on variuos meds to increase adrenal function such as adrenal desicate,etc.
My LLMD pretty much blew me off. I called her when the pain was at kidney stone levels. I am currently looking for a new LLMD.
I feel like if a doc. is treating me for TBD with very high doses of abx along with all the other stuff she has me taking, that doc. needs to be there for me when symptoms get scary.
I do not have a UTI or kidney infection. WBC are fine and no blood or bacteria in my urine.
-------------------- Maria Posts: 23 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
I have Dr. Singleton's book. THE LYME DISEASE SOLUTION (Great book) His office is nearby and I wanted him to treat me but it is very hard to get in.
-------------------- Maria Posts: 23 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
Hi, I have lower flank pain on the left side. My PCP dx as a muscle strain. My neuro dx as sacroiliitis inflamation of the sacro illiac joint. Makes perfect sense had pain in lower left side when bending my neck foward too.
I think I was in my work car and reached over to the passenger side with my left arm to pick up my nurse bag which is heavy one too many times!
The inflamation can also cause blurry vision and diarrhea (I am not sure why), which I had a couple of episodes of. Neuro gave me Ultram and PT orders.
I have to say with rest, meds and then no heavy lifting it has gotten much better. The pain did migrate over to the right sometimes.
Just a thought. Grace
Posts: 113 | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
I am sure this is not muscular. It definately feels like kidney and inflamation on ct confirms this . I am just not sure what it is and why. I am glad you are feeling better Grace. Thanks you the suggestion.
-------------------- Maria Posts: 23 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2009
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