Concerned about kidneys

[rosemaree]

Hello,

I have been having some issues that have made me a bit worried about my kidneys, my doctor seems to just fob it off, and I will only be able to try see someone else next year.

I was just wondering what types of symptoms others have had related to their kidneys, and was it because of infection, stones, or CKD?

Thanks

 

[KennyA]

Hello,

I have been having some issues that have made me a bit worried about my kidneys, my doctor seems to just fob it off, and I will only be able to try see someone else next year.

I was just wondering what types of symptoms others have had related to their kidneys, and was it because of infection, stones, or CKD?

Thanks

Hi rosemaree and welcome to the forums.

I'm T2, so this might not be of much relevance to you. I had some kidney complications prior to diagnosis starting with comparatively low HbA1c levels - around 44 or so. Basically my kidneys almost stopped working, and needed a daily chemical push to do anything much. That was as far as it went with my doc. I had severe oedema, water retention, bullae, water blistering, fluid leaking through my skin etc as a result.

This all went away fairly quickly - within a few weeks- once my BGs were back to normal.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Hello,

I have been having some issues that have made me a bit worried about my kidneys, my doctor seems to just fob it off, and I will only be able to try see someone else next year.

I was just wondering what types of symptoms others have had related to their kidneys, and was it because of infection, stones, or CKD?

Thanks

Hi @rosemaree Welcome to the forums.
It is difficult to comment without knowing what issues are worrying you. All I can say is that whatever the issues are, try your best to keep your blood glucose between roughly 4-7mmol/L and avoid double figures where possible. Higher readings can occur through illness and stress, so don't panic when the level goes higher. As a patient who first was notified of kidney problems in 1973, I lasted 40 years without dialysis and then had a transplant. With careful control it is possible to keep deterioration in abeyance or at least slowed down appreciably. Part of the problem is that symptoms are not noticeable for many years (in my case). If you have noticeable symptoms, it would be useful to know some detail. I wish you the best of luck

 

[rosemaree]

@KennyA Thanks for the response, it is great that it all cleared up so quick!

@Grant_Vicat Thank you! I have been trying to keep my blood sugar in range after some time of having largely given up, it works for a while, and then like this week, I am back to highs and spikes that I can't fathom. Regarding my concerns, I noticed a change in the colour of my urine a while back, it seemed to happen on and off, and I eventually noticed blood too. I am not very good with feeling pain in my body - I am either overly sensitive or completely numb to it, but I have been trying to pay attention and noticed I often have pain in my mid/lower back. About a month or two back I had an episode with such extreme pain that I nearly passed out. I am also battling with waking up feeling puffy, and then being nauseated all morning, which I have seen referenced to kidney issues.

 

[Rachox]

I was just wondering what types of symptoms others have had related to their kidneys, and was it because of infection, stones, or CKD?

I had a kidney stone about three years ago which had grown big enough to cause a blockage. Boy that was painful I think you’d be very aware of a problem caused by stones which were causing any problem.

 

[ElenaP]

@KennyA Thanks for the response, it is great that it all cleared up so quick!

@Grant_Vicat Thank you! I have been trying to keep my blood sugar in range after some time of having largely given up, it works for a while, and then like this week, I am back to highs and spikes that I can't fathom. Regarding my concerns, I noticed a change in the colour of my urine a while back, it seemed to happen on and off, and I eventually noticed blood too. I am not very good with feeling pain in my body - I am either overly sensitive or completely numb to it, but I have been trying to pay attention and noticed I often have pain in my mid/lower back. About a month or two back I had an episode with such extreme pain that I nearly passed out. I am also battling with waking up feeling puffy, and then being nauseated all morning, which I have seen referenced to kidney issues.

If your urine is dark, it could be that you are dehydrated. If drinking lots of water doesn't fix it, then it may indicate a urine infection, in which case you need to take a urine sample to the GP surgery. If you have blood in your urine, take a urine sample to your GP surgery.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

@KennyA Thanks for the response, it is great that it all cleared up so quick!

@Grant_Vicat Thank you! I have been trying to keep my blood sugar in range after some time of having largely given up, it works for a while, and then like this week, I am back to highs and spikes that I can't fathom. Regarding my concerns, I noticed a change in the colour of my urine a while back, it seemed to happen on and off, and I eventually noticed blood too. I am not very good with feeling pain in my body - I am either overly sensitive or completely numb to it, but I have been trying to pay attention and noticed I often have pain in my mid/lower back. About a month or two back I had an episode with such extreme pain that I nearly passed out. I am also battling with waking up feeling puffy, and then being nauseated all morning, which I have seen referenced to kidney issues.

If your urine is dark, it could be that you are dehydrated. If drinking lots of water doesn't fix it, then it may indicate a urine infection, in which case you need to take a urine sample to the GP surgery. If you have blood in your urine, take a urine sample to your GP surgery.

I completely agree. I would also suggest that if @rosemaree is being fobbed off with these symptoms taking place, I would head straight for A&E without waiting for a reference. I have had to do this 3 times in 45 years.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

I had a kidney stone about three years ago which had grown big enough to cause a blockage. Boy that was painful I think you’d be very aware of a problem caused by stones which were causing any problem.

When I experienced kidney stones I collapsed and an ambulance was called. The paramedic said "I believe this is more painful than giving birth. Since we were both male I took his word for it!

 

[Rachox]

I believe this is more painful than giving birth. Since we were both male I took his word for it!

Having had two children I can confirm that is true!

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Having had two children I can confirm that is true!

A minute consolation for mothers I guess!

 

[rosemaree]

Thanks @Rachox, I was worried my weird pain perception would make it harder to tell, I realise I have had more than a few experiences where others would rush to a hospital but I just suffer it.

@ElenaP I do worry about dehydration as I sometimes experience extreme nausea with drinking water and find myself avoiding it, but drinking water does seem to help get things back to normal, the blood is what made worry that it was something more though. I am due for more tests in January. and I was given a urine test strip to use at home and then sent the Dr a picture - but I haven't been able to get any feedback as to whether it showed any issues.

@Grant_Vicat I am unfortunately not in the UK, and I am a little terrified of our emergency services! I will have to chat to my insurer to see if I can get to a different doctor,

Thanks,

 

[Rachox]

Kidney stones are caused by high OXILATE levels in your diet..

As said further up this thread, I had a kidney stone a few years ago. It was analysed and found to be 95% oxalate with the rest being calcium, so I was advised to lower oxalates in my diet. It’s not necessary to reduce oxalate in your diet if your stone is found to be predominantly calcium.

 

[Daisy_Daisy]

Glad you were able to reverse you T2 Diabetes, I am trying, just having tests, C-Peptide & GAD..Hba1c 86
Very painful kidney stones, had them once, have CKD 3b..