back, stomac, kidney pain

[hikids]

I am a healthy 25 year old female.  However, I get severe pain at night; in my back and what feels like my kidneys.  If I take a deep breathe the pain intensifies. Usually if i get up, urinate, and move around the pain goes away.  I also have stomach and back pain that comes and goes during the day.  The pain during the day will occur for a week or two and then go away for a month or so.  But the night pains come at least 2 or 3 nights a week.  I have had a urinalysis, blood work, ultra sound, pelvic exam, full back x-rays, and an MRI of my stomach; all test have come back negative or normal.  I just can not deal with the night pains anymore.  I have to get up by 7 or 8 oclock every weekend because the pain is so severe and changing postions does not help.  Any ideas? Please help!

[silvi]

Hi,
Would like to know more about your MCTD.  How were you diagnosed, and what were the symptoms that led you to seek doctor diagnosis?

[GorillaG]

As soon as I lay down at night I get a sharp pain in my right upper kidney area near the bottom of my rib cage, its only with movement not when laying still. By morning the pain is acute if I move. It takes me several minutes to get out of bed and then I have to walk around gingerly for a bit or the slightest movement will send sharp pain through the area, much like a back problem if had in the past but tht was always in the spinal area and didnt start til near morning. I have no fever, chills, blood in urine, or relief upon urination. Theres no tenderness to the touch even when its at its worse. By the time I get to work the pain is non existant except once in awhile it will ache if I move just a certain way but nothing like the pain upon awakening. As far as I know I havent injured my back although Ive had moderate back problems before, and I should mention Im overweight by 50 lbs. Any help would be much appreciated.

[resacups]

I myself have experienced several kidney stones.  Most painful thing I have ever been through.  I have had 3 surgically removed, and have passed 2 on my own.  However, it is very difficult to find my stones when I get them.  I have been through the whole, normal urine, normal xray, normal ct scan, and then week later, all the test show that I have a stone.  However this time, I know I have a stone....its a pain that you don't forget.  The first twinge, your like, oh no, not again, can't do this again.  Well once again, all the test say no, however the last CT scan I had, the radiologist said, that he couldn't rule stones out.  Mostly, if they don't see a back flow of urine in your ureturs, they say no stones......well, as I know, that is not true.  My problem this time, I can not go and see the same urologist as before, as my insurance has changed and he doesn't take it, and I can't afford to just pay straight out for an appointment, so I saw a new dr. and basically I think he thinks im a loon, because the pain is so severe that my primary care physician has prescribed very strong narcotics, because he trusted me enough to listen when I said it hurts so bad that I can not sleep.  Since all this started almost a year ago.......I ended up having my gall bladder removed, and the surgeon did exploritory surgery of my abdomen, he did clean up some adhession in my belly, but said that he could not find anything that would cause me the pain that I have discribed in my lower left abdomen.....therefor, telling me to follow my gut feeling about stones........well almost a year later, still can not get the uroligist to do a simple cystoscope (spelling??) which can be done in the office to look in that uretur.  What should I do?  I can not continue to live this way.  Any suggestions would be most helpful.........Why do these doctors ignore us, or look at us like we are crazy?  I know that people complain of pain to get drugs.........but I hate taking anything.  Im the type that won't even take pain medication after a surgery, they scare me, im terrified that I will get dependant on them.    Has anyone here ever gone longer then a few months with a un-diagnosed stone? or have heard of anyone that has gone through this??  Im desperate to get this taken care of.  I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!!!  Thanks for listening and any help would be most appreciated.

