hello i am new 2 this

[ouhurt2]

I am 39 white female and I have been having been living in pain and frustration since 10-2004,I went to the er and was accused of being on drugs because of my symptoms,shaking uncontrolable,nausea,extreme pain in left flank area,low temp.and nausea I was admitted and had no priavte doc in that area and was appointed a uroligst who ran all kinds of test even a cat scan and spinal tap because they could not determine a diagnosis 10 days later I was sent home still in the same shape I was in I got there so I went my primary and he sent me to a uroligist.I brought along my films and he immediately seen an obstructin in left ureter,2 days later i had a nephrostimy bag and on 1-18-2005 a 1 inch kidney stone was scraped out of my ureter(docs words) and a stent was placed 6 weeks later had it removed the stent was no fun at all in 2-2005 lipotripsy was perfomed and most of my stones were disolved.I got yet another uti and scar tissue had built up from previous surgery and had to be removed asap because of yet another obstruction a week later uti again, took more antibotics a week later again uti, doc blames the stent and it will be taken out next week during all this time I have had unbearable pain and constantly felt as if I had a cathter in me I have done some research and ask doc if maybe we should seek out other alternitives and ask about my kidney and he said I had bladder trouble.Needless to say I am losing my patience I have had all over itching which is driving me crazy I also have developed hp,bone loss,confusion,headaches,abnormal parathroids and rapid pulse everytime I go to him my bp is high and pulse is 138,low grade temp and I procede to tell him that I have all the classic symptoms of kidney problems and he says i am looking for answers that I will never find I have learned to live with the pain but the itching is enough to send you over the edge,I have tried all kinds of lotions,benedyral,atarax the they do not work is because it s internal,I also have no insurance and I am sure this is the real problem but I do pay him he is trying to make me feel like I am incompitent I am ready to go postal also I am retaining fluid and he refused to give me a script for it I know I need a 2nd opionin but it is all about money and when I have went to the er before to try to resolve my discomfort I am told to go back to my doc because the er is for emergencies so I need some HELP and I am sure that I am leaving out alot of stuff because I have no memory anymore so this is so long and :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: thanks for reading and God bless us all.....

[Beth Witten MSW ACSW]

I'd suggest that you make an appointment with a kidney specialist -- called a nephrologist -- right away. A nephrologist has the most knowledge and training in the treatment of kidney disease. He/she knows what guidelines say are the best way to keep damaged kidneys working and know how to treat kidney failure if it occurs.

You don't say whether the doctors have run tests on your kidneys to see if there is kidney damage, but you have some of the symptoms -- high blood pressure, swelling, itching, memory loss, etc. Be sure that your doctor tests your blood and urine to find out what your glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is. Although some doctors look at creatinine, the GFR is the most accurate way to know what percentage of kidney function you have right now.

To learn more about kidney disease and treatments, I'd suggest you visit Kidney School (www.kidneyschool.org) to read about how kidneys work normally and what happens if there is kidney damage, how to understand lab test results, diet, etc. Kidney School has several modules that you can work your way through. At the end, based on your answers to questions in the module, you'll get a personal action plan that will help you talk with your doctor and take good care of your kidneys.

You say that you don't have health insurance. If your income is low and you don't have much in savings, you may get help from your state through Medicaid (state medical assistance). If you have more income or savings, your state may have high risk health insurance that you can buy. Premiums are high, but less than what you'd probably pay doctors and hospitals if you don't have insurance. If you can work, larger companies are more likely than small ones to provide health insurance for their employees. Some people get insurance through a spouse or other family member. Finally, people with kidney failure who have worked enough can get Medicare at any age. Having Medicare may help you get a policy (called a Medigap) that pays what Medicare doesn't pay on things Medicare covers. If you go to the hospital, ask to talk with a social worker. He/she should know where you can get help you qualify for in your state.

Good luck!

[lafferty4]

Hey, I don't know what part of the country you live in but a Nephrologist is definately the way to go if you can find one. A Nephrologist specializes in the Kidney, while the Urologist tends to be more invasive and surgical minded (my experience).

Question for you: When the urologist removed the stone from your ureter (sp?) did he send it to the lab to have it analyzed? The first thing my Urologist did for me is to send my stone away for analysis so I knew what it was made of and if it was diet or medication related. (important!)

As for the itching, it almost sounds like hives or cysts. It could be related to medication you are taking.

Keep the faith!

You have ab idiot doc who isnt listening/looking at you. Get a different one. (Maybe his kids are on drugs ot you look like his ex). Kidney infections are an emergency. Find a competent doc and Hospital. Find another E.R. if you have too.

Oh, holy cow! You sound just like me!

I think I might scratch myself right down to the bone! I have sores in my nostrils from rubbing my nose, it itches so bad, and I'm constantly having to put drops in my eyes because they are soooo itchy! I can't do anything to make the itchies go away. I take so much Benadryl, but it just knocks me out and I can't function. I figure I would rather be asleep than itchy!

Itchiness is a classic symptom of kidney disease. I just learned this. If your kidneys aren't working properly, they aren't filtering out toxins, and those toxins are going to surface through your skin. That will make you ITCH!

I'm going crazy.

I can't get a stupid nephrologist to see me. They seem to be elitist pigs around here.

New doctor in a week and a half. Good luck to us both!

[DoriSchatell]

Do you have other symptoms that make you suspect a kidney problem?

From what I've heard from people who have kidney disease, itching from kidney disease seems to mainly affect the legs and back. What you are describing (itchy nose and eyes) sounds much more like seasonal allergies (which can be absolutely miserable). Instead of Benadryl, have you tried any of the non-sedating over-the-counter allergy meds, like Claritin, Alavert, or Zyrtec?