Kidney Issues?

[poppetkazutaka]

So...straightforward question this time...

...anyone got any kidney issues?

I've had kidney pain for a little while now. Years, almost, off and on. I ignore it. But over the past couple months it's been steady-growing-constant, and getting bad. It's a warm, inflammitory sort of pain. Like an infection. So I went to the doctor, not just because of that, but because of the two times I peed tea colored pee. Every other time it's been cloud and sinking. I drink a ton of water, because of the Topa making it where I can't drink soda due to a bad taste. It also makes every drink of soda make me want to die of thirst. So I opt for water almost all the time.

My pee should be clear. Not cloudy. Not yellow. Not SINKING to the bottom of the toliet.

So I went to the doctor. His exact words were, "I don't want to wish anything bad for you but, I couldn't find any signs of infection. It could be back pain so we could try this patch but...again I don't want to wish anything bad for you. When do you follow up with Pansuria?"

Crap. 'I don't want to wish anything bad for you'. "So you're thinking the same thing I am, it's the autoimmune thing attacking it."

"Well, again I don't want to wish anything bad for you," he continues to repeat, "but you might need to follow up with her."

That's enough of a yes for me. So anyone here have any kidney pain? XD

[issie]

Yes. Dark urine and heavy urine indicates dehydration. Maybe your electrolytes are out of balance from too much water. You can deplete them from diluting your minerals. Try an electrolyte drink, see it you feel better. Keep us posted. Will be interested to find out what you learn.

[firewatcher]

I have "unknown kidney issues." I test high on serum creatinine which red-flags all my labs for Chronic Kidney Disease. My actual filtration rate is one point higher than the lowest point of "normal." My nephrologist told me that it was probably "normal for me," but to only take tylenol once every three days and only if I really needed it, basically covering his ###### My kidneys' concentration ability has been questioned for two years, leading to an on again off again diagnosis of pituitary diabetes insipidus. I asked about kidney issues when I was at Vanderbilt for my ANS testing and for my recheck and the doc assured me that if there was something going on with my kidneys, it was NOT due to POTS. My urine is usually as clear as water, unless I'm really dehydrated, then it is a lovely shade of gold and sinks to the bottom of the toilet. I have pain in the kidney region, but for now it is "normal for me."

I test positive for anti-thyroid antibodies, but have a negative ANA. So far, my thyroid levels have come back OK, but the actual thyroid gets firmer with each visit so I figure it's just a matter of time before it goes.

Just out of curiosity, what is your eGFR, serum creatinine and BUN?

[poppetkazutaka]

I have "unknown kidney issues." I test high on serum creatinine which red-flags all my labs for Chronic Kidney Disease. My actual filtration rate is one point higher than the lowest point of "normal." My nephrologist told me that it was probably "normal for me," but to only take tylenol once every three days and only if I really needed it, basically covering his ###### My kidneys' concentration ability has been questioned for two years, leading to an on again off again diagnosis of pituitary diabetes insipidus. I asked about kidney issues when I was at Vanderbilt for my ANS testing and for my recheck and the doc assured me that if there was something going on with my kidneys, it was NOT due to POTS. My urine is usually as clear as water, unless I'm really dehydrated, then it is a lovely shade of gold and sinks to the bottom of the toilet. I have pain in the kidney region, but for now it is "normal for me."

I test positive for anti-thyroid antibodies, but have a negative ANA. So far, my thyroid levels have come back OK, but the actual thyroid gets firmer with each visit so I figure it's just a matter of time before it goes.

Just out of curiosity, what is your eGFR, serum creatinine and BUN?

I don't know yet. I guess that's something they'll have to test? All they did today was a urine screen for infection but I didn't get any results printed out for it. I do know I'm running an elevated blood pressure, even on meds, and a low grade fever for the past week at least.

[poppetkazutaka]

Yes. Dark urine and heavy urine indicates dehydration. Maybe your electrolytes are out of balance from too much water. You can deplete them from diluting your minerals. Try an electrolyte drink, see it you feel better. Keep us posted. Will be interested to find out what you learn.

You mean like Gatoraide? Usually when I drink those things I feel better elsewhere, but my kidneys ache.

[issie]

I got to thinking, if there is something wrong with the kidneys. They don't want you to use allot of salt, because the kidneys can't excrete it properly. Did they do blood work on you to make sure the function was okay?

