Any help appreciated.

Hi and thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully answer my post.

Brief history;
I have Pseudotumor Cerebri and a VP shunt.
Have been on Diomax off and on for 3 years.
Have repeated kidney infections which can be linked up to the time I am taking Diomax.
Last infection was 2 weeks ago.

Since Thurs last week I have a terrible pain in my right side, waist level and radiating to my mid back.
Have microscopic blood in urine but do not have any symptoms of a kidney infection.
After spending the day in hospital having bloods, x-ray and cat scans I am no nearer finding out what is wrong and causing this pain.

The pain is gripping, tearing and comes in waves.
I have tried most pain reliefs with out any relief.The pain is 24/7 and nothing seems to stop it or help.
The tests ruled out a kidney stone,the Dr is now thinking the catheter part of the shunt is perhaps hitting off an organ? But cant see it on the cat scan.

Any help, opinions would be gratefully received! Cath278

[Dr Sharma]

Dear Cath, welcome to the medhelp forum. The pain in the abdomen and microscopic hematuria could be due to the distal end of the catheter abutting some visceral structure or the peritoneal lining.  This would need an exploration under anesthesia if CAT scan were not conclusive. I hope you have been investigated for common causes of right iliac fossa pain in women. These may be appendicitis, diverticular disease and meckel’s diverticulitis. Crohn’s disease an inflammatory bowel disease may mimic an appendicitis attack. Certain gynecological conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease, torsion of ovarian cyst. Have you been ruled out for a urinary tract infection and ureteric stone causing colicky pain and microscopic hematuria?  These are few speculations you can discuss with your physician if they have not been already ruled out. Wishing you all the best.

[Cath278]

Thank you for the quick reply.
My problem is that the hospital sent me home with no further reference.
I was given Diclofenac  for the pain and I would imagine a follow up apt will follow with a Urologist.

But as the x-ray and cat scan were clear, they felt there was nothing more they could do.
Even tho the tests didn't turn up anything the pain is very real.

I am at a loss at what to do next.The dr was going to admit me but there were no beds available.
Should I stay taking the Diclofenac for a few more days and see what happens? Or, go back to the hospital and make them aware that the pain is still there?

There is still microscopic blood in my urine but no other sign of infection.
Thank you for taking the time to answer me. Cath278

[Dr Sharma]

Dear Cath, I understand your predicament and empathize with you for the same. Since you have a history of recurrent renal infections, it is not advisable to take diclofenac or other NSAIDs for long without pre knowledge of the renal reserve/function. It would be appropriate that you consult your physician again immediately. Get a baseline renal function testing. You might need an urgent shunt exploration so take a neurosurgical exploration also. All the best to you.