Flank pain only during sleep/upon waking

[SJMCRAE]

Every morning I wake in excrutiating pain in the lower back (kidney area) that radiates to the front of stomach.  This pain is so severe that it wakes me up and makes it difficult to take a deep breath.  I feared it was kidney's and had a battery of tests done, along with MRI's that showed nothing.  Dr. thinks it could be muscle related.  The pain seems to arise after 5-6 hours of sleep.  At first it seemed that the pain was immediately relieved once I voided of a morning, now it seems that as soon as I stand I get relief, which makes me think maybe it could be nerve compression?  The pain wakes me from sleep and gives me anxiety in the evenings before bedtime due to the fact that I know I will wake in horrible pain.  This has been going on for the last 9 years after the birth of my daughter and has progressivley gotten worse.  The doctors are stumped as to what this can be and has referred me to a chiro and recommended a nerve block. If anyone has any ideas, please advise.  Thanks!

[Coolaa69]

I had a very similar pain and after prayer, two things helped me a great deal.  First, a physical therapist told me to use arch supports during athletic activities because i have low arches, she recommended Super Feet(green). Second, i do stretch that is kind of like a squat but you are on your back with your feet flat against the wall. From this position try to spread your bent knees apart as far as you can while keeping the feet flat. Your hips should not be more than 12-18 inches from the wall.

[Coolaa69]

I should add to my note above that you should hold the stretch for at least two minutes.

[Hells72]

Hi there
Have you had any answers to what's causing this. I'm going through exactly the same thing and just don't know what to do anymore.
Just want a decent nights sleep.

[Hells72]

Literally ever since having my first baby on and off I've had this problem. Had my second child and still on and off problem. More recently last year it's been awful with aching in my lower back and radiating aching pain under my ribs. I'm fine all day it's literally after laying down the aching is waking me up during the night.
It's fine once I'm up and I've had a wee. Due to have an ultrasound on Friday this week and some blood tests, guess it's a start.
I've been seeing a sports physio last few years on and off and never sorted my pain. Anyone who has any feed back would be very grateful.
Helen

[LR88luke]

Hi have had any answers to this problem yet I’m having exactly the same symptoms atm
Thanks Luke

[MulandreAm]

Sent by MulandreAm less than a minute
Hi, I am reading your post from 2007 and what you’re describing is exactly what I’m feeling .  I have been to neurologist thinking it was nerves in my back and he tried some spinal block shots but now right flank pain wakes me up at night , I thought it was lower back pain radiating to my flank but he was concerned and told me to go to ER during next episode ,  I did this today and now was sent to a urologist .  I am exhausted from pain and not sleeping at night .  This started after having my second c section.  Just wondering if anyone figured out why this happens yet as the doctors are starting to get stumped .  

[Hells72]

I actually did have an mri scan. I have been told the pain in my back is wear and tear. I also have a buldge, so am guessing that's between my spine in my lower back. I was told I have loss of signal particularly in my left side lower back too and slightly on right. It's crazy how this can cause such bad sleep and pain. To be honest I've been told exercise, Pilates, pain killers and maybe a physio are the only options... I've been doing lots of exercise and on slimming world and actually feeling better and now it seems to come and go so I haven't always got the awful lower pain so am actually getting some better sleep some times now. An mri is the best thing to have done to know what is going on. Hope you all manage to get some answers.

[Lavlee50]

I wake up about 3:30 with burning pain in the left side of my kidneys, I void and go back to bed but it doesn't help the pain. I hav found that sleeping on my right side helps to relieve the pain. I don't know what is causing this but it had gone away for a long time and now it is back. I believe it is something I my diet. Now to figure out what!  Doctors don't know what to do to help either. I've tried.  Good luck figuring out your solution.

[Kashskillz]

Parasites may be the cause... the thing is it's hard for doctors to test for them, as the parasites may be dormant, and therefore, undetectable. Try a cleanse.

[bonnie448]

I read that it might be a floating kidney, sitting on the edge of the bed for a minute allows the kidney to settle to the upright position. no more sharp pain, I still know that I have the kidney, But am enjoying the loss of the sharp pains in the first few minutes of standing.

[gettnsleep]

Significant relief for me. Stop Lactose. Ive had this main issue for 10-15 years. Brutal flank pain only after sleeping, as early as 3-4 hours of sleep before onset. By 5-6 hours impossible to continue. Getting up to pee seems to help but realistically it does very little once U lay down again. Also urinate frequently during the night. As soon as i get up to start the day, it disappears. AFTER STOPPING MILK n milk products completely, a few years ago, I now get 7 hours before onset, and can easily continue to 8. And I urinate far less during night, 0-1 times. Still have the issue but what a huge difference. Stopping cows milk products also instantly cleared my adult acne (at 37 years old). Which was quite annoying too.  My only issue now is if Im sick n need to lay down a lot or want to watch tv in bed. Laying down awake seems to speed up onset considerably.  I do like the kidney pooling theory, buts its likely some of us have different triggers. Hope the milk idea offers some relief to others.

[gettnsleep]

To clarify, when I stopped milk it helped within a few days. I did that 3 years ago and have slept much better ever since