[poppetkazutaka]

I got to thinking, if there is something wrong with the kidneys. They don't want you to use allot of salt, because the kidneys can't excrete it properly. Did they do blood work on you to make sure the function was okay?

They didn't do anything. Just told me it might be back pain and to follow up with my Rhumy doctor.

Yeah, I know. Aren't GPs wonderful?

Something got me thinking, too. The other day I had a night sweat, but I was freezing cold. But that's the first time I've sweated in a long time. When I'm in the heat, wearing my hat and long sleeved jacket to avoid the sun?

I don't sweat. I haven't been sweating. For all of the Spring and Summer.

I've been freezing cold. Not sweating. With high blood pressure, and a racing heart.

Something doesn't add up there, right? XD

[Noreen]

Yeah, I know. Aren't GPs wonderful?

I don't sweat. I haven't been sweating. For all of the Spring and Summer.

I've been freezing cold. Not sweating. With high blood pressure, and a racing heart.

Cardios aren't so hot either. I'm with you on all of this and Sorry you are going through this Poppet. How long have you been at the elusive autoimmune dx?

this is what I have been going through of late but the SLE dx has been elusive and frustrating.

I am so sorry for all you are going through.

{{{hugs}}}

noreen

[poppetkazutaka]

Cardios aren't so hot either. I'm with you on all of this and Sorry you are going through this Poppet. How long have you been at the elusive autoimmune dx?

this is what I have been going through of late but the SLE dx has been elusive and frustrating.

I am so sorry for all you are going through.

{{{hugs}}}

noreen

Well, I've been pretty sure it's autoimmune for years but only had blood test proof for about six months. Though they still say it's too soon to do anything and not enough to treat. XD

[Noreen]

It ***** to be blunt.

I'm on plaquenil which the doc would give me if I had the firm SLe dx but I don't know if they even know what I have. I think the specialists are playing hot potato and trying to make the other see me - basically no one has a clue and there might not be a firm answer but after a decade we get a might impatient. I was able to work up until two years ago but then fell apart prior to my spinal fusion and haven't recovered yet - naturally the MDs think I should but can't explain the dystonia and lots of other things.

You know how it goes - you just don't want to go to the doctors and feel dissed. Then you get too sick to leave your bed never mind the house so going to the doc is out of the question - there are sick people there, after all and what have they done for you lately anyway.

I really hope you find something that works and gets rid of the pain. If I had a magic wand I'd wave it for you right now.

[delphicdragon]

Get your liver function checked! Tea colored sinking pee is sometimes due to high bilirubin, which is indicative of liver problems. The drugs you're on could be causing issues with your liver. No amount of water is going to change the color of your urine if it's due to bilirubin.

Sara

[potsgirl]

My internist thinks I probably have MSA, because so many of my organs are affected by whatever disease is causing my dysautonomia, or the POTS itself. I've had my gallbladder removed (although all of my tests came back negative); I have cardiomyopathy and diastolic dysfunction, a pacer for bradycardia; my kidneys don't function well, and see-saw back and forth between needing treatment and being marginal; my last CT scan showed moderate loss of brain volume and ischemic lesions; also liver enlargement and a high AST. I was just diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and severe esophagitis, and I have possible pancreatitis. I have biopsies set up at the Cancer Center next Tuesday to check for amyloidosis, a form of cancer involving protein cells that are malformed. I have three doctors believing that the amyloidosis is behind all of my symptoms/organ issues.

My point here is that there is always a chance that through your dysautonomia/lack of blood flow/disease that may be behind your POTS, there are definitely chances that your organs are not going to perform properly, and that you'll need to keep checking through blood tests and other means to know for sure if you have a real problem with your organs or not. Don't ignore pain or things that are going on with your body that are new to you. Take good care of yourself, and I wish you luck with your kidney issues!

Best Wishes & Cheers,

Jana

[issie]

As far as the electrolyte problem. My husband got really sick and over hot. He had been drinking water continuously. We went to the doctor and he was told he had diluted his electrolytes (minerals) by too much water. He was told to get a big Gatorade, but not to guzzle it. He was to sip it throughout the day and continue to drink water. It keeps the minerals in your body and helps you to uptake the water into your cells. He has done this and is doing fine now.

[pat57]

Get your liver function checked! Tea colored sinking pee is sometimes due to high bilirubin, which is indicative of liver problems. The drugs you're on could be causing issues with your liver. No amount of water is going to change the color of your urine if it's due to bilirubin.

Sara

i second this