QUESTION:
Is it a UTI or a kidney stone?
What are the differences in the symptoms of a UTI and a kidney stone in men?

• ANSWER:
  UTI Burning, end stream pressure, urgency, frequency, dribbling, supra-pubic pressure, may see blood in urine.

  Kidney Stone Sudden onset excruciating, toe curling, labor like pain in lower back (flank), can radiate to abdomen, groin, testicle. Comes and goes as stone moves in ureters. Nausea, vomiting, may see blood in urine. Urinary hesitancy, pressure.

  Kidney Infection Gradual onset lower back pain, can travel to abdomen, may have nausea, vomiting, will have fever and possibly no urinary symptoms.

  STD Pain with urination, penile discharge, vague lower abdominal pain.

QUESTION:
What causes kidney stones?
I heard it is from excessive sugars from junk foods is this true? Plus, I heard that drinking water and sometimes cranberry juice also helps eliminate this problem, and another benefit is that it reduces enlargement prostate in men. I don't have kidney stones, even though I wondered about kidney stones in general so I thought I'd ask. However, I didn't go to the doctor yet but I believe I might have enlarged prostate because I feel a throbbing feeling inside of me over top of my anal area and it's NOT ANYWHERE located in the scrotum area, so I know it's not my testicles. I believe it's the prostate. Are these one of the symptoms for enlarged prostate? Will drinking water and cranberry juice shrink it to size, if that is the problem of the throbbing and pulsating feel, it's a little bit on my left side located where I stated earlier.

• ANSWER:
  I think there are like 2 or 3 types of kidney stones.

  Calcium Oxalate stones are caused by too little calcium in your diet.

  Uric Acid stones are caused by highly acidity in the urine.

  Several other minor types dealing with phosphate, magnesium, etc.

  I was on a diet consisting of a lot of carrots and bananas. A lot. other stuff too, but a lot of carrots and bananas. Did i mention, there were a lot of carrots and bananas?

  The magnesium did me in. I was in dire pain from mid-torso to the bottom of the torso. I truly thought I was dying. Then the puking started. Got to the hospital and was quickly diagnosed with a kidney stone.

  With a big smile on her face, the nurse told me the pain was similar to childbirth only worse. I think she was enjoying herself.

  When it finally passed, the little metal pan i peed in went "tink". They recovered the stone and put it in water. It dissolved. oh, well.

QUESTION:
What's wrong? Urinating every 20 minutes, no infection, not kidney stones, not pregnant.?
Help! I have had frequency of urination for a couple of months - had a course of antibiotics but there was no infection and that did not help. I am really bloated and have a lot of pressure, some pain in abdomen. In the past week, the frequency of urination increased to around every 20 minutes during the day and about 5 times during the night. My doctor gave me FloMax saying it might help with the frequency and could help with passing a kidney stone. (At that point, we both thought it was a kidney stone because I have a history of them). Yes, I know Flo-Max is for men. But it is being increasingly used off label for women for frequency and to help pass kidney stones.

He sent me to get a non-contrast CT scan and it showed no kidney stones. It did show a cyst on my left ovary. The nurse told me if the cyst was large enough, it could be causing the frequency of urination. But when I went to the OB/GYN they said it wasn't large enough (only 2.6cm).

The OB/GYN is trying to send me to the urologist without sending me back to my GP (not sure if my insurance will accept that). And I would like to check out non-invasive tests before they stick the scope up there, ok? What I'm wondering is: has anyone else had symptoms like these and what did it turn out to be? I see similar questions on here but no one ever seems to come back and say what it was after they find out.

This is driving me crazy. Usually I can figure out what is wrong (or at least narrow it down to a couple of things) so that when I see the doctor, I can make sure he checks those out. I have found this to be important since I have been misdiagnosed in the past (more than once). One time I had the same symptoms as above, the doctor treated me for a UTI even though urinalysis was negative, said if that didn't work, come back and we would try something else. I came back but the doctor did the same - more antibiotics for negative urinalysis. I came back again (by this time I was urinating every 15 minutes and my boss was so mad I thought he was going to fire me) and the dr wanted to do antibiotics a 3rd time in spite of yet another negative urinalysis. But by that time, I had done some research and was pretty sure I had a kidney stone. So I requested she order an IVP x-ray (yes, it's old technology now) and she got mad and said well it isn't necessary and your insurance won't cover it. I told her I didn't care, that I would pay for it myself. Amazingly she did order the test. When she got the results, I received a personal phone call from her saying she was sorry, that I DID have a kidney stone and it was obstructing my left ureter and I needed surgery immediately. I appreciate that she had the guts to apologize personally. So, anyway, that (and a couple of other incidents I will spare you) is why I like to have some IDEAS of what to ask about when I go into the doctors office.

Anyone else's experience and results? Please!!

• ANSWER:
  I get that problem everytime I go on a bender down the pub.

QUESTION:
Can you answer any of these?
any answers would help. thanks

2. The body gains solutes from all of the following processes except ________.

a.secretion by cells

b. metabolism

c. respiration

d. sweating

3. All of the following metabolic waste products are removed primarily by the urinary system except ________.

a. carbon dioxide

b. uric acid

c. ammonia

d. creatine

4. The structure that carries filtrate from the kidney to the bladder is the ________.

a. ureter

b. urethra

c. nephron

d. distal tubule

5. The kidney's central cavity is called the ________.

a. kidney medulla

b. renal pelvis

c. renal capsule

d. kidney cortex

6. The structure of the nephron which receives the substances filtered from blood is the ________.

a. glomerulus

b. Bowman's capsule

c. loop of Henle

d. collecting duct

7. In a nephron, the glomerulus is located between the ________ and the ________.

a. Bowman's capsule, loop of Henle

b. afferent arteriole, efferent arteriole

c. efferent arteriole, peritubular capillaries

d. proximal tubule and distal tubule

8.Which nephron structure is not correctly paired with its function?

a. glomerular capillaries, filtration

b. loop of Henle, urine concentration

c. proximal tubule, secretion

d. Bowman's capsule, reabsorption

9.Reabsorption returns all or most of the ________ in nephron tubules to the blood.

a. water

b. glucose

c. amino acids

d. all of the choices

10.Urinary secretion maintains the body's acid-base balance through secretion of excess ________.

a.
water

b.
hydrogen ions

c.
potassium ions

d.
urea

11.In the nephron, cells of the ________ prevent water from escaping.

a.
peritubular capillaries

b.
proximal tubules

c.
descending loop of Henle

d.
distal tubules

12. Which hormone produced in the brain increases water reabsorption in the distal tubules of the nephron?

a.
renin

b.
aldosterone

c.
ADH

d.
diuretic

13. The "thirst center" in the brain monitors ________.

a.
the amount of saliva produced by salivary glands

b.
the juxtaglomerular apparatus

c.
blood pH levels

d.
blood volume

14. The kidneys control the body's acid-base balance by ________.

a.
excreting bicarbonate buffer

b.
forming new bicarbonate buffer and adding it to the blood

c.
excreting excess H+ ions

d.
all of the choices

15. Kidneys excrete excess H+ ions by combining them with ________.

a.
phosphate ions

b.
ammonia (NH3)

c.
bicarbonate

d.
all of the choices

16. Glucose in urine may be a sign of ________.

a.
hepatitis

b.
urinary tract infection

c.
diabetes

d.
hypertension

17. Which disease affecting the urinary system is more frequent in women than in men?

a.
kidney stones

b.
polycystic kidney disease

c.
bladder infection

d.
glomerulonephritis

18.Symptoms of kidney-function impairment include ________.

a.
nausea

b.
fatigue

c.
memory loss

d.
all of the choices

19. A hemodialysis machine ________.

a.
selectively exchanges solutes across a membrane between the patient's blood and a chemical solution

b.
replaces the patient's blood with a balanced chemical solution

c.
adds a balanced chemical solution to the patient's blood

d.
transfuses cross-matched blood to the patient

• ANSWER:
  d
  a
  a
  a
  d
  b
  d
  a
  b
  no idea
  c
  either B or D
  not sure about 14
  or 15
  C
  C, bladder infections
  don't know 18
  A

  P.S. You don't learn anything from letting other people do your homework for you, but I like the challenge and did it anyway.

QUESTION:
I have a dull and sometimes sharp pain on my left side. (lower back pain - groin)?
It starts at my lower back (left side). Then one day the pain may be in my groin and then eventually down to my left testicle. Then the pain can go back to my lower back, then maybe the groin, back to the testicle. There is no rhyme or reason but it's a dull and then sometimes sharp pain. Other times I may be ok but I will eventually feel pain on my left side. Here are a few other symptoms: The pain magnifies when lying down (especially in my testicle). My left testicle swells up at times. My Urologist has some theories but I'm hoping to narrow these down to know what the actual problem is? He first thought epdidymitis which is an infection of the left testicle but I didn't have fever, chills or nausea? So I'm not satisfied with that diagnosis. Then he thinks maybe kidney stones? Man I hope not? But here again, I don't have blood in the urine so I'm not so sure this is right? Plus I had an ultrasound done and it didn't seem to show up?
This has been going on for 2 weeks. I am 50 years old. Any other thoughts? Constructive advice and stories are appreciated. Thanks very much.

• ANSWER:
  You could have a lower lumbar subluxation in L4 L5 and need to see a Chiropractor for an adjustment.
  Trader Joes has natural 100 % pure cranberry juice that will gently cleanse the kidneys ,at it is cheaper than the doctor.2 ounces three times a day.
  For reducing frequent urination Saw Palmetto herb works great for shrinking the prostrate.
  Look up side effects of all prescription drugs as they some times are the cause of many extra problems.

QUESTION:
Fears and Symptoms I have experienced since age 14 onwards?
Fears and Symptoms I have experienced since age 14 onwards.

Ok im a 16 year old male going 17

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS, WHAT WOULD YOU DIAGNOSE ME WITH?
I am going to the doctors on thursday but just to get an example of what the doctor might say please could you tell me what you think it is by reading the symtoms i had?

SORRY THIS IS SOO LONG!

HIV/AIDS/STD/ CHLAMYDIA/HARPIES
Paedophilia / Gay / Bisexual / Incest / Rape - Unwanted Perverted sexual thoughts
Schizophrenia Thoughts/ Fear of hearing voices / Hallucinating – fear of seeing and communicating with imaginary human
Bi Polar Disorder
Anal Cancer – because of Blood in stool
Scared about getting stomach ulcer
Breast Cancer – because of being fat and having man boobs.
Brain Tumour - because of headaches on the top, back and temple of my head.
I forget UN important things during the day.
Hernia
Hypochondria – health fear
Obsessive/Repeated Thinking or fear of my own thoughts – 2009 onwards
Repeated Checking and counting
Washing hands for at least 5 minutes or over. - Germs
Intrusive and Evil Thoughts
Anorexia - Obsessive about gaining more weight – Fear of eating too much – look bigger when looking in mirror – obsess about what I ate during the day, and have repeated thoughts on counting how many things I ate during the day. Often do this every day and think this like 6 times in 2 hours and the thought stays with me for 3 minutes at least. I stand in front of the mirror for about 6 minutes at least because I’m not sure if I look smaller. Even though that my clothes are now bigger because of exercise and diet.
Fear of losing my mind - getting mentally ill or losing control – going insane
Shaking, Trembling and facial twitching/ finger fiddling
Feeling hot then cold
Shortness and difficulty of breathing / Feeling restless/ panic makes me sweat lots and hot feeling around body.
Fear of watching scary videos incase of triggering schizophrenia.
Fear of keeping my eyes open in the dark. – My Room
Obsessive about my family’s welfare
Fear of not having children
Fear of my testicles not working
Fear and obsessing about having blood in my semen
Fear of blood clot in leg
Fear about low sperm amount
Fear of testicular problems – cancer- Tangled
Fear of Bladder Problems and kidney stones – because of Cloudy/Foamy Urination
Fear of going to sleep at night – because of hearing things just before drifting off to sleep and just before waking up. Random Mind Chatter – hypnagogia auditory (hypnagogic) hallucinations
Numb in areas of my body
Fear of being mentally immature – mental age of 10
Worrying about health and hygiene
'Electric shock' feelings (anywhere in the body)
Distorted vision
Suicidal feelings
Eye or brain tricks - Seeing Spots/Light Flashes/Black Things and seeing unknown things from the corner of my eyes.
Movements from the corner of my eyes
Optical Illusion – movements
Fear of being in a mental home – Fear of going to the doctors
Hard to concentrate on something when having anxiety
Sometimes it is hard to get hold of my thoughts. – I can’t think well when I am constantly worrying over and over about the same thing.
I can’t trust what I see because I don’t know if it’s real or not.
I need a lot of reassurance to get me through the worries
Fear and obsess about sleep eating disorder
Fear of torturing people
Fear of becoming a child abuser
Difficulty swallowing
Change in appetite
Startled very easily
Tired all the time
I Google my symptoms online which triggers even more worrying. I spend most times researching symptoms online/books and dictionaries
I joined loads of online forums and found that other people’s experiences help me get rid of the fears and phobias for a while. And often need reassurance
I am very aware of all my symptoms and I think there is something wrong with me. And I am not normal.
When in a panic mode, I often reassure myself I am normal in my head, I also sometimes whisper the word, “I’m Normal” Or tell myself not to worry e.g. “Don’t Worry” which sometimes helps.
Fear of puberty going wrong or fear of something abnormal stopping it.
Wet dreams - I used to have wet dreams and obsessed about it until i was told it was normal for teenagers. Before i knew it was normal for them to stop I used to go through some rituals.
Numbers – on the TV volume, I like even numbers and I usually like numbers from multiples of 5
Sensation – that i am falling of the bed or somone is pulling me backwords when i am asleep.

Thank You in advance

• ANSWER:
  Eating disorder
  Anxiety disorder
  Hypochondria

QUESTION:
MAN: Blood in urine?
Im 15 and in the last year or so every time i go to the toilet to urinate, it starts to hurt, in fact i get more pain before i begin to urinate, just before the urine comes out.

From the last 4 months i have noticed blood every time i urinate, and when i finish - a drop of blood pops out.

Is this a possible symptom of kidney stones?

• ANSWER:
  Let your parents know or go to an anoymous youth clinic.
  Best to let someone know, might not be a big deal but still good to get it checked.

QUESTION:
I have bubbly yellow urine?
First I am a 23 year old man. Single and sure this is not an STD if it could possible be! I only drink water and cranberry juice and milk.

I have been dealing with this for 2 months now. At first I thought it was kidney stones or a urinary tract infection because the first symptoms were very similiar to those of that. Now alot of that pain has left (not all but for the large part 90% has). 2 times I have had urine test and doctors check my vitals and feel around for any possible thing and both times they said I sound and look healthy and urine test are good. It is possible that I am passing tiny tiny kidney stones and that is what is keeping the small pains around in bladder and lower back where kidneys are. But my biggest question is this

WHY IS MY URINE YELLOW AND BUBBLY???

After 2 months of nothing but water and cranberry juice I imagined this would have passed through and I would have clear urine again.

• ANSWER:
  I advise you to drink lots of water, lemonade and eat kidney beans.
  Avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, and chocolate and grapefruit juice.

QUESTION:
What would you diagnos me as? Please look here?
Fears and Symptoms I have experienced since age 14 onwards.

Ok im a 16 year old male going 17

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS, WHAT WOULD YOU DIAGNOSE ME WITH?
I am going to the doctors on thursday but just to get an example of what the doctor might say please could you tell me what you think it is by reading the symtoms i had?

SORRY THIS IS SOO LONG!

HIV/AIDS/STD/ CHLAMYDIA/HARPIES
Paedophilia / Gay / Bisexual / Incest / Rape - Unwanted Perverted sexual thoughts
Schizophrenia Thoughts/ Fear of hearing voices / Hallucinating – fear of seeing and communicating with imaginary human
Bi Polar Disorder
Anal Cancer – because of Blood in stool
Scared about getting stomach ulcer
Breast Cancer – because of being fat and having man boobs.
Brain Tumour - because of headaches on the top, back and temple of my head.
I forget UN important things during the day.
Hernia
Hypochondria – health fear
Obsessive/Repeated Thinking or fear of my own thoughts – 2009 onwards
Repeated Checking and counting
Washing hands for at least 5 minutes or over. - Germs
Intrusive and Evil Thoughts
Anorexia - Obsessive about gaining more weight – Fear of eating too much – look bigger when looking in mirror – obsess about what I ate during the day, and have repeated thoughts on counting how many things I ate during the day. Often do this every day and think this like 6 times in 2 hours and the thought stays with me for 3 minutes at least. I stand in front of the mirror for about 6 minutes at least because I’m not sure if I look smaller. Even though that my clothes are now bigger because of exercise and diet.
Fear of losing my mind - getting mentally ill or losing control – going insane
Shaking, Trembling and facial twitching/ finger fiddling
Feeling hot then cold
Shortness and difficulty of breathing / Feeling restless/ panic makes me sweat lots and hot feeling around body.
Fear of watching scary videos incase of triggering schizophrenia.
Fear of keeping my eyes open in the dark. – My Room
Obsessive about my family’s welfare
Fear of not having children
Fear of my testicles not working
Fear and obsessing about having blood in my semen
Fear of blood clot in leg
Fear about low sperm amount
Fear of testicular problems – cancer- Tangled
Fear of Bladder Problems and kidney stones – because of Cloudy/Foamy Urination
Fear of going to sleep at night – because of hearing things just before drifting off to sleep and just before waking up. Random Mind Chatter – hypnagogia auditory (hypnagogic) hallucinations
Numb in areas of my body
Fear of being mentally immature – mental age of 10
Worrying about health and hygiene
'Electric shock' feelings (anywhere in the body)
Distorted vision
Suicidal feelings
Eye or brain tricks - Seeing Spots/Light Flashes/Black Things and seeing unknown things from the corner of my eyes.
Movements from the corner of my eyes
Optical Illusion – movements
Fear of being in a mental home – Fear of going to the doctors
Hard to concentrate on something when having anxiety
Sometimes it is hard to get hold of my thoughts. – I can’t think well when I am constantly worrying over and over about the same thing.
I can’t trust what I see because I don’t know if it’s real or not.
I need a lot of reassurance to get me through the worries
Fear and obsess about sleep eating disorder
Fear of torturing people
Fear of becoming a child abuser
Difficulty swallowing
Change in appetite
Startled very easily
Tired all the time
I Google my symptoms online which triggers even more worrying. I spend most times researching symptoms online/books and dictionaries
I joined loads of online forums and found that other people’s experiences help me get rid of the fears and phobias for a while. And often need reassurance
I am very aware of all my symptoms and I think there is something wrong with me. And I am not normal.
When in a panic mode, I often reassure myself I am normal in my head, I also sometimes whisper the word, “I’m Normal” Or tell myself not to worry e.g. “Don’t Worry” which sometimes helps.
Fear of puberty going wrong or fear of something abnormal stopping it.
Wet dreams - I used to have wet dreams and obsessed about it until i was told it was normal for teenagers. Before i knew it was normal for them to stop I used to go through some rituals.
Numbers – on the TV volume, I like even numbers and I usually like numbers from multiples of 5
Sensation – that i am falling of the bed or somone is pulling me backwords when i am asleep.

Thank You in advance

• ANSWER:
  you sound normal,
  but the Harpies are a worry, not to many people hear them sing

QUESTION:
Haunted house? No joke. Has anyone ever heard of this?
Lived here over four years. My wife and I are 62 and expect some physical problems, but were never seriously ill or had any serious problems before moving in. House is old, built 1892. Divided into 2 separate apartments at some point, probably the 70s. No lead paint or anything like that. I Live upstairs, full 2 bedroom apt. Not bad, clean. Family downstairs has been moved in a little before we did. Here's the problem. Everyone down there has become ill. Different things, serious back and joint problems with husband, psychotic episodes with wife. It's been one thing after another. They're young, 40, and nice people. The same type of stuff started occurring with wife and I two years ago. High blood pressure (230/120) for me when I finally checked it, high cholesterol. Several back pain. My wife started losing her vision and we found she had cataracts. Did the surgery and though her vision is good left eye still bothers her. She woke up one morning two years ago with sever pain in the shoulder. They did everything to her for months and nothing was found. She's never been overweight and has never used sugar or drank soft drinks. Eats a real healthy diet, but was diagnosed with diabetes and high cholesterol 2 weeks ago. The month before that I had to take her to emergency room for high heart beat (191) They fixed it with a special shot that re-regulates the heart. I developed kidney stones over the last several months, and three weeks ago woke up with a swollen knee. It's super painful and I can hardly walk, but I absolutely did not injure it. It was just there in the morning just as my wifes shoulder. Here's the point. A few months after we moved in I found myself looking at the stairway that leads down to the front door and thinking of a little girl. It sounds crazy but it seemed I could see or at least clearly imagine her. She's about eleven and sits at the bottom of the stairs. I think she does come up here but only at night. She didn't frighten me and until all this illness, that just keeps coming, I got no bad feelings. I mentioned to my neighbor and he said he was positive this place was haunted. Until last week I took none of it very seriously, however, my brother in law, who is a minister and who I haven't seen in ten years visited. He took one step in the door and looked at me and said, "Do you know this place is haunted?" He is a very honest and down to earth man. I answered I did and we didn't discuss beyond me saying I didn't feel it was anything bad. Strangely the woman who lived here before us died shortly after moving, as did the woman who lived downstairs before the current neighbors moved in. One other thing that was odd was my best friend visited one day two years ago. We had coffee and at some point he said he wasn't feeling well. He ended up in the hospital that night with a heartbeat of over two hundred and the same symptoms my wife subsequently suffered. My question is can places be bad? Has anyone ever heard of something like this associated with a house, or is this just my imagination from all these problems. I would appreciate any sincere comments. Thanks
Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful answers. It seems more and more obvious that there is little to lose in moving from here and possibly much to gain. Thank you again.

• ANSWER:
  Yes, places can be bad. You need to get out of there. Others will advise attempting to exorcise the place or tell you that it's your imagination. I think it should be pretty clear to you by now that the latter is not a rational judgment. This does not sound to me like it's something you can easily banish from the house.

  I really think you should move.

  You can try protecting yourself for now: Get some holy water. Put a stripe or the shape of a cross with the water on each other's foreheads every day, also the same on palms and backs of the hands and center of the chest. Paint stripes of it diagonally across your doors and/or the door frames, both the main door and the interior room-to-room doorways.

  Once again, I really think you should move. This is not a trivial kind of problem. You're clearly risking your health and your wife's health. It's worth the expense. Get out of there.

QUESTION:
Find this disease, it is hard.?
A man, 28 years old, is a mechanic, and is active, playing in a summer baseball league. He originally went to the doctors because of tiredness, and a sudden loss of weight(15-20 lbs), the symptoms persisted loong with a red bumpy rashce on his forearm, and passing a kidney stone that was the size of a pebble. The disease is not inherited, and that will be all. The category the question is listed under is irrelevant, other than the health part.

• ANSWER:
  My guess is insulin dependent diabetes.

QUESTION:
What is wrong with me?
I'm a 52 year old man in what most would think is in very good physical condition. Six months ago I started passing visible blood in my urine. After seeing several doctors the best answer I could get from them was that I was having kidney stones. The urine went from tea colored to the color of cranberry juice. There was never any pain. I've had stones in the past and as anyone who has had them before can tell you, the pain they cause is the worst they've ever felt.

I discovered that the bleeding was brought on by the use of Advil. I would go weeks with no problems, then take Advil for an unrelated issue. Within three hours I began to see the blood again.
Needless to say, I quit taking Advil, Aspirin or Alieve as the are all NSAIDS and cause bleeding.

Since then, I've only had one incidence of visible blood. However, Now I'm experiencing another symptom that has me scared and baffled. I work construction for a living. In the past few weeks my stamina has fallen way off. I become extremely fatigued after only a few hours on the job. After going home my body seems to become one giant nerve to emit pain. I can only compare to the body aches that one feels during the onset of a bad case of the flu. No fever or chills. No joint pain. Just muscle aches. While the urine appears to be of normal color, I wonder if there is something connected here.

Since the doctors have been useless, I am hoping someone here can help give me some answers.

• ANSWER:
  Stephen,

  I don't believe your problem is related to your use or discontinued use of NSAIDS as they have no effect on or relation to "stamina" as you put it. At least I fail to see any connection.

QUESTION:
Kidney infection/kidney stone symptoms?
My wife thinks she may have either a kidney infection or a kidney stone. I don't know what makes her think that other than she's in pain. What are the symptoms of each? Thanks.

• ANSWER:
  Hi. Some symptoms of a UTI or kidney infection are frequent urination with small amounts of urine, burning with urination, dark yellow and cloudy urine. If she has a kidney stone she would have pain in her back just below her breast area. She may also see blood in her urine for both. Also, a kidney stone can cause a UTI. She should go to the ER to get a CT scan to check it out for sure. If not either of them, it may be musculoskeletal.

QUESTION:
What are the  symptoms of having a kidney stone?
What are the  symptoms of having a kidney stone &/or infection?

• ANSWER:
  PAIN, blood and or tissue in urine, pain in the back.

  Any symptom of a urinary tract infections is also a symptom of having Kidney Stones, though Kidney Stones are far more painful.

QUESTION:
How long before kidney infection symptoms clear up with proper antibiotics? Or do I have a stone?
13 days ago, I started having UTI symptoms. I don't have insurance, so I went to the local acupuncture school and tried herbs for a few days, but it didn't clear things up. They sent me to a regular clinic, as they found bacteria still in my urine. So, 10 days ago I went to a clinic and was told I had bacteria and blood in my urine and given a week's worth of macrobid. Some symptoms seemed to get better at first, but then I started getting flank pain and the burning returned. I returned and this time they did a culture and sensitivity test and said they were going to treat it as an early kidney infection. I received two shots of antibiotics and a 14-day course of Bactrim. I have not yet heard the results.
I felt much better at first, but after a day or two started to have some strong, sharp, crampy pains in my extreme lower abdomen, or groin area. The kidney pain is also still there. The crampy pains only lasted about two days and don't seem to be bothering me anymore. I have some pains on both sides, but not at the same time. Could I actually be suffering from a stone? I swear, I actually feel as if something might be in there, trying to come out, but it could be my imagination, as I have been reading about stones online...
Should my kidney pain have been relieved yet by the Bactrim? I have now been on it for four days, and five days of the macrobid before that, plus the shots...

• ANSWER:
  There could be a stone, but that is like worst case scenario. You need to flush more fluids through your system. Increase your water intake. I usually takes about two weeks for the pain, discomfort and urine discoloration to go away after properly being treated. Too, you should start introducing cranberry extract tablet into your daily regimen or just cranberry juice. The cranberry whether in liquid form or capsule is used for urinary tract heath. When I have had a run on too much soda or coffee I take 1 tablet 3X a day with plenty of water. It really helps.

QUESTION:
What are the symptoms of a kidney stone?
Today I have been having what I would call bladder pains. They occur right around my pubic line and last only a few seconds. They aren't making me keel over or anything. They are mainly irritating, kind of like a short spasm, like a mild short, stabbing pain. I will get one and a few hours later I get another. At one point, I had about four in a row. Last night, I had a pain on my right lower back. Could I be passing a stone? I have had an attack like this before with a bladder infection but had buring while urinating , and urgency to go. This time I haven't had any other symptoms but started to drink cranberry juice and lots of water as a precaution. I will wait a day or so before I decide to go to the doc because otherwise I feel great. What do you think it could be?

• ANSWER:
  extreme pain, which occurs when a stone acutely blocks the flow of urine... http://www.kidney-stones.biz/symptoms.html

QUESTION:
what's the difference in symptoms of urinary tract infection and kidney stones?
I've looked at the symptoms of both and it looks like the symptoms are pretty much the same. How would one know if it's just a UTI or if it's actually kidney stones (before you call the doctor, of course)

• ANSWER:
  in case of renal stone the patient complain of sever colicky pain with radiation of the pain to the groins, genitalia, thigh and the knee ,,fever is rare
  associated symptoms is sweating and nausea and vomiting

  in case of UTI ,, the pain is not colicky and it is ill-defined .... high fever(important)

  you can differentiate it from the nature of pain and the presence or absence of fever

  god bless

QUESTION:
Do I have kidney stones or are my symptoms a sign of something else?
I am a 23 year old mom of one who had kidney stones in my right kidney during my pregnancy in 2008. They were so jagged and large that I ended up with a nephrostomy tube threaded into my right kidney for 10 weeks. I sported the tube and the bag it drained into around my thigh up until a couple weeks before my planned c-section. The urologist in charge of my high risk case cleared me of all stones and infection when he finally removed the tubing. My kidneys have been perfectly fine ever since. About three weeks ago, I started having flank pain on both sides, but really thought nothing of it, passing it off as a flare up of my lumbar arthritis and herniated disc (L4-L5 to be exact). I took some motrin and just waited it out. The pain got so bad I was averaging about three hours of sleep a night because I could not fall or stay asleep. I was in constant pain and misery, but the flank pain was the only symptom. I went to the ER and they found my white blood cell count elevated, which they said was a sign of infection. When I told them about the flank pain, they simply did a urine test which they said was completely clean. They sent me home saying they had no idea what to do for me. No other tests or anything. I continued to be in pain until a new pain started, in my lower right quadrant right above my bikini line, and into my groin. I worried it might have been my appendix, so I again went to the ER. I got a wonderful doctor that time around and she sent me for a renal ultrasound, while also re-checking my blood and urine. Now, here's what happened: The blood tests were relatively normal, not really anything that stood out. My urine came back normal so far as I know, they never said anything about it. The renal ultrasound showed the scarring from my nephrostomy tube and also what the radiologist interpreted to be stones in both kidneys, the right more than the left. However, there were no stones in my ureters, meaning there wasn't anything that should be causing the lower right abdominal pain. And the doctor said that just because I had stones in my kidneys didn't mean I should be in pain. So, they sent me home again and told me to see my doctor. I saw my doctor Monday, and she ran blood and urine, which were normal so far as I know. She also said I should not have flank pain with stones simply in my kidneys. She did put in an order for a CT scan and a urology consult. However, the urologist doesn't want to see me at all unless the CT scan shows stones for sure, because he says renal ultrasound is not definitive enough. I can understand that, but what else could these symptoms be? I have no UTI, no kidney infections, no problems with my blood, no issues with my abdomen, no passing stones, just flank pain on both sides, pain in my abdomen and groin, cloudy, smelly urine (remember, no issues with urine according to all doctors), and exhaustion and weakness, and just general malaise. No fever, no other symptoms, no nothing. I have been to so many doctors, and still have more specialists to go to to try and figure this out, but I am truly at the end of my wits trying to console myself over what's happening. I know I need to keep going after medical advice, and I'm not asking anyone to diagnose. However, if anyone out there has experienced this problem and these specific symptoms and gone through all this too, I would love to hear what happened and what you found out. I'm just trying to make sense of it all, and make sure I'm actually on the right medical track to find the answer to all the pain and misery I've been going through.

• ANSWER:
  painful, inflamed kidneys from diabetes? avoid sugar.
  a1c tests are easy.

QUESTION:
Symptoms of kidney stones, but there are no urological problems, What do i have?
I have the symptoms of kidney stones, or UTI's. I do NOT have any kidney stones of urine infections or bladder infections. I thought i did, but after several tests, and ultra sounds there are no problems in that area.

What else could be causing burning when urination with incontinence, as well as abdominal pains, pain in my lower back, and foul smelling urine? I've had the burning and incontinence for exactly one year now, and i'm thinking maybe its an STI such as chlamydia?
I went to a urologist, that was all the tests he does. I cant do any tests for STD's or STI's til im back in the UK.
And he can't think what i could have. I'm 18 and living in an arab country so he cant suspect anything sexual because it's illegal out of marriage.

