arod29

Last summer I had flank pain and went to see my PCP, he said I had a UTI and gave me ABTs and pain meds. I had a CT done and had pelvic stones. Time passed and I was better. Now, a year and a half later I have the exact same pain. I went to my PCP again and he said no UTI but I had RBC's in the urine (a small amt). He gave me pain meds and now 6 months later I am still with the same pain. I went to a urologist on my own and they also tested my urine which came up positve for a small amt of RBC's. No UTI. Had an IVP done - negative for stones and some blood work, I assume ok b/c they never told me otherwise. At my next appt, I had no RBC's on the urine and all test came back clear. So now I am told I have an inflammation of the intercostals between my ribs in the back. My pain does not ever go in the front, by my sternum. Urologist said that what I have mimics kidney pain. I am still having a hard time believing this is what is wrong with me. Ibuprofen works to take the edge off but it never goes away... Dr. is convinced, I am not. HELP??! Oh yeah, I have dextroscoliosis... could this play a part?

[National Jewish Health]

The flank pain is consistent with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and one would expect to see white blood cells (WBCs) in association with infection, perhaps with some red blood cells (RBCs); maybe, maybe not.  To have pain and primarily RBCs, elevated levels of uric acid in the urine and/or acid urine is a common cause of stones.  Renal stones may be quite small, yet painful, and can be associated with intermittent blood in the urine.  The absence of RBCs in the urine should not lead to another diagnosis such as intercostal muscle strain, although that diagnosis and stones could easily co-exist.

You may want to get an opinion from a second urologist or, perhaps better, consult with a kidney specialist called a nephrologist.  Stones or no stones, the cause of the blood in your urine must be determined.  That it is intermittent does, in no way, diminish the importance of it as a sign of disease that must be diagnosed.