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Urology (Expert Forum)
Unexplained lower back pain
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Unexplained lower back pain
by HeidiMkmz, Sep 16, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 30 year old female who for the past 18 months has experienced recurring pain in my lower right back, just under the ribcage extending around to the right side a bit. I've been treated several times with Cipro for a kidney infection, after blood was found in my urine, including most recently two weeks ago. During and between antibiotic treatments, the pain keeps coming back. Another urinalysis a couple of days ago showed the blood is now gone, once again, from my urine, but the pain continues to come and go. (The second urinalysis--free of blood--occurred before I received the most recent prescription of Cipro.) I've felt generally unwell for the past 6-12 months, feverish off and on, with the back pain. When I have felt feverish, I've had a slightly elevated temperature accompanied by what I can only describe as hot flashes. Once my doctor even noticed elevated blood pressure. I've had an ultra sound test where they have found nothing to date but I am getting so tired of the recurrent pain and lack of answers. I do have a CT scan scheduled for next week.
By the way, the recurrence of my pain, the feeling of being unwell, and the periodic blood in my urine have become more frequent since I began sexual intercourse with a new partner.
What should my next course(s) of action be? And do you have any suggestions of possible CAUSE(S) (diseases??) of my problem that I can pursue with my doctor?
By the way, the recurrence of my pain, the feeling of being unwell, and the periodic blood in my urine have become more frequent since I began sexual intercourse with a new partner.
What should my next course(s) of action be? And do you have any suggestions of possible CAUSE(S) (diseases??) of my problem that I can pursue with my doctor?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 17, 2004 12:00AM
, Sep 17, 2004 12:00AM
Possible causes would be kindey stones, infection (either kidney infections or STDs), GYN causes - such as an ovarian cyst, or musculoskeletal causes.
The CT would be a good test to evaluate for any kidney problems, a non-contrast CT would be used to look for kidney stones. I would be tested for STDs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia since abscesses can cause back pain like this.
Another consideration would be a transvaginal ultrasound (I'm not sure what kind of ultrasound you had), which can evaluate the ovaries for cysts.
If all the tests remain negative, you may then consider musculoskeletal causes which can also present this way.
I would discuss these options with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
The CT would be a good test to evaluate for any kidney problems, a non-contrast CT would be used to look for kidney stones. I would be tested for STDs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia since abscesses can cause back pain like this.
Another consideration would be a transvaginal ultrasound (I'm not sure what kind of ultrasound you had), which can evaluate the ovaries for cysts.
If all the tests remain negative, you may then consider musculoskeletal causes which can also present this way.
I would discuss these options with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