• ANSWER:
  Pregnancy possibly, or an STD. Go to a gynecologist and get tested for either.

QUESTION:
Kidney....???
I had kidney stones a year ago but I still have a constant ache. I assumed it would go away but it didn't. I went to doctors and he told me there were five possibilities; new kidney stone, infection, kidney trauma, enlarged kidney, or blood in/surrounding my kidney. Through test and x-rays we eliminated kidney stones or an infection. So, my questions are what do the last three options mean(what are they)? How are they treated? What is the possibility of each being my problem, how common are they? Or, what else could it be? Here are my symptoms. Constant aches, within my body not the skin, aches get worse when I am cold, I've had it for a year and it has not gotten any better/worse, I have not had any illnesses since(chills, fevers), I had lithotripsy to break up the original kidney stone, I have a scar from it, I had a shunt. Please help, the news I received from my doctor made me nervous and I don't understand what each possibility really means. Include links too if you can.

• ANSWER:
  By "shunt," I assume you mean stent, which is a narrow plastic tube that keeps the ureter open after procedures. If you still have the stent in place, then some symptoms are normal, including feeling the need to urinate frequently and feeling an ache in your kidney, particularly when you feel the need to urinate. That last effect is due to pressure from the bladder being transmitted up the stent to the kidney, which feels a lot like a kidney stone.

  If, however, the stent was already removed and infection has already been ruled out, then an important issue to rule out is obstruction of the ureter. This can be caused by scar tissue from the stone or by a congenital defect. Such congenital obstruction, most commonly at the junction of the urinary collecting part of the kidney and the ureter (ureteropelvic junction or UPJ). This situation can be evaluated by a contrasted set of X-Rays such as an IVP or by a functional drainage study of the kidney such Mag3 Lasix Renogram. If you have obstruction, it should be treated, as it puts you at increased risk of forming more kidney stones.

  Be sure the stent was removed! If a foreign body is left within the urinary tract for more than a few months, it can become encrusted with crystals and cause all sorts of problems.

QUESTION:
could my symptoms of kidney stones dissapear just because im on antibiotics (info inside)?
right, im 15 but i have kidney disease which causes kidney stones.

i recently woke up with bright red urineand pain when i wee so went to the doctors and sent a sample off, in the meantime they gave me antibiotics, which (for the moment) have cleared my symptoms,, although i still have some pain.

other symptoms that i still have are tiredness, generallyy feeling under the weather, i have chronic pain anyway but the pain seems to have gotten worse.

in the past iv had experiences with antibiotcs stopping the symptoms for as long as im on them and then the symptoms coming back as soon as im off them.

do you think this is an infection or a kidney stone ?

what shall i do ?
lol, i do kno what kidney stones are, i have experienced them 4 times..

• ANSWER:
  Sounds like you have recurrent urinary tract infections but only a doctor could tell by urine analysis. Your stones could be infected too and be the reason for the recurrent infections AND the pain. Perhaps they need to be treated so the infections stop or at least slow down. Also you may need a prophylactic antibiotic (taken every day or a few times a week for an extended time).

QUESTION:
Is it possible that i have a bladder stone or kidney stone?
went to the clinic and had urine test said that looked like a urinary infection, and they put me on antibiotic today, but i don't have any of the symptoms of that i have more of a bladder stone symptom, the pain is on the scrotum, i hope just an urinary infection but she wasn't a real doctor and didn't look at my penis, (just sample) said to come back and see real doctor if pain doesn't go away in 2 days. just wondering what it really is?

• ANSWER:
  Kidney stone pain comes on suddenly. It generally presents in the "flank" area of the lower back (one sided) it can travel to the abdomen, groin, testicle on the same side. It comes and goes as the stone passes through the ureter. There may be visible blood in the urine or it may be microscopic. The pain can be so severe that you vomit. Kidney stone pain is up there with labor, most people cannot tolerate it without strong narcotics/pain relievers.

  Bladder stones are seen primarily in men 95% and generally older men secondary to an enlarged prostate that causes urinary retention allowing crystal to form with urine that sits.

  With pain in the scrotum, I would look toward epididymitis especially if you have associated swelling, redness, and heat, perhaps a fever as well. STD's can also cause urinary symptoms or penile, testicular, low abdominal pain.

  Continue the antibiotic, elevate the scrotum on a rolled up towel when you lay down and use supportive underwear, if you do not improve as you were instructed in 2d, return for a recheck or return sooner if you worsen, have uncontrolled pain, fever or vomiting. This time make sure you disclose all necessary information, opt for a male doctor for a thorough exam; get urethral swabs done to check STD's. Look up "epididymitis" online to see if this might fit the picture more. Treatment of epididymitis is antibiotics as well, depending on the organism, depends on the antibiotic. The antibiotic given for "UTI" urinary tract infection may or may not work.

  Testicular torsion is also something that would cause one sided testicle pain, it is a medical emergency and is very painful as well. You don't describe this as being excruciating like a stone or torsion would be.

  Make sure you follow up and drink 6 8oz glasses of water daily, avoid things that are irritating to the urinary system like tobacco, caffeine, alcohol.

QUESTION:
What could cause this pain in my Kidney?
OK, I have read several websites and they give symptoms of kidney stones, kidney infection ect... But I don't think that is what it is.
My 2 year old daughter sleeps with me, and sometimes she pushes her feet into my back on my kidney and an excrutiating pain shoots into my back on my kidney and it throbs for a little bit then stops.

Sometimes I can be laying in bed and turn my back a certain way and the sharp pain hits me all of a sudden, it hurts so bad, I can't even begin to explain it. But it don't hurt like everyday, just on certain occassions. So please anybody with any information on why this could be happening, let me know... or even if anybody has experienced this ?? thank you

• ANSWER:
  You need to check with a doctor if possible. I have cysts in and on my kidneys that cause me pain sometimes. Very sharp pains without warning that only last for a short time. Please get checked out-you don't want to risk losing your kidney function. Dialysis is not fun.

QUESTION:
Kidneys burning no other symptoms. Urination fine, no burning, not hungry, what could it be?
For quite a few years now I have had some small issues with my kidneys always burning. It used to start off with just one side every once in a while, then it would switch to the other side every once in a while. Then both once in a while. Over the past 5 or 6 years now it's gotten to be both burning all the time. I've read many many sites on kidney problems and found no answers. All symptoms of kidney stones, bladder infections, diabetes, and others don't add up to mine. I have never seen a doctor because honestly I can't afford it. I'm barely making my bills. Does anyone have any ideas on what this could be and how I could fix it?
I've read many articles and sites on things to try for kidneys. Including cranberry juice, black berry concentrate, parsley, and a few other popular herbs for kidney problems and nothing has helped. Maybe a very very slight bit but not enough to matter. I drink lots of water just because I gave up sodas. I drink a lot of tea also. I do find that drinking things like sodas and alcohol definitely make them hurt way worse. More towards sodas then alcohol. Weird to say but sodas hurt them way way more. If I drink one it hurts bad. I drank nothing but water for an entire month no tea no nothing and it helps a little bit but it wasn't enough to really matter in my opinion. I know it's kidney problems when the pain is located exactly where my kidneys are. I wanted to try Spirit of Nitre something I read on many sites has been awesome in the past for things like this but our AWESOME govt made it illegal and took it off the shelves. Can't find it anymore guess they don't like things that WORK!
I'm pretty sure it wasn't or isn't a kidney stone. It has gotten worse over many many many years. I have never hurt while peeing, or had discolored urine or anything that normally comes with kidney stone symptoms. I would imagine if I had some type of stone it would have hurt eventually. Then again I'm not expert on this anymore then you guys. Just going more off what has happened and all the things I have read. As far as the hospitals the closest charity one here is over 40 miles. Gas is too expensive to drive that far knowing that there is a possibility of not even getting in that day because of so many people using it. I've been to places like that where I waited 8 hours and didn't even get seen. It's a complicated situation altogether.
As in fresh lemonade? Is there a brand you suggest?
Sorry for the confusion about the hungry part. I put that because a lot of sites talk about being extra hungry if it's diabetes. I have a normal appetite nothing is abnormal about it.

• ANSWER:
  Something you could try is lemonade... I currently have kidney stones and I've been told by doctors that drinking lemonade doesn't only flush out your kidneys but it also helps in breaking down and creating new kidney stones. Kidney stones can hurt in many different ways and sometimes they can burn. When my kidney stones start to hurt I'm not hungery either because I am so focused on the pain and I don't want to add to it by eating or drinking something at the time. You should make sure its your kidneys though because usually they can find something in your urine if it is. You should see a doctor because it could get worse and become more serious as time goes on. Good luck... feel better!

QUESTION:
Anyone had experience with kidney infections or kidney stones?
So I've never had a kidney infection or kidney stone before. I'm afraid I have one now, but I'm not sure how to tell for sure. I woke up this morning with UTI symptoms and then about 15 minutes later I had THE WORST pains on my lower-ish left side of my back. It was super bad. After maybe 20 minutes it went away. All of this within the past 2 hours this morning. Also, off and on for about the past week I've had UTI symptoms. What do you think based on your experience with it? I can't go to the doctor until about 4pm today (unless the bad back pain comes back).

• ANSWER:
  I also experienced that situation... I woke up and suddenly my lower back is hurting badly i cant barely move because of it........
  I go to my doctor and im positive for UTI...
  Maybe its just UTI

QUESTION:
What tests should I ask for if I think I have a kidney stone or kidney infection?
Should I request an ultrasound or xray in addition to the standard urine test?
Should i ask the Doctor to request a culture be taken from urine sample to determine if and what bacteria are present so I can have the best antibiotic?
How do I best rule out other things
Ive been having right flank pain, I took cipro for 7 days, 3 weeks ago for a UTI. Felt better for a week but the symptoms have returned. I think it could be just to do with the Kidneys
What about an ovarian cyst? If the Doctor did an ultrasound of my right kidney area could he catch a possible ovarian cyst?
Im going to the Doctor soon, but I just want to get an idea of what to expect? Anything I could ask the Doctor, so I can be treated for the right thing?? Cipro didn't help me, maybe it was a guess and I have something else wrong with me, Does cipro get rid of kidney infections??
Thanks in advance

• ANSWER:
  You should ask for a Ultrasound for the stones and for a Kidney Infection, ask for a Pee test. Because i had gall bladder issues and they had to do a ultrasound to see the stones. Kidney Stones usually pass through when you urinate, and it hurts really bad. I had to get my Gall Bladder removed because it was causing me the same problems, UTI's and Bladders Infections, that were going into my Kidneys. Good Luck though.

QUESTION:
Have you ever had a kidney stone?
So i woke up this morning to a urgency to go pee, and when i went i couldnt go but a few drips...No burning...No pain...but a few drips...I was bleeding, but im not sure if it could be because my cycle is going off...But anywho, i went to the doctor and he asked me alot of questions because i told him i thought it might be a UTI (never had one but googled the symptoms)...I told him that my lower left side had started hurting really bad right after I tried for a 3rd or 4th time to use the bathroom, so he came to the conclusion it probably wasnt a UTI, but something to do with my kidneys, since that one area was hurting...Fastforward, I went and got a CT Scan and i should be getting a call from my doctor soon, meanwhile he's got me on antibiotics for a UTI just in case, and pain reliever's for my side pain...I guess my question is, has anyone ever had a kidney stone or a kidney infection, what did it feel like and how did you get rid of the stone?

• ANSWER:
  I've had a few kidney stones, I have also had a UTI. It sounds like you have a kidney stone. Although, when I had one I was severely nauseous. I couldn't stop throwing up. I also had a extremely painful cramp on the lower right side of my back. The doctors gave me a strainer to catch the stone when I passed it. I didn't always use the strainer so I didn't know if i passed it or not. My symptoms went away then one day I was wiping myself after going pee and I found a little stone on the toilet paper. The doctors want to see it once you pass it so I brought it in to them. So, to get rid of it just drink a ton of water and keep trying to pee it out. I was given pain medication and nausea pills. Good luck, if you have any other questions I'd be happy to answer them.

QUESTION:
kidney stones or urinary infection?
i am a young adult, a female and i am a veg!

i have back aches when i wake up but it vanishes in few minutes.. but sometimes, it take quite a long time 2 go away about 2 hours..
and past 3 days, i am having problem urinating. i am feeling a weird sensation and today, it had a burning sensation. and i am urinating frequently like about 3 times in an hour..
so is this stones or infection?

also, can u please tell me the difference of symptoms between kidney stones and urinary infection? thank you!!

• ANSWER:
  I think you've got an infection!
  UTI symptoms - flank pain (or back pain as you described it), fevers, nausea, vomiting, frequency urinating, difficulty urinating, only passing a small amount of urine at a time, burning sensation while passing urine, offensive smelling urine
  Kidney stone symptoms - severe, excrutiating pain anywhere from your back to your lower abdomen to your sides - it changes with different people. Blood in the urine.

  You need to be checked out by your doctor as the danger with UTIs is they can travel up to your kidneys... no stress, all you'll have to do is pee into a cup and maybe get some blood tests to check your white cell count and renal function! Then get some antibiotics into yourself asap, my love.

QUESTION:
Symptoms of a Kidney infection?
I have a kidney infection. I went to the Doctors and got diagnosed and they put me on antibiotics for 10 days. Im on my last day of antibiotics but I still have a pain in my back. I had a cat scan to make sure nothing else was wrong with them (no kidney stones or obstructions). The pain when I first got it was severe, I couldnt even move. I laid in bed for a week or so waiting for the antibiotics to start working and the pain to die down. The pain has gone down alot but I still have slight pain while bending over or sitting down for too long. Is this normal? does anyone know how long it will take for the pain to totally go away?
Please read the whole question before you attempt to answer it.

• ANSWER:
  I'm not a Dr, but it sounds like the antibiotics are working since the pain is receding. Your kidneys may take awhile to completely heal back to normal so I wouldn't worry about some residual pain. If they still hurt a few days from now you could always go back to the Dr to make sure the infection is gone. It's a simple urinalysis so they wouldn't object to a follow-up.

QUESTION:
Kidney stones or urinary infection?
i am a young adult, a female and i am a veg!

i have back aches when i wake up but it vanishes in few minutes.. but sometimes, it take quite a long time 2 go away about 2 hours..
and past 3 days, i am having problem urinating. i am feeling a weird sensation and today, it had a burning sensation. and i am urinating frequently like about 3 times in an hour..
so is this stones or infection?

also, can u please tell me the difference of symptoms between kidney stones and urinary infection? thank you!!

• ANSWER:
  i have kidney stones its very painful the pain was where my left hip is just at the bottom of my back i didnt have a burning sensation it felt more like i had fell off a high roof and broke my back if i coughed it hurt if i moved it hurt i also coulnt sleep it was that bad i could go to the toilet like normal nothing else hurt apart from my lower back kidney stones is very painful i would wish it on my worsted enemy the way to help with stones is to take some strong painkillers ( i used Nurofen ) and drink loads of water.

  with a urine infection there will be a burning pain down below and your tummy will hurt i cant say for sure what your problem is but it does sound like a water infection if it is a water infection id go to see your doctor as soon as possible nothing to worry about just see him as soon as you can to stop the pain

QUESTION:
Backache or Kidney Stone? nurse's or doc's opinion will be greatly appreciated..?
Soooo...I've been under alot of stress lately..and it's starting to seem like everything is wrong with my body...
I know it's all a mind thing..but now I want someone else's opinion..
I've had minor lower back pain in the last day and a half. nothing crippling..though...and I just broke a mild fever..
It only lasted about 5 minutes though...my urine is clear and has no smell whatsoever..nor any traces of blood...
I'm not frequently using the restroom out of the ordinary either....actually I held my urine for about 20 minutes yesterday...(long ride home)
I also drink tons of water...
I've never had a history of utis or a kidney infection..
but I'm a bit worried..I don't want to run to the hospital..unless I know for sure I need to go..
I went recently for chest pains..and I was fine..and I'm starting to think I'm getting on my mother's nerves complaining about my body..
I've looked up kidney infections..and don't seem to possess all of the radical symptoms mentioned...
Long story short...I just want to put my mind at ease..about these backaches...and i want to know can it possibly just a passing kidney stone..or is it just bad posture...because I have TERRIBLE posture..

P.S Is it even possible to hold your urine during a kidney infection?
Thanks for the answers you guys..They helped greatly..and now I can stop worrying...and just sit up straight and maybe trade out my mattress..
Best of luck to you all in the meantime....

• ANSWER:
  This all sounds more muscular. You do not have signs of a urinary tract infection or a kidney stone. Your posture, your mattress and activities that you do each day and even how you sit in a chair or at your computer can give you low back pain. Taking some ibuprofen (a 600 mg dose) regularly will probably make this go away.

QUESTION:
Do kidney cysts cause abdominal and groin pain?
I recently had a CT scan for what I thought was a pulled muscle in my lower abdomen, possibly groin muscle. The scan showed that I had several kidney cysts as well as an obstruction, more than likely a stone, in one of my kidneys. I have had no other symptoms such as infections or incontinence-kidney infections or back pain-nothing there-just the ab and groin pain. Could this be my problem?

• ANSWER:
  Yes, it sounds like the source of your pain is definitely the kidney cysts. The major symptoms of kidney cysts are: abdominal pain or tenderness, blood in the urine, excessive urination at night, and flank pain on one or both sides. You can read more about kidney cysts (or "Polycystic kidney disease") here: http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/polycystic-kidney-disease

QUESTION:
I have had kidney problems in the past, now I'm having frequent charlie horses! Should I be concerned?
I have had past problems w/ kidney stones, infections, and bloody urine even when no other symptoms exist, but doctors have never been able to give me an answer as to why and have only treated the problem at hand when I go in. I'm an otherwise healthy 21yr old female. Recently I've had many charlie horses and cramps in my calf, ankel and foot. I've heard that this may be a symptom of more kidney problems, but cant find much information on it! Does anyone know if this is something I should be concerned about?? Or other symptoms I should be watching for??

• ANSWER:
  Im not shure if it is a symptom fo kidney problems but it could be low calcium or low potassium causing these cramps.Here is something I copied off a web sight. What causes a leg cramp?
  The exact cause of a leg cramp is not well understood, but there are some risk factors that are thought to contribute to this condition:

  Muscle fatigue
  Heavy exercising
  Dehydration
  High weight (not necessarily obesity)
  Electrolyte imbalances
  Medications (statins, prednisone, others...)

  As for the blood a it could be a urinary tract infection. As well as other causes. Try looking up your symptoms individually and see if they interconnect. Also you may want to keep a diary as well to keep a record of you illness. Include what you are felling at the time. Maybe you missed some symptoms or some symptoms proceeded it that you are not aware of.

QUESTION:
Is this bladder infection or kidney stones?
Example of symptoms: Feel like I need the loo all the time, but know when I gotta go empty. Start urinating fine but as soon as stop after few seconds I get this stabbing pain that makes me lean forward to try and ease it. After this the pain continues and I still feel like my bladder isn't emptied. It is impossible to get anymore out instead the urine turns to blood and drips out causing even more pain. After all this I have pains and feel like going to the toilet non stop.

I have the strongest pain killers possible and they arn't working and neither are the anti-biotics prescribed. The doctor said it's probably a Bladder infection as my kidneys wern't sore but I'm worried that the pain killers arn't working and neither are the anti-biotics. The urine samples show I have an infection, but could all these symptoms be Kidney stones?
I'm 14 years old
Also hurts as I pee, burning sensation then a stabing one when I finish.

• ANSWER:
  You do need to go back to your Dr and ask for an ultrasound then the cause will be found easily
  Now he is just guessing what ails you and that is no good at all
  Success:Colors

QUESTION:
Is it a kidney infection, kidney stones or just a bladder infection?
When I woke up today and went to the bathroom to pee, I noticed the smell was very strong of ammonia and my urine was very cloudy. Didn't think too much of it. Just in the past hour, my lower back has been hurting severely and the pain radiates from my back, up around my hips (side) and then goes into the groin area. When I take in a deep breath it hurts much more. I am very prone to kidney infections and bladder infections as well.... the pain with this is just different than those. I am not sure if it could be a kidney stone? Anyone had the same symptoms and what was the outcome?

• ANSWER:
  You need to see your doctor for a diagnosis.

QUESTION:
28 M Severe Abdominal Pain, Bloody Urine. NOT an infection or kidney stone, Any Ideas?
My husband is 28 years old and for the past 2 weeks has had severe abdominal pain in the exact same spot, a couple inches to the right of his belly button, and blood in his urine. It gets worse with any type of activity, like even when he just walks around a store. It has gone from bright red, to brown, then clear, and then back to red multiple times. There are also clots. He has been to 3 different doctors, had a ct scan, ultrasound, and blood tested. He has no infections, no kidney stones, and all his organs look perfectly fine. The doctors have no idea what is wrong with him. Has anybody experienced similiar symptoms or have any advice?
He has been to a urologist who gave him antibiotics even though he tested negative for infection. He said to come back in 2 weeks if it is no better. He is not active and does not exercise at all however he is also not overweight at all. He does smoke and has for probably 10 years about 3 packs a week. Over the past 3 days the pain has gotten worse and is now waking him up in the middle of the night and his doc refuses to give any pain med, just says take tylenol or motrin which has not been helping... any other advice??

• ANSWER:
  No infection...urinary, kidney, prostate, STD. No stone/calculi, no abnormal findings in CT/US tumors, cyst, masses. No prostate enlargement, no penile injury, straddle injury.

  Young guy 28ys old ? Gym rat, frequent heavy lifting, exercise addict, abuse of protein drinks, creatine products for building muscle mass?

  Injury could be mild and happened without noting the seriousness of it.
  An injury to the kidney or bladder, during an accident, can severely damage the internal organs and result in internal bleeding, which may be seen during urination.

  Exercises
  Studies have shown that hematuria in males can also be brought by strenuous exercises. Hematuria caused due to exercise is a minor issue and staying away from exercise for a few days will help to get rid of red color in the urine. Occurrence of blood in urine may be seen in people who participate in sports like football and long distance running. However, these symptoms usually subside within a week after adequate rest.

  Rhabdomyolysis At A Glance

  Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid destruction of skeletal muscle resulting in leakage into the urine of the muscle protein myoglobin.

  Rhabdomyolysis has many causes.

  Mediations can cause muscle injury and rhabdomyolysis.

  Rhabdomyolysis can cause muscle pain and weakness.

  Blood levels of muscle enzymes, including CPK, SGOT, SGPT, and LDH, as well as blood and urine myoglobin are used to diagnose and monitor rhabdomyolysis.

  Hospitalization is sometimes required to treat rhabdomyolysis.
  What are the symptoms of rhabdomyolysis?

  Rhabdomyolysis may not cause any symptoms at all. Muscle aches and pain (myalgia), stiffness, and muscle weakness can occur with rhabdomyolysis, and is especially common with severe muscle damage. Rhabdomyolysis may cause a darkening of the urine color. Myoglobin is released from the muscles when they break down and is excreted into the urine. This can cause a red or cola color of the urine.

  What should I do if I think I have rhabdomyolysis?

  If you have signs and symptoms suggestive of rhabdomyolysis, your doctor needs to be notified promptly. It is important to realize that these symptoms are not specific for rhabdomyolysis as they may be caused by other conditions.

  How is rhabdomyolysis diagnosed?

  Rhabdomyolysis is suggested by the history of recent and past events and the physical examination. It is confirmed by blood and urine testing. An important part of diagnosing rhabdomyolysis is a comprehensive medical history and physical examination.

  The medical history may include questions about any medication use, drug and alcohol use, other medical conditions, any trauma or accident, etc. Blood tests include a complete blood count (CBC), a metabolic panel, muscle enzymes, and urinalysis.

  The diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is confirmed by detecting elevated muscle enzymes in blood. Muscle enzymes include creatine phosphokinase (CPK), SGOT, SGPT, and LDH. The levels of these enzymes rise as the muscle is destroyed in rhabdomyolysis.

  Of note, CPK is also in heart muscle (cardiac muscle) and brain. The laboratory is usually able to distinguish between the different components of this enzyme. For example, the fraction coming from skeletal muscle is referred to as CK-MM and the one from heart muscle is designated as CK-MB. There are small amounts of the CK-MB component in the skeletal muscle as well.

  The levels of myoglobin can be elevated in blood and urine

  Blood coagulation diseases, low platelets, blood thinners, Heavy Aspirin abuse, Alcohol abuse/Liver disease.

  Just some other ideas.

  No pain meds, no diagnosis, continued hematuria (blood in urine/clots), continued pain...none of the above seems to fit, all else normal; go back to doctor (Urologist) and demand Cystoscopy (visualization with scope to look at urethra and bladder for bleeding source...polyp, tumor). Question kidney function test if not completed, Question Coagulation studies and bleeding disorder.

QUESTION:
kidney stone or infection?
What were your personal symptoms? Not just the ones in a medical book?

I am asking because on Wednesday night i suddenly got severe back pain just under my right rib (where my kidney is - i think). I thought it was muscle pain as i had sat and done an essay on the laptop for a couple of hours and figured it must have been the way i was sitting. By the time thursday came the pain had eased a lot but i had a mild pain under my right rib at the front. Anyway this went too and everything seemed fine. Woke up 5am Friday with fever, being sick. I still have these symptoms and it is now sunday. I am very very weak, unstable on my feet, tired, have diarrheah and when i touch my back it is sore in the same spot although itisn'tt really sore unless i touch it.

Do you think the back pain and the sickness and fever are connected? or could it just be muscle pain and then a bug?

Thanks to anyone who answers

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
do i have a kidney infection or stone or something?
so about two days ago I got these weird, sudden mild-moderate abdominal/kidney-ish pangs that lasted for a couple hours. I was still able to walk and they weren't really serious but they still kinda concerned me. I wasn't really experiencing any other symptoms, except my urine output was just a *tiny* bit less than normal i think. i was able to run and jump and be hyper without it affecting me - in fact it made me feel a little better.

so now the pains have definitely diminished but I'm still sore and tender on my right side, around my kidney/abdominal/hip area that radiates and migrates a bit. actually, those symptoms were a little more noticeable today. again, it's def. not sharp, severe pain and I'm able to run around and stuff. I'm NOT fatigue, feverish, vomiting/nauseated, agonizing because the pain is so bad or have burning (well, it stings a little just sometimes)/bloody urine...and i can still pee fine. oh yeah, and there's no nocturia present. the only other thing is that i've been feeling just a litttle bit jittery...and my breasts are kinda tender.

however, should i still get it checked out just in case? i have an annual appointment scheduled like at the end of December - can kidney/bladder infections go away if i just drink lots of fluids and try to keep healthy? because i really can't ever convince my parents to take me to the doctors any sooner because they think i'm a hypochondriac and won't take me seriously unless i'm dying or rolling around on the ground with my hand clutched to my stomach and screaming. should i convince them to get me in at an earlier date? like in two weeks? one week? tomorrow? please don't tell me i need to get on an ambulance right now and i'm dying...

other notes: i am female, aged 15, with no other known health problems. i'm not sexually active and i'm not expecting my period for a a couple of weeks...i'm still irregular.
someone please answer...i'm getting anxious.

• ANSWER:
  In your kind of situation it may sort a symptoms of kidney stone, UTI but it is hard to distinguished what's what

  If you had doubt regarding to this I suggest you better check it out by your doctor

QUESTION:
UROLOGY -- Is this a kidney stone, bladder infection, or STD?
1. Foul smelling odor in urine for a week

2. Twenty cherry-red "bow-tie" shaped and "spindle-shaped" blood clots in urine, with some liquid blood.

3. Tea colored urine for a week

4. Previous history of the feeling of having a drop of urine "rolling back" the ureter and settling underneath my teticles, with intense burning after urination before drop of peeit fizzles out 10 seconds later.

5. I took "Pin-X" pin-worm medication 3 days before symptoms. Could this be the cause?

6. Sudden;y increased excercise routine from 1hour to 3 hours a day

7. Clear , watery discharge. Not sure if it's urine or something else. Chlamydia? It's not green, yellow, thick, or slimy.

8. Right-Lower abdominal pain. Stomach aches.

9. No back pain.

10. Constant feeling of having to urinate really bad, then when i go to empty my bladder I can only urinate for 5 seconds. Before I could urinate for an entire minute to empty my bladder with no problems.

11. I started Cipro today at 500mg twice daily for 10 days.

12. Feeling of not having enough "water pressure" to empty bladder.

13. Mild Burning sensation at tip of penis.

14. Could this be an STD ?

15. Do I need a CT scan

16. Do I need Cytoscopy

17. Can you give meValium to put me under during Cytoscopy

18. Could this be a Bladder or kindney stone

19. Cancer ?

20. How do I prevent this from happening again?

• ANSWER:
  Take a specimen of your urine in a clean container and see your health care provider.

  You might find some answers here...
  http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/health/liver_kidney/600235.shtml

  ...Or here...
  http://www.medicinenet.com/urine_infection/article.htm

  ...Or here...
  http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/penis_pain.htm

  As far as a cystoscopy goes, some patients are given a sedative

  There's no way to know you have an STD without getting tested. How do you know when to get tested, and what do you need to be tested for? It varies person by person and disease by disease

  To daignose a kidney stone you need
  Blood tests - to identify excess amounts of certain chemicals related to the formation of stones .

  CT Scan (Non-contrast helical computerized tomography) - this produces pictures from a series of x-ray images taken at different angles - it is sometimes used to diagnose kidney stones, and is thought to be the most accurate diagnostic test.

  ECG- Can show heart rate and rhythm abnormalities if the stones are caused by an increase in certain minerals (but this choice of diagnostic technique would not be common).

  Imaging techniques which involve an injection of a special dye that shows up the whole urinary system on x-ray images, revealing stones that can't usually be seen

  You can google the rest!

QUESTION:
kidney infection worse after antibiotics?
I have had problems with my kidneys since i was about 8 years old and am now 20, kidney stones, kidney infections, badder and UT infections. I literally have a kidney infection about every 2 months, and between infections i get antibiotics, which normally cures the pain within my 4th pill or so..but they always come back a few weeks to a months later. Well, my symptoms are normally achenes in kidneys, no energy, pain when i pee..that's about it. This infection i have now is different. Ive had it for about 3 months and went to the doctor the other day, not for the infection, but because i was running a fever of 102 and literally felt so weak, i thought i was getting the flu or something. She said i had an infection, so she gave me some pretty strong antibiotics. Ive been taking the antibiotics for about 4 days, and every day the pain in my right kidney will switch to my left and so on. It hurts like a muther to stand up, and my pee is like brown. Why aren't the antibiotics working like they normally do this time..and what should i do?

• ANSWER:
  antibiotics aren't designed to help heal pain, they help heal the infection, you need to take all of the antibiotics.

QUESTION:
How can to know if I have kidney stones or a kidney infection? Or something else?
Okay for the last couple days I've been feeling really weird. The first thing I noticed was a difference in my pee. It has become really cloudy and has a terrible smell that it has never had before. I didn't change my diet and I have been drinking a lot of water, so I know it can't be because of that. The next thing was that I started having a really sharp pain in my lower back on the left side. It came and went, hurting a lot at some point in the day, and hardly at all during other parts so I just thought that it was back pains or something. But now not only does my back hurt but my lower abdomen does as well. It started out as a managible pain but every day it gets a little worse and now I don't even want to move or walk around to much because it hurts. My stomach also has been making some funny sounds and when I push on the lower left part of my abdomen I can hear like a little swishy sort of noise.

