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Kidney stones & Abdominal pain?

I began having lots of lower abdominal pain and pressure/bloating in mid July. On Aug 1, was found to have microscopic blood in urine, put on antibiotics.  Abd. pain and pressure with more frequent urination got worse. Went back to the doctor. Urinalysis showed blood / protein in urine, put on more antibiotics. Still got worse, put yet again on antibiotics (3 rounds since Aug 1!)  Finally convined doc there has to be more going on. He sent me for pelvic ultrasound which was normal.  This past week the ab pain / pressure continued but now I have lower back pain as well, w/ some pain up the sides of my back. I finally went in the ER Friday Aug 29. Still blood in urine. CBC normal, though ER doc said all the antibiotics could possibly mask something. Renal CT scan showed 1 mm stone in right kidney, 2 even smaller stones in left kidney. Was given hydrocodone for pain and phenagren in case pain meds cause nausea and told to see a urologist asap.

My question is, if the stones are still in my kidneys how can they be causing all the lower abdominal pain and pressure. This pain is worse after I walk much, and when my bladder is getting full before I urinate. Urination does NOT hurt though. I have had no fever at all.  Forgot to mention, getting my bladder full enough for the pelvic ultrasound was excrutiating.. it actually made me cry it hurt so bad.  THe CT scan was non contrast and it did not show anything else wrong.

Thanks,
Jarsan
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Avatar universal
I have the same abdominal pain, pressure and bloating.  No back pain.  The CT scan showed a 4 mm stone in my left kidney.   I had blood in my urine one day, a fever one day.  Now urine is normal.  Can a stone cause this pain, pressure and bloating to go on for weeks?    It has been 12 days and shows no signs of letting up.
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Avatar universal
hi I have been getting a pain in my area,not sure what it would be called but its like in the crease at top of my  leg but where my stomache would start,its on my right side.Just for a few days this has been bothering me on and off.Any ideas anyone on what this could be?
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1 Comments
steffie45654 I have pain around crease in leg, sometimes into groin. Mine's from Sciatica.
Avatar universal
I too have the same problems, but no back pain that is noticeable... the more I walk the more the pressure is evident and the more it hurts... mine hurts with uination but I have no infection, no STD, no interstitial cystitis... the pain is sooo bad I cry when I pee... no antibiotics help... any answers?!?
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Avatar universal
i have almost the exact same symptoms except they all came on at once. I am on antibiotics and i go for a sonogram on tuesday. My back has not hurt this bad since I was in labor. I really hope its not stones. My urine came back clear and so did the x ray.  
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,

A condition called interstitial cystitis can cause bladder pain, blood in urine, and protein in urine and can mimic the symptoms of a UTI.

As you have renal stones at present, it would be best to focus on eliminating them from your kidneys first. This can be done through diuresis where you increase intake of fluids to about 2-3 liter per day so as to flush the stones out of the body.

Once this is done, you can pursue further evaluation with your doctor regarding the pain and bloating. This evaluation may include cystoscopy to check the bladder lining for injuries to identify the site of origin of the blood and protein.

You will need to take care to restrict certain foods in your diet, especially vitamin C, as it has been reported to aggravate signs and symptoms of both kidney stones and interstitial cystitis.

regards
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Avatar universal
Also, no chance of STD's.  Have been married for 18 years in very faithful relationship.

Thanks,
Jarsan
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1 Comments
Hi Jarsan, I realize this is an old message but can you tell me if you ever found an answer? I'm going through the same thing and am getting nowhere with doctors.
Thanks! Laura
Avatar universal
At the ER, they did a complete CBC and all was normal WBC, RBC.  Kidney function levels were all normal.  All they found were the 3 small kidney stones.

If they are still in my kidneys, what could cause so much abdomen pressure, pain and bloating?

I hope to get in w/ the urologist this week. If so, I will post test results.  I just don't understand the lower abdominal pain/pressure which I have had for over a month.

Thanks for your response,
Jarsan
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
Causes other than a UTI than can cause blood in urine include, kidney stones, underlying kidney disease, STDs that are not detected on routine urinalysis (chlamydia and mycoplasma infections), increased blood pressure, exercise-induced bleeding, general bleeding disorders, etc.

Kidney stones up to 5 mm in size can pass through the urinary tract, though with significant discomfort. If the stone is blocking some part of the outlet of the kidney or the ureter, it will cause obstruction and backflow of urine. The pressure effects of such obstruction will cause significant damage to the kidney and this will be further complicated if there is an infection. A jagged stone stuck in the ureters can cause significant trauma to the mucosa and can cause blood to appear in urine.

Underlying kidney disease will also cause microscopic quantities of blood in urine. A blood test to check for the kidney function and general blood parameters such as RBC and WBC count will indicate whether the kidneys are infected and whether your problem is due to infection or some other cause. The pain in the lower back is especially indicative of a kidney problem. Additionally, it would be best to have the two abovementioned STDs ruled out as well. If you have had s. creatinine and blood urea levels estimated, could you please post the results here along with your WBC count and the percentage of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and basophils?

Ensure that you keep fluid intake over 2000 ml per day and avoid irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, pepper, etc. Do increase intake of vitamins A, B, and C as they increase the body's immunity to infection.

Do keep us posted on your doubts and progress.

Helpful - 0
2 Comments
My stone is 5mm ..I don't want to try and pass it with it being broke up...everything I read says 5mm can be passed but with severe pain n discomfort...will the kidney doctor break it up for me so I don't have to go through the pain?
Yes, they can break it up through lithotripsy. You will need to discuss possible options with your nephrologist.
Avatar universal
I am 39 yr old female with no history of any menstrual problems and no other medical problems at all.
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