Kidney stones or pyelonephritis

@momiecat (997)
United States
June 14, 2009 1:43am CST
Recently I had a sudden attack of pain on my left side. It was different from any other pain I have experienced. The pain had me doubled up and not being able to get in a comfortable position. It was just about the worst pain I have ever felt. I went to the hospital and the doctor said she thought I had pyelonephritis which is an infection of the kidneys. Because my husband has had a kidney stone before and he has told me what he went through, I think I had a kidney stone too. I am not sure what causes them but they are darn painful. Anyone else care to share their experience?
5 people like this
8 responses
@earnnings (1325)
• India
14 Jun 09
Hi momiecat, Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection which is mainly because of the bacteria spread from the bladder. So, everyone should always drink water in order to overcome such problems. Drinking excess of natural toxin cleaner makes our kidneys stronger and stronger. The small infection in kidneys is caused because of the bladder infection. So, firstly bladder infection must be taken care. The symptoms for this infection would be the pain in back and side ways. Burning in urine, fever, vomiting sensation, etc. Severe or recurrent infections may damage kidney, so please consult doctor immediately and take proper treatment. I advice you to me immediately start the treatment and be healthy. Drink lots and lots of water. You have to take 3 to 4 litres per day. Take advice from a professional.
1 person likes this
@momiecat (997)
• United States
16 Jun 09
Sounds like you have had some experience with pyelonephritis. You are so right. I had the symptoms of a bladder infection and I tried to correct the problem without going to the doctor. You know, to try to save money. We have insurance but the yearly deductible is $100 and I just have not had that extra $$$. Next time I will definitely go to see my doctor and get it taken care of right away. I used to drink lots of diet soda but since my experience with that awful pain I have mostly been drinking fruit punch or ice tea which are mostly water. Unless I am very thirsty I do not drink just straight water and when I do it has to be icy cold. I appreciate the advice.
• United States
16 Jun 09
yikes! i have never had one,but my grandmother did. um..she had to change her diet a bit from what i remember..something causes granular "sand" to build up.i know they told her to start drinking more cranberry juice to flush it out.
@momiecat (997)
• United States
16 Jun 09
It seems like everyone knows someone who has had a stone at one time or another. I don't know what causes them but you may be right, diet would seem to be able to play a role in there somewhere. My mom blames everything on a persons diet but, being in the medical field as I am, gives you some different perspective on these types of subjects. I think that genes play an important part also in the types of medical problems you end up with throughout your life. Cranberry juice is good. I have learned to like it a lot in the past few months.
• United States
15 Jun 09
I want to say that it is your kidney. I am not a doctor and I cannot see you so I cannot tell you what it is, but I bet that it might be kidney stones. Go see a doctor as soon as possible. Kidney stones, like anything else, if left untreated can be fatal.
@momiecat (997)
• United States
16 Jun 09
Yes, I am pretty sure it was a kidney stone. I passed it though because as soon as it came, that is as soon as it went away. It was like this very very intense pain and then all of a sudden you are thinking, wow, no more pain. Pinch me, am I still alive? I did go to the hospital when it was happening. We live 10 blocks from the hospital and when the pain was at its worst, I did not even think I could make it 10 blocks with my husband driving the car. Very crazy and nerve-racking experience. The nurse told us the old treatment was just to have people walk off the kidney stone. Such torture I say! Glad things are different now.
@jimbelle (485)
• Philippines
15 Jun 09
Just like my husband he had sudden severe pain on his right flank. On ultrsound it was a stone. It is possible that you may have concomittant infection too. Perhaps you sould have an x-ray or ultrasound of your kidneys, ureter and bladder to be able to see if there are stones in your renal system.
@momiecat (997)
• United States
16 Jun 09
I do think it was a stone and you are right, I need to go back to my regular doctor and see if she will order an outpatient x-ray or ultrasound. Although you can never be prepared mentally for the sudden suprize of pain, at least you would know if there is anything brewing in there. I guess the only thing that helps is to drink lots of water. I wonder why some people get stones and others do not. I would like to know what really causes them and if there is anything further I can do to prevent it from happening again. My husband has had them too but he is braver about the pain.
@thedaddym (1731)
• United States
15 Jun 09
I had three kidney stones last year, and have already had one surgery, and two lithotrypsys to remove kidney stones this year, and I have another one on the rise. I have a condition that causes my body to build up more calcium than normal, so I get them all the time, it is aweful.
@momiecat (997)
• United States
16 Jun 09
Oh, what a bummer. I am sorry to hear of your difficult and painful experiences. You are an expert though and probably can help others understand this difficult medical condition. I bet you have morphine on tap! (No, just kidding). I think if I would have had pain medicine at home, I would not have even been able to keep it down as I was having nausea and vomiting too. I hope your body can stave off any further attacks and that you can stay pain free for a long time.
@Philbo (578)
• Canada
14 Jun 09
Kidney stone is beyond what I can adequately describe in words. My last round had me hospitalized twice. First time I was in there I stayed for several days before they could stabilize the pain. It was so bad they started me on morphine. They switched me to something else called Tordol which worked really well and I had no noticeable side effects. Apparently they can't give you stuff like that very long. I left with a box of suppositories and a bottle of something else for emergency crisis type pain. Second visit was much shorter. I came in, they shot me full of Demerol and I passed out just after saying good bye to my wife and kids. They were able to bring me home by the end of the day. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on my worst enemy.
@momiecat (997)
• United States
16 Jun 09
I am sorry to learn of your horrible experiences with the kidney stones and pain. I think the best thing is to medicate right away for the pain. I know when you are going through that pain you just feel like you want to end it all right then and there. Morphine is stronger but they give Toradol all the time, especially for less pain. I think it is the only thing they can do to help you get through the passing of the stone. In that situation of intense pain, it is better to be passed out. I kept thinking if I could only go to sleep the pain would pass but if you take no medication, there is no way you will be able to sleep and relax. You are right, I would not wish that pain on anyone. It is really one of the worst experiences you can have a still survive it.
@venshida (4836)
• United States
14 Jun 09
I have never had kidney stones. I thought at one time I had kidney infection, but I was told it's bladder infection. I am really horrible about drinking water so I know that's why I had bladder problems. After I read your post, I grabbed my water bottle and drank 22 ounces. I have heard how painful they are, I am glad you are feeling better.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
14 Jun 09
My mom has a kidney disease and she gets kidney stones too. In fact, if you read my discussions about my mom, you would already know how she had a stroke and because of the stroke, she can't be put to sleep anymore so the stones she has now or should I say boulders, they can't be removed anymore because she needs to be put in a deep sleep but that can't happen because of the stroke or it'll kill her. She can be put in a twilight sleep only so it's been done to put stints in her kidneys so they'll drain properly. She had kidney infection a few months ago and was in God awful pain!! So maybe your doctor is correct in the diagnosis? Did they do a sonogram or blood work?
@momiecat (997)
• United States
16 Jun 09
Oh my goodness. Your poor mom. I am so sorry to hear of her kidney disease and stroke. Does she still have her motor skills? That pain that I recently had was the worst pain I have ever experienced. They did some blood work and a urine test but no sonogram, CT or MRI. I guess the doctor did not suspect stones from how I described the pain but the funny thing is the pain came quickly, lasted a few hours and then disappeared quickly. When I got to the emergency room and got checked out, I ended up not even needing pain medicine. That is why I think it could have also been a stone. I hope your mom stays pain free now.