I know that something is not right, and I've made a doctors appointment for tomorrow, but I'm just kind of curious to what the real reason might be. I've researched it and I think it's probably either kidney stones or a kidney infection, because my symptoms match both of these. I was just wondering if any one has any idea to what it could be or if any one has any similar stories that they'd like to share with me

• ANSWER:
  Kidney stones often give you a sharp, stinging and stabbing pain in your lower back but after you drink plenty of water the pain goes away within about half an hour or so or perhaps a bit later as kidney stones absolutely love water.

  Cloudy urine plus a burning sensation when you pee suggests a UTI (urinary tract infection) and that usually requires an antibiotic. Drinking a lot of cranberry juice does not necessarily help.

QUESTION:
monthly kidney infection?
I am 24yrs and during or around my monthly period I get a kidney infection. This has been the case for at least 6months. 4weeks ago i was admitted to hospital and was there for 3 days being treated for suspected kidney stones. Havent had CT scan yet although they did find an echo on my left kidney and i had all the symptoms of kidney infection, as well as testing positive for all kinds of bacteria in my urine..I havent passed any stones as yet.
I started my period again yesterday and woke up this morning with the start of another infection... have been to see my gp who is just contradicting what the hospital have said and didnt prescribe me with any antibiotics so looks like im going to be back in a&e tomorrow when it progresses! no one can explain why the infection kick starts on or around my period and i would just like some other suggestions??!!

• ANSWER:
  It's hard to say "why" it is happening but I can offer a few sites that I have found helpful. Also drinking cranberry juice helps with PREVENTING (not treating) those types of infections. Cranberry juice prevents the bacteria from clinging to the bladder walls. But you have to be constantly drinking it every day, and not the "juice cocktail" but the 100% juice. Have they ruled out a "Sepsis" infection? Or Interstitial Cystitis? Check out those sites I've attached I hope they help.

QUESTION:
Aside from kidney stones, What are some causes for kidney pain?
Aside from kidney stones... because trust me, I have had many kidney stones in the past and I am all to familiar with them. Recently, I started developing a dull/aching pain to a moderate more severe (stabbing pain at times) on my lower back area, and it feels sore and achy in my kidney like it did when I had a biopsy on it a few months ago... It doesn't feel exactly the same, but it definitely hurts in my kidney. When I lie down totally relaxed, i feel no back pain at all, only the sharp aching kind of a throb in my kidney. I've also had kidney infections, but I'm not experiencing any symptoms of a kidney infection or UTI. I know the symptoms and my body well enough to know what they are when I experience them. This pain I have now is located in one area that I cannot reach with my own hand to relieve or apply pressure to. It's radiating almost, from inside of that general area and hurts so much. Its so hard to find a comfortable position to fall asleep in and its been happening off and on now for over 2 weeks. Can anyone relate or share some helpful advice? Much appreciated.

• ANSWER:
  Causes of kidney pain include:

  Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis (of the renal artery)
  Bleeding in your kidney (hemorrhage)
  Horseshoe kidney
  Hydronephrosis
  Kidney cancer
  Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
  Polycystic kidney disease
  Renal vein thrombosis
  Urinary tract infection

  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kidney-pain/MY00125

QUESTION:
Can Kidney stones be a symptom or warning sign of any other conditons?
i havent actually had much kidney stone pain lately, but the blood in my pee hasnt stopped since i had them a couple months ago. Could it be something else? iv had tests done for infections and stuff done a couple months ago when i first expierenced the pains and stuff??

• ANSWER:
  typically kidney stones are the result of either a proteus infection or an imbalance in the calcium in your body which results in excess calcium secretion. Most other disease processes would have other symptoms that obvious to you... start with the most likely.

  the blood in your urine may be caused by the presence of stones that simply haven't obstructed the kidney outlets. Blood in your urine may also be from some process going on in your bladder as well.

  if your blood is visible in your urine, you need to be check again: upper and lower urinary tracts. I would suggest starting with your GP who should know your history and going from there.

  Hope this helps. Peace

QUESTION:
Kidney Stone questions!?
For the past 5-6 months, I have been having urinary pain, but only mild. (A slight burning in the urinary tract, on and off). I am ok enough to function normally. I've been tested for a UTI, and at times I had one, at other times I did not. All the recent tests show that I have no infection. Sometimes, I have mild lower back pain on one or both sides. I had an ultrasound done and am waiting for the results.

Could this be a kidney stone? Over the past couple of days, I've passed 2 or 3 very small things that look like grains of sand. One was dark brown and the other... strangely enough... was shiny black! It was sort of metallic looking, which confused me.

I'm fearful that I may have something more serious, as my urologist thinks I'm "too young" (22 yrs old, female) to have kidney and bladder problems. I would appreciate any helpful advice on kidney stones and the symptoms or what my symptoms sound like they could be. I have also had "bladder spasms" where my bladder seems to be twitching. Sometimes there is pain in the bladder area and pelvic area as well, but it comes and goes.

I haven't had that horrible pain yet that comes along with kidney stones, but I was told sometimes you get that, sometimes you don't. I'm way confused and any help would be appreciated!!

• ANSWER:
  My husband thinks he passed a kidney stone but that has only happened 2 times in his life 15 years apart. What I understand is that kidneys are located in either side of your mid back and the stones that are calcium deposits are passed inside your body and is extremely painful. What you may have is chronic UTI's that may have damaged your kidneys. Whenh you wipe after you go to the bathroom wipe from the front to the back.

QUESTION:
swollen lymph node and slight kidney pain?
Hi, Im 14 years old and im having these 2 symptoms. first off, ive had the swollen lymph node in the let side of my neck for about 8 months now. one day i just woke up with it and it hurt like hell but for only a couple days and now its just there. i went to my doctor and he said that a swollen lymph node is common in teens and to only be worried about it if it hurts or grows bigger which it hasn't. the only trouble it gives me is i HAVE to move my neck around a LOT just because how it feels i cant explain the feeling though. well on to the next problem, 2 days ago i was in gym and we just got done stretching when i got this slight jabbing pain in my right kidney area. after gym it went away and didn't feel it the rest of the day. then yesterday at around 1030 i got the pain again and then i had the feeling there the rest of the day but it was very slight, nothing excruciating. now again today, i have the same thing its very slight and nothing major and it doesnt hurt just sitting here only if i move like a certain direction. well i started freaking out and look up all this stuff on the internet and everything is terrible like kidney infections and stones and its bad and im freaking out now. so thats about it but i dont know if this will have anything to do with either of these symptoms but back in January 2010 i had scoliosis surgery in the top part of my back and i had a catheter. when i woke up and for the next 3 days i had a terrible sharp pain in my neck but it went away after that and my lymph node occurred approx. August 2010. well anyway i dont have any other symptoms of kidney disease like im not sick and my urine is normal and everything is just normal. i do feel tired a lot though but i think thats because i go to bed late on school nights and i wake up at 6 am so i only get like 4-6 hours of sleep a night depending on how late i go to bed at. but even on weekends i feel somewhat tired but im not weak or anything just tired. and i dont want to get personal at all but i do masturbate sort of a lot so could that end up causing urinary tract disease which could that affect the kidneys? alright well all the help will be appreciated thank you very much

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
do i have a kidney infection?
i had a urinary tract infection 2 days ago, but it gone. but now, my sides feel soar. i know i don't have kidney stones, they did a x-ray, my kidney were fine. i looked up symptoms for a kidney infection but i don't have any symptoms, i don't have:
Fever (usually present) and/or chills
Feeling sick (malaise)
Nausea and vomiting
Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Pain when urinating
Increased frequency or urgency of urination

i been taking penicillin, which killed my UTI, do u think i have a kidney infection now & should on keeping taking penicillin?

• ANSWER:
  Seems like you`ve still got a UTI to me. Usually takes more than 2 days to get rid of one.

QUESTION:
I think its a kidney infection?
Let me begin with my previous history for better understanding. In the past year I've already had 2 kidney infections, so I'm pretty sure it's a kidney infection. The first time I had a kidney infection they did an ultrasound and saw that I had a very small kidney stone, the size of a granola. The doctor told me not to worry as most likely I would never pass it. The second time I had a kidney infection I was able to beat by myself by just drinking tons of cranberry juice and water. Also before my kidney infections I went to the ER and stayed for 3 days. I had a pain in my lower right abdomen and I was given ton's of different antibiotics. I was later diagnosed with PID I went to my OB/GYN and she said I was fine and I did not have PID? Now I think it was just a kidney infection and the doctors just didn't detect it.

Now in all three of these instances my period was always late and only came when I recovered from my "infections"

Now bringing you to speed........I missed my period by over two weeks I was due for March 4th. And for the most part I'm pretty consistent. Initially I thought I could be pregnant. Took 3 test all negative. Then about 4 days ago I felt a slight pain in my lower back. I figured my period was just finally deciding to come. Then the next day the pain hits me full fledged accompanied with fevers of 103.5, considering I've been to the doctors 2 times before this I'm really trying to avoid any med center or hospital bills to keep piling. So I went to CVS and spoke with the on-site doctor told her my symptoms and she gave me Excedrin ultra strength gel caps, she said I can have an cyst ruptured, kidney infection or kidney stones. She said if my fevers persist after 2 days, than go to doctor. Well, last night was interesting, I forgot to mention that one of my symptoms was metal taste in my mouth, so I've eaten very little, apple sauce, jello. After taking the Excedrin, 45 minutes later I threw up and I'm not sure if it was bile, aspirin overdose, or blood it was dark brown and looked like coffee grounds I vomited a second time and it was just clear with little pieces of the "coffee grounds", soon after my vomiting fit, my fever broke and I was finally back at 98.6, sometime in the middle of the night I caught a small fever again but quickly broke it. I'm happy the fevers are gone because they were making me miserable but the pain on my right side is still very present. As well as intense headaches.

Now here is my next question, I think I finally got my period, or am I bleeding from else where? Confused, please help

P.S. If it helps I'm a 23 yr old female, 5'4" and 110

• ANSWER:
  The term coffee grounds usually pertain to an ulcer, and they are always seen in a bowel movement.
  I would not chance this if I were you, and you should go to your doctor or medical center as soon as possible so they could do a battery of tests and find what is wrong with you once and for all.

QUESTION:
Could I have a kidney stone?
About three weeks ago I had a very sharp and sudden pain in my back on the right side. It continued, infrequently for the next couple of days. I also began to experience symptoms of a bladder infection so I went to the doctor and told them all of my symptoms and they tested my urine and said I had a bladder infectoin and gave me Bactrim to take for 5 days. They said nothing about my kidneys. I finished my antibiotics yesterday and was feeling okay. Today I have been getting sharp pains in my back again, I have no fever, and no UTI symptoms, so I don't think its an infection, could it be a stone? If so should I go to the ER or wait for a doctor's appt?

• ANSWER:
  kidney stones are usually sharp pains felt more towards the front of your stomach/near the sides but they can be felt from the back.. the pain results from the building pressure of urine that cannot pass as the stone is trapped within the narrow tubes leading from the kidney to the bladder. the pressure sometimes gives you nausea. - If it is kidney stones i'd go see a doctor in the morning unless the pain is unbearable.. that's your call. Other than x-rays to confirm the blockage there really isn't much they'll do unless the stones are large in which case they'll have to get a urologist involved to blast them with sonic waves... Small stones generally pass on their own but it can take several days... Your regular doctor can prescribe pain pills over the phone - you may also want to get something for nausea just in case.

  It is important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids.. That can be a challenge as you may feel nausea and increased pain but that fluid will help push the stones through.

QUESTION:
Early signs of kidney disease?
I already asked this question once, but I need more answers. I'm 24 years old and lately I have been really worried that I'm developing kidney disease. I have a strong family history of kidney problems and have had a lot of problems myself in the last 2 months. In the last 2 months, I have had a UTI, a kidney stone removed, and 2 kidney infections. I also had a CAT scan a week and a half ago and was told that my left kidney looked pretty swollen. The symptoms I've had for the last 2 months are: noticeable blood in my urine, bubbly or foamy looking urine, severe pain in my left side which radiates to my back, nausea almost all the time, weight loss, feeling cold all the time, very itchy skin, craving more salty foods and feeling worn out all the time even when I haven't done anything. I have read a little bit about kidney disease and have read that all of these things can be symptoms. I'm worried that with my family history and all of these symptoms that I might be developing kidney disease. I do have a follow-up appointment with my urologist next week. I plan to ask him about all of this since none of it is getting better. If anyone has any experience with kidney disease, what were your first symptoms? Does this sound like kidney disease or could it be something else? I would really appreciate any personal experiences or advice. Thanks!

• ANSWER:
  im sorry to say that blood in urine + protein in urine is a marker for kidney damage of some sort. Flank pain + itchy skins pretty much nails it. I also have kidney problems. Weight loss comes from the foamy urine. foam comes from the protein loss in the urine. Feeling cold from low hemoglobin. From all the symptoms you described i am 100% sure something is wrong with your kidneys. But there are many conditions that can cause kidney damage. I dont know if your symptoms is caused by a disease or damage from infection/stones. Dont get too sad if you have kidney disease. There are many ways which you can decrease the progression rate such as: 1)to limit your protein intake while increasing carbs, 2) lower salty food intakes, 3) exercise + healthy diet (people with renal disease usually die from heart problems rather than kidney failure), 4) use of medications such as ace inhibitors (decreases pressure in kidney vascular system). and more.

QUESTION:
Kidney stone or not. Please help!?
I'm really confused right now. I recently went to the ER last week due to severe flank pain on my left side. I was sure it was a stone since I had one 2 years ago and the symptoms felt exactly the same. They gave me pain meds, checked my urine and did an abdominal CT scan. My urine was perfect they said...no blood...no signs of infection...nothing. My CT was neg as well. They said they did not see a stone. I'm very confused...if it wasn't a stone then what was it?? I had the same exact pain hit me last night but it didn't last long. It also always starts out with me feeling like I cannot empty my bladder all the way and my bladder feels full even after I urinate. Could the CT scan be wrong?? Is there always blood in the urine with a stone?? If it wasn't a stone or infection and nothing else showed up on the CT I don't know what else to think. All I know is it hurt!! Does anyone have any input??

• ANSWER:
  It could possibly be ovarian cysts.

QUESTION:
Early signs of kidney disease? Need advice!?
I'm 24 years old and lately I have been really worried that I'm developing kidney disease. I have a strong family history of kidney problems and have had a lot of problems myself in the last 2 months. In the last 2 months, I have had a UTI, a kidney stone removed, and 2 kidney infections. I also had a CAT scan a week and a half ago and was told that my left kidney looked pretty swollen. The symptoms I've had for the last 2 months are: noticeable blood in my urine, bubbly or foamy looking urine, severe pain in my left side which radiates to my back, nausea almost all the time, weight loss, feeling cold all the time, very itchy skin, craving more salty foods and feeling worn out all the time even when I haven't done anything. I have read a little bit about kidney disease and have read that all of these things can be symptoms. I'm worried that with my family history and all of these symptoms that I might be developing kidney disease. I do have a follow-up appointment with my urologist next week. I plan to ask him about all of this since none of it is getting better. If anyone has any experience with kidney disease, what were your first symptoms? Does this sound like kidney disease or could it be something else? I would really appreciate any personal experiences or advice. Thanks!

• ANSWER:
  Hi, just wait til you see your specialist. try not to stress they will tell you what to do.

  ask your family and relatives- but also keep in mind moderm medicine gets more advanced every year.

QUESTION:
Are kidney stones always hard?
I've been having symptoms that mirror what's called kidney stone attack, sudden onset aches, bladder-infection-like symptoms, difficulty peeing, blood in urine and small lumps passing from my urine. I feel a lot better but none of what I passed was solid, most of it was lumpy and jelly. Does this mean there are still probably stones in there or what?

• ANSWER:
  those symptoms could be kidney stones but what you are passing are not. What color are they?

  you should put them in a container and go to your doctor.

QUESTION:
Kidney Infection or Stones?
For the past month(I know I shouldn't have waited that long), I have had symptoms of a UTI, all the symptoms. About a week ago, I have been having a cramping, sharp pain in my back near my kidneys. I have been feeling nauseated, had mild diarehha, and I have had a loss of appetite. I have also had shooting leg pain. The pain sometimes feel exactly like menstrual cramps, but it's only been two weeks, so I have like three weeks to go, so it can't be that I am going to have my period. I had a blood test, it came back negative, I had a urinaliysis, and it came back positive, an elevated white blood cells, something about the gluclose, and something else about nitrates. I am on an antibiotic and have been on it for two days. I had a CT scan today, but won't get results back until maybe tuesday, so I would really appreciate any insight or related experiences. Does this sound like a kidney infection or kidney stones or something different?

• ANSWER:
  I reckon its a kidney infection, i had the same years ago! Have plenty of water all the time and cranberry juice and parsley! Anything thats going to help flush it through your kidneys! Cranberry worked amazingly for me! You'll be right soon, just make sure you take all your antibiotics properly and don't drink alcohol, it makes it way worse! good luck

QUESTION:
Severe lower back pain for over 4 months: Doctor is now suspecting a kidney problem. Advice?
I had a baby in October of '08 and I had a cesarean section. From December, I started having lower back pain occasionally. It would last a couple of days to a week at the most and felt like I had just pulled something. I rested, and it went away. I have a big baby and I figured it was just strain on my muscles etc. Well, since then its happened more often and for longer periods. The most recent episode has lasted for about a month now. I initially went to see a chiropractor who did Xrays. He found that I have mild scoliosis and some disk degeneration but hes been treating me for 3 weeks, every day and he is puzzled. He told me to go to my MD and get treatment from her because its something beyond him. He says my pain levels should have gone down by now, and the pain is really becoming more focused on an area that is above where he is seeing probs on the xrays. BTW the pain is now so bad that at times I cant even walk, and it radiates to my hips and down my legs.

So I went to my MD today. I have been running a fever for 4 days, I have blood in my urine. She has ordered a full panel of blood tests, more xrays, and depending on those results she might order an MRI. But her first suspicion is a kidney stone or kidney infection. Im going to take the tests tomorrow and ask for them to be rushed.

Im confused... can a kidney infection left untreated over months just get worse and worse and become so painful that one cant even walk or twist? Im super worried and wondering what I can do in the meantime over the next few days to relieve symptoms beyond pain medication. I have a 7 month old to take care of and not much of a support system so Im worried. Advice? Anyone experienced this?
Hi I had a bleed at 8 and 13 weeks but it resolved on its on. When I had the cesarian section I assume they had a pretty good view of my uterus and cleaned me out very well. I had an excellent OBgyn. But I will mention this possibility to my doctor cos we are exploring all avenues, to be safe. Its kinda scary, really...

• ANSWER:
  Did the placenta come out completely intact ?

  You may have remnants of placental material left in your uterus from delivery. If that is the case and it has not been treated it would be giving you a raging infection that could spread to your urethra and so on to your bladder and kidneys.

  When my second baby was 10 days old I passed a palm size piece of liver looking material. The lab diagnosed it as remnants of the placenta. My GP (who also delivered the baby) put me on antibiotics when I went in to show him the 'liver' and when he got the lab test results back he put me on 2 more different types of antibiotics as well.
  I also was given a curettage to clean out any remaining placenta in the uterus.

  My GP had inspected the placenta and showed it to me at the time of the birth and it appeared intact. However the lab identified it as being near the edge of the placenta itself and stipulated that that portion must have broken off when I was 13 weeks pregnant and had a bleed. The placenta healed itself and the other portion was separate.

  I wish you all the best.

QUESTION:
Do I have a kidney or gallstone? Or is it something else?
Starting when I woke up in the morning, I was having a pretty bad muscle cramp (felt like a badly pulled muscle). I have to keep moving around and find a spot to keep the pain minimal. It is only on the left lower part of my back.

Also I have had pain in the testicles (not direct, feels faint coming from groin area), as well as some frequent spurts of pain around my groin and lower intestines.

I have looked around (WebMD, Google, Wikipedia) and the closest things I can come up with are Kidney Stones (more less a Gallbladder Stone). The only symptoms I dont have are: nausea/vomitting, and painful urination. Or at least not yet.

Does this sound like a stone from the experienced ones out there?
I did not hurt my back, hit anything or taken any drugs to induce this sort of situation, I am sure of it.

I dont want to waste time going to Emerg, waiting 3 hours to find out its not a stone. If its thought to be a stone, I will go get it cleared, because I enjoy my kidneys, as well as life and do not want to succumb to kidney infection.

Thanks in advanced.
Thanks Doc! I think I'll wait it out.
I dont want to go unless I have to, I personally don't enjoy the atmosphere of ER.

• ANSWER:
  Kidney stone is a possibility, but if its one that won't pass you'd be in so much pain you'd be begging to go to the ER. Also no not a gull stone...its on the right side. Now I agree with the doc ( if he really is one ) lol drink at least 14 - 8 oz of water a day and that's water not milk, not coffee, not tea, not soda pop, WATER. If you get other symptoms DO NOT HESITATE TO GO TO THE ER OR YOU OPWN DOC. OR A WALK IN CLINIC. Take some thing like ibuprofen for the pain if you have never had ulcers or bleeding problems....if you are a young person I sure hope you have told mom or dad if you not a kid and on your own have a friend check up on you, good luck, I will keep you in my prays. Marie

QUESTION:
I feel like i need to urinate most of the time and i have sore kidneys?
for the past few days i have felt like i need to pee most of the time
and when i do go, i get a strange painful sensation, its not like a burning feeling though, and it isnt when im peeing, it's just when i'm about finished.
my kidneys then got sore last night and are quite painful today,
im not sure whether i have a kidney infection or maybe a kidney stone, but the symptoms are kinda different??
does anyone know anything? :S

• ANSWER:
  hate to sound like an @ss but try webmd .i always use it.kinda not really. hope you find something on the symptom checker.
  http://www.webmd.com/

QUESTION:
Kidney infection or kidney stones?
Bio:
Female
Ago 20
Healthy
Cystitis/ frequent UTI's
Family history: Sister has had many uti's, kidney infection, and kidney stones around my age.

For the last 2 week I have had sharp cramp like pains shooting through my lower right side of my back, under my rib cage. It would happen 1-2 times a day. Yesterday it happened 3-4 times while my friend was with me within a 20 min period... she said it sounds like I am starting to get a kidney infection, she has had one before and she said my symptoms were like hers.

Today I have had a overall dull pain in my lower right back, under my rib cage. I feel uncomfortable leaning on my right side. Sitting here, I feel like on my right side, between my stomach and back, I feel a bit of pressure and dull pain.

I have chronic UTI's... is there a med I can get that I can take whenever I need it and not have to go to the doc? And also, does it sound like a kidney infection is coming on? Just a urine sample is all the doc would need? Thank you!
Talked to my Grandmother... guess my Great grandmother, grandmother, and sister all always had bladder infections and kidney problems. All had kidney stones.
I am going to the doc in a couple hours!! Just wondering if anyone had a thought of whether it sounds like just an infection... or maybe im passing a kidney stone.... anyone else gone through this before??

• ANSWER:
  If you had a simple UTI, you would have the typical symptoms of urinary burning, urgency, frequency and some lower belly pressure or aching. With the pain you are describing, it sounds like you have a kidney stone which is trying to pass from the kidney to the bladder through the ureter, which is the tube that transports urine to the bladder. This can cause an infection in the urine, so even if you have a urinalysis and it shows an infection, this does not rule out a stone. The way to diagnose a stone is by Xrays, blood in the urine, and usually a Cat Scan of the abdomen to find the stoneand the size (to tell if it can pass on its own). If you have a regular GP, see if you can go in today and be seen. He can order the tests as an outpatient which are a LOT cheaper than going to an ER. IF you don't have a doctor, try a wask in urgent care clinic. They can also do everything that is needed to make the diagnosis and referral to a ruologist! If the stone passes on its own, KEEP IT! You need to have your doctor get a chemical analysis of it to determine which kind it is. Some can be treated by dietary changes or medication to prevent the formation of more.
  You will need good pain management meanwhile and it might get a lot worse before it is over. If you haven't done so already, take 800 mg of ibuprofen/motrin with some food. IF you start vomiting, you may need a pain shot (the best drug for this is toradol).
  Just be sure you aren't pregnant before taking any pain meds but tylenol.
  To prevent UTI's, drink lots of fluids daily to keep the bladder flushed and drink cranberry juice every day to keep the urine more acidic. This keeps the bacteria from growing in the bladder. If you have sex, get up afterward and void your bladder to flush out the system!
  Hope this helps

QUESTION:
Repeated UTI's and kidney infections... possible causes?
I have a history of having UTI's and kidney infections throughout my entire life, starting from childhood. According to my mom, my first one was when I was about a year old. It seems that the older I get, the worse they become. And, every single time there is an infection in a kidney, it is always the right one, never the left. I specifically remember my right kidney being infected 4 times. These times are between age 16 and 26, with numerous UTI's in between.

Recently they've become severe and frequent- a UTI in Nov 08, I was on Cipro for 1 day and it wasn't working, turned into a severe kidney infection and sepsis within 24 hours of symptoms showing; a UTI in Jan 09 cured by Levaquin; and now another UTI treated by Levaquin for 2 days, then flank pain came on suddenly and I ended up in the ER for IV antibiotics but was instructed to continue Levaquin upon release. Hospital discharge was yesterday, and since then some symptoms have returned.

I'm seeing a urologist, for 3+ months now, and I'm so frustrated that they can't seem to find anything wrong. It's causing me so much worry and stress that I'll be stuck with another life-threatening infection again. I was on Macrodantin for 2 months, and have gotten 2 UTI's while on it. So, obviously it's not working. I'm doing everything correctly... drinking tons of water, wearing cotton underwear only and no thongs, go to the bathroom within a few minutes after sex every time, taking cranberry pills...

So far, all of these have come back normal:
-VCUG
-Cystoscopy
-Kidney and Bladder ultrasounds
-CT scan with contrast dye
-CT scan without contrast to rule out stones
-Uroflow is scheduled for this week

So far what we've determined is that there are no structural abnormalities or reflux, however the VCUG showed that I didn't empty my bladder completely. The urologist thinks that's fine because the hospital I went to normally has patients stand up to void, but they had me stay laying down so not everything came out. As uncomfortable as this was, is this something I should ask to have repeated the other way?

Any ideas from medical professionals? I'm frustrated that it's taking so long to find a diagnosis! Are there anythings specific that I should ask for test wise? Or anything you think it could be? Anything I can do to convey to my doctor that I can't deal with the stress and pain any more, never mind my astronomical medical bills... I want them to move quicker on this. They seem to not want me to do testing more than ever few weeks or so. I need answers now.

• ANSWER:
  I suggest that you see a different urologist for a second opinion.

QUESTION:
How do you know whether you have a bladder infection or having kidney stones?
I have a history of bladder infections. Four days ago I had something of an attack. I had a lot of pain and burning in urethra. Nausea. Pain in the bladder area. In the past four days I have had three attacks. I am taking Cipro. I had all the symptoms of bladder infection frequency, urgency, burning pain when urinated, sometimes I could not urinate at all and it would just hurt so bad. Then on day three, after my last attack, there was a lot of really red blood in toilet. Still blood but becoming less and less. Could this be an infection? or Possible kidney stones?

• ANSWER:
  Kidney stones don't necessarily have the same symptoms of an infection. But I can tell you from experience, the pain from kidney stones is like no other. You can pass out it is so brutal...

QUESTION:
Do I Have A Kidney Stone? Maybe Two?
I woke up yesterday morning with severe pain in my back, right below the ribcage. It hurt to inhale deeply, cough, laugh, twist my torso, and even just standing or sitting. I may have possibly had a UTI the day before, but I didn't think there was any correlation. It was pretty bad, and I was freaked out, so I went to the ER. They gave me a CT scan, urine test, and some major painkillers.

When I got the CT results, the doctors said that even though they couldn't see a kidney stone, that's what they believed it to be. (They said the symptoms added up: "wrap-around" pain in the kidney area, good response to painkillers, blood cells in urine) So with a nice prescription for heavy strength Ibuprofen, I went home. Minimal pain for the rest of the night.

THIS morning, I woke up with very little pain on my right side (the original side), but lots of pain on my left. It was as if my kidney stone switched places! Could it be possible to have two kidney stones, one right after the other?

I'm also skeptical about the CT scan. Wouldn't a stone have showed up on it? Could I have an infection? I don't have a fever or any other symptoms besides those listed above.

• ANSWER:
  Stone may cause infection too.
  A CT scan if negative, can not rule out stone.
  You may need treatment for infection as well as stone. Drink lot of water along with other treatment you are taking. Give it some time to act.
  All the best!

QUESTION:
Kidney Stone or what?!?
I'm 23 years old and have had many uti's. I've had uti symptoms for the last 3 week....I've went to the gyno and she tested for stds and infections including uti and everything came back negative...I've been prescribed 3 different antibiotics and it still isn't gone (its always been gone very quickly...even thepain pills don't help at all) the pain can come and go...and it just feels like a constant burn...it might feel OK for an hour and then hurt all day..someone recently brought up a kidney stone and I never thought of this because both my mom and grandpa had them and they were excruciating and in the hospital...but I've also heard they don't have to be that bad if they are smaller...If anyone has any advice/opinions or has had any similar situations I'd greatly appreciate your responses!

• ANSWER:
  First off, do not do any exercises suggested on this site. That is because it does not a picture and you might get injured have additional pain from trying a new exercise. Always have a picture of a new exercise. Secondly, there is something else that many woman get that is not a Kidney Stone. It is called Interstitial Cystitis. It has the same symptoms as UTI. And you can't understand why you still have the infections after five antibiotics. In IC, the bladder wall become very thin and there is a constant irritation is going on. It is very treatable and you will need to make some food modification;not eating some foods that are high in acid. Ask your doctor to test your bladder for the illness or send you to an Urologist.

QUESTION:
Diet and disease: How many of the diseases we experience in America are caused by the food we eat?
How much are we spending on healthcare to treat diet-caused illnesses?

From the book Eat To Live by Joel Furhmen, MD:

.."People are completely unaware that most illnesses are self-induced and can be reversed with aggressive nutritional methods. ...The medical-pharmaceutical business has encouraged people to believe that health problems are hereditary and that we need to swallow poisons to defeat our genes. This is almost always untrue.

"...My clinical experience over the past ten years has shown me that almost all the major illnesses that plaque Americans are reversible with aggressive nutritional changes designed to undo the damage caused by years of eating a disease-causing diet. ....These conditions...can be effectively prevented or treated through superior nutrition. As their medical problems gradually melt away, patients can be slowly weaned off the medications they have been prescribed."

"Dietary-Caused Illnesses with High Prevalence":

--acne
--appendicitis
--atherosclerosis
--diabetes (adult)
--fibromyalgia
--gout
--high blood pressure
--irritable bowel syndrome
--macular degeneration
--sexual dysfunction
--allergies
--asthma
--constipation
--diverticulosis
--gallstones
--headaches
--hypoglemic symptoms
--kidney stones
--musculoskelatal pain
--stroke
--angina
--arthritis
--colonic polyps
--esophagitis
--gastritis
--indigestion
--lumbar spine syndromes
--osteoperosis
--uterine fibroids

"Not only are common disorders such as asthma associated with increased body weight and our disease-causing diet, but in my experience these diseases are also curable with superior nutrition in the majority of cases. Asthma is an exampleof a disease considered irreversable that I watch resolve regularly. My patients routinely make complete and *predictable* recovery from these illnesses, predominantly through aggressive dietary changes. ...Diseases that are considered irreversible I see reversed on a daily basis."

