Swollen Kidneys

[Guest gillian502]

Just thought I'd see if anyone here would know anything about celiac disease and its possible relation to the kidneys and urinary tract. My kidneys have been inflamed, and very painful on a daily basis, since September, without any clear reason as to what's causing this. I've seen 3 different urologists and my regular doc and they don't see any blockages or stones. They're simply swollen. On top of all that, I have now develped an urge to pee frequently with a feeling of having a full bladder even when I don't, and yes we've already ruled out diabetes completley. I tested negative for a UTI even though there was blood present in my urine, and I am being treated as if I do have a UTI anyway, but it's not helping much. Any thoughts? I'm at a loss and so are the doctors.

[faith]

Hi, Sorry to here your feeling bad. I don't know if this will be any help but I suffer from kidney stones all of the time. My Urologist explained to me that because I have Celiac disease my body does not absorb fat like a normal body would, anyways celiacs get acid stones, I was just hospitalized last week again because I had stones in each kidney and they would not pass, with acid stones there are pills you can take to try to disolve them but it can take up to a month, not a good choice stones are way too painful to live with that long and you have to be on pains meds all that time , the surgery is better, its nothing bad in and out and there all gone. It sounds to me like it could be stones but I don't know a ct is good to spot them, or a special x-ray ICP it just for the kidneys, regular x-rays don't pick them up alot of times, I had an x-ray at first and it didn't show up, then they did a CT and they showed up and they were not tiny ones at all, they were too big to pass, they were stuck and getting bigger, they can cause inflamation and UTI's, pressure in the pelvic area, feeling like you have to go real bad but nothing comes out. Also if they do a urine test with a cathiter and blood shows up you know you got them. That urine test can also be checked for the acid level, which was high in mine because of the acid stones. also sometimes when theres alot of inflamation it hard to detect stones. My guess is it may be this, or you passed some and it is still swelled. I hope I helped. Good Luck & God Bless. Faith

[Guest gillian502]

Thanks so much for your reply. I've had about 3 Ct Scans over the past 5 months, an IVP X-Ray, urine tests, and a catheter placed in me twice (very painful) and the only word is, they're inflamed without cause. Makes no sense to me at all. In your experience with stones, could I have passed them or have them inside me right now without knowing? I've heard a stone is so immediately painful that there's no missing it, but the pain I have is more low-level chronic rather than stunning and immediate. Also, I took Macrobid, an antibiotic, for 6 days, and it did stop the sudden symptoms of frequent urination, which leads me to believe I did have a recent infection on top of the usual chronic swelling, but isn't a kidney infection different and more serious than a urinary tract infection, and wouldn't it require a longer term antibiotic? The one problem I've never dealt with before are the kidneys, so I'm still learning and being forced to pick up info fast! Thanks,

gillian

[tmc]

Hi Gillian~

I was wondering how you know that you have swollen kidneys? Was it diagnosed or is it just a feeling?

I'm wondering because I have this lower back pain in the kidney area that is excrutiating. It feels like alot of pressure and also feels like my kidneys are being squeezed. I usually have to lie flat on my back on a hard floor to alleviate some of the pain.As far as increased urination, I can't tell because I've always had bladder problems.

Is this the feeling that you have,too?

Hope you feel better and find the answers you're looking for.

[Guest gillian502]

Hi TMC,

Yes I was officially diagnosed by Ct Scans, both with and without contrast, as well as an IVP X-Ray. These tests showed swelling in both kidneys, which is usually present due to stones or an infection. And that was the problem: there were no stones, or infections, and that's why the drs. have no clue what to tell me to do. So very frustrating.

If you're having kidney pain, you'll most likely feel it toward your back or sides, underneath the bottom of your ribcage. It's like something's pushing or swelling against your ribs from the inside back there. A Ct scan would be the first test they'd do to rule that in or out for you. As for me, I think my next step is to see what my latest blood and urine tests show, and maybe try a course of anti-biotics as if I have a kidney infection even if one isn't clearly found. It's better then doing nothing after all this time. In the meantime, when it gets bad I just go to the ER to make sure they are at least still functioning even if they are swollen. That's the most important thing. Good luck to you!