KIDNEY DISEASE, MY IMAGINATION OR SOMETHING ELSE?

[PDBHDK4444]

I suffer from depression, and I also have hypothyroidism and a very high form of autism. I have been have these pains in my lower back for at least 5 years, but they're so random, I can't answer the typical question of how often and when. Usually it is when I'm sitting or laying down, but that's the best I can do. I was taking birth control pills when they started for pain, rather than for actual birth control when they started, so I'm certain these pains don't have anything to do with my cycles. At first these pains were a very sharp, stabbing sensation from an instrument such as a knife or a really big needle. Then they transfored, so to speak, to be more like I'm being shocked by an electrical current. There are also times that my skin at the sight of my pain feels like it is absolutely on fire! I also have a history of really bad constapation, so now I'm wondering if these pains are really related to my kidney or if I should have a colonoscopy to rule out polyps. I believe my grandfather on my dad's side died of colon cancer.
I don't really think this is my imagination, but other people seem to do so because of my mental illness.
I also have been known to overdose a lot on benedryl. Could benedryl mess up my kidneys like this?
Thank you

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The common causes for the back pain could be infections/inflammations of the bowel, kidney disorders like pyeloneohritis, glomerulonephritis or renal colic. Others are due to prostate infections. I would advise you to re consult your primary care physician for evaluation of pain. He will ask for blood tests, urine analysis, an x ray and an ultra sonogram of the abdomen. Sometimes he may ask for an Intravenous pyelogram and a CT scan.  In the meantime take OTC Naproxen for pain relief and plenty of oral fluids.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[warney]

I really feel for you!! I had pains that sounded identical!!!! very sharp, sudden, made me gasp and even cry out. They went as fast as they came and no explanation. like being stabbed thourgh the kidney had them for years and I always argued they were right in the kidney area!!! never moved.  I too have severe depression and it was put down to in my head.  I never found out the cause but I have just learned , years after the mystery pains began, that I am in stage 4 of chronic kidney disease - although I do have underlying probelms that made me a guaranteed victim of same - bladder taken out which cuased the depression in the first place.
Having siad that, the nephrologist last week told me kidney disease does not cause pain and that is was ftom all the surgery, but the pain was before I had it out!!! , go figure!!!!   GO TO A DR THAT DOES NOT KNOW YOUR HISOTRY IE MENTAL ILLNESS. Ask for a kidney function test, if he asks why, LIE!!!! Say you had two family members with chroinc kidney disease and just want it checked regularly , DO NOT mention mental illness ok and dont mention the pain or you will get fobbed off like I did as CKD causes none - or so they say