• ANSWER:
  Your info. works for me Amy. One of the major topics in our church is Health. Our Hospital is Loma Linda, Calif. We are killing our selves through our mouth. 5 food groups--Fruit, Veggies, Grains, Nuts, and beans. All washed good and all fresh. I see people totally live on this and they live to be very healthy....and old too. Do I follow this totally being an SDA. I really try. I did not grow up as a Vegetarian but my Boy and family are and they look great. I on the other hand am about 25 lbs over. It is hard to change old, bad habits but we can always keep working on it. With God nothing is impossible. Don't ever give up doing the very best you can. If you have to eat meat once a week, be sure it is dead as a door knob. Disease comes in the blood and fat. Don't eat that part. Leviticus 11 tells you the clean meats to eat if you want to follow the Bible from beginning to end and believes the Bible is for"ALL" man kind. Not just yours , mine but Ours. Pray before you go shopping and always have a meal before you go. This is the worst thing you can do is shop hungry. I go through so many Snow Balls this way. Big mistake. Remember it is so hard to learn and concentrate on God when you are sick. That is why He wants us to be healthy.Amy is right, you can reverse illnesses. I have seen that done too. Weight and bad habits is a big one for the U.S. Remember Goodies are a Goodie..not a staple.You get a goodie once a week, and that is it. If you really want to be healthier and lose abit of weight,you can do this, Your obedience to God to take care of this Temple,whom we house for the Holy Spirit, is not impossible. Think,make a list and don't let your cravings run you. No more Mickie D..those things will kill you. God help us all in this area. Love always in Christ..missleslie

QUESTION:
How do you know if you have or had gallstones/ biliary colic?
I'm 18 now and during middle school and freshman year of high school I used to get sever pain on the right side of my back and above the ribs on the ride side. I also had nausea. I used to think i had kidney stones because when i would pee, it would hurt like a stinging. But the doctors didn't find anything. I recently checked symptoms of gallstones and I'm pretty sure thats what I had. I'd like to know, since I havent had the pain in all these years, does it mean it's gone?

• ANSWER:
  Gastric upset, duodenal ulcers etc can also cause this type of pain. Not gallstones (because usually they won't go away) but acalculus cholecystitis (inflammation of the gall bladder without stones) may be acause too.
  Pain due to urinary stones will be at a bit lower level.
  Anyway you are ok now.
  All the best!

QUESTION:
with these symptoms what would you think i may have?
so a few weeks ago i started getting symptoms of gallstones such as:
-pain in upper right stomach
-pain worse at night
-pain in back where right shoulder blade is
-gasiness

so i went to my doctor and i got a ultrasound that came back normal
a urine test that showed traces of blood and a small infection (i would assume kidney infection but knowone actually said where the infection was)
and a blood test for liver enzymes and it showed the enzymes were elevated.

i don't go back to the doctor until wed the 26th (earliest i could get in)

i still have all of my symptoms and no relief in sight.

so is there anything besides a gallbladder problem that you could think would be causing my problems?
i'm going to ask for more gallbladder tests like the HIDA scan but i'd like to get any other ideas of what this could be so i can go in and ask about some other possible answers besides a gallbladder issue.

so if you know anything about that area of the body i'd appreciate your thoughts.

-

• ANSWER:
  You should know better than to ask for what amounts to a diagnosis. Liver enzymes can elevate because of some unimpressive reasons, like eating a big meat meal or heavy exercise. And on the other hand they can also indicate a gallbladder disorder.

  Many of the symptoms you've described can be attributed to other disorders so this doesn't necessarily have to be a gallbladder attack or gallbladder disease. Stomach, appendix and liver disorders should be ruled out and perhaps they already were. I wish you'd described your pain better and in more detail. Quality, frequency, duration and intensity of pain can often give a lot of information. As far as the UTI, I'm surprised that you'd assume pyelonephritis. That's a little extreme. Even though no one told you where the infection is, you could have asked. You would have been told.

  If you think this might be your gallbladder acting up then you should be eating with that in mind. Jeez, HIDAs are so expensive. Consider an ERCP but go with whatever your doctor recommends.

  Here's a link to a short gallbladder screening questionnaire. Click on it, complete it and see what your results are. And speak to your doctor to find out what you can do about the pain. You could probably get worked in sooner if you stress the pain. Definitely stick to a gallstone diet just to be on the safe side. A heating pad might help with pain. At this point, without more suggestive symptoms, looks like you'll have to wait for additional diagnostics.

  http://www.gallbladderattack.com/questionnaire.shtml

  As far as the advice to have liver function tests run, you did that already. That's what enzymes measure -- function.

QUESTION:
Do I have a kidney or gallstone? Or is it something else?
Starting when I woke up in the morning, I was having a pretty bad muscle cramp (felt like a badly pulled muscle). I have to keep moving around and find a spot to keep the pain minimal. It is only on the left lower part of my back.

Also I have had pain in the testicles (not direct, feels faint coming from groin area), as well as some frequent spurts of pain around my groin and lower intestines.

I have looked around (WebMD, Google, Wikipedia) and the closest things I can come up with are Kidney Stones (more less a Gallbladder Stone). The only symptoms I dont have are: nausea/vomitting, and painful urination. Or at least not yet.

Does this sound like a stone from the experienced ones out there?
I did not hurt my back, hit anything or taken any drugs to induce this sort of situation, I am sure of it.

I dont want to waste time going to Emerg, waiting 3 hours to find out its not a stone. If its thought to be a stone, I will go get it cleared, because I enjoy my kidneys, as well as life and do not want to succumb to kidney infection.

Thanks in advanced.
Thanks Doc! I think I'll wait it out.
I dont want to go unless I have to, I personally don't enjoy the atmosphere of ER.

• ANSWER:
  Kidney stone is a possibility, but if its one that won't pass you'd be in so much pain you'd be begging to go to the ER. Also no not a gull stone...its on the right side. Now I agree with the doc ( if he really is one ) lol drink at least 14 - 8 oz of water a day and that's water not milk, not coffee, not tea, not soda pop, WATER. If you get other symptoms DO NOT HESITATE TO GO TO THE ER OR YOU OPWN DOC. OR A WALK IN CLINIC. Take some thing like ibuprofen for the pain if you have never had ulcers or bleeding problems....if you are a young person I sure hope you have told mom or dad if you not a kid and on your own have a friend check up on you, good luck, I will keep you in my prays. Marie

QUESTION:
does this sound like kidney stones? pancreatitis?
for about the past week i have had pain up and down my left and right sides, but mostly my left side. was hoping it would get better bc i had to drive from georgia to minnesota but it didnt; it just seems to be getting worse. my back kinda hurts to. i know it isnt appendicitis bc i had that about a year ago, and my gastroenterologist checked for gallstones last month or 2 ago so it couldnt be that right? ive had 3 cases of pancreatitis in the past year, but does that every start with left side pain as well as right, and all over the sides? ive been rly nauseaus too, having to urinate a good bit, aand not very hungry. sumone said it could be kidney stones; what r sum other symptoms for them and what do u do about them?
any ideas as to wat i should do the pain is not fun:(
any ideas as to wat i should do the pain is not fun:(

• ANSWER:
  It sounds like Peptic Ulcer (back pain)....get some Losec or Nexium.

QUESTION:
Will a CBC test and a urine test be able to pick up on kidney problems?
I'm a bit of an interesting patient, seeing as I have chronic pelvis pain, chronic stomach pain and endometriosis! Thing is though, I started getting a different kind of pain about 8 months ago. It kind of came and went. It would switch from the right to the left side, and was either in my lower back on right under my rib cage. So, I went into the doctor's.

They took blood and did a CBC test, and they also dud a urine analysis. They also gave me two ultrasounds. They concluded that no, I did not have appendicitis or anything because the CBC test came up negative for any inflammation or infection and the urine test didn't show anything at all. The ultrasounds checked for gallstones and cysts on ovaries etc.

Well... here I am now, still in pain(it still comes and goes... so weird) and I don't have an answer. I have been thinking it could be kidney related? I have NO other symptoms aside from the pain I described up there at the top. So, my true question is.. if kidney problems were the cause for my pain, wouldn't the CBC test and urine test have shown that?
EDIT: I am so sorry for the typos I made. I was typing a bit fast I suppose. Sorry!

• ANSWER:
  Unless it's very late stage and chronic, the CBC will not find anything relating to kidney problems. However, the U/A should be able to find large amounts of protein spilling into your urine, excess WBC's, RBC's, Mucous, etc.

  CBC's normally find inflammation, some forms of infection, virii, or things that are spilling into your blood. Localized kidney issues like stones, sands, mild tumors, etc will not cause this to happen until they've led to far worse problems (IE: kidney shutdown/failure). However, it sounds like your ultrasound has already ruled out most kidney probs.

QUESTION:
what are these symptoms?
i have tried everything i can to get my mom to go to the doctors i even phoned an emergency doctor out but he said he could not come out unless my mom gave her permission to be treated she has lower back pain is jaundiced and has lost a lot of weight her ankles are also swollen i have looked up these symptoms and they match that of someone suffering from either liver cancer or gallstones or the start of renal kidney failure has anyone who has come across any of these symptoms got any advice they could give me i am at my wits end with worry she is so stubborn we have even resorted to blackmail to get her to accept help but is having none of it .by the way she does not drink and is 65 years old no sarcasm please just advice

• ANSWER:
  Hello Theresa,

  You poor darling you must be going demented!

  The symptoms you describe could also be pancreatitis. She really needs to be treated soon. It sounds as though she is scared to me, but does she really want to let it get so bad that there will be nothing that can be done?

  Tell her how much she is worrying you and to please let a doctor see her or get to hospital for your sake. The sooner she is seen the better for her.

  have you got any other friends or family who might be able to persuade her Tell her she will get worse not better unless she is seen immediately.

  Good luck Theresa darling my heart goes out to you it really does. Do your best sweetheart that is all you can do.

  Love and hugs darling.

  Mel.XXXXX

QUESTION:
What could be wrong with my fiance? Signs/symptoms are...?
He has had a lot of gas, bloating and heartburn for about a year and a half that has gotten worse over time. Recently, he has started having flank and back pain to the point when you push on it, he loses his breath. He also has had constant sinus type headaches. Both times he has been to the Dr., he was given an antibiotic, first for otitis and sinusitis, and then for UTI. Neither antibiotic helped, and he doesn't want to go to the Dr. again, because he feels like he's they are just taking his money for nothing. He had part of his intestines removed many years ago, not sure if this has anything to do with it. He also used to be a heavy drinker, but now only drinks about once a month or so (for about a year and a half, the same amount of time since he started having these problems). He is thinking liver or kidney infection, I'm leaning towards gallstones. Any ideas???

• ANSWER:
  I don't know what is wrong with him, I just want to suggest that you go to a different doctor rather than no doctor at all. Unfortunately many people have to go from doctor to doctor until they finally come upon the doctor that either knows something the others didn't or is more motivated to help the patient. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, hope he gets better.

QUESTION:
Are these Symtoms of Gallstones, Irritable Bowel, or Cancer?
For the past three months I've had the following symptoms:

*A flat, slightly soft lump along my right side, about 4 inches right of solar plexus. The lump is about 1 Centimeter across, and has not increased in size. It is not painful to the touch.

*Moderate-intensity pain that fluctuates between a bloating pain in lower-right / upper-right abdomen, and a sharp stitch-like pain in lower-right oblique or right kidney area. Also my lowest-right rib is slightly sore to touch. These pains are not constant, but happen several times per day, and often wakes me briefly at night.

*Occasionally, these pains are also felt on left abdomen, but with much lesser frequency / intensity.

*Slight loss of appetite, decreased thirst, and slight weight loss.

*Slightly decreased bowel frequency, and slightly loose stools (but no diarrhoea).

*Bad smelling flatulence, and occasional irritated bowels.

*Occasional gurgling noise from lower right abdomen.

Aside from these I have no other symptoms, and they have not worsened over time. However I find the randomness of the pain types / locations a little strange. I am otherwise a relatively healthy 28 year old male, who eats fairly well and exercises, and does not drink, smoke or do drugs.

Doctor thinks it's Gallstones, but I'm not so sure. No one on either side of my family has had Gallstones, and they are very rare in younger males.

So, what does this sound like to you: Gallstones, Irritable Bowel, Cancer or something else?

• ANSWER:
  Do you notice the pain after eating a fatty meal (say a hamburger, etc.)? Usually the pain of gallstones is under the right ribs, can go through to the back, feels like being squeezed extremely tightly, and could go up and over your right shoulder. A gallbladder ultrasound could tell if there are stones or not and it's not an invasive test. People can have gallstones for years and never know it. While unusual for a male of your age (usually the saying is "fat, fair, and 40") I was 27 when I had my first attack and the doctor told me I was FULL of stones (runs in my family and most of them didn't know it until they had the attack).
  Irritable bowel usually occurs in the lower abdomen and includes: constipation, diarrhea, lower abdominal cramping, and dyspepsia (upset stomach). I have had this too. Usually the problems with it usually affect the LEFT lower quadrant instead of the right.
  The lump is curious. I would wonder if it is an unrelated lipoma (fatty type growth).
  These issues could be unrelated in etiology. Other things it could be: kidney stone passing (you would need a simple x-ray or possibly a CT scan to determine that) or some type of mild bowel infection (hence the smelly gas, gurgling, etc.) for which you may want to consider a probiotic to regulate the bowel and gas; or even your appendix if you still have one.

QUESTION:
Are these the symptoms of Bowel / Colon Cancer?
For the past three months I've had the following symptoms:

*A flat, slightly soft lump along my right side, about 4 inches right of solar plexus. The lump is about 1 Centimeter across, and has not increased in size. It is not painful to the touch.

*Moderate-intensity pain that fluctuates between a bloating pain in lower-right / upper-right abdomen, and a sharp stitch-like pain in lower-right oblique or right kidney area. Also my lowest-right rib is slightly sore to touch. These pains are not constant, but happen several times per day, and often wakes me briefly at night.

*Occasionally, these pains are also felt on left abdomen, but with much lesser frequency / intensity.

*Slight loss of appetite, decreased thirst, and slight weight loss.

*Slightly decreased bowel frequency, and slightly loose stools (but no diarrhoea).

*Bad smelling flatulence, and occasional irritated bowels.

*Occasional gurgling noise from lower right abdomen.

Aside from these I have no other symptoms, and they have not worsened over time. However I find the randomness of the pain types / locations a little strange. I am otherwise a relatively healthy 28 year old male, who eats fairly well and exercises, and does not drink, smoke or do drugs.

Saw my doctor 2 weeks ago, and she thinks it's Gallstones, but I'm not so sure. No one on either side of my family has had Gallstones, and they are very rare in younger males.

Now, in the last 2 weeks following my visit to doctor, my symptoms have changed quite rapidly (especially in the last 4 days), and I'm a little worried. Now they include everything mentioned above plus:

*More noticeable weight loss, especially round the hips (although, I have been eating less, and taking vitamins which could be the cause)

*Very foul smelling stools

*Change in stool shape (stool now comes out in loose pieces, rather than in one or two large pieces as before)

*Occasional narrowing of stools, and feeling my intestine hasn't emptied completely, and occasional straining.

*I can't tell whether or not stools contain blood

*Drinking TONS of water reduces abdomen bloating and pain significantly, but has little effect on my stools.

Does this sound like Cancer? No one on either side of my family has had bowel / colon cancer, especially not so young. As the doc thinks it's gallstones, I'm concerned they'll do gallstone tests while ignoring other things it could be.

Could this just be constipation or backed-up colon (eg, need for an enema)?

• ANSWER:
  I think anyone who says you have cancer is wrong as only a medical person can after many tests. As a nurse you have the symptoms of hundreds of possibilities from mild to major, mostly minor. However why did your doctor not send you for an ultra sound to see if you have gallstones, kidney stones, growths and blood tests. And the doctor should have taken a stool sample and urine to test for a book of possibilities.
  Go back to the doctor and ask for testing and if they do nothing go to another. The area you described is around the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, large bowel etc. Pain can also be from another area altogether. My biggest question is why the doctor is not doing anything about the lump you mention.
  See your doctor or another as soon as possible not because it may be serious but to get relief.

QUESTION:
Why do I keep vomiting bile?
The last few weeks, I have been vomiting yellow bile almost every day. I generally feel really ill and have upper and lower right abdominal pain and pain over my right kidney too.

Other symptoms are fatigue and general flu like symptoms but I don't seem to have a temperature. Doctors here are useless. Went to A&E and they just gave me some anti sickness tablets and told me to come back if I kept being sick. Went back a couple of days later and they said see your GP. Saw my GP and she said just keep taking the tablets. WTF?

Was worried it might be my appendix but the pain isn't really that bad so I dunno. I have had my liver checked out not long ago (LFT) and it was normal. Doc also says she doubts gallstones coz im a slim 27 year old guy. Apart from that they haven't helped much and I'm still being sick.
Justin C, if you can't give a serious answer, don't bother. Prick.

• ANSWER:
  Well, seeing from you're symptons, there is a 80% chance you are dying. You may want to see the doctor but i say you have about 2 months to live. Goodluck.

QUESTION:
Gallstone? What is your opinion.?
Okay to start off, I am having an ultrasound done in a few hours. So this is just out of my own impatient curiosity. I am 19 Alright well for a long time (at least a year or two) I have intense pain in my LEFT side. It starts in my upper abdomen (Right below where the middle of the ribs are) Then it goes around to the middle of my back on the left side. I always thought it was gas or something, as it would pass in a couple of hours. Last night I had some chicken salad with salsa (I work at a mexican restaurant) I ate 3 bites and the pain began. It was the worse thing I have ever felt. I finished work and came home crying it hurt so bad. My dad took me to the emergency room. They were trying to figure out what it was, but much to my surprise the gallbladder is on the right side.They gave me 40-50 (Don't rememer) cc's of Demerol and it took the edge off of it. They later deemed me able to go home and scheduled an ultrasound for today. The doctor said it could be a gallstone effecting my pancreas. So my question is are these the symptoms of a gallstone/gallbladder attack? Does the pain being on the left side rule out that possibility? I know they will tell me in a few hours but, i'm just really nervous.
*My mother has had her gallbladder taken out
My sister and father have kidney stones, but this is my upper back and not lower that hurts.

• ANSWER:
  Gallstones may cause no signs or symptoms. If a gallstone lodges in a duct and causes a blockage, signs and symptoms may result, such as:
  -Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen
  -Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below your breastbone
  -Back pain between your shoulder blades
  -Pain in your right shoulder
  -Gallstone pain may last several minutes to a few hours.

  Seek immediate care if you develop signs and symptoms of a serious gallstone complication, such as:
  -Abdominal pain so intense that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position
  -Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes
  -High fever with chills

QUESTION:
Gallbladder surgery, Did I make the right choice?
I went to see a surgeon today because I have a gallstone. He said I have no symptoms and only one gallstone so did not need to have my gallbladder removed. However, when I told the surgeon that my husband and I plan to have another child in the near future...he said "good enough reason. Now let's talk about the surgery".
The surgeon gave me a choice and I chose to have my gallbladder removed.
Also, I've had kidney stones for the past 2 1/2 years and didn't want more pain in my future. Plus the risks of gallstones in pregnancy. Do you think I made a smart decision to get surgery? My surgery is in 2 weeks.
maybe- wow 100 gallstones. Yes I don't need that after going through pain from Kidney stones the past 2 years. I had a kidney stone that was 8mm and don't need gallstone problems in my future! MY GOD! LOL.
Stefanie M- That is so painful to have not been able to be there for your newborn. After my C-section with my son I had to go to the ER cuz of slight infection and cried my eyes out all the way to the ER just cuz I was leaving my newborn all night long.

• ANSWER:
  I had to have my gallbladder taken out through emergency surgery, the after effects arent horrible. It isnt an organ that you really need. So if you are just going to get more gallstones its up to you. It took me about a week of being really sore and then I was fine.

QUESTION:
Stabbing prolonged stomach pains!?
Need a little bit of help here.
My boyfriend has been experiencing this for going on 6 years.
The previous 6 years these terrible stomach pains have hit him, and they have lasted every day for about a month, each year.
Last year, it didn't happen so he thought he might have outgrown the problem. However, last week he started complaining of the same symptoms and they are getting worse. We are now going on two weeks that he hasn't been able to attend lectures because of this pain.

He has been to countless doctors over the last 7 years and no one has an answer for him, other than he has low hemoglobin, but that doesn't seem to have any conclusive evidence as to why it would make his stomach kill.

There is no vomiting or diarrhea associated with the pain, but it is pain everywhere throughout the abdomen, that is debilitating, and constant in varying degrees. He'll be in the fetal position for 20minutes in pain, and then it will ease off a little bit, but still be there, all day. Also there is no relief for the pain, nothing will make it go away.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced a similar problem, because he has been tested for everything obvious like kidney stones, gallstones, appendicitis, etc. And no doctor out of the 30 that he has seen, has been able to solve the problem!

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
In your opinion, does it sound like I need Gallbladder Removal?
I am a 23 year old women. I have Gallstones, and I am experiencing pains in my upper abdomen, lower back, sides, right shoulder, and pressure in my chest. Everyday I have a pain in a different location in my body and it is an excruciating pain! I went to the hospital Tuesday night (july 29) due to Pain in my upper abdomen... they did tests to see if I had a bladder or kidney infection and then ruled out my issue as a stomach virus. But now I have been gaining all these other symptoms. The doctor noted that I had gallstones, because they showed up in a previous test I had with them the last time I was there, which was nearly a year ago. Except when I was there last time, no one ever told me I had gallstones! ??? I don't feel comfortable in returning to this hospital. Does this sound like my gallstones are just bothering me, or does this sound like a particular situation where it might need to be removed. I plan on going to a hospital in a different location to get a second opinion. A lot of people i have talked to have said they are positive that this is what it is.

• ANSWER:
  If you have gallstones, the best solution often is to get the gall bladder removed. Your question seems to be less about whether or not you have the condition and what the solution is, but rather whether or not you should return to that particular hospital since they diagnosed the stones a year ago but didn't get that information to you accurately.

  Go to a doctor you trust and ask him for a referral to a reputable and skilled surgeon. Just because a hospital is handy doesn't mean that it is the only option you have. Get a second opinion, and keep asking until you find someone you trust.

  My own gall bladder attacks were few, but so intense that I didn't wait until I had constant symptoms to get something done. My symptoms were intense sharp pains in the center of my upper abdomen (felt as if I had hot pointed rocks under my diaphragm) and nausea.

  Two additional clues that it might be gall bladder: women who have had wide swings in weight - either a big gain or a big loss in a short period of time (15 pounds or more over 6months or less) often lead to gall bladder problems. The second clue is family history. If others in your family have had gall bladder problems, there is a strong likelihood that your problem is also related to the gall bladder.

QUESTION:
will they operate on me?
so ive been ill for the past almost 8 months. and ive had numerous illnesses ruled out, like kidney problems, and gallstones. however, the other day, i had another consultants appointment, and the doctor said he would put his money on it being gallstones/gallbladder problems. im waiting for the letter about my next medical test to come through, but am i almost definitely going to get an operation?
my symptoms are short sharp pains, or prolonged stabbing pains in the right side of my stomach, as well as the same place on my back, im very nauseas all the time, and have vomited once with the pain, sometimes the whites in my eyes look yellowish, and i have a huge loss of appetite, and have lost over 3 stone in this time..
in a way, im hoping for an op. im only 18, and i dont want further problems in later life.

• ANSWER:
  Yes you will most likely have surgery as it's the only way to be sure that you won't get more stones in the future.
  You'll feel much better afterwards, and I'm sure that will be a relief after 8 months of suffering.

  Good luck with it.

QUESTION:
Lower abdomen pain, been 3 days!!?
I have been having pain in my lower abdomen for about three days now, and it is pretty intense. The pain originates where the appendix is located, but travels with less intense pain to the upper part of my torso below my chest sometimes. It is sensitive to the touch too. I thought it might be appendicitis, but I have had no other signs of illness such as a fever (which would usually happen due to the increased number of white blood cells being produced). I don't know if it could be the start of kidney stones or gallstones. I have also been fairly constipated for the last several days. I took a laxative and got a lot flushed out, which seemed to help a little. I have also been eating prunes and activia, and have started to increase the amount of roughage I am eating. The pain has seemed to calm down some today, but is still fairly intense.

I am just trying to find someone that maybe has gone through these same symptoms, and some advice that I can take. I do not have medical insurance right now and can't really afford anything more than a doctor's visit. Any help will be appreciated.

• ANSWER:
  I'm not a medical doctor, but maybe you have IBS or some other gastro-intestinal issues. If it gets worse it would be a good idea to get checked out. If you live in the US maybe you would qualify for some government form of medical help.

QUESTION:
Chronic Stomach Pain?
A friend of mine has been sick for about 4 months. She complains of chronic side/stomach/back pain, a loss of appetite, headaches and I think nausea. She has seen 7 different doctors including a gastroenterologist (stomach), endocrinologist (pancreas) among others. They have ruled out any gastro related cause, ruled out an ovarian cyst, ruled out pancreatitis, ruled out appendicitis, ruled out gallstones and ruled out kidney infection that has spread. She is running out of doctors and doesn't know what to do. Please if anyone knows of any conditions with symptoms similar to these please let me know, I am so worried about her =(

• ANSWER:
  I was going to say ulcers or kidney stones. Maybe she is misdiagnosed and it could be a stomach or kidney problem. If I were her, I would travel to another area with smarter doctors. Have you tried entering the symptoms into Webmd?

QUESTION:
Pancreatitis, don't quite fit into any causitive category, but a bit in some ... Any GI's out there?
6 weeks ago, I went to my PD with what I thought was severe heartburn. I went to pharm. and he suggested Pepcid. I took it, no luck in an hour (like he said). I called and asked PD how long Pepcid takes to take it away, she said an hour, I said it's been 4 hours and I was in agony. Severe abdominal pain, some vomiting, low grade fever. I had what I thought was the flu for 3 days prior (no pain, just didn't feel well, diarr and low grade fever. She said come in. She took a blood test ... Highly elevated Amylase and Lipase, somewhat elevated ALT, AST. Had weekly blood tests since then, and it's been going down. Nearly normal Amylase, still 3 times normal Lipase (which is much lower than it was... nearly 3000).

I read the following on internet as far as causes: 1) Alcoholism: "Alcohol is the leading culprit. Usually, it takes several years of heavy drinking -- such as a 12-pack of beer of every day." I drink, but not more than 3-4 drinks per night, 3-4 nights per week (if that!) however, I had a life altering even a few weeks before attack and did drink a bit more (nightly, maybe 4 drinks), but no 'binge drinking'. Rarely drunk more than 4 times in the last year, no hangovers. 2) Gallstones: never had a symptom. 3) heridedary: nope, nobody. 4) Meds: rare cases of Lamictal and Ativan have been reported "after market, and reported on 'compassionate please' cases. I am on both. (BTW, Lamictal was raised from 150 mg to 200 mg 1 wk before attack, and due to stress, went from 1 ativan per day to 2-3). 5) no traumas.

The pain was severe (I have little tolerance for pain), but not enough that I felt ER was necessary. Nor did she. I was still walking around and doing what shopping I had to do, etc. OTC painkillers helped.

Background: 48 yrs old, F, somewhat healthy diet. I feel fine now. Having another blood test Monday. Also have history of ovarian problems.... recently, cysts, fibroids. Any known relation? Any herbal/alternative cures or remedies? Is this permanent? She says never another drink of alcohol, not even cough syrup. Is that true? Even socially, a couple here and there? Due to my two year history of drugs (antidepressants, Lamictal, Xanax, Ativan ... all prescribed by Dr's), I have also taken Milk Thistle and Alpha Lipoic Acid to counteract the med's effect on liver.

Just can't find enough general information on this on the internet. Just doom, gloom, not so great mortality rates, and a future of horror to live with ... kidney dialysis, heart failure, liver failure, extreme pain, narcotic addiction, surgeries.

Please advise... Thank you and God bless.

• ANSWER:
  Yes, she is absolutely correct. You were drinking a lot of alcohol before your onset of acute pancreatitis. It may not seem like a lot, but you really WERE drinking enough to cause pancreatitis. If you continue to drink and you have recurring episodes of it, you could end up with chronic pancreatitis. Anyway, you were very lucky as it seems like you didnt have a severe case of it. But unfortunately, acute pancreatitis can get very dangerous if you have a bad enough case of it (I interviewed a patient the other day who had it and was just getting discharged from the hospital 2 months later). So yes, stay completely away from any alcohol - its not worth the risk.

QUESTION:
headache, stomach problems wont go away, some one help me please!?
first off i have anxiety,take kolonopin*, and two months ago i had my tonsils out lots of medication, now that i have been off meds for three weeks, i have worse anxiety, sweet taste in mouth, and always have been thirsty, my stomach has gerd like symptoms all the time but ppi i started a month ago don't stop the reflux, pain in my abdomen, i don't have a history of diabetes in my family and i'm not at all over or under weight, the pain is more on the right then the left top of ribs to back area and i have mild elevated biliruben count, tired a lot, sleepless nights, however i have had tests for kidney stones,blood work, and gallstones, also i don't smoke or drink! and i have changed my diet to fish n bread for the most part! serious answers please!!!!!!!

• ANSWER:
  When I read your post, what immediately comes to my mind is gut and liver. First off you should address the integrity of your gut as this is where all of your nutrients are absorbed.

  Your symptoms may be caused by a food sensitivity. You should investigate your diet to find the possible culprit food.

  Keep a 7 day food diary noting everything you eat and the subsequent symptoms you feel. Once you have collected your data, analyze it to see when your symptoms are the worst. Try to correlate that with what you ate earlier that day.

  Next try an elimination diet. Eliminate one of the suspected foods from your diet for 2-3 weeks. If your symptoms improve then you've found the culprit. If not, then try the next suspected food.

  FYI: the top food allergies/sensitivities in this order are
  -dairy (milk, cheese)
  -wheat (gluten)
  -eggs
  -soy
  -nuts (almonds, peanuts)
  -corn
  -shellfish

  You have probably been on antibiotics, which kill good and bad bacteria alike. Good bacteria in the large intestine help keep your body running smoothly. If they are displaced it opens up a niche for opportunistic organisms like yeasts which could give you gas, diarrhea, inflammation, etc. If you are not sensitive to yogurt, I suggest you eat a little bit of organic yogurt each day as it contains beneficial gut bacteria.

  The PPI blocks the parietal cells of your stomach from excreting HCl which means that microorganisms that get into your stomach have a greater chance of survival than they would in the presence of more acid (HCl). This means that your small intestines which would otherwise be almost sterile, are now subjected to unwanted microbes which could cause problems (e.g., gas, indigestion, inflammation, malabsorption). In addition, the release of HCl into your stomach is coupled with another chemical known as intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is absolutely needed for the absorption vitamin B12 in the distal ilium (sm. intestine).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12_deficiency

  As for your elevated bilirubin, this implies too much breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis) or your liver isn't clearing dead red blood cells fast enough. This could be due to a number of things which you should talk to your doctor about.

  In conclusion, the body is a closed system and usually a problem in one part of the body affects other parts of the body (e.g., liver problems can cause mental problems, and GI problems can cause liver problems, etc). Please heed my suggestion of the elimination diet as a starting point. If your symptoms get worse or don't improve, then see your doctor, or find a doctor that can help you without just masking symptoms with synthetic pills. Good luck.