[resacups]

I myself have experienced several kidney stones.  Most painful thing I have ever been through.  I have had 3 surgically removed, and have passed 2 on my own.  However, it is very difficult to find my stones when I get them.  I have been through the whole, normal urine, normal xray, normal ct scan, and then week later, all the test show that I have a stone.  However this time, I know I have a stone....its a pain that you don't forget.  The first twinge, your like, oh no, not again, can't do this again.  Well once again, all the test say no, however the last CT scan I had, the radiologist said, that he couldn't rule stones out.  Mostly, if they don't see a back flow of urine in your ureturs, they say no stones......well, as I know, that is not true.  My problem this time, I can not go and see the same urologist as before, as my insurance has changed and he doesn't take it, and I can't afford to just pay straight out for an appointment, so I saw a new dr. and basically I think he thinks im a loon, because the pain is so severe that my primary care physician has prescribed very strong narcotics, because he trusted me enough to listen when I said it hurts so bad that I can not sleep.  Since all this started almost a year ago.......I ended up having my gall bladder removed, and the surgeon did exploritory surgery of my abdomen, he did clean up some adhession in my belly, but said that he could not find anything that would cause me the pain that I have discribed in my lower left abdomen.....therefor, telling me to follow my gut feeling about stones........well almost a year later, still can not get the uroligist to do a simple cystoscope (spelling??) which can be done in the office to look in that uretur.  What should I do?  I can not continue to live this way.  Any suggestions would be most helpful.........Why do these doctors ignore us, or look at us like we are crazy?  I know that people complain of pain to get drugs.........but I hate taking anything.  Im the type that won't even take pain medication after a surgery, they scare me, im terrified that I will get dependant on them.    Has anyone here ever gone longer then a few months with a un-diagnosed stone? or have heard of anyone that has gone through this??  Im desperate to get this taken care of.  I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!!!  Thanks for listening and any help would be most appreciated.

[hikids]

I was on Skelaxin for a while and it did not do anythin so I am not sure if it is muscle related.  It is just so weird how it comes and goes.  I think there has got to be something that sets it off, maybe something I eat, I just can not pin point it.  I guess I will just wait and see.

Congratulations on your daughter and being a stay at home mom.  That in it self is a full time job, I hear.  Also, bless all the people who adopt children just waiting for a loving home.  Their are so many loving babies and children that need great homes and more being born everyday.  If you do decide to adopt I bet taht will be one lucky child.  

Thanks again for all your input and continued responses and ideas, one day I will figure this out or it will just go away, who knowes.

[myproblem]

I don't think it can all be in your head, although I do know some people like that. In my opinion, most people who "imagine" themselves sick are unmotivated and unfulfilled. You don't sound like that to me. Just be persistent. You'll figure it out. If it's in your internal organs (kidneys, digestive tract), you can try a smooth muscle relaxant like Nulev to relieve the pain. You can take it during the day. It won't make you drowsy. If you think it may be muscular, or stress related, you could try regular muscle relaxants like Flexoril or Skelaxin at night. Suggest this to your Dr. and see where it gets you.

Also, do you do a lot of bending or lifting kids at work? You could be straining musces without realizing it.

I admire that you teach special ed. My nephew has Asperger's, and has been in special ed preschool for two years now. He's almost 5, and will be headed for kindergarten this fall. As a kid I was an aide in the special ed classes at my schools from 2nd grade through 8th grade. I really enjoyed it, and at one time even thought of being a special ed teacher myself. I am 30 years old and have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. She will be my only one due to the fact that I have had about a dozen miscarriages, and being pregnant itself poses significant health risks for me. Still, I plan to continue to be a stay at home mom for her. We may at some point in the future consider adoption, but for now I just enjoy putting all my love and energy into her.

