Re: Beginning to panic/Nikky

[Guest guest]

Nikky, I've had kidney involvement since I was diagnosed in 1987. It was

moderate involvement until two years ago when my kidneys started failing

completely and I was put on chemo until April of this year. About 25% of my

kidney function is lost and I'll never get it back. I can tell you one thing

though, I have seldom had kidney pains. The few times I had pains where I

thought my kidneys were, my nephrologist said the pain had nothing to do

with kidneys, which usually hurt around the lower lung part, but on your

back. In most cases what I thought to be kidney pain, was just lower back

pain.

Usually, when bad stuff is happening with your kidneys it is either a very

sharp pain that comes and goes, or other symptoms. Such as being tired more

than ever, being irritated, swelling in most cases. Being tired and

irritability comes from the toxins in your blood due to your kidneys not

doing a good job at filtering. I know I was close to a nervous break-down

that summer when my kidneys started to really go. You should not only have

urine tested, but blood as well for creatinine levels.

I hope your kidneys are fine, but if not, just make sure you work with

your doctors on getting them better. Also, watch you blood pressure as it

may cause further kidney damage.

Good luck and please keep us updated.

Mojo

Beginning to panic

> Okay, my back hurts so bad and I feel so awful right

> now. I just did my urinalysis today to check my

> kidneys. I am beginning to panic that the lupus has

> affected my kidneys and that is why my back hurts and

> I feel so rotten. I don't know what it is like when

> your kidneys hurt I have never even had a kidney

> infection! Any advice??

>

> Thanks!

> Nikki

>

> __________________________________________________

>