QUESTION:
Would a lady be induced early (38wks) if she was suffering severely from Gall Stones & SPD?
I've recently been diagnosed with Gallstones, inflamed kidneys and SPD. I've been in agony for most of my pregnancy and I've had enough of the pain now.
I've had two "gall stone attacks" in the last fortnight. The only thing I can do about them now is take the painkillers I was given at the maternity ward - they'll remove my gall bladder after I give birth.
I'm not allowed to take the pills for prolonged periods as baby could have withdrawal symptoms when he's born, so I'm stuck. Can't take painkillers in case my baby is an addict, cant put up with this pain for another 6 weeks!
I am currently 34+2 with my 3rd baby. Growth scan shows he's already between 5lb5oz and 6lb1oz. I'm just wondering if anyone thinks my consultant would attempt an induction at 38 weeks?
I'm fed up of being in agony with pelvic pain, abdominal pain and UTI's and not being able to do anything about it while I'm still pregnant.
What are my chances of induction, do you think?

• ANSWER:
  yes they might since you are so ill
  i have heard of them taking out the galbladder while PG
  Hopefully this wont happen to you.Maybe if you have to have it C then they might take it out while your open up from the C section
  Ill pray for you God Bless you and i hope you get healed

QUESTION:
I am in the ER and need help/information anything over what I am going through due to lower abdominal pain?
I had the leep procedure due to abnormal cells on my cervix, now blood is discharging constanly. I have an ovarian cyst that hurts very badly and has not ruptured yet. So urine smells bad and so does vagina. I don't know what else to do or if it's something else like an infection or kidney stone or gallstone or uti I need help anyone been through this or can shed some light on the situation? My symptoms are= right lower abdomen pain, back pain, stomach pain, vomiting, slight fever, severe burts of pain in my abdomen

• ANSWER:
  You said that you are in the ER, so you are exactly where you need to be. Try to be patient. They will get to you as soon as they can. There is nothing for you to do except explain to the doc what is wrong when your turn comes and try to relax until then. I'm sure everything will be fine.

QUESTION:
What illnesses would cause right rib pain and urinary tract infections?
I started having a mild dull pain under my right rib a month ago. It would happen for a few seconds and stop for a long time. As time progressed I started having flank pain, dark/frequent urine, chills, weakness, fever, mental fogginess, painful constipation, low blood sugar, lower back pain, nausea, vomiting and bladder pain. I went to a doctor and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. My symptoms worsened as I started Bactrum for my uti. I started being unable to walk more than a few feet, my back would start hurting and my muscles would give out on me. I felt as if walking was injuring my kidneys. The flank pain was so bad when I laid on my sides. I went back to the doctor two days later and was put on Cipro. My symptoms started improving, and I was able to stand and walk comfortably. However, my symptoms came back, but slightly different. I went back to the doctor again and they found no remaining infection, but I was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. I asked the doctor what he thought about the pain I was having and thought it might be stones in my kidney or gallbladder.

Since then I've been vomiting and dry heaving when I wake up in the morning, my groin area hurts when I have a bowel movement and sometimes when I pee, the pain in my rib has gotten worse, it occasionally radiates to my sternum area and to my back under my shoulder blade, I get chills every once in a while, I have brief but sharp moderate pain in isolated areas of my urinary tract and I have trouble concentrating and going to the bathroom. I have a family history of gallbladder disease/stones, kidney stones, fatty liver and diabetes. I had a bout of gastritis exactly a year ago and had an ultra sound of my gallbladder to rule out gallstones and was normal. I woke up last night with pain under my sternum and felt dizzy. I can't see my family doctor for a week and am afraid that I will have to go to the emergency room before it happens. What does this sound like?

BTW, I haven't had any signs of jaundice or pale stools.

• ANSWER:
  A friend of mine just found out she has a kidney stone after having alot of UTI's. I'm not sure what all her symptoms were, and I don't think they were as severe as yours but she would have never thought in a million years she had a kidney stone. She is a healthy 22 year old going to nursing school so she thought she would have known but she didn't.

  Ask your doctor to check for a stone. Either kidney or gall bladder. Good luck!

QUESTION:
What would cause lower right rib pain, vomiting and urinary tract infections?
I started having a mild dull pain under my right rib a month ago. As time progressed I started having flank pain, dark/frequent urine, chills, weakness, fever, mental fogginess, painful constipation, low blood sugar, lower back pain, nausea, vomiting and bladder pain. I went to a doctor and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. My symptoms worsened as I started Bactrum for my UTI. I started being unable to walk more than a few feet, my back would start hurting and my muscles would give out on me. I felt as if walking was injuring my kidneys. The flank pain was so bad when I laid on my sides. I went back to the doctor two days later and was put on Cipro. My symptoms started improving, and I was able to stand and walk comfortably. However, a day or so later my symptoms came back, but slightly different. I asked the doctor what he thought about the pain I was having and thought it might be stones in my kidney or gallbladder.

Since then I've been vomiting and dry heaving when I wake up in the morning, my groin area hurts when I have a bowel movement and sometimes when I pee, the pain in my rib has gotten worse, it occasionally radiates to my sternum area and to my back under my shoulder blade, I get chills every once in a while, I have brief but sharp moderate pain in isolated areas of my urinary tract and I have trouble concentrating and going to the bathroom. I have a family history of gallbladder disease/stones, kidney stones, fatty liver and diabetes. I had a bout of gastritis exactly a year ago and had an ultra sound of my gallbladder to rule out gallstones and the results came back normal. I can't see a doctor for a week and am afraid that I will have to go to the emergency room before I go. What could it be?

BTW, I haven't had any signs of jaundice or pale stools.

• ANSWER:
  I don't mean to scare you, but you need to get this checked out right away. I would suggest maybe seeing another doctor just to see if he comes to the same conclusion. I'm not sure what this could be though...let me suggest you to start researching if you have an hernia but I honestly can't think of much. Good luck.

QUESTION:
Any ideas on what illness this could be?
I'm a 28 year old male in fairly good shape and I have been dealing with a pretty random set of symptoms for the last 6 weeks and am curious what my next steps should be.

My illness symptoms have included chest discomfort, heart palpitations, swollen/bloating feeling in abdomen(specifically the right side mid/upper), pleurisy, lower back discomfort, rash on leg, shortness of breath with very little movement or heat, and severe circulation problems when lying on my side and trying to sleep.

I have several heart tests (2 EKG's, 2 Chest X-Rays, and echocardiogram) done and each has come back normal. I've had 3 CBC's, liver function test, kidney function test, strep test, 2 mono tests (rapid and lab), urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound (looking for gallstones) and all have come back normal.

I was given an antibiotic and completed it 3 weeks ago. I was suffering from constipation over the last 4-5 days but have been able to sustain some bowel movements though not ever feeling like I'm adequately getting everything out. I also have noticed bright red blood after wiping several times, though this has not been consistent. I have had minor hemmorrhoid discomfort in the past.

Over the last week, the chest discomfort has improved, however the swollen/bloated feeling in my right abdomen seems to still be there and the lower back pain (mostly on the right but also at times on the left) have seemed to worsen. I am still having circulation issues at night when trying to sleep, though I have found some pillow positioning to help alleviate some of those symptoms. The circulation problems are bad enough to where I wake up completely disoriented and have fainted twice when trying to stand up and return circulation.

I have a doctors appointment Tuesday, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what could be causing my symptoms and whether I should see a neurologist or GI or any other type of specialist. I've already seen a cardiologist and seemingly ruled out heart issues as a cause. I also had untreated strep a month before this 6 weeks of symptoms had started. If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if you need more background info, please leave an email address or contact me at schmoydy23@yahoo.com.

• ANSWER:
  You're a mess. Antibiotic is not effective against viruses, and if they are taking a shotgun approach without knowing what baceria they are targeting, well, they missed. Penicillin, for instance will kill strep, but will make e-coli a very happy diner. I have no idea what they use on Lyme.

  I would think a rheumatologist or a toxicologist would be your thing is your doc doesn't get it figured out soon.

QUESTION:
7-yr-old with elevated ALP; LDH; calcium; and decreased creatinine; WBC; RBC; GRAN; HGB & HCT?
(I wrote the following 2 weeks ago, and have since gotten complete medical records for all 3 people. My 20YO daughter had the results listed in the question at age 7, when she began having severe abdominal pain, but her dr didn't talk them over with me or order more tests. She was tentatively diagnosed borderline pseudotumor cerebri in 2007 (age 17) and at that time had high APTT and low INR; she was diagnosed with gallstones 6 months later; she began having seizures 14 months after that and in one of the ER visits for those, she had critical high fibrin d-diber and low INR & PTT, and was evaluated for pulmonary thrombosis but nothing further. Her Blood pressure also all over the place over a 40-minute span, but ignored.
I'm confused. She has been sick again for about 3 years and started having seizures in July 2009; her sister has been sick since Sept. 2006; I have been sick since late 2002.)

Labs in past 4 years include: High sed rate, total protein, calcium, B12, beta globulin; low vit D; ANA sometimes positive and sometimes negative; and we all 3 have had consistently positive leukocyte esterase with negative nitrite and no urinary tract infection. These are from a 49yo woman and her 2 daughters (22 and 20). Same lab results, many of the same symptoms that started 2-3 years apart (some of which come and go in 3-6-month intervals) All 3 have: memory problems (how to do things recently learned, words in mid-sentence); balance problems (can't stand in the middle of a room without leaning on something for more than a couple of minutes); joint pain; bone and muscle pain and muscle weakness; severe hip pain upon standing; slight forward & back nodding from the chest up; 1-3-day episodes of severe pain in lower abdomen that radiates to the lower back and makes walking virtually impossible; blurred spots in vision; sensory anomalies inc. temporary loss of pain sensation, smell & taste way off; right foot loses sensation and makes us stumble after walking a block or two; extreme fatigue; sleep disturbances.
2 of us have: cardiac symptoms inc. dizziness and sweating with bowel movements and slight heart murmur; fat in bm; rainbow-color oil slick in urine.
One (not the same one for all symptoms) has: waking in the morning unable to grip the blankets to throw them off for 5 minutes or so; splinter hemorrhages under fingernails; one daughter has seizures consisting of arched back and rigid limbs, ability to blink in response to questions, a good 30-second warning before she seizes and feels wiped out for a while after each one.
Symptoms remained when girls went off to college; 52yo sister of the mom has many of the same symptoms and lives 2000 miles away; younger sister of mom has the abdominal pain and no other symptoms.

Tests said: no for Celiac, Lyme, toxoplasmosis, thyroid probs.; older daughter diagnosed 14 months ago with costochondritis with bulge in her side just under ribcage, but internal med doc said that was misdiagnosed; mom has had kidney stones; One of our biggest obstacles is the fact that we have no health insurance. Another is that several of the doctors here look at the relatively normal blood tests (and don't really investigate the more unusual stuff) and tell us we have fibromyalgia---really? with seizures and memory problems severe enough to get me fired?---or need a psych evaluation.

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
pain in stomach and back with shivering?
since my short stay in hospital about two years ago where they found two tiny stones one was a gallstone and one was a kidney stone they were too small for them to operate,but just lately i have developed new symptoms,pain in stomach and lower back pain with shivering,worst when i go to bed even with a hot water bottle i am Still shivering all my body is cold and have to Move the hot water bottle to other parts of my body,the only way to warm myself up is to lay in a really hot bath,i also seem to have a pain on my left lower rib cage but i don't know if its a previous injury i had and just started up,i am male and getting on in life, other than seeing my silly doctor what could i do,
i also keep loosing my balance when standing still and sometimes have a dizzy feeling in my head

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
i need someone to help me please?
What does cholesterol do?

A. It makes steroids.
B. It provides crucial amino acids.

C. It reduces the chances of developing atherosclerosis.

D. It reduces dependency on saturated fats.

8. Suppose you're a physician treating an infant with respiratory distress syndrome. Your intervention to effect relief of the baby's symptoms will involve

A. alveolar macrophages.
B. an artificial surfactant.

C. antibiotics.

D. oxygen.

9. Ligaments join bones to

A. muscles.
B. bones.

C. joints.

D. cartilage.

10. An oxygen molecule is inhaled by a human. After hitching a ride on a red blood cell, its next stop will be the _______ of the heart.

A. left ventricle
B. left atrium

C. right ventricle

D. right atrium

11. Oxygenated red blood cells arrive at capillaries through

A. arterioles.
B. cell walls.

C. venules.

D. capillary walls.

12. Erythropoitein, which stimulates red blood cell production, is produced by the

A. red bone marrow.
B. pituitary gland.

C. kidneys.

D. adrenal glands.

13. What would probably happen if your liver stopped producing sufficient quantities of bile salts?

A. You would develop gallstones.
B. Your small intestine would have trouble breaking up fat globules.

C. Your small intestine would have trouble neutralizing acid from your stomach.

D. You would develop chronic heartburn.

14. During the inflammatory response, what causes arterioles in the damaged area to dilate?

A. Interferon
B. Macrophage action

C. Histamine

D. Swelling and heat

15. What do platelets and red blood cells have in common?

A. Both are produced by large, multinucleated cells in red bone marrow.
B. Both produce fibrin.

C. Both are actually just tiny cell fragments.

D. Neither has a nucleus.

16. The aorta serves as a superhighway for

A. oxygenated blood being pumped from the right ventricle.
B. deoxygenated blood on its way to the lungs from the right atrium.

C. deoxygenated blood on its way to the body from the left atrium.

D. oxygenated blood being pumped from the left ventricle.

17. Which one of the following statements is accurate for vitamins?

A. When they're water-soluble, like vitamin A, they serve as antioxidants.
B. They are recycled in the body to be used again and again.

C. All of them are functional foods.

D. They include minerals like calcium and potassium.

18. The sinoatrial node is located in the

A. right ventricle.
B. left ventricle.

C. right atrium.

D. left atrium.

19. In what part of the respiratory system does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occur?

A. Larynx
B. Trachea

C. Lungs

D. Pharynx

20. In rheumatic fever, damage to the heart valves is directly caused by

A. an uncontrolled spread of streptococcus bacteria.
B. protein antibodies produced to defend the body against streptococcus bacteria.

C. the contest between streptococcus and antibodies that takes place in the body.

D. a heart murmur due to weakness in the heart valves

• ANSWER:
  7 A
  8 D
  9 B
  10 B
  11 A
  12 I don't know
  13 I don't nkow, but would guess B
  14 C
  15 I don't know, but I would guess D or A
  16 D
  17 None of the above
  18 I don't remember
  19 C
  20 I don't know

QUESTION:
What is this abdominal pain I'm feeling? ?
I'm concerned with a few things. I have had kidney stones, UTI's, and I currently have a gallstone (too large to pass through the duct). However I am concerned that it is something more complicated. I am not asking fora diagnosis but I was wondering what it could be. I've been experiencing localized discomfort in my abdominal region. My symptoms include:
-Side pain both left and right
-Back pain, which i think is because of my gallstone
-my dr also told me my urine had enzymes in it, along with some blood.
-I randomly get UTI's roughly every 3 months
-Joint pain
-occasional intense short term headaches
- lower Abdominal pain (I believe appendix area), tender to the touch
- Crampy/stiff sensations on sides and upper front abdominal region.
-extreme fatigue
-frequent fever accompanied by my skin flushed.
-irregular periods

also- I had a ultrasound (that's how they found my gallstone), and my dr said my liver looked "okay". I am 21, and rarely drink at all...any help?

please don't respond with "go see dr." i already know that, and i have a appointment. i just want to know what i should bring up to him during my visit.

• ANSWER:
  lots of choices..............are you drinking a lot of water?
  have you changed your eating/drinking/lifestyle lately?
  do you have a cold/virus?//
  u have more than one condition..one is kidney stones/infection.........
  the rest.might be lupus/lymphona...........
  need a cat scan with contrast....and complete blood and urine work including cultures

QUESTION:
Gallbladder surgery, Did I make the right choice?
I went to see a surgeon today because I have a gallstone. He said I have no symptoms and only one gallstone so did not need to have my gallbladder removed. However, when I told the surgeon that my husband and I plan to have another child in the near future...he said "good enough reason. Now let's talk about the surgery".
The surgeon gave me a choice and I chose to have my gallbladder removed.
Also, I've had kidney stones for the past 2 1/2 years and didn't want more pain in my future. Plus the risks of gallstones in pregnancy. Do you think I made a smart decision to get surgery? My surgery is in 2 weeks.
JB- I agree. I said to the surgeon that what if my husband and I want another child in 2 years. I mean the gallstone isn't going anywhere not even in 2 years. What a burden!
My husband and I both definitely want another child but are just waiting until we have enough money. Right now money is tight.
cliff1224- You're a real RETARD. The surgeon did say I needed the surgery if I wanted to have a 2nd child. duhhh. God you're an idiot! LOL.

• ANSWER:
  *I think your decision was a good and wise one. Your doctor doesn't seem like the kind of doctor who is knife happy and anxious to do surgery on people for no reason. After all, he initially told you that you don't need the surgery. He is aware of the risks this could cause if/when you become pregnant and I'm sure he weighed the pros and cons.

QUESTION:
What illnesses would cause right rib pain and urinary tract infections?
I started having a mild dull pain under my right rib a month ago. It would happen for a few seconds and stop for a long time. As time progressed I started having flank pain, dark/frequent urine, chills, weakness, fever, mental fogginess, painful constipation, low blood sugar, lower back pain, nausea, vomiting and bladder pain. I went to a doctor and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. My symptoms worsened as I started Bactrum for my uti. I started being unable to walk more than a few feet, my back would start hurting and my muscles would give out on me. I felt as if walking was injuring my kidneys. The flank pain was so bad when I laid on my sides. I went back to the doctor two days later and was put on Cipro. My symptoms started improving, and I was able to stand and walk comfortably. However, my symptoms came back, but slightly different. I went back to the doctor again and they found no remaining infection, but I was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. I asked the doctor what he thought about the pain I was having and thought it might be stones in my kidney or gallbladder.

Since then I've been vomiting and dry heaving when I wake up in the morning, my groin area hurts when I have a bowel movement and sometimes when I pee, the pain in my rib has gotten worse, it occasionally radiates to my sternum area and to my back under my shoulder blade, I get chills every once in a while, I have brief but sharp moderate pain in isolated areas of my urinary tract and I have trouble concentrating and going to the bathroom. I have a family history of gallbladder disease/stones, kidney stones, fatty liver and diabetes. I had a bout of gastritis exactly a year ago and had an ultra sound of my gallbladder to rule out gallstones and was normal. I woke up last night with pain under my sternum and felt dizzy. I can't see my family doctor for a week and am afraid that I will have to go to the emergency room before it happens. What does this sound like?

BTW, I haven't had any signs of jaundice or pale stools.

• ANSWER:
  I have a daughter who has had Kidney Problems and even Surgerys on her kidney, your symptoms sound the same as hers she is only 2 and has been in and out of the hospital with Kidney problems. my daughter has been on Cipro also for the infections and Bactrum. i would keep demanding they check your kidneys.

QUESTION:
What is this abdominal pain I'm feeling?
I'm concerned with a few things. I have had kidney stones, UTI's, and I currently have a gallstone (too large to pass through the duct). However I am concerned that it is something more complicated. I am not asking fora diagnosis but I was wondering what it could be. I've been experiencing localized discomfort in my abdominal region. My symptoms include:
-Side pain both left and right
-Back pain, which i think is because of my gallstone
-my dr also told me my urine had enzymes in it, along with some blood.
-I randomly get UTI's roughly every 3 months
-Joint pain
-occasional intense short term headaches
- lower Abdominal pain (I believe appendix area), tender to the touch
- Extreme Crampy/stiff sensations on sides and upper front abdominal region.
-extreme fatigue
-frequent fever accompanied by my skin flushed.
-irregular periods
-chronic hand tremors

also- I had a ultrasound (that's how they found my gallstone), and my dr said my liver looked "okay". I am 21, and have not had a sip of alcohol in months...any help?

please don't respond with "go see dr." i already know that, and i have a appointment. i just want to know what i should bring up to him during my visit.

• ANSWER:
  LIver problems have a number of different
  causes: alcohol consumption, medication
  toxification, chemical exposure, mushroom
  poisonings, hereditary disease, auto immune
  diseases, viral infections, biliary obstruction,etc.

  Gallstones that move into the ducts under
  the liver or a stone moving into the ducts
  from the kidney can cause severe pain. When a gallstone moves into the ducts, the flow of the bile that normally flows from the liver to the gallbladder to be stored or to the intestines to help in the digestion of the fats we eat, may get blocked and back up into the liver.
  You should tell the doctor if your stools are
  becoming a grayish white color or tend
  to float on top of the water. You should also
  let the doctor know if your whites of the
  eyes or skin is starting to turn yellow in color.
  A substance known as bilirubin, which acts
  like a coloring agent, and that usually flows
  with the bile...will cause this to occur.
  If the bilirubin doesn't get to the intestines...
  the the stools appear whiter and if it backs
  up into the blood, then it affects other areas
  of the body to get this coloring.
  The doctor can also tell this by taking a blood
  test to see if this is occurring.

  The kidneys are located on the back side and on both sides of the backbone near/under the ribs. The tubes from the kidneys can be felt if a stone is there because of the pain toward the front of the body that leads down to the corner and then to the bladder. In the kidney, a stone, will block the flow of urine moving into the bladder and back that up into the kidney causing the kidney to enlarge in size.

  If the stone stays in the gallbladder or kidney and doesn't move into these ducts, then there usually isn't much pain at all. The gallbladder is located just under the liver on the right hand upper quadrant of the abdomen. Pain from this
  is usually located about mid way between
  the sternum and the right side of the patient
  approximately lined up with the last rib in
  the front of the body.

  Sometimes these stones will pass on their
  own, other times surgical procedure need
  to be done (or lithotripsy for a kidney stone).
  Sometimes medication can be given to
  try and dissolve these stones.
  They do gallbladder surgery laporscopically
  now...
  http://www.markfuscomd.com/gallbladder.htm
  to remove the whole gallbladder.
  If the gallbladder doesn't have to be removed
  because they don't see any other stones in
  there, then they may do a procedure known
  as an ERCP
  http://www.gihealth.com/html/education/ercp.html
  where they go through the mouth, into the esophagus, pass the stomach, into the first part of the intestines and into where the biliary area is and use an instrument( which looks like a long
  tube with scope camera/light on the end and
  small tiny instrument can be put through on)
  to grab the stone and either break it up or remove it from the body.
  This is not surgery but a procedure. You are
  sedated during this time and your throat is
  numbed.

  I hope this information is helpful to you and
  that you start to feel much better.

QUESTION:
I need kidney stone information, symptoms, causes, treatments, medications, etc?
I believe that ive got a kidney stone, i called the pharmacy and they told me that fioricet does not cause kidney pain, since im having radiating pain under my ribs, all things see, to point to a kidney stone, wat do i need to do to have it pass, how long will it take to get from my kidney down to passing out my urine, what kind of medications to they use and what should i do at this point, its not extremely painful yet maybe only a 3 out of 10.

• ANSWER:
  I'm 18 and have kidney stones. The pain can range anywhere from your stomach on either one or both sides. I get pain under my ribs on my back than under my bottom rib on my side and it travels all the way to my pelvic area. The only thing my docotor did was tell me to drink plenty of water because it helps push the stone out. If you do have stones they could possibly be too large and the can do procedures to take them out. I would go to the doctor. They will be able to tell you if its stones.

QUESTION:
Please can you explain symptoms of kidney stone and what causes it.?
I think i have a kidney stone,i had a uti ie bladder infection,because it keeps coming back after each treatment.

• ANSWER:
  A kdney stone usually causes severe pain. I think you'd know if you had kidney stones. It feels like labor.

QUESTION:
I think my dog has kidney/bladder stones?
I looked up the symptoms online and they much my dog exactly, she is seven years old. Anyone know of home remedies for treatment of them? She has passed one or two already.
Thanks very much!
P.S I do not need any demeaning comments ----

• ANSWER:
  There is no "home remedy" for kidney or bladder stones. Your dog needs to see a veterinarian. At the very least they need to take x-rays to see if she really does have stones in her bladder or kidney and how many/how big they are. Some stones do not show up on x-rays because of the materials they are made of but stones like struvite or calcium oxalate stones will show up on x-rays. Some stones may be able to be dissolved or their size reduced with special diets available via prescription from your veterinarian but this is not always possible. If she does truly have kidney or bladder stones the best treatment would be surgery to remove them with a special diet to dissolve the crystals in the urine that make the stones form. Some stones may be small enough to pass but you should be aware that if there really are stones present in her bladder there is always the possibility that one may start to pass out of her urethra (the opening between the bladder and outside) but get stuck causing a blockage which is a medical emergency. If she gets blocked she needs to see a veterinarian immediately.

QUESTION:
Yeast infecion/ kidney stones?
Hi I recently went to the doctor because of sever burning after urination. He informed me that I have one of the WORST yeast infections he's ever seen. Although I wasnt having symptoms until the burning which was odd. It was severely infected with blood and puss. He also says that he feels that the yeast infection was caused by something more major. That was about 6 days ago. Today is my last day on the treatment for the yeast infection and something really wierd happened. I passed a very large kidney stone and a few smaller ones today when I went to the bathroom?? Just wondering if this was caused by the yeast infection and if there is anything out there that looks like kidney stones in the toilet?? Once again not really any symptoms?? Is something more serious going on?? This cant be normal.

PLEASE HELP!

• ANSWER:
  Yes, they can from cutting you and causing blood in the urine. Plz tell me you saved the stones, the doctor is going to want those.

QUESTION:
how do i know if i have kidney stones?
please dont answer unless you know, im going to highschool soon and i need to get a physical but i really dont want one. one i was wondering i understand kidney stones form in the kidney, but you can also pee them out. one i was wondering what are symptoms, and if i get just a regular physical can they tell if i have the stones or they can just tell if i have a hernia. i dont really have that bad of problems except the tip of my penis hurts a little bit everyone once in a while, but i think it might a hallucination. and i have to pee like every 10minutes but i started doing this a few days ago and my parents say its because of the dramatic change of weather, it happens. my last question is what is a hernia, whats the treatment? thank you

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
Do i have Kidney stones?
I woke up a few weeks ago at 4am with excruciating pain in my lower right back, it lasted for approximately 2 hours, coming in waves, then suddenly dropped off and i was fine.
I went to a small hospital/doctors which was open on sundays, and they took a urine sample and said theyd get back to me.

Its been 3 weeks, ive heard nothing from the hospital, and every few days i get a really bad ache which is also quite painful, in my lower right back, feels like a muscular ache or spasm then turns into straight out pain, which lasts for approx 1 hour. In addition to this i usually get a dull ache in my right testicle, which makes me feel quite ill (similar to the after effects of being kicked in the nuts, guys, you'll know what im talking about, lol)

Pain meds do almost nothing, even the likes of codeine.

I have to wait another 3 weeks to even find out if it is kidney stones (although my research points to YES), just wanted to hear it from someone else, and hopefully hear of similar symptoms from others.

Also, do you think, if the pain starts again, which it likely will as its been on and off every few days, i should just call an ambulance? That way i can get a definitive answer and treatment advice relatively quickly?
(Im in the UK by the way, so im not bothered about hospital bills, long live the NHS, lol)
Cheers.

• ANSWER:
  I have had kidney stones and yes, everything you have described is a symptom of kidney stones. To answer your question, No, I would not call an ambulance. Call a friend or family memeber and have them take you to the emergency room.

QUESTION:
Lemonade and kidney stones...?
I was told I had a teenie weenie - uh, kidney stone last year. I was also told that there was nothing I could do about it except wait. Well, now I'm hearing reports that studies indicate the daily consumption of lemonade can dissolve them. Have any of you tried this with any success? Do you know of any sources of information pertaining to this method of treatment (i.e., how strong do I make the lemonade, and how much do I consume?)

I want to do everything I can to prevent a rock from getting stuck in the shaft of my hee-haw. So far I have not had any symptoms whatsoever. Thanks.

• ANSWER:
  Sure why not, stones could likely dissolve in a higher acid ph environment, sounds logical. Sugar or sweetness raises the ph so probably more sour would work better but you don't really want to over acidify your whole body either, that could eventually be dangerous.

  If it was last year are you sure they are not gone and dissolved already?

QUESTION:
Chain rejection on Kidney Stones?
I'm a kidney stone producing machine and just found out what triggers the deficiency on citric acids and overproduction of calcium in my body.
Urologist prescribed a high blood pressure drug called Hydrochlorothiazide (I have low blood pressure) to reduce the production of calcium and a citric acid supplement I'm really not sure as if I should take this. I have to inject myself with B12 on a monthly basis which I need because I can't produce it anymore myself and found out that this reduces the citric level. Then I came across Hypothyroidism and wonder if that is the reason for the high calcium production? Does anyone have suggestions on how I should approach the treatment or know about natural ways to get this in control? I do a low oxalate diet and avoid foods triggering my symptoms.

• ANSWER:
  Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic and is often the first step in lowering blood pressure in someone who is newly diagnosed with high blood pressure. I would follow your physician's suggestions on care rather than trying to treat it yourself. You can also try holistic methods but in conjunction with your physician's recommendations. Also, let your doctor know what herbs/supplements that you plan on taking so that he can verify whether there might be a problem with interactions between the substances. Sometimes, a low oxalate diet does not stop the kidney stones and medications may be needed. And, dehydration is a common cause of kidney stones so make sure your daily water intake is high.

QUESTION:
Possible causes of kidney area and abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue?
Please don't just tell me to see a doctor! I've been going to the doctor for a month now and so far they have no idea what's wrong with me. I'm waiting on some more test results, but hoping that somebody on here may have had similar issues that could shed some light on the situation.

Here are my symptoms:
-Kidney area pain on the right side (Originally thought it was a kidney stone, but all tests show my kidneys are fine)
-Abdominal pain also on the right side slightly above and inward of my hip bone
-Very small amount of blood in my urine
-Slightly elevated white blood cell count and higher levels of calcium (still within "normal" range)
-Nausea which occasionally turns in to vomiting
-Fatigue (Sometimes mild, sometimes feels like mono)
-Very small, itchy bug-bite type things all over my body (Possibly unrelated. I haven't given my dogs a flea treatment in awhile, but my husband doesn't have any "bites")

Most of these symptoms come and go as far as extremity. It seems like each day, or portion of the day a different symptom is the dominant issue and the others are barely noticeable. Sometimes they all come on together. Like I said, this has been going on for a month now, and I'm starting to get scared because of where the pain is and the vomiting. NOT good signs...

About two weeks before this started, I was diagnosed with a sever Vitamin D deficiency, my doctor said it was the second lowest she'd ever seen! They had me taking 50,000 UI of vitamin D once a week, they have since told me to stop, but my problems are still occurring.

I have had an x-ray, CT Scan and ultrasound to search my abdomen and everything looks normal. No inflammation, no stones. I've had a 24 hour urine collection, as well as a LOT of blood tests (sorry don't know what they were all for) but everything is normal. I am currently waiting on test results for Hyperparathyroidism. I have been doing a lot of my own research and everything I've found, keeps pointing me to this, so I requested the doctor to run the tests.

I was laid off last week and my insurance is only good until the end of the month, so on my next appointment I want to go in with a list of things for them to check before my insurance is up, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!
Thank you so much for the quick response! I forgot to mention that before all this stuff started, the doctor thought I had an ovarian cyst... I've now had two ultrasounds to look for that and I'm waiting on the results.
Just got test results... No Hyperparathyroidism, and I have an ovarian cyst, but it's pimple sized. The doctor said it's so small that they wouldn't bother removing it and it's not causing my current issues.

• ANSWER:
  Could be pregnancy, micro cysts or ulcers, stomach virus/bug, an internal infection, hemorrhaging, botulism, or just consistant cramps. A friend of mine had somewhat similar issues. And the doctors honestly didnt know $&*@

QUESTION:
I have peachy colored urine 2 weeks after being treated for UTI/poss kidney infection. Should I go back?
Here's how my month has gone, just to give you the background on what's going on with my urinary tract...