[hikids]

I think that is great, how much you enjoy helping others!  You seem very knowledgable about alot of illnesses.  I am sorry to hear about health issues.  But i really do think it is awesome that you make the best out of your situation and use it to help others.  I am a special education teacher for pre-schoolers so I know how great it feels to help others.  How many kids do you have?  Just curious, I do not have any children but hope to one day. Again, thank you for your feedback.  I stil can not figure it out.  I have been looking really good at my urine (i know, gross) and can't see anything in it.  Although the last feww nights it has not been bad at all.  I was sure it was ovarion cycsts, so demanded an ultra sound and pelvic exam, but nothing.  I just wonder sometimes if it is in my head;  all those tests and nothing, but can pain in your head wake you up put of a dead sleep?  Who knowes.  Anyway, thanks again and smile, you help alot of people:)

[myproblem]

I became interested in science when I was very young, and began studying medical encyclopedias (for pleasure reading) at age 14. I took basic science classes in high school, and college, as well as one physiology class (just for fun).  I did not realize at the time how useful all this interest would become to me. I don't have any special degrees, but I have done a lot of additional research as a result of my own health problems. I also do research for many of the questions I answer if it is something new to me. I spent many years with no health insurance, and increasing medical problems. Even once I got good health coverage, it took me 5 years to get a tentative diagnosis. I know how scary it can be to know that there is something wrong, and not be able to go to the Dr., or do anything about it. I also know how frustrating it is when Dr.'s don't have all the answers. I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, which is a sort of mix of Lupus, and Scleroderma. Since it is not common, and very hard to diagnose, I have had much reason to spend hours on the internet, and reading books on related subjects. Through this site, I have found a way to let my difficulties bless the lives of others. I am just a stay at home mom, who has an interest in medicine, and enjoys helping those in need in my spare time.

[hikids]

I just have to ask, who are you 'myproblem'?  I really appreciate all of your feedback and opinions, but I have noticed that you comment to a large majority of the posts and usually more then once.  I think that is great but it just makes me wonder who you are, what you do, etc.  Thanks again for all of your feedback:)

[myproblem]

Small ones look like gravel. Larger ones are just little jagged rocks. Mine are kind of rusty brown colored. If it is small, you may not notice it. Medium sized (2-4mm)ones usually give me a scratchy, prickly feeling in my urethra just before I go. A large one - well, you'd know, trust me. You can strain your urine with a metal mesh coffee filter. The finer the mesh, the better. Just pee straight through it. If anything comes out, you'll catch it. Make sure to take it your Dr. for analysis.

[hikids]

What do kidney stones look like?  Would I know if I passed one?  It does not hurt when I urinate, just after laying in bed over night.

[myproblem]

I don't know if a stone would show on an MRI, but IVP is the very best test to see them. I have had ultrasounds that didn't show them, but passed one a day or two later. The pain does come and go, and at times may be worse. It depends on where the stone is at the moment, whether or not it's moving around, and how much you've had to drink. Some people report pain that causes them to fall on the floor, and some people have vomiting with a kidney stone attack. I have had MANY stones, and only once did I experience vomiting with it. I got a lot of abdominal pain with the big ones, as well as crushing back pain. The smaller ones are more like alternate aching and stabbing. Sometimes I have had blood in my urine, and sometimes not.

[myproblem]

I usually have low grade fevers, severe headaches, and trouble sleeping before the pain comes on.

[hikids]

From above, I did not have an MRI of my stomach I had a cat scan of my stomach.

[myproblem]

I had Dr.'s overlook my first kidney stone for five weeks before I found one who would listen. Not everyone has blood in thier urine from kidney stones. If you feel something is wrong, you need to pursue it.

[flirtingkandy32]

same thing. I have a kidney stone problem my urine test come back normal everytime CT came back with a stone. I also had a ct that came back clear, after complaining enough about the pain they did exploratory surgery and found three stones. Dr. overlook alot of things, I have found out!! I am very sickly and have always been.

[hikids]

Did either of you have other sympotms with your kidney stones? Fever? Cold like symptoms? etc?  If it is kidney stones any explanation to why the pain is only so bad at night and just dull aches off and on during the day?  Would kidney stones have shown up on the MRI?

[hikids]

No i have not had an IVP test. My doctor said it is unrelated to the kidneys because i have no other symptoms; no fever and urinalysis came back normal.

[myproblem]

Have you had an IVP test? This is an x-ray with contrast, and is the best test for kidney stones.