11/6 I started experiencing UTI symptoms, which I thought was odd since I haven't had one in more than 4 years, but whatever. Drank lots of water, cranberry juice, etc., and hoped it would clear up on its own as they always did when I got them often as a teenager.

11/9 Over just a couple of hours, I experienced the onset of throbbing pain in my kidneys (both sides of mid-back, just below my ribs), although my UTI symptoms had largely subsided. Again, I continued with lots of fluids, rest, and cranberry juice. Pain rated at about a 6 out of 10.

11/11 Pain had gradually gotten worse, I could no longer get comfortable in any position, tossed and turned, couldn't sleep, felt like I need to go to the doctor's something awful, but thought "Let's wait and see another day." No more pain with urination, but still an abnormal frequency. Pain rated at about an 8 out of 10. Worst symptom at this point was the urge to move around. Sit up, lay down, roll over, roll back, get up, walk around, double over, etc. I couldn't sit still at all, but was beyond exhausted from not sleeping due to this tossing and turning.

11/12 Pain's somewhat better in the morning (a 6/10), but greatly worsened after my first bottle of water. Back up to an 8. Symptoms from previous night remain, but at this point can clearly feel my pulse in both kidneys. No fever (98.6* exactly), but at this point started to get occasional chills.

11/13 2 AM. In unbearable pain, I headed to the ER (due to losing insurance I cannot go see my GP). Still no fever (98.7*), but a supposedly large amount of blood was found in my urine (which appeared clear and faint yellow to my untrained eye--I am now reading that the fancy name for this is microscopic hematuria) Dx UTI/possible kidney infection, with the helpful input of a nurse that said she personally thought I might have kidney stones. Dr. said it was possible, but would rather just treat for bladder/kidney infection unless I really *wanted* a CT scan to see if I had stones. Treatments for both are the same, unless the stones are too big to pass on their own anyway, she said. Due to lack of insurance, I declined the expensive CT and followed her medical advice. Sent home with Rx's for Pyridium, Bactrim, and Darvocet. Continued fluids, rest, vitamin C, and took meds as prescribed. Darvocet did a phenomenal job of knocking out the pain from the get-go. The Pyridium (as expected) turned my urine a bright orange color which faded after I finished the Rx on 11/16.

11/16 Stopped taking Darvocet and kidney pain was down to a 4/10. No more throbbing, no more urge to move around, no more frequent urination.

11/20 Finished Bactrim as prescribed. No more symptoms. I figured I was good to go.

11/23 Began urinating (painlessly) a pink/slightly peachy color that evening. No cloudiness/foul odor. Just color. I have kept the hydration at a max. No other symptoms.

Today 11/26 Urine is same color today. No kidney pain, but mild lower abdominal pain (4/10) and extreme lower back pain (5/10) which may well be musculoskeletal (I deal with lower back spasms on a regular basis). I just feel it may be worth mentioning, although it's well below my kidneys, down where my back and buttocks meet.

I am unsure as to whether or not I should head back to the ER. I understand that this may mean there is blood in my urine, and am torn.
A) My infection could be back, and with a vengeance (even though I have no pain) causing there to be even more blood in my urine than before. Or at least for the blood to be visible. Or...

B) It could be kidney stones causing blood in my urine, which wouldn't warrant another pricey ER visit.

C) Or, it could be another cause entirely. There were no blood tests or anything done on me. They just took a urine sample and diagnosed me pretty quickly.

Advice? I would like to avoid racking up another bill right now, but I have a family to take care of and don't want to wind up worse off or even hospitalized because I wanted to try to save a few bucks. When should I go? Now? If I start having pain? If I develop a fever? Thanks for your help in advance!
Thanks. The pain clearing up with the use of the Bactrim makes me think that the pain was caused by an infection. There was also bacteria in my urine, which I forgot to mention. I understand that kidney infections and even good ol' cystitis can be exacerbated and even brought on by blockages caused by kidney stones, so I was thinking maybe the problem is both? IDK. I'll play it by ear... After dinner I may head back in then, since there are no signs of this going away.
Uh, Tim G., I am not diabetic, there was no protein spilling into my urine, and that was a totally pointless search you linked to. It has nothing to do with my question. What a bummer you actually were given 2 points for a total lack of thought in that answer.

• ANSWER:
  I am almost sure you have kidney stones. You can go for an Ultrasound examination of the kidney's which is much less expensive than a CT scan. I don't think you had an infection of the kidney's in the first place. Lack of fever, No pain on micturation all are against an infection.
  I think you have to get an Ultrasound done and if they find a stone in the ureter causing a block and your kidney showing hydronephrosis you should have some treatment to remove the stone. Either manual removal or lithotrypsy. You may lose the function in one of the kidneys if it is really causing a block in the ureter. Go back to ER.

QUESTION:
I need verification from someone who knows about diabetes and kidney failure...?
So this is for a story that I'm writing. I want to make sure that all of my facts are right, here. I know absolutely nothing about medicine or medical terminology. I've tried to research some stuff that would fit with my storyline, and I've got a little bit, but I would love confirmation that what I've got is right. And I know that there are some serious gaps that need to be filled in to make it correct.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my characters (a woman in her early 40's) has diabetes. She may have experienced some of the symptoms but it overall unaware of her condition.
She faints and is unconscious for an unusual amount of time. She is taken to the hospital where she is informed that she has kidney failure, a complication from her diabetes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alright, that's all I've got. What I need to know is if this is plausible. Also, if there's anything else that you can tell me about specifics that will add authenticity to the story, that would be great. (ie symptoms, treatments, etc.)

AND at the moment, I am planning on killing her off because of the kidney failure. I need to know how long it would take and how it would occur as well as the treatments she would undergo, the type of costs attached, and the decisions that she would need to make concerning such treatments.

Her death, however, is not set in stone so I would also like to be aware of the chances of death and the following treatment and rehabilitation process if she were to survive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks a ton!
~AnA~

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
Pancreas or Intestine Question?
First of all, I've spent a lot of time visiting doctors and I'm not asking this question because I'm careless or don 't want to go to a doctor but anyway: I had an ulser and kidney stones, I;ve gone through treatment but I realized that the pain I was feeling must be yet something else as it did not go away. Left side, about the hight of the belly button but off to the side (sometimes pearcing way off to the side(that's why I thought it was a kidney stone/sand)). I have a suspicion that it might be the pancreas or intestine. It's a pearcing/stabbing kind of a pain, it comes and goes, some sitting positions make it come on or make it worse. What kind of test should I do for this, blood/usg? Accoring to my last usg I have no stones or sand in the kidneys, and no symptoms of ulcer like action after the treatment. Any info on this will be greatly apreciated.

• ANSWER:
  A friend of mine, her daughter had Pancreatitis. It sounds a little like that. Here is a link.

QUESTION:
Severe lower back pain for over 4 months: Doctor is now suspecting a kidney problem. Advice?
I had a baby in October of '08 and I had a cesarean section. From December, I started having lower back pain occasionally. It would last a couple of days to a week at the most and felt like I had just pulled something. I rested, and it went away. I have a big baby and I figured it was just strain on my muscles etc. Well, since then its happened more often and for longer periods. The most recent episode has lasted for about a month now. I initially went to see a chiropractor who did Xrays. He found that I have mild scoliosis and some disk degeneration but hes been treating me for 3 weeks, every day and he is puzzled. He told me to go to my MD and get treatment from her because its something beyond him. He says my pain levels should have gone down by now, and the pain is really becoming more focused on an area that is above where he is seeing probs on the xrays. BTW the pain is now so bad that at times I cant even walk, and it radiates to my hips and down my legs.

So I went to my MD today. I have been running a fever for 4 days, I have blood in my urine. She has ordered a full panel of blood tests, more xrays, and depending on those results she might order an MRI. But her first suspicion is a kidney stone or kidney infection. Im going to take the tests tomorrow and ask for them to be rushed.

Im confused... can a kidney infection left untreated over months just get worse and worse and become so painful that one cant even walk or twist? Im super worried and wondering what I can do in the meantime over the next few days to relieve symptoms beyond pain medication. I have a 7 month old to take care of and not much of a support system so Im worried. Advice? Anyone experienced this?
Hi I had a bleed at 8 and 13 weeks but it resolved on its on. When I had the cesarian section I assume they had a pretty good view of my uterus and cleaned me out very well. I had an excellent OBgyn. But I will mention this possibility to my doctor cos we are exploring all avenues, to be safe. Its kinda scary, really...

• ANSWER:
  Did the placenta come out completely intact ?

  You may have remnants of placental material left in your uterus from delivery. If that is the case and it has not been treated it would be giving you a raging infection that could spread to your urethra and so on to your bladder and kidneys.

  When my second baby was 10 days old I passed a palm size piece of liver looking material. The lab diagnosed it as remnants of the placenta. My GP (who also delivered the baby) put me on antibiotics when I went in to show him the 'liver' and when he got the lab test results back he put me on 2 more different types of antibiotics as well.
  I also was given a curettage to clean out any remaining placenta in the uterus.

  My GP had inspected the placenta and showed it to me at the time of the birth and it appeared intact. However the lab identified it as being near the edge of the placenta itself and stipulated that that portion must have broken off when I was 13 weeks pregnant and had a bleed. The placenta healed itself and the other portion was separate.

  I wish you all the best.

QUESTION:
Can I take a yeast infection treatment even if I'm not sure it's present?
I've never had a yeast infection before, but it seems like I'm dealing with a lot of the symptoms. Mostly burning and pain with urination, no discharge or itching. After 2 rounds of antibiotics in the past month it would certainly make sense.
I know it's not an STI, although it may be a UTI or kidney stone, I've had those in the past.

But I'm not sure and can't see my doctor for at least another day, can I take an over-the-counter treatment even if I'm not certain? Is it safe?

• ANSWER:
  yes it is safe.
  and very likely you do indeed have a yeast infection. eats lots of yogurt too.

QUESTION:
kidney problems?
I have Medullary Sponge Kidneys which I have had since birth, I do suffer with these with stones and infections. My daughter was suffering with the same sort of symptoms, however she has just had a scan and she was told that she has one kidney bigger than the other and she thinks they called it duplicate kidneys?? Does anyone know what this is?

She does suffer with infection like symptoms and pains in her kidneys?

what would the treatment be for this??

x
Sorry I meant to mention that I have made an appoint ment to talk about this with the DR but we have to wait till after christmas... x

• ANSWER:
  the doctors never discussed treatment options with you? Call your doc back and perhaps get a second opinion. Its the worst thing in the world to watch your children in pain, I wish I knew something to help your situation but all I can suggest is to see another doctor

QUESTION:
My LYMPH NODES are extremely palpable (for years) i have lost TOO MUCH WEIGHT, what is wrong?
Hello....if anyone would like to try to DIAGNOSE ME, I'd be SO GRATEFUL AT THIS POINT!
..... i'm 30 year old female, with a 10 year old son and had a thoracic fore gut tumor(benign) removed from my chest @ 15, a good portion of which was attached to my lungs, aorta,esophagus, Trachea.
To Date- no known complications or regrowth.
109 lbs
5'3"
hypothyroid, on synthroid
Had IUD recently placed in cervix
amphetamine salts,celexa, lorazapam for depression/fatigue and ADD
MY SYMPTOMS:
CURRANTLY AND THIS PAST YEAR: Generalized Swollen lymph glands(some firm and hard in groin area. Also where my hairline is in the back of my neck behind my ear i guess, and a few large ones up the side of my neck aligned with my shoulder), Re currant low Grade Fever(no higher than 101 w/out infection),Itchy Skin, Memory Loss,Hair loss, Acne,Bowel Changes,On and Off fatigue, mucus in my stool(for one year at least.More mucus than actual stool on average! SORRY TO BE SO GRAPHIC! Lower Back Pain, DULL ACHING PAIN on the inside of my knees,stiff neck,ankle pain after being on my feet for more than an hour.Also extremely dry; mouth,skin,hair,eyes,&nostrils, dizziness upon standing, sweats,wounds heal slowly, weird painless swelling above my butt where my dimples are(no dr has been able to guess why/what this swelling might be),diarrhea and constipation, tenderness above my belly button, hyper pigmentation on abdomen, arms and feet, anxiety, blood pressure has steadily increased throughout all of my many dr's visits this past yr.
ADDED RECENT SYMPTOMS:Kidney pain, visible blood in urine: for 2 months now! it was bright red and then less visible for awhile and now dark brown like tea and extremely strong smelling, hardening and bloating of abdomen, extreme fatigue, productive cough, chest pain, neck pain,easily exhausted, unexplainable bruises, muscle spasms and bulging type pain JUST under my rib on both sides separately, weird stabbing pain on my left groin area near my larger lymph glands that makes my tendon look swollen, thrush, protein in urine, HI albumin in urine, repetitive rbc in urine, BUT NO INFECTION!! (multiple negative cultures), kidney stone shows on CT in an area that is expected to be asymptomatic and may not even pass. BUT I DO HAVE difficulty urinating and cramping JUST PRESCRIBED CIPRO FOR A SECOND TREATMENT. (not sure exactly why since culture is consistantly negative)

Many tests HAVE BEEN DONE: .....All Basics(CB C's, liver, etc panels) + Lyme Disease,Hep(B,C etc), ANA,Sed Rate,R.F.,AIDS, Celiac Disease,Fecal Bacterial+Viral cultures,Lupus,Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydiae,Anemia, scleroderma, h. pylori, bladder cancer,
P.C.P. says: hematologist &will do allergy & routine testing upon insurance ok
E.N.T(ear,Nose&throat) says: inflammation or irritation down deep in my throat(but i smoke so...)
GASTROENTROLOGIST says: gastritis, hemorrhoids,IBS, lymphoid aggragates in non lymph areas
UROLOGIST says: extreme gross & microscopic unexplained hematuria, referral to hematologist(concerned about enlarged lymph's in groin and unexplained hematuria---------says kidney stone most likely not causing this amount of rbc,did FISH URINE TEST...NO CALL SO I'M GUESSING ALL CLEAR ON RESULTS)
HEMATOLOGIST says: i'm thin so nodes are more palpable s we should wait. does not believe biopsy is neccessary at this point
RHUEHEMATOLOGIST says: no signs autoimmune, non arthritic/ lupus like disease
GYNOGYNECOLOGIST says: no infection, no discharge see urologist...
DERMOTOLOGIST says: see rhuemotologist! lol, biopsied pigmented marks(inconclusive-possibe allergic reaction)

i am waiting on results of a chest CT from HEMATOLOGIST because he heard alot in my lungs and another aids test(that'll be 4 tests in the last yr(all negative)

I'M SURE THERE IS MORE INFO I"M NOT OFFERRING
but i can't remember everything! lol any EDUCATED ADVICE would be appreciated
THANK YOU!!!! i feel so helpless when i am sooo tired or weak..... i just want a solution!
PLEASE HELP!

• ANSWER:
  See what the CT results are. If you get no answers there, I would go to a different hematologist and insist on a biopsy. If you can't get answers switch to a hospital that specializes in diagnostics.

QUESTION:
Help i have a Quiz???? PLEEEAASSEE?
. Which of the following is a possible sign/symptom of a urinary system disorder?
A. Urgency
B. Occult stool
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Diarrhea

2. The most common lab test done is:
A. clearance test.
B. urinalysis.
C. blood tests.
D. culture and sensitivity

3. Which of the following is true re: Diuretics?
A. Also known as 'salt pills'
B. Dry mouth is a common side effect.
C. Most common diuretic used is Diamox
D. Used only in lymph and urinary diseases

4. Which of the following is true re: Hemodialysis?
A. It is also called peritoneal dialysis
B. It is usually done at home.
C. It is usually required 3-4 times per week.
D. It has no potential complications.

5. Which of the following is not true re: urinary tract infection?
A. A predisposing factor is a condition that impairs free flow of urine.
B. It only refers to a bladder infection.
C. Incomplete emptying of the bladder may help cause it.
D. Scar tissue may contribute to infection.

6. Which of the following is not a common developmental abnormality of the kidney?
A. Renal agenesis
B. Duplication
C. Malposition
D. Polycystic disease

7. Which of the following is not true re: Polycystic Disease?
A. It is an inherited disorder.
B. It progresses rapidly.
C. There is no cure.
D. May not have symptoms until adulthood

8. Which of the following is not true re: Urolithiasis?
A. It is also known as 'kidney stones.'
B. A possible treatment is lithotripsy.
C. Renal colic is a rare symptom.
D. A predisposing factor is an increased concentration of salts in the urine.

9.Symptoms of Chronic Renal Failure may not appear until what percentage of the kidneys have failed?
A. 15-20
B. 35-40
C. 55-60
D. 75-80

10. Which of the following is a possible cause of acute renal failure?
A. Shock
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Frequent urination
D. Nocturia

• ANSWER:
  All right, here we go again. What level of schooling is this?

  1. A
  2. B
  3. B
  4. C
  5. B
  6. D.
  7. B
  8. C
  9. D
  10. A

  These are pretty bad questions, by the way. Not too specific. Last question, for example, both A and B are correct.

QUESTION:
Obtaining information from medical records?
When I was 15 years old I passed a kidney stone and supposedly it was sent out to determine what kind of stone it was. Now 15 years later I am having extreme gout like symptoms and would like to know the results so I can get proper treatment. My old family doctor retired, however I did find paperwork claiming they were sending out to get examined. This is as far as I can get. Is there any tools I can use that will be helpful? Maybe a online database if they had one back then?
Thanks for any help! Chet

• ANSWER:
  Because of the age of the recorded information probably not. The reason that I say that is because doctor's offices are allowed to destroy medical records after so many years of inactivity.

  However, since this retirement is pretty recent (from what I understand) check the local paper to see if there's an announcement in there anywhere within the past week or so saying when your previous family doctor retired. The reason I am recommending this is because usually there will be information stating who the records of that doctor got turned over to. They will be able to tell you if they have that record so that you can get that information.

QUESTION:
anyone had blood in the urine and in the stool and dizziness?
Hi all,

My boyfriend (22 years old) has been to the doctors a few times in the past couple of months. Obviously we will be going back to push for further testing etc but in the meantime I am trying to learn as much as i can so he and I know the right questions to be asking etc at the doctors office and so that we can look out for certain things etc.

I'm obviously not looking for a diagnosis or any concrete answers etc, just hoping someone might have some information, knowledge or experiences to share?

So I was wondering if anyone has had blood in the urine (detected by a dip sick test) it's not actually visible.. and black stools, not fresh blood, but pitch black blood that had come from higher up in the digestive tract. or either of these things??

My boyfriend was feeling very dizzy the other evening and all through the night and the dizziness continued through the whole next day and appears to be coming and going.

So we went to A and E where they found the blood in his urine using a dip stick.

They said thet there were two specific things that they DIDN'T find, I think they were white blood cells lymphocytes? which would indicate infection? and nitrates? (might be using completely the wrong words here..) that would indicate bacteria was present and the stuff that would be the by products of such nasties..

Anyway, he said that this means there is blood present but he doesn't know why and without further investifatio he cannot definitely link it to the dizziness.

Prior to this (about a month and a half before hand) my boyfriend had a few days of black stools that was confirmed at hospital as blood in his stools coming from higher up in the digestive tract.

I'm wondering what could be going on and whther the two can be related?

Also when he had the black stools he was told he had microscopic amounts of blood in the urine. However the more recent dipstick (at A&E) showed much higher quantities of blood in the urine, so it would appear it is either getting worse, is chronic or it is coming and going.. or other such possibilities..)

He has had years of mild to moderate non specific digestive complaints such as severe hunger pains, possible acid reflux?? When he had the blood int he stool they did a gasteroscopy and found no cause for the bleeding but noted inflammation in the stomach and oesophegus.. yet they discharged him without any further investigation or treatment!!??

I'm wondering if there are any obvious conditions that would cause all these symptoms?

We have obviously considered thing like kidney stones, sti's, UTI- he has no pain when passing urine though..

And the more serious kidney problems, cancers etc.

I guess I was just hoping to hear from people in a similar situation.

Have you got any advice on things to look out for? Questions to ask at the doctors? Tests to ask for? What was your diagnosis? What tests have you had?

The A&E doctor suggested an ultrasound, camera up the urethra, kidney biopsy, etc

Anyone have an information, knowledge or experiences to share?

Thanks in advance Abi !!

• ANSWER:
  see a specialist.

QUESTION:
ongoing problem for 14 months now! any suggestions?
Hi, i am a 31 year old male living in the uk, 5foot 5 and 10 and a half stone, i have been suffering from kidney stones for the last 12 months and after 2 x-rays that did not show anything and 1 ultra sound that showed a small stone, then a ct scan was done and a stone was found in the lowwer part of the left kidney, it measured 12mm x 7mm.I had a session of lithotripsy to break the stone up and after a visit to the emergency department i managed to pass most of this stone and was told there is a few fragments left in the kidney, i went back for a 2nd session of lithotripsy but they said all the stones had gone??? but in the waiting process for this treatment my right side has been giving some pain which is nearly identical to the left side pain, i mentioned this to them at the 2nd lithotripsy session and they did an x-ray and ultrasound but NOT a ct scan(considering that was the only scan that showed the last stone??) and they said all was clear no stones and to go back to my gp for my pain???? so all this pain and waiting has now been 14 months, these are my symptoms: slight pain in left side,worse pain in right side, bloated stomach with slight pain in the top near the sternom erea,slight lower back pain, head ache, shortness of breath, depression spells. the test i have had done are: ecg, 24hour ecg, full blood count(came back platelets 147), and i have just sent of a stool sample for H pylori and im waiting for the results! I am so angry nothing has been found and its taking 12 months to get rid of a kidney stone and 2 months later i still feel awfull everyday, hope you can help! many thanks, lee.

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
Crying as I type this. PLEASE Help?!..destroying my life.?
(All help/opinions greatly appreciated)

First off here are my symptoms(FYI: I was tested for UTI which I didn't have, no bacteria either,and x-rayed for kidney stones-negative, also not a Yeast infection, and NO STD's.) You have no idea how badly I wish it were just one of these, because at least then there would be a treatment.

-Cloudy/smelly urine
- Constant feeling of needing to pee(I spend hours on the toilet just to find i had only a few drops in me)
-Kinda itchy, annoying sensation around opening of vagina and inside of vagina.

-It burns like hell after peeing.

-feeling like I want to urinate urgently, even if I pass very little or no urine.

-Feeling generally unwell.

-Loss of appetite..just now experiencing this.

ADDITIONAL: 20,Female,I'm on birth control and have been since around '08. Could it be related? That's the only change that I have noted since the symptoms started. I also have sex a lot when the symptoms aren't here. (1 partner) no pains on my kidneys or other organs. Doc gave me anibiotics more than once but it didn't help. Also, gave me AZO, which also didn't help besides turning my pee orange.

Backstory: Since 2008 I have been having these sporadic symptoms that have yet to be diagnosed. I have been to four different doctors,had x-rays, and everything seems clear. The symptoms always arise at random times, I've documented them and they are never at the same times or last for the same amount of days. it used to only last about 3 days at the most, but now the symptoms come and stay for about 2 wks at a time. Since no doctors have helped, I have been treating myself(loads of cranberry juice, and pain killers). I know that's not good but I am so fed up and literally sick of not having a life when the symptoms come back. I have to hault everything, I had to drop out of college because of absences and have currently lost 2 weeks of work. People don't understand how it can be this bad. But it is. I wish it were an ordinary pain that could be treated but it's not...well that I know of yet.

I'm just hoping someone out there has some idea of what it could be or can relate?
I Don't want to live like this any longer.

• ANSWER:
  just throwing it out there... could it be some kind of allergy that flares up when you eat/drink something specific?

  i would suggest going to a specialist instead of a regular GP.

QUESTION:
Rectal pain during menstruation?
The title pretty much sums it up!

I was searching around on google and it said a few different things.
My first question, can endometriosis cause rectal pain? And if it does, does the endo have to be on the rectum for it to be painful or can it be on the tissue aroun it?

It also said sometimes your uterus can lay on your rectum and sometimes it said you can have an enlarged uterus causing the pain. Almost everythin the treatment was a hysterectomy or some pretty potent narcotics. I also have really awful kidney pain during menstruation.
I'd really like to avoid a hysterectomy or even a partial hysterectomy because I'm only 18 and dream of having a family everyday. I guess this just really scared me. I also would prefer not to be on narcotics for extende amounts of time.
I've tried birth control and it made the pain stop but i really hated te side affects. But would be willing(I guess) to go back on it for a while.
I know I need to get to yhe doctor, I'm trying to just at te moment can't.

And also, I have kidney stones and IBS and I know I'm being hopeful but is it possible my symptoms are just from that and not endo?

Thanks.

• ANSWER:
  Hi,

  I want to share you some information about partial hysterectomy that might be useful for you as a knowledge.

  http://partialhysterectomy.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-does-partial-hysterectomy-work.html

  Thanks

QUESTION:
yeast infections and uti's?
I had a yeast infection about a year ago and it was the first time i had ever had one. I was experiencing sex for the first time but it wasn't immediately after that i got the infection, it could have been from sports and sweating. I was on the pill, and my partner did not have an std. A little later i was single and wasnt sexually active for about a year. Currently i am in a new relationship with a new partner that also does not have any std's and we have been sexually active for about 2 months. I was just using condoms and now am on the pill again but still continue to use them. I got a uti and a yeast infection at the same time and went to a clinic to get medication. I figured it was my body adjusting to having sex again. It has been about a month since i had any infections, and now i have another uti and yeast infection. I am trying to make an appointment very soon to get more medication but it has been about a week and i have had no real treatment. I drank an entire bottle of cranberry juice, have been taking cranberry extract pills and a yeast infection pill to reduce the symptoms and kill some of the bacteria but i heard that taking too many cranberry pills can cause kidney stones although i am young. It has been about a week and i have gone untreated i am wondering how dangerous this, why i keep getting them especially together, and if there is any way to prevent this from continuing to happen. Thank You

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
Low blood sugar or Hypoglycemia?
I have had my blood sugar tested once, and the nurse said it was at a very low level, that of someone who hasn't eaten in a very long time, but I had, in fact, eaten just an hour before the test. Anyway, I just don't go to doctors very often, I hate the run-around they give. I was hoping someone had some suggestions or medical knowledge I could take to the doctor to make the diagnosis a little quicker. Here are my symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue (I often fall asleep wherever I am)
- Confusion
- Forgetfulness (I will ask my husband the same question several times throughout the day)
- I am always cold and wearing jackets (I live in Hawaii)

I have also had kidney stones recently. I think I have low blood sugar. Does anyone know if it is linked to any other diseases? And what is the treatment for it? Thanks

• ANSWER:
  Check out this link:

  http://www.hypoglycemia.org/hypo.asp

  Some good info there.

  Have you ever been tested for Diabetes?

QUESTION:
What next, please help me find an answer?
I am a ten year breast cancer survivor; stage I, 1.7cm, no lymph node involvement, estrogen positive to me; I had as treatment 17 CMF chemotherapy, 45 Neupogen shots, 30 radiation treatments and a quadrantectomy. My balance seemed to be off during my second chemo treatment. I told my doctor, I fell often. And in 2001 I fell down stairs, broke a tib/fib, titanium rods implanted and ended up with DVT. I have been walking with a cane since then.Last year was treated for an ear infection, serous otitis media, At the emergency room the doctor said I had bubbles on my eardrum. I was admitted to the hospital, and isolated. One doctor came in and said I had MRSA. I didn't know what that was. I was treated with many antibiotics and the only one that worked was oxacillin. I was discharged after three days. Afterwards, everything changed. I had two failed 17 year old root canals, numerous antibiotics, kidney stone,more antibiotics, ear doctor treated with more antibiotics, saw a neurologist, said I have cerebellar ataxia. Another said I didn';t. One neurologist said I had fear of falling. One said it was peripheral neuropathy. One said it was PTSD. I was thankful last year to hear that I did not have a neuro-degenerative disease. I left the state to celebrate, with my walker, my cane and a change of clothes. The third day, I fell off a foot high porch and broke the calcaneous bone and did a 2+ sprain on the left ankle. I returned back to my home with the goal of relearning to walk. However, I again became more imbalanced, my right eye started twitching and wouldn't stop. The eye doctor today tells me it is convergence. The eye doctor last year, told me nystagmus. I call it my scarry eye and continue to do vestibular therapy. Two months ago, I went on another journey to try and save my life and the quality of my life. A neurosurgeon told me, I have never seen that part of the brain completely gone. You need to go to a stroke center. Another doctor told me I might have a connective tissue disease. I tested positive for anti nuclear AB. Yes, I do have arthiritis. If I have something else I don't know. Last month I made an appt. with a gastroenterologist, because of unusual bloating and unable to urinate completely. No pain at this point. A week later I end up in the Emergency Room: told you have a 2mm kidney stone; it is in the ureter and should pass into the bladder, you should see a doctor in three days. I saw a urologist, CT scan of abdomen and pelvis. He said maybe you will pass it, if not we will do a lithotripsy and place a stent. By the end of the week I ended up in the ER again. I was admitted. The 2 mm stone now was 5.8 mm and in the ureter. I was given pain meds and stayed in the hospital so my 80 year old mother didn't have to witness me birthing a stone, Everrbody said it was nothing. I tell you it was painful. Before I was discharged from the hospital, the doctor told me a CT scan revealed it was in my bladder. That all should be okay. I have strained urine, looking for a stone, The urologist says the stone is still in the ureter, and the radiologist read the report wrong. Today, a doctor says, good news, no blood in the urine, Today, I still have problems with bloating and voiding fully. I already have problems with vestibular dysfunction and I believe that this is compromising my life. Symptoms: can't walk or stand for very long, can't walk forward without holding on. I do well in a swimming pool but sometimes, even it can be difficult. Is it the ear? IS it another disease? I am exhausted and need help? My eyes have a hard time focussing. I try to exercise, stationary bike and swimming every other day. I used to be a very active person who helped others. Please, someone help me. It is difficult being in this body.Every day I don't know what it will be like when I get up, good or bad, confident or fright.

• ANSWER:
  I have a bad back too.

QUESTION:
People diagnosed with Lupus... need help and info!?
I do not wish to write a paper about all the details and symptoms, so I'll just summarize, then ask my question.

Over the last 5 years, I have had symptoms of EXTREME fatigue, joint pain, canker sores, mild hair loss, etc. I am also anemic (which no amount of iron or B vitamins changes in the slightest). In this time, I have also had a false positive Syphilis test, and chronic kidney stones (3 in 7 years).

In August of 08, I developed a cough that STILL has not gone away. I have been to TONS of doctors and been diagnosed with pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, allergies, etc, and put on more antibiotics than I care to think of... all the antibiotic treatments actually made me feel worse.

I also developed a sudden, strange rash on my leg after being out in the sun for a couple days... which also has not gone away. And more recently, I have a light butterfly rash on my face.

Last month, I finally found a doctor that said "Wow... 8 of the 11 symptoms of Lupus... let's get you tested." I was x-rayed to check for Pleurisy (in the lung tissue), and put through about 10 blood tests (also checking for lyme disease, just in case).

Even after the false positive Syphilis, and the anemia, I tested negative on the ANA test. Kind of. I tested higher than normal, but apparently too low to make a full diagnosis of Lupus.

What does this mean exactly? Is there such a thing as borderline Lupus? And I know there are a few other diseases that mimic Lupus... but what are they? I know that Fibromyalgia is one of the "mimic" diseases, but would that also account for the blood disorders that I DO have and the rashes?

I do have another appointment with my doctor in a couple weeks, and I also know that making a Lupus diagnosis can sometimes take a while... but has anyone had the negative ANA issue and still been diagnosed with SLE? And what was your experience... anything I should ask my doctor to look for on the next visit?

Thanks!
Oh, they did also check my thyroid... everything normal there.

And should I mention, also, that my symptoms began during pregnancy and have gotten progressively worse? This has been going for about 5 years... and just now I've screamed loud enough that I am being taken seriously.

• ANSWER:
  Unfortunately it may take years to DX Lupus. I had all of the symptoms you do and saw a Rheumatologist for about 5 years before my ANA was positive. In the 5 years I also had a pos. Scleroderma and Sjogrens. All along my doctor said that probably I would develop Lupus buy it was a wait and see. Keep a diary of your symptoms and continue to see your doctor. Hope this helps.

QUESTION:
Whats wrong with me?????? HELP!?
I'm a 20 year old female & I've been dealing with a chronic low grade fever for over a year now. It comes and goes, usually around 99.3-100, though in a great while it gets higher and I'm tired all the time.
Last year I was dealing with (what I though to be) sinusitis. I was having burning headaches, low grade fever, fatigue, congestion, weird smells, & pain behind my left eye. Blood tests showed my white blood cell count was elevated. I was referred to an ENT who did a CT scan (turned out normal) and looked up my nose into my sinuses and said that everything looked normal. I was then told to get my eyes looked at, that trip reveled a slightly elevated eye pressure and blind spots.
After a trip back to my nurse practitioner I was referred to a Neurologist. He told me he thought it was Paroxysmal Hemicrania and prescribed me with Indomethocin. That med helped for a little while but the the stabbing headaches came back so they upped my dose, which helped for about a week. I had a follow up with my NP who did more tests (west nile, lymphoma, lukemia, lupus, hiv, hep c, strep, among other infections I can't even remember.. way too many tests) but they all came back normal. She then referred me to a Cardiologist after discussion of a prior pin sided hole in my heart (from 2002), a GI (from history of IBS), as well as a Hematologist (after another blood test showed my white blood cell count had risen some more).
In between all these dr visits I had my teeth checked and had to get a cap redone because it was decaying inside.

I then went to Hematologist and Cardiologist, both ran tests, all came back normal. The GI said my stomach pain and tenderness was probably caused by the Indomethacin, which may have caused problems with my stomach acid and possibly an ulcer, for the headaches and suggested a lower dosage (which the Neurologist said was a bad idea).

My NP told me to call her with all info after I had seen all the specialists, she then suggested I see a Infectious Disease Specialist... I have yet to go because at this point I was just totally fed up with getting no answers, going from dr to dr, and feeling completely miserable all the time. So I stopped going back to the dr and stopped taking all my meds, in hopes that I would possibly feel better. ( I thought that I was just making things worse by loading up up on medication). After about a week of stopping my meds my stabbing headaches were a lot less. I'm assuming this is because I got my tooth fixed and stopped taking that Indomethacin (I'm pretty sure that just made my headaches worse). Other then that everything is pretty much still the same.
I'm having fevers almost every day, & after a few hours they break and I get really sweaty. I have occasional stabbing headaches (left side of forehead and behind my left eye. I still have the burning feeling in my forehead and nose when I breath, as well as BRIGHT GREEN BOOGERS! <

Just a little more history: When I was a lot younger (from about 4-12) I had high fevers all the time (no apparent cause). I did end up at the hospital because my parents couldnt get them to go down but never had a real answer for why they kept happening. I had kidney stones in 2002 which went away and again in 2009, had 2 shock wave treatments and they went away. I was then put on Hydrocloathiazide because my Calcium levels were too high, and last blood test (in April) showed they still were high and my vitamin D levels were low, so my NP told me to start taking vitamins for that. I have also been dealing with IBS for about 2 years.

Just looking for a little advice, or suggestions. ANYTHING really at this point.
TIA

(Also: I tried doing a little bit of my own research, and I checked my symptoms and it came back with Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Which kinda freaks me out... cause the symptoms are spot on
Excessive sweating (night sweats) -When I have a fever.
Fatigue - So much... ALL the time
Low-grade fever
Pressure under the lower left ribs from a swollen spleen - idk if it's my spleen but when the dr or I pushes on my stomach that's where I feel pressure.
Rash - small pinpoint red marks on the skin (petechiae)- I've had them for a couple years.
Weakness

I have had a test for Leukemia, so idk if this has been ruled out.)
I've been on about 5 different antibiotics since this has started, as well as 2 different z-packs. None of which helped.
I have also been tested for HIV and it was negative.
Thanks for some answers though!!!

• ANSWER:
  All the symptoms you have mentioned are general and my first guesses were chronic infection due to dental caries and the more difficult to diagnose CML.
  I had a friend whose son developed some of these symptoms and when the dentist dealt with it and put him on an antiiotic regimen, it resolved very quickly.

QUESTION:
I have blood in my stool and am wondering if a colonoscopy must be performed?
About a month ago I went to the ER for abdominal pain that turned out to be a kidney infection, urinary tract infection and a kidney stone. While in the ER, I had an enema that injected fluids throughout my rectum. About a week after being in the ER, I noticed blood clot looking things in my blood. Over the next few weeks, there would be blood in my stool every so often, but I was naive and didn't really realize it was blood until recently. A couple nights ago I looked at my stool and really started noticing blood.

I went to the doctor today and he did a couple tests, one of which he used his fingers to feel around my rectum. I had a blood test done as well. The doctor didn't have any conclusive diagnosis because he was unable to use a large tool that would allow him to look into the rectum. I am having that done within the next couple days.

My questions are:

Will a colonoscopy have to be completed even if they find out its just hemorrhoids? - My mom had a benign bump on her colon that was found through a colonoscopy and my sister had a colonoscopy done when she had similar symptoms to mine that ended up being hemorrhoids and she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. If I do have to have a colonoscopy, how long will my down time be?

What is the treatment for hemorrhoids? I've never had any before.
Thanks elynne... I have actually had diarrhea for the last month and have had no difficulty with having a bowel movement. I will have to look into the benefiber if that is what it is. I'm not much of a fan of fruits.

• ANSWER:
  I was told by my doctor that hemorrhoids are formed when your diet does not have enough fiber, thus you have a hard time going to the bathroom.. From my experience, that was more than enough to get me to eat more vegetables and fruits everyday.. Have you been having a hard time going to the bathroom lately?

  Just like you, I had blood in my stool and I did a colonoscopy.. And sure enough, it was hemorrhoids.. They took cells from my intestines too, just to make sure there was no underlying problem like cancer..

  Colonoscopy happens in just a few hours, usually they'd want you to stop eating by 5pm the day before you go for your colonscopy.. I was given some laxatives to wash out my system to make sure everything was clean and that was the worst part of it all.. Other than that, having a camera stuck into your butt isn't painful when you're knocked out.. Hehehe!

  The doctor would usually prescribe some antibiotics for your hemorrhoids and some stool softeners and then you're good to go.. And remember, eat more vegetables and fruits, that helps.. Or you can take Benefiber, they sell them at major grocery stores..

QUESTION:
FLUTD - My cat's urinating blood?
I have two cats; calico females age 8, sisters from the same litter. Strictly dry food diet, one litter box - automated scooping with crystals.

Three weeks ago I noticed odd behavior from my kitty, Snickers. She was going into the litter box more frequently with little to no urine. She didn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort and her attitude was the same. After doing some online research and speaking with a breeder friend of mine, I started homeopathic treatment. Bought new organic high-quality dry and canned food, meat and rice based, instead of meat-meal and corn based. I also bought cranberry capsules from the health food store and made parsley infused water (boiled 1 qt water with 1 bunch parsley, strained and cooled).

I started integrating the new dry food over the next week and immediately started feeding her canned food twice daily making it into a soup with lots of extra water and the cranberry capsules. I also force feed her the parsley infused water with a dropper 2-3 times a day. I did this for ten days and started to notice an improvement. Urinating more and less frequently.

After the ten days of treatment, I stopped feeding her canned food and put her back on dry food only, but the new dry food. Five days after the end of treatment, her symptoms returned. So I started her back on canned food with cranberry capsules and took her to the vet on Monday to have a urinalysis completed to make sure there's no infection or blockage. They put her on IV fluids and kept her for the day. When she came home that night, she started urinating blood and has ever since.

The test results came back yesterday... no infection or bacteria, no crystals or blockage, but lots of blood. The doctor says it's FLUTD Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and it should resolve itself within 7-10 days. It's typically caused by stress and can be treated with pain reliever until the bleeding stops. If it does not resolve itself, their next suggestion would be an x-ray to determine in there's any stones in her bladder/kidney, which they say is not too common. They say keep the litter box clean, her environment comfortable, and monitor her urine.

I read online that changing the diet can be beneficial as well. Most places say no dry food at all, only wet food twice a day. Encourage water intake. Reduce stress. And try antioxidant vitamins and herbs.

I'm very concerned for her health and safety and I hate that she can't tell me how she feels. The doctor didn't seem to think it's a big deal and really only recommended a pain reliever. But she doesn’t act like she's in pain, so will it help anything?

We're leaving for vacation this Saturday for 7 days. My neighbor and mom will be there to check on her, but I feel horrible leaving not knowing if she's okay and if I'm doing everything I can to help her. PLEASE any suggestions or advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

• ANSWER:
  The best cure for FLUTD is water. Cats developed as as desert species, so they are designed to derive most of their liquid intake through the bodies of prey animals. This means that their thirst instinct is not well developed, so even if they do have a good source of nice fresh water, they still may not drink enough to keep them well hydrated. Dry food, as you may now understand, is deficient in one nutrient, and that one nutrient is water. To help your kitty get over her FLUTD, feeding her canned food is a good start. I know that when my boy cat had FLUTD, even buying the prescription formula foods did not do the trick 100%. What really did help, though, was feeding him high quality canned food, and mixing in some extra water into the food.

  Here is a well-researched article on the topic, be sure to scroll down, because it was posted in a threaded forum, and is longer than a single post. And some of the comments on it got interspersed with the main article. http://catfood.tribe.net/thread/8db33940-373d-4063-88e6-e57c0e1e5f29

QUESTION:
Should I trust the vet with her diagnosis of my cat? What does this sound like to you? I suspect renal failure?
My 15 year old indoor cat Pookie's health has seemed to decline over the last year with lack of grooming, looking frail, and increased thirst. Previously the vet has minimized these symptoms by saying her issues are from aging but otherwise "Pookie was healthy". I put her in the hospital Saturday after she had diarrhea, vomiting (saliva) , and extreme weakness. I thought she was dying. The vet said she thinks it's a stomach issue. They gave her an antibiotic shot, dewormer and fluids. Vet said Pookie's kidney values were slightly elevated to a 5, but that didn't indicate failure.Everything else in the bloodwork was normal. Now that she's home she seems so weak and just sleeps, but is walking around a little and eating a little. I'm thinking this could be renal failure since Pookie had stones removed several years ago and
the thirst, loss of weight, and lack of grooming happening before the recent vomiting and diarrhea. The vet wants to see if her stomach treatment works, and then do x-rays and ultra sounds on Pookie's belly. I'm wondering if this treatment the vet is suggesting is just a money pit unrelated to what's really going on here. Sorry for the long post. I just want to do what's best for Pookie. I hate to be shoving dewormer down her throat and subjecting her to stomach scopes when she's actually got a kidney issue. Any tips appreciated.

• ANSWER:
  The blood tests would show crf (kidney failure) so that is not it. The next step is an ultra sound to find out if there are any tumors or such
  It is expensive. I hope all turns out ok

QUESTION:
Cat with Bladder Problems?
My cat has had 2 confirmed bladder infections over apx. 3 months, She is 4 years old.
First infection: (old vet)
Confirmed infection with home sample.
She had her blood test done intially, and her kidneys flagged as an issue, but was later accounted for as my cat cat was severely dehidrated at the time from illness.
She has never had crystals in the urine.
Prescribed 7 day antiobiotic oral liquid treatment

Second infection: (new vet)
confirmed by urine sample (extracted from home sample)
Blood did show up in this sample and no crystals again.
Prescribed Convenia ( antibiotic injection lasting two weeks)

This infection:
Not confirmed with test (as they assumed its another UTI based on previous symptoms and history.
Her symptoms (crying when going to the litter and licking genitals) came back last month, making this her 3rd UTI in 5 months.
X-Ray of the bladder, showing thickening of the bladder wall but no stones.
Convenia ( antibiotic injection lasting two weeks) this time she will receieve a second 2 week injection to ensure cleared infection.

The vet said we are doing everything we should be at home, feeding her high quality food, with no corn, mix of wet and dry, lots of water consumption, new littler (not clumping)
I need to make it clear that I am NOT looking for food suggestions here. I am looking for possible ideas or experiences of what could be going on here. Suggestions on what you would do as a pet owner, again though, not looking for food suggestions, I am done with that route!

I feel really stuck and frustrated and sad. I feel like there is something going on and it wont stop. She seems to still be in a little pain while urinating, as she still meows when she goes to the basement to use her litter box, although not licking her genitals. It has been 1 week since the injection.

• ANSWER:
  Home samples are never as good as the samples they take a the vet. Usually, they stick a thin needle through the stomach and into the bladder. It sound painful, but that's how my cat had his sample taken, and he was not phased by it at all. My cat had no response to the antibiotic that was given by the doctor, but responded incredibly well to a joint health supplement that also has effects of treating UTI's. It's called Cosequin. I'm not sure if it works with all kinds of UTI symptoms, but it's a supplement, so I'm sure it couldn't hurt. I hope your kitty gets better!

QUESTION:
What could be the cause of leukopenia and long-term illness?
About 2 and a half years ago I started to have headaches and overwhelming tiredness.
I was sent for an MRI and everything appeared normal.

A couple of months later I started to suffer from recurrent infections and illnesses.

In the last 2 years I have had many infections including:
Recurrent UTI's, kidney infection, recurrent uvulitis, ear infections, recurrent thrush, lymphadenitis and cellulitis (the last 2 requiring hospitalisation).

I have also had lots of viruses, colds and flu symptoms.

On a regular basis I suffer from migraines/headaches, aching limbs, neck, shoulders and backache, numbness in arms and hands, with loss of dexterity in the fingers, fatigue, skipped heart-beats and chest pain, 'brain fog' and occasional blurred vision, occasional low grade fever, and more recently muscle twitching, spasms and cramps.

I eat a healthy diet although I am unable to exercise due to chronic pain. I have put on 2 stone in 2 years but this may be due to lack of exercise and my age - 40 years. I have also had bouts of depression, usually as a result of being so fed up of it all.

I was referred to an Infectious Diseases Specialist about 18 months ago, and initially it was suggested possible CFS. She has run many blood tests to rule out things like thyroid, diabetes and HIV, and I have also had an ECG and cardiac scan.

Although my blood tests are usually relatively normal (apart from when I am really ill), the one thing that does crop up almost every time is a low white blood cell count. Neutropenia and leukopenia have been noted on several occasions.
I recently had another test and all was normal apart from a low absolute leukocyte count (normal range 1.5 - 4.......mine was 1.1).
As yet I still don't have a diagnosis and I am really wanting some answers so that I can begin treatment or a cure.
I am fed up of having so many illnesses and infections and feeling so damn ill all the time, and having no idea of the prognosis.

Am I right in assuming that the reason I am always getting ill is because of the leukopenia? Or is the leukopenia a result of always being ill?

Does anyone have any ideas of what could be the cause?
Or any suggestions of a diagnosis?
Or can you suggest or recommend any more tests?

I would be very grateful for any assistance, thanks.
I also suffer from a lot of sores, on my mouth and in my nose, and get lots of mouth ulcers.

• ANSWER:
  I would have to guess low thyroid and weak adrenals, low vitamin d, and iodine deficiency.
  These things can affect you in the ways you have described, and in many other ways.
  If your body temperature is lower than normal, that may point to the thyroid.

  A note on test results: It important to know "where" in the test reference range your results were.
  This is extremely important with thyroid test results. TSH should be rather low and FREE T3 and FREE T4 should be high in range with the Free t4 being less than the Free t3.

  http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned/

  In case you are not in the USA:
  http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/uk-thyroid-news/
  http://tpa-uk.org.uk/

  I hope this helps.

QUESTION:
Is Dr. House in the house?
A very dear friend of mine is complaining of symptoms that don't seem to match up to anything pertaining to his "main" condition. Here's hoping a real life Dr. House can offer an explanation.

"Sweetie" is 61 and drinks way too much. It's obvious to me and others that he's an alcoholic. He is finally seeking treatment for a "mysterious illness" with many cirrhosis-like symptoms: edema, ascites, hypertension and general weakness to name the most obvious ones. He also looks like he's about 4 stone overweight.

Not a good start, eh?

What confuses me are the symptoms he's actually "really" complaining about. He seems to catch a cold every two days. Every so often (yearly?) he goes down with something that I can only describe as being like meningitis -- severe headaches and neck stiffness, grogginess, and he's out of it for a week or 10 days.

The cold-like symptoms could be allergies, but he recently went to California and came back with even worse symptoms. The environment there was totally different, so I'm leaning towards ruling out allergies. He is also complaining of some upper chest pain and, oddly, painful knees (which could be a result of his weight or....could be TB?).

Sounds like I've lost my mind -- that I should care about "little" symptoms with a person who so obviously is killing himself with alcohol, but I reckon if I understood the whole picture I could conduct one of those "Interventions" more effectively and help his friends and family get him into one of those fancy month long dry-out centres and treatment programmes.

So I MUST understand what the problems are, so as not to de-rail his primary consultant's plans for him. (Of course, I am not privy to his consultant's diagnosis or treatment plans. I'm truly operating in the dark.)

So ---- "Sweetie" is currently undergoing a series of tests with a consultant here in the UK. His heart and blood seem to be "okay". Now they're moving on to check urine to see if kidneys are okay. Presumably this consultant's approach is to rule out "everything else" to explain his major symptoms and therefore land squarely on "It's your liver, stupid." A Consultant MUST say it or otherwise, a smart guy like this ain't gonna' believe NOTHIN' that comes from NOBODY about his extreme affection for and dependence on alcohol. Hopefully the threat of actually dying will shake him up enough to be willing to enter your UK equivalent of a Betty Ford Center.

Leading me to the "auxiliary" symptoms. I need to know what's really going on before dragging someone off to get dried out. About these symptoms:
1) Do they support a diagnosis of alcoholism and/or cirrhosis? (For example, could the meningitis-like symptoms be hypatic encephalopathy? Sorry, I have NO exposure to this so can't do an amateur diagnosis on this one, unfortunately.)
2) Do they support a "stranger" diagnosis such as TB? (He did work a long while in Africa many years ago.)
3) Should I forget the "little" symptoms and just rush this dude to an alcoholic abuse centre and steam roll over "everything else"?

THANKS for your advice. I've been worried about this for so long!

• ANSWER:
  The episodes do sound like hypatic encephalopathy. Excess of alcohol is one of the reasons for vitamin B12 deficiency among other B vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes chest pains among many other symptoms. As the liver and kidneys are essential to process vitamin D, a deficiency is this vitamin affects the joints and bones and causes muscle weakness. Vitamin D is essential to activate the immune system and B vitamins are also need for the immune.

  Of course weight also affects the knees. Milk thistle tonic is a must for anyone with liver problems as this detoxes the liver and helps regenerate damaged liver cells. It is found that addictions are linked to low serotonin levels and other neurotransmitters, this is why amino acid therapy is successful.

  Liver treatments:
  http://www.liverdoctor.com/index.php?page=liver-problems&subpage=cirrhosis

  Addiction recovery - amino acid nutrition therapy:
  http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/holistic/nutrition.html

  Vitamin B deficiencies and alcoholism:
  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0847/is_n3_v13/ai_8193308/

QUESTION:
what do i do now, how can i cope or handle it?
im 31, have suffered lots of adversity in life including dysfunctional family , abuse and bullying in earlier life, a really harsh life up till now. ive survived this far through ' inner strength ' but missed out on a normal life of building relationships - being employed - getting qualifications and most other things etc.

i have a prison record 11 years back and also been in a mental hospital 11 years back.

the only person ive been very close to in life is my mum, although the relationships has been very argumentative had countless aggressive fall outs through out the years etc.

i have been diagnosed with various personality disorders, including bpd, ive made great improvements from the way i once was, with paranoia , aggressive mood swings, aggressive outbursts etc, getting nearly in serious trouble in public etc.

but still have a long way to go, ive never had the right therapy either , im hopefully now seeing an occupational therapist and hopefully on the way to receiving the efficient ' treatment ' - psychotherapy.

im pursuing another independent assessment for anxiety disorders which i believe ive had symptoms of for years : ptsd , ocd , and generalised anxiety disorder.

i have tried my best to leave no stone unturned and seek help for my chronic problems of paranoia , aggression, depressive mood changes etc.
life is still very lonely and harsh , im having my kitchen, bathroom refurbished through no choice of mine, because i live in a council apartment. - workmen and rubble everywhere , their not finished until another week.

ive lived in a 1 bedroom apartment for 6 years on disability , owning very few possessions, trying to hold it together - to seek the efficient therapy...lonely , no social support network, except my mother.

my ankle was operated on months ago to repair torn ankle ligaments in a bad fall, now i have to attend physio appointments.

i have severe agoraphobia, and have lived as a recluse for many years.
ive always felt ostracised and shut out of society by people. my paranoia enhances that feeling to.

my mum has always loved my and tried to do her best for me , but she had a harsh life herself and i think had psychological problems.

she has been staying with me for many months because of my injured ankle..and the refurbishment work being carried out in my flat.

we have had many rows, relating to my mood swings, and difficult feelings and her depression to, and her difficulty staying with me.

tonight at 10pm we have had 1 of many explosive rows, about my general situation and paranoia, and like often, she has walked out my flat and left me to deal with everything she was helping me with...especially with my condition and agoraphobia.

i said to her '' please dont go '' and i i will ring her a taxi, but she ignored me, said '' no, i dont want a taxi '' - and walked out leaving me late at night.

she has left on a sad bitter note, because of our heated argument today about my life and my struggles, i got heated and emotional.

i feel very sorry now, ive worked hard to control that for years. made progress.

she is ageing ,59, had recent health investigations with her kidneys, she got the all clear , but been very stressful for her....i feel desperately sad and alone now - i shouldn't of argued but should of found another way to work through it..its only afterward i see.

im here desperately alone to face the chaos, which is my life, worrying about my departed mum, wondering home late at night , to her lonely apartment.

sorry, i know this is long, but -

how do i handle this ?

• ANSWER:
  Sorry to hear of your distress.

  Here are some ideas:

  1. Try Byron Katie. Her worksheets are on her website and her videos are on youtube.

  2. If you get panic attacks, sign up for the free emails on the panicaway website.

  3. Keep two journals. One for writing down all your feelings, this is really good for clearing out your anxieties and getting all your war onto paper, you can delete it straight after if you need to, it's just good to really see your stressful thinking. And the other can be your gratitude journal - write down all the things you are grateful for that happened today.

  4. Read "Happiness is a Choice" by Barry Neils Kauffman. Here is a link about a girl who was suicidal and came out of her depression. http://www.option.org/custom:single,595

  5. Read "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. He discusses what he calls the mitote - the thousand voices in your head that can cause so much fear and confusion in all of us. He teaches how to deal with these images, voices and fears.

  6. Try reading Patrick Holford's "Low GL diet" - blood sugar imbalances can cause havoc with your body and symptoms include depression, mood swings, tiredness, drowsiness after eating, cravings for sweet foods, headaches, heart palpitations, anxiety, irritability, agrressive outbursts, crying spells, excessive sweating, dizziness and trembling.

  7. If you are lacking in Vitamin B, You can suffer the following symptoms:
  Feeling unreal, Hearing your own thoughts, Anxiety and Inner tension, Inability to think straight, Suspicion of people, Good pain tolerance, seeing or hearing things abnormally, having delusions and frequent mood swings. Read Patrick Holford's Optimum Nutrition for the Mind or Low GL diet - this might help!

  8. Talk and seek out any people you can confide in. Helplines are usually free and usually leave no mark
  on the phonebill

  Best wishes.

  xxx

QUESTION:
What do i do now, how can i cope or handle it?
im 31, have suffered lots of adversity in life including dysfunctional family , abuse and bullying in earlier life, a really harsh life up till now. ive survived this far through ' inner strength ' but missed out on a normal life of building relationships - being employed - getting qualifications and most other things etc.

i have a prison record 11 years back and also been in a mental hospital 11 years back.

the only person ive been very close to in life is my mum, although the relationships has been very argumentative had countless, aggressive fall outs through out the years etc.

i have been diagnosed with various personality disorders, including bpd, ive made great improvements from the way i once was, with paranoia , aggressive mood swings, aggressive outbursts etc, getting nearly in serious trouble in public etc.

but still have a long way to go, ive never had the right therapy either , im hopefully now seeing an occupational therapist and hopefully on the way to receiving the efficient ' treatment ' - psychotherapy.

im pursuing another independent assessment for anxiety disorders which i believe ive had symptoms of for years : ptsd , ocd , and generalised anxiety disorder.

i have tried my best to leave no stone unturned and seek help for my chronic problems of paranoia , aggression, depressive mood changes etc.

life is still very lonely and harsh , im having my kitchen, bathroom refurbished through no choice of mine, because i live in a council apartment. - workmen and rubble everywhere , their not finished until another week.

ive lived in a 1 bedroom apartment for 6 years on disability , owning very few possessions, trying to hold it together - to seek the efficient therapy...lonely , no social support network, except my mother.

my ankle was operated on months ago to repair torn ankle ligaments in a bad fall, now i have to attend physio appointments.

i have severe agoraphobia, and have lived as a recluse for many years.
ive always felt ostracised and shut out of society by people. my paranoia enhances that feeling to.

my mum has always loved me and tried to do her best for me , but she had a harsh life herself and i think had psychological problems.

she has been staying with me for many months because of my injured ankle..and the refurbishment work being carried out in my flat.

we have had many rows, relating to my mood swings, and difficult feelings and her depression to, and her difficulty staying with me.

tonight at 10pm we have had 1 of many explosive rows, about my general situation and paranoia, and like often, she has walked out my flat and left me to deal with everything she was helping me with...especially with my condition and agoraphobia.

i said to her '' please dont go '' and i i will ring her a taxi, but she ignored me, said '' no, i dont want a taxi '' - and walked out leaving me late at night.

she has left on a sad bitter note, because of our heated argument today about my life and my struggles, i got heated and emotional.

i feel very sorry now, ive worked hard to control that for years. made progress.

she is ageing ,59, had recent health investigations with her kidneys, she got the all clear , but been very stressful for her....i feel desperately sad and alone now - i shouldn't of argued but should of found another way to work through it..its only afterward i see.

im here desperately alone to face the chaos, which is my life, worrying about my departed mum, wondering home late at night , to her lonely apartment.

sorry, i know this is long, but -

how do i handle this ?

i feel very sad, im very close to my mum, always have been, i feel to blame, like a bad son, very bitter, - im now completley alone to face my immense life challenges alone.

• ANSWER:
  Your strongest position is your power of choice. Gratitude is the open door to abundance. If you want more in your life and more of your life to make sense, give thanks for the parts that already do make sense to you.

  We get all kinds of things dropped off at our doorsteps, but how we respond to them and how we take it is up to us. We have the wonderful power of choice as to whether these things are going to be opportunities or disasters.

  It is very controlling of anyone to saddle you with a bad mood. We must learn to side-step others when they do not treat us well. Our self-esteem has to be solid enough to enable us to realise we deserve more, somehow. Every single time you do something to improve the quality of your life you free up a place in the Universe where more prosperity can find its way to you. This is a universal law: Nature loves a vacuum. If you have anything in your life which is "stuck," get free of it, give it away, put it out there, let go of it, and then watch the Universe respond to you.

  By Enduring, We Conquer.

  Sometimes, there is no fixed answer. All we are called upon is to simply to get through the circumstances we are in. By Enduring We Conquer. Just get through it. No fancy answers. Answers can sometimes be like doors slammed in our faces. The idea is to keep your life wide open so you allow yourself the freedom of deciding what you will put up with and what you will not put up with. This places you squarely in the centre of your own life again, and no longer a victim.

  By Enduring, We Conquer.

  I met and wrote a few answers for you all the way back in 2006, when I first signed on with Yahoo! Answers. It was actually in February of 2006. I will tell you now what I told you then: believe in who you are; believe in your inner visions; believe in your own precision. The rest of the world can come and go, and all you need to be is like the Rock of Gibraltar. You strike me as the kind of a person who walks in when the whole world has walked out. You are one of a kind and the reason your life is so difficult is because you are so strong. The reason you have become so strong is because your life is so difficult. You are being forged. When the swordsmith is finished making the sword, he drops into water and it sizzles for a few minutes, making a wonderful sound. It is finished! Your only task is to make sure your sword is very sharp. That way you will never have to use it. The power of choice and of personal containment give you the freedom you have been looking for all these years. You have nothing to prove and no one to impress. Also, when you do not announce your strengths, you have the added power of anonymity. This is to be special.

  BY ENDURING WE CONQUER

  (This was Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton's family motto.)

QUESTION:
at 31 , how do you cope with loneliness and without any support system?
this happened a couple of days ago and its my situation in general.

im 31, have suffered lots of adversity in life . ive survived this far through ' inner strength ' but missed out on a normal life of building relationships - being employed - getting qualifications and most other things etc.

i have a prison record 11 years back and also been in a mental hospital 11 years back.

the only person ive been very close to in life is my mum, although the relationships has been very argumentative had countless, aggressive fall outs through out the years etc.

i have been diagnosed with various personality disorders, including bpd, ive made great improvements from the way i once was, with paranoia , aggressive mood swings, aggressive outbursts etc, getting nearly in serious trouble in public etc.

but still have a long way to go, ive never had the right therapy either , im hopefully now seeing an occupational therapist and hopefully on the way to receiving the efficient ' treatment ' - psychotherapy.

im pursuing another independent assessment for anxiety disorders which i believe ive had symptoms of for years : ptsd , ocd , and generalised anxiety disorder.

i have tried my best to leave no stone unturned and seek help for my chronic problems of paranoia , aggression, depressive mood changes etc.

life is still very lonely and harsh , im having my kitchen, bathroom refurbished through no choice of mine, because i live in a council apartment. - workmen and rubble everywhere , their not finished until another week.

ive lived in a 1 bedroom apartment for 6 years on disability , owning very few possessions, trying to hold it together - to seek the efficient therapy...lonely , no social support network, except my mother.

my ankle was operated on months ago to repair torn ankle ligaments in a bad fall, now i have to attend physio appointments.

i have severe agoraphobia, and have lived as a recluse for many years.
ive always felt ostracised and shut out of society by people. my paranoia enhances that feeling to.

my mum has always loved me and tried to do her best for me , but she had a harsh life herself and i think had psychological problems.

she has been staying with me for many months because of my injured ankle..and the refurbishment work being carried out in my flat.

we have had many rows, relating to my mood swings, and difficult feelings and her depression to, and her difficulty staying with me.

tonight at 10pm we have had 1 of many explosive rows, about my general situation and paranoia, and like often, she has walked out my flat and left me to deal with everything she was helping me with...especially with my condition and agoraphobia.

i said to her '' please dont go '' and i i will ring her a taxi, but she ignored me, said '' no, i dont want a taxi '' - and walked out leaving me late at night.

she has left on a sad bitter note, because of our heated argument today about my life and my struggles, i got heated and emotional.

i feel very sorry now, ive worked hard to control that for years. made progress.

she is ageing ,59, had recent health investigations with her kidneys, she got the all clear , but been very stressful for her....i feel desperately sad and alone now - i shouldn't of argued but should of found another way to work through it..its only afterward i see.

im here desperately alone to face the chaos, which is my life, worrying about my departed mum, wondering home late at night , to her lonely apartment.

sorry, i know this is long, but -

how do i handle this ?

i feel very sad, im very close to my mum, always have been, i feel to blame, like a bad son, very bitter, - im now completley alone to face my immense life challenges alone.

i would appreciate sincere, helpful advice.

thanks

• ANSWER:
  Clearly you are self-aware and that is a good starting point and you realise I hope that things could be a lot worse.
  You need to draw a line under today.

  Firstly get down to the docs and get your situation on record, you need support and you need to get yourself out of this mindset of dependency on your mother as that single point of support.
  Your mother as you have said is an ageing woman with problems of her own she is NOT a healthcare specialist least of all one qualified in dealing with problems of your complex nature.
  All that can be expected of a mother is that she loves you. She is not your carer, your girlfriend, your wife, your analyst, your doctor, your homehelp, your pick me up when your having a crisis.....you need a genuine help team and that will come from a mental health and social work support team and local community nurse and psyche nurse etc.
  They will help you by coming to see you in person, suggesting certain rehabilitation things to do which will be in the form of classes where you will learn new skills and meet new people slowly in a safe environment, you will learn new coping skills for instance if you have panic attacks or have poor social skills, anger management problems etc. Some of these are done by what is known as CBT cognitive behavior therapy. You will be allocated a psychologist/psychiatrist who will oversee your progress and all of this will help you develop and mature and normalise your behaviour so that you can feel relaxed and at ease with yourself and others in situations of a day to day nature.
  By going to your doctor/social worker or whoever is your current contact and asking for these things you will be being pro-active and if you are truly being genuine about doing this and making the small but necessary changes to the benefit of your life longer term then your mother will see this. Do not ask of her what she cannot give.
  Let her take this step back for your own and for her own sake too, its called giving her space and letting the dust settle.Equally she will be aware of your range of problems and will be more forgiving of you than you are of yourself so let this go and as I said start anew.

  Each of us is ultimately alone in the world but we can reach out to another in small ways. When you see your mother next apologise and smile, a smile is the shortest distance between 2 people.
  I hope my reaching out to you as a stranger in this small way will make some small difference.

  best wishes.

QUESTION:
Obtaining information from medical records?
When I was 15 years old I passed a kidney stone and supposedly it was sent out to determine what kind of stone it was. Now 15 years later I am having extreme gout like symptoms and would like to know the results so I can get proper treatment. My old family doctor retired, however I did find paperwork claiming they were sending out to get examined. This is as far as I can get. Is there any tools I can use that will be helpful? Maybe a online database if they had one back then?
Thanks for any help! Chet

• ANSWER:
  Could be a problem if you don't know where they sent it or you can't find the results in the GP files. They were almost certainly using paper records 15 years ago.

  If you have gout like symptoms then that is a uric acid problem, a current GP could arrange blood or urine tests and give you some advice. Meantime, drink 2l of fluid a day to keep your kidneys well flushed out.

QUESTION:
kidney stones?
for the past couple days ive had a moderate pain on my lower right back around the kidneys that has only gotten worse, not quite unbearable, but getting worse. at first i thought it might have been an injury of some sort i wasnt aware of getting but it has yet to go away after several days. i do drink a lot of sodas, could this possibly be kidney stones or what are the symptoms leading up to kidney stones, all i can find is that having a kidney stone is worse then child birth and the pain i am in now is no were near that, but could this be a preliminary sign of a stone?

• ANSWER:
  Yes, kidney stones are quite painful and I would compare them to labor pains (I have three children), although I don't think they are as bad. Also, I don't like to let guys think they know what labor pains are like; LOL. I am 28 and have been battling a kidney disease for the past 10 years and have had hundreds of stones and many infections, along with stone removal. I have passed stones from 1mm to 6mm even after they were blasted with lithotripsy. Stones usually are a sharp, excruciating pain in one kidney and can wrap around into the stomach area as it passes into the bladder. In my experience, when a stone begins to pass, it begins with a dull pain and is unbearable within a few hours. They normally pass quickly, although it depends on the size (the larger, the worse the pain and the longer it takes for them to pass). They can stick around for a few hours to several days. The doctor or hospital can run labs to find if you are passing a stone and also either a ct scan or x-ray. Usually there will be blood in the urine if it is a stone passing as they are sharp and jagged like razor blades, and cause the areas they are passing through to bleed. Stones will show up better on a ct scan than an x-ray. I suggest asking for a ct scan rather than x-ray because the stone cannot always be found on an x-ray, especially if they are small. Infections are not as common in men as women, but this does not mean men cannot get them. Signs of infection can be a fever, foul smelling urine, burning when urinating, and pain in the bladder and kidney areas. When infections are present, normally the burning sensation is the first identifier. My husband has also passed stones. I have never seen a man go down in such unbearable pain. He doubles over and cannot move. Hopefully you are able to get to a physician and be evaluated. You do not want to allow an infection to go on for long, because it can cause serious damage if it goes untreated for too long. Good luck and feel better!

QUESTION:
I had kidney stones about a month ago. The same pain is coming back is it possible to have them again.?
It's actually been about two months since i had the stones. During that time i was vommiting, fever, and headach with extreme lower back pain (contraction like pain). For some reason i didnt have my period for 3 months. I am wondering if maybe its something more. Maybe kidney disease because i am always tired, in pain, urinated alot especeially at night. I am only 29 but when i was 11 i overdosed on over 100 asprins and the doctor told me that later in life i will have kidney problems. I dont know what to do my doctor thinks that i am seeking attention and pain medication. I just want them to see whats wrong with me. This constant pain in my life is destroying my relationship with husband, children, and friends. When Its not my kidneys in pain then i get pain here and there and everywhere especially in my lower back from sciatica and scoliosis. Has anyone had these symptoms?

• ANSWER:
  Go to a urologist. First they can do a test to see how many more stones you have. You may have one that is stuck causing the constant pain. They have a treatment which uses ultrasonic waves to break up the stone so it can pass. And as to your regular doctor - if he thinks your seeking pain medication - tell him to perform a simple urine test - a kidney stone causes microscopic blood in the urine. You sciatica and scoliosis is a different issue which you should consult a pain management specialist about.

QUESTION:
UTI or Kidney stones?
I am 36 weeks pregnant, And came down with UTI symptoms on Thursday I saw my doctor on Friday, and they ran a urinalysis. Said I had a large amount of ketones, white, and red blood cells. They gave me Pyridium, and Macrobid to treat a UTI. They told me to come back on Monday if my symptoms did not go away.

The pyridium and Macrobid have done absolutely NOTHING I have no signs or symptoms of having a UTI except that if feels like I'm peeing glass shards covered in chili sauce! WORST pain of my life, and I have given birth to two children.

I went back to the doctor on Monday and they tried to do a straight catheter to get a "clean" catch to run another test, however they could not get any urine, even though I had a full bladder. When I finally went to the restroom I peed straight blood. After I go I am extremely tender and sore. My doctor said my culture came back with no growth and to continue taking my antibiotics. Any other ideas on what this could be? I have been taking aantibiotics for 5 days and have had no relief. I can't live like this anymore, the pain is unbearable!

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
Fears and Symptoms I have experienced since age 14 onwards?
Fears and Symptoms I have experienced since age 14 onwards.

Ok im a 16 year old male going 17

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS, WHAT WOULD YOU DIAGNOSE ME WITH?
I am going to the doctors on thursday but just to get an example of what the doctor might say please could you tell me what you think it is by reading the symtoms i had?

SORRY THIS IS SOO LONG!

HIV/AIDS/STD/ CHLAMYDIA/HARPIES
Paedophilia / Gay / Bisexual / Incest / Rape - Unwanted Perverted sexual thoughts
Schizophrenia Thoughts/ Fear of hearing voices / Hallucinating – fear of seeing and communicating with imaginary human
Bi Polar Disorder
Anal Cancer – because of Blood in stool
Scared about getting stomach ulcer
Breast Cancer – because of being fat and having man boobs.
Brain Tumour - because of headaches on the top, back and temple of my head.
I forget UN important things during the day.
Hernia
Hypochondria – health fear
Obsessive/Repeated Thinking or fear of my own thoughts – 2009 onwards
Repeated Checking and counting
Washing hands for at least 5 minutes or over. - Germs
Intrusive and Evil Thoughts
Anorexia - Obsessive about gaining more weight – Fear of eating too much – look bigger when looking in mirror – obsess about what I ate during the day, and have repeated thoughts on counting how many things I ate during the day. Often do this every day and think this like 6 times in 2 hours and the thought stays with me for 3 minutes at least. I stand in front of the mirror for about 6 minutes at least because I’m not sure if I look smaller. Even though that my clothes are now bigger because of exercise and diet.
Fear of losing my mind - getting mentally ill or losing control – going insane
Shaking, Trembling and facial twitching/ finger fiddling
Feeling hot then cold
Shortness and difficulty of breathing / Feeling restless/ panic makes me sweat lots and hot feeling around body.
Fear of watching scary videos incase of triggering schizophrenia.
Fear of keeping my eyes open in the dark. – My Room
Obsessive about my family’s welfare
Fear of not having children
Fear of my testicles not working
Fear and obsessing about having blood in my semen
Fear of blood clot in leg
Fear about low sperm amount
Fear of testicular problems – cancer- Tangled
Fear of Bladder Problems and kidney stones – because of Cloudy/Foamy Urination
Fear of going to sleep at night – because of hearing things just before drifting off to sleep and just before waking up. Random Mind Chatter – hypnagogia auditory (hypnagogic) hallucinations
Numb in areas of my body
Fear of being mentally immature – mental age of 10
Worrying about health and hygiene
'Electric shock' feelings (anywhere in the body)
Distorted vision
Suicidal feelings
Eye or brain tricks - Seeing Spots/Light Flashes/Black Things and seeing unknown things from the corner of my eyes.
Movements from the corner of my eyes
Optical Illusion – movements
Fear of being in a mental home – Fear of going to the doctors
Hard to concentrate on something when having anxiety
Sometimes it is hard to get hold of my thoughts. – I can’t think well when I am constantly worrying over and over about the same thing.
I can’t trust what I see because I don’t know if it’s real or not.
I need a lot of reassurance to get me through the worries
Fear and obsess about sleep eating disorder
Fear of torturing people
Fear of becoming a child abuser
Difficulty swallowing
Change in appetite
Startled very easily
Tired all the time
I Google my symptoms online which triggers even more worrying. I spend most times researching symptoms online/books and dictionaries
I joined loads of online forums and found that other people’s experiences help me get rid of the fears and phobias for a while. And often need reassurance
I am very aware of all my symptoms and I think there is something wrong with me. And I am not normal.
When in a panic mode, I often reassure myself I am normal in my head, I also sometimes whisper the word, “I’m Normal” Or tell myself not to worry e.g. “Don’t Worry” which sometimes helps.
Fear of puberty going wrong or fear of something abnormal stopping it.
Wet dreams - I used to have wet dreams and obsessed about it until i was told it was normal for teenagers. Before i knew it was normal for them to stop I used to go through some rituals.
Numbers – on the TV volume, I like even numbers and I usually like numbers from multiples of 5
Sensation – that i am falling of the bed or somone is pulling me backwords when i am asleep.

Thank You in advance

• ANSWER:
  Eating disorder
  Anxiety disorder
  Hypochondria

QUESTION:
constant right sided lower back pain and flu like symptoms?
Hi I am a 25 year old female have 2 children and have had my tubes tied so i am not pregnant. however i started off with a bladder infection 2 months ago took cipro for 5 days it never fully went away then for the past month my right side lower back has been hurting. sometimes very bad where i cant bend over or it hurts to touch and feels very warm and sometimes it will be a slight pain. it no longer hurts very bad when i pee but every once in a while it will burn. about 3 weeks ago after i peed i notice 2 very tiny things in the toilet that looked like pearls are these kidney stones? now on top of this for 3 days i have had a sore throat stomach pain sinus drainage and am very fatigued. i know this is probably not related to the bladder infection but if anyone could help explain these symptoms and what to do i would appreciate it. i do not have insurance so i have been putting it off which i know is not good but i dont want to go to the doctor for them to tell me to take tylenol. thanks

• ANSWER:
  One time I had an untreated bladder infection and I got very sick. I had a 103 temperature and was freezing all the time. It sounds like you still have the infection. I don't know what cipro is. You need antibiotics.

QUESTION:
I need a qualified "Pain Management" Doctor in the Kingwood/Houston, TX area who accepts MedicAid. Suggestions?
My Lady Friend is a Single Mother/3 Children with Kidney Stones & accompanying ailments who has seen 2 Doctors in less than a week, yet has been unable to persuade these Doctors to write her a prescription for any Painkillers other than a few Tylenol # 3s while we wait for a barrage of tests that might take a week or more. Her pain is constant & quite severe, and while I do not wish to merely treat the symptoms rather than the cause, I refuse to subject her to continuous agony simply because of her lack of affluence.

• ANSWER:
  Go to Kingwood Urgent Care. They can give her a 100-200mg shot of Demerol or Morphine and also give her some pain meds in the mean time. I go there every time I am passing a stone for a shot and meds to get through it so I do not have to pay a hospital bill.

  They are great and friendly!

QUESTION:
Quite a few symptoms...do they all link up to one thing?
Ok...first off lets start off with this...I am 23 have 2 children and have never had any health problems (that I knew of) until October of 2008. I went to the er with terrible pain and vomiting, turned out I had a UTI...took the antibiotics and went to see my doctor to make sure it went away and it turned into a kidney infection and was ordered a CT scan...which turned out I had kidney stones in my right kidney. I guess I passes it...because for a little while I had no pain...well actually I had excruciating pain for about 20 minutes and then my back no longer hurt. But then a month later...back at the er with a kidney infection. Every month since October of 2008 I have had a kidney infection and some months 2. I have been given Cipro, Bactrim, Lavaquin, Amoxicilian...and none of them ever got rid of the kidney infection. In the past few months, I have noticed extreme fatigue, I can fall asleep just sitting here typing and I will have done nothing tiring that day (yes I am a mom but this is not the normal tiredness) I am always nauseated and vomit at least once a week. I have a rash all over my body that will not go away, it itches to the point that I make myself bleed. At night, this past week I have been experiencing difficulty breathing, fast heart beat and paralyzation of my body for a moment before I can finally move and am able to breath. Some mornings I wake up and from my waist down to my feet I have the most eexcruciatingpain that its miserable to get up and get to my son. I also only have one partner, when we do have sex, when we normally don't because it is normally very painful...our sheets end up covered in blood (while I am not menstruating). I had an ultrasound done today for my pelvis and kidneys and see the DR in the morning, I just don't feel right. My body feels like its falling apart. Has anyone else had these experiences, if so...what was it...I know I see the dr in the morning but after 10 months of this...I am just getting scared and the pain and nausea getting worse. Does this sound like kidney disease?? Any info would be great.

Additional Details
If it helps any, I was 16 when I gave birth to my first child and had complications with both children. Took nearly a year to get pregnant with my second child. My mom had endometreosis and ended up having to have a hysterectomy. She also has fibromyalgia and neuropathy. I have had the problem with major blood during intercourse since I was 15 (Yes, 15 was too young for sex) I would really only like replies from people with experience...you may also email at mysticalstar1986@aol.com

• ANSWER:
  Diabetes causes kidney problems & fatigue. Avoid sugar.

QUESTION:
Went to dr today for pain in stomach and back expanded uterus dont know why help!?
So i went to the dr today not my regular dr but i was at work then started having the worst pain in my stomach around my bellybutton and in my right kidney so bad i could barley move and had to leave work early to go to the dr. So he thought that i was having symptoms of a kidney stone so he orderd a ct scan and sent me up to the hospital to have it done then he called me with the results he said there was no stones and the only strange thing was that my uterus was expanded which could be a sign of infection and called in a perscription for pain pills and anti biotics but he never did tell me what kind of infection it could be he didnt even sound to sure so im just wondering what it could be and if i need to be worrid heres some history... im on bc pills i had a child 3 years ago i am 21 yrs old and i started my period yesterday but the strange thing is it already ended this afternoon... and of course before he orderd the ct scan tested for infections and pregnancy all came back negative.. anyone know what could be wrong with me? could i be pregnant even though the test came back negative cuz i did miss a couple bc pills a few weeks ago and maybe that would explain my uterus expanding but heck i dont know anything so if you have any idea what it could be let me know thanks!

• ANSWER:
  Thats so weird cause I had the same type of pain around my belly button a few times before, I didn't think much of it cause the pain went away, although now I have slight cramping here and there and my breast hurt.Just to be safe get another dr's opinion. You can't trust just one, also try looking up some info on wikipedia, thats what Im going to do. Best of luck to you.

QUESTION:
I need advice on finding the kind of doctor that will cure my husband?
My husband is 30 yrs old and he is dying of "nobody knows" he has a number of symptoms that can not be explained!! We have been to a Urologist, a Neurologist, a family doctor, and the best Infectious Disease Dr. in the state, plus we have spent ,000 in cash to pay for him to go to the Diamond Clinic in Chicago, which is out of state for us and he has had 5 operations this past 6 months to clear out all the Kidney stones but within 6 weeks they are all back, These are all his symptoms:
Extreme Cluster Migraines, Kidney stones, all his joints are very swollen, his legs tingle and go numb, very high blood pressure, he has rashes that come up all over his legs, vomiting, chest pains, blood in urine, constant kidney infection, He has had Salmonella poisoning for 15 months and they can not get rid of it, they did a bone density test and he has the bones of a 90 yr old, he has broken 3 ribs breathing hard, they have had him on Steroids for a long time to help control the headaches but it in turn causes other things, but he is getting worse by the day and we have 3 young children and I am at a loss of what to do now? None of the doctors seem to know anything other than trying to load him up on pain killers to control pain, but he was an addict years ago and does not take the pain meds, so what now?

• ANSWER:
  I'm sorry, but you might want to start saving money. I will see what I can find, and I know this is one of those last ditch efforts... but I'll give it a shot... Many people say go to a doctor but you have done that already. He might have multiple illnesses which could make it hard to diagnose, because without the source you have nothing. Just treatments of symptoms, but no cure or explanation. Good Luck, I'm sorry to hear this story, I don't pray much, but I'll say one for him.

  Cluster Migraines : No known cause… could be an abnormality in the Hypothalamus… could be genetic, could be triggered by Nitroglycerin, hydrocarbons, alcohol, aerobic exercise, napping, heat, smoking, lack of sleep, sometimes diet.
  In my NON Professional opinion, these are caused by something else in his body. The hypothalamus is a regulator so it works as a clock for the body, any number or irregularities could cause these headaches that are due to the dilation of blood vessels that can put pressure on the trigeminal nerve.

  Kidney Stones: It would be convenient to go with Crohn’s Disease, that could link the stones and the skin rashes. Then again this could be due to a metabolic disorder that could also be linked to the headaches. Failing Kidneys can mean Renal tubular acidosis…

  Swollen Joints : could be associated with infection, but since so much is wrong with him, perhaps he could be suffering from osteoporosis or Cushing’s Disease, you could look that up… Cushings is less likely because he would have suffered childhood symptoms probably. These could also be linked to Monoarthritis… that can be associated with the kidney stones somehow, they could be linked.

  Numbness: I saw a strange operation one time, where someone had somewhat serious symptoms and had a tapeworm, but he would have exhibited massive weightloss by now. This is not my first choice, but it is worth looking into … it could also be damage in the brain linked to high blood pressure causing peripheral neuropathy. Amyloidosis AL can also be linked to the bone pain and leg numbness.

  Rashes come and go so they are hard to diagnose, I am sure they are linked to one of the other more severe problem.

  I would also suggest that the blood in the urine could be a result of the kidney stones and infection that were mentioned earlier... they are a common cause of blood in urine.

  Bone density could be osteoporosis or something more severe... I know that amyloidosis can affect the marrow which would cause this weakness. See swollen joint section....

  I must reiterate that I am just a civilian with a deep interest in medicine.. I was an EMT but my training can't help you here really. I love medicine and I have given you suggestions that you may bring up in conversation with doctors. I do not suggest that you use this information for research purposes to help guide you towards some knowledge that you can suggest if they have not come up to the doctors yet.

  Again I feel terrible about your situation. I hope that you see some improvement eventually. If you feel so inclined to contact me you can find my email in my profile or take it here collegenebula@yahoo.com.

  I am not in college anymore that is an old screenname I used.
  My prayers go out to your husband and your family.

QUESTION:
I was admitted in Children's Hospital for 9 days, - i think i may have caught something while being treated...?
Well i was admitted in Children's hospital for 9 days for
kidney problems ( Possible infection/stone ) I was given
a I.V. Antibiotic every 12 hours, As well as other I.V. medications
for other problems and pain. I was released two days ago,
at my 7th day at the hospital i began to start a fever - 99.8
8th day 99.6 - 9th day 99.8. they still however, released me.
Well now i'm still having a fever (goes up to 101.8) headache, swollen
glands in my neck mostly on the right side **I have had the gland on the right side
surgically drained due to cat scratch fever disease a few years back.** My sinuses are fine-not stuffed up. My throat hurts - hurts like hell when i swallow.
i noticed tonight there are these little lines up and down in the back of my throat. ( i do not have my tonsils. ) Also i have a bad cough (loud barking sound, last for a few minutes, i gasp for air during the coughing fits.) i cough up Brown/Rusty colored stuff (in big amounts) i have no wheezing. Vomiting (ive threw up 4 times today.) My parents are now starting to get my symptoms.
What is this? I was on antibiotics while in the hospital but is there
still a chance i caught something from being around other sick children?
P.S. THE DOCTORS SAID MY KIDNEYS ARE FINE NOW AND
THERE WAS NO INFECTION WHEN I LEFT - AND THEY SAID
THEY DIDNT SEEM TO CATCH ANY STONES BUT THEY STILL
PUT ON MY RECORD POSSIBLE STONE THAN A INFECTION

• ANSWER:
  sounds like u have the kissing disease, aka Mono.

QUESTION:
What do you think of this article?? truth or fiction...?
FACTORY FARMED CHICKEN

Almost all chicken meat in the United States is produced through the "factory farming" system, in which animals are closely crowded together in filthy, disease-ridden conditions. Because of these unhealthy conditions, many chickens die even before they get to the slaughterhouse. For example, in an operation with 100,000 broiler chickens, approximately 250 birds die per day. Before being caught for the trip to the slaughterhouse, food and water are withdrawn; at the slaughterhouse, birds wait in trucks another 1 to 9 hours to be killed, sometimes in very hot or very cold weather.

Chicken is far worse than beef in terms of contamination and bacteria. The Atlanta Constitution reported in 1991: "Every week throughout the South, millions of chickens leaking yellow pus, stained by green feces, contaminated by harmful bacteria, or marred by lung and heart infections, cancerous tumors or skin conditions are shipped to consumers." Salmonella is present in over one-third of all chickens, and many millions of Americans are infected each year. The symptoms of salmonella poisoning are very similar to the flu (though only occasionally fatal), and thus many who are infected may never even be aware of what they have. To prevent these problems, chickens are usually heavily dosed with antibiotics (more than half of all antibiotic use in the U. S. is on factory farms!), but this indiscriminate use of antibiotics in turn helps create resistant strains of salmonella and other disease-causing germs, decreasing the effectiveness of antibiotics to fight human infections.

HEART DISEASE, CANCER, AND MEDICAL COSTS

And even if bacterial contamination were eliminated, we still have the tremendous problems of heart disease and cancer, the leading causes of death in the United States. Repeated efforts to lower cholesterol levels through switching from beef to chicken have ended in failure. Chicken is somewhat lower in fat than beef, but it still contains quite a bit of fat and even more cholesterol per calorie than does beef or pork.

Moreover, meat which is lower in fat is always higher in protein, and excess protein is damaging to health just as is excess fat. Chicken which has 29% of its calories as fat contains 71% of its calories as protein, while ground beef which has 49% of calories of fat has 51% of its calories as protein. In terms of excess protein consumption chicken is worse than beef or pork. Problems caused by or related to excess protein consumption include kidney stones, kidney disease, osteoporosis, bladder cancer, and lymphoma. Chicken meat also completely lacks fiber; lack of fiber is linked to a variety of digestive disorders ranging from constipation to colon cancer. The three basic problems with our American-style diet—too much fat, too much protein, and lack of fiber—are thus all made worse by chicken consumption. Those who switch from beef to chicken are at best trading one set of health hazards for a different set.

Chicken has done little for the nation's health. In the past twenty-five years, we have seen a huge increase in poultry consumption; but health care expenditures during the same period showed phenomenal growth, now costing us hundreds of billions of dollars each year in the United States. The "switch" from beef to chicken has evidently had little, if any, effect on rising medical costs.

ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS

Raising chickens affects the environment as well. Feeding grain to chicken may be somewhat less inefficient than feeding grain to cattle, but it is still wasteful—you must feed at least three times the amount of protein, calories, and other nutrients to the chickens in the form of plant foods than you retrieve in animal flesh at the end. Each year millions of children die due to malnutrition or starvation, and yet the Western countries continue to waste this grain by creating more and more chicken flesh.

Moreover, chicken production results in incredible quantities of manure; a one-million hen complex produces 125 tons of wet manure each day. Animal agriculture in the U. S. produces many times more waste products than humans do. In many areas of the country livestock manure causes dangerous contamination of the drinking water due to nitrates. Even when used as a plant fertilizer, chicken manure can cause difficulties, as in Texas several years ago when cantaloupe fertilized with chicken manure caused sickness in human beings. The fault lay not with the cantaloupe but with the disease-ridden chicken manure.

COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS

And what about the effect of the "factory farming" system on the animals themselves? Over 7.5 billion birds are killed each year in the United States. We would probably like to believe that these animals at least lived fairly comfortable lives until they were taken to the slaughterhouse, and would also like to believe that chickens are then quickly and painlessly killed. Unfortunately, this is not true.

Chickens are crowded together in cramped, windowless sheds, and must breathe concentrated excretory ammonia fumes which damage their eyes and lungs. They are mutilated by "debeaking"—the practice of cutting off most of the chicken's beak when the chicken is young. The reason for "debeaking" is that without it, chickens in their cramped circumstances would peck each other and even attack and kill each other. Obviously, a chicken which needs to be "debeaked" in the first place is not a happy chicken; and the process of debeaking (akin to partial amputation of a human finger, without anesthesia) is quite painful in itself. Birds are deliberately bred to gain more weight than their legs and feet can support, leading to more pain.

Turkey production is no better than chicken production. Turkeys, like chickens, are kept in intensely overcrowded quarters; they must be heavily dosed with antibiotics, are subject to many diseases, and have their beaks and their toes partially amputated (without anaesthetic, of course). Turkeys over the years have been bred to be fatter and fatter; today's turkey is so overweight that it cannot mate and must be bred through artificial insemination.

"Humanely raised" poultry avoids some of the worst abuses, such as debeaking and overcrowding. But chickens and turkeys are still killed long before their natural lifespan has elapsed, and it still is not a healthful food, as meat from any chicken or turkey—no matter how "humanely" raised—is going to be high in fat or protein (or both), and completely lacking in fiber.

Chickens do not die easy deaths, either. The "humane slaughter" laws do not cover chicken or any other poultry. Slaughterhouses are operated as mechanical "disassembly" lines with as little human intervention as possible. Stunning devices are not required by law, and even where used only 1/3 of the chickens are effectively stunned. Some chickens have their throats slit and bleed to death while fully conscious. Millions of unfortunate chickens also escape the automatic knives that slit their throats, and thus go into the next stage—the scalding tank—alive and fully conscious.

• ANSWER:
  It is truth. Another problem with buying chicken at the stores, is realizing that chicken parts are THERE, because, often, the other parts of THAT same chicken had cancer. Seriously, cancerous parts get cut out, and the other parts of the chicken do get sold as parts.
  I have seen turkey farms that did all those horrible things to the critters.
  I have raised my own chickens, and found that, although I was raising them for the eggs produced, that chickens are really filthy to raise in even small numbers. Trying to keep conditions clean for my own chickens was a full time job! I loved having the fresh eggs, they were delicious! I stopped raising my own, for the fresh eggs, when I just could not keep up with how much fecal matter there was to deal with. I only had a few chickens! I had a great house for them, and kept it nice. So, if I couldn't stand just a few of them around, think what it must be like to do it for a living.......the more chickens you have, the more money you make. Dreadful problem.

QUESTION:
urinary disease for anatomy?
Jessica Mattin
5/13/09

Urinary Disease
Most urinary tract infections in children are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and travel up the urinary tract. Bacteria that normally live in the large intestine and are present in stool are the most common cause of infection. Occasionally bacteria traveling through the blood or lymphatic system to the urinary tract are the cause of kidney or bladder infections. Also, constipation or not completely emptying the bladder can cause bacteria to build up in urine. Problems with the structure or function of the urinary tract commonly contribute to UTI in infants and young children. Problems that limit the body's ability to eliminate urine completely include structural problems of the bladder, obstruction, such as kidney stone, or other abnormalities. A large variety of symptoms include those such as pain or burning during urination, loss of bladder control, frequent urination, among others. To treat a UTI you must see a doctor who will most likely take a urine sample and prescribe antibiotics.
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/

• ANSWER:
  I am in the Medical Field

  Please tell me how this is a question?

QUESTION:
Do I have a malpractice law suit on my hands?
I've been seeing a urologist/gynecologist for the past 8 months for pelvic pain and bladder problems. I was peeing constantly, up to 50 times a day, with pelvic pain and pressure. I had to quit my job, quit school, and was a prisoner in my own home. During the 8 months of my care, I saw no improvement in my symptoms.

This doctor kept me on Valium, 2mg four times a day the entire duration of my care, along with Ambien to help me sleep. My new, current doctor said taking this medication is way over the recommended length of time, and created the possibility for addiction. I also told the doctor several times that the medication did nothing to relieve my symptoms, and that I was becoming very tolerant to it. He did nothing but tell me to continue to take it as directed, forcing me in a situation where I had to self-medicate in unhealthy ways to make it through a day of peeing several times a day.

He prescribed pelvic floor muscle therapy, where a probe electrically stimulated the muscles inside my pelvis to fatigue them and therefore stop the "muscle spasms" that he said was the main contributor to my illness. 6 sessions were performed, and my symptoms did not get any better, but continued to worsen. I also informed him that this therapy was not effective, but he continued to say that it would work "eventually."

No diagnostic imaging took place without me having to vehemently request it. Cysts were found on my kidney, stones were found lining the insides of my kidneys, two cysts were located on either side of my urethra, and a bladder diverticulum was also noted. He said none of these had anything to do with my symptoms.

I decided that after several tests and procedures that failed, I wanted to be invasive and do a laproscopy. (I'm sorry if that is misspelled). I explained that I had suspicions of endomitriosis since my symptoms occurred primarily around my menstrual cycle. I also wanted another cystoscopy of the bladder done since the doctor who performed it last diagnosed it incorrectly. He said the last thing he wanted to do was be invasive, and that I should just continue my regimen and therapy. He also said that it was unnecessary to check for endomitriosis because I was not trying to have a baby any time soon. He said to stay on a continual dosage of birth control and my Valium. At this point, he decided to supplement the Valium with Elavil. When the time came for me to try and conceive, and failed over a year's worth of time, then, he said, he would check for endomitriosis.

I also said that there was a procedure I read about called Intrastim, which is an implant that could be used to regulate the overactive nerve firings to and from the bladder to stop the intense urge to urinate. He said this is rarely done, and only in its experimental stage in Europe. We later found out from my current doctor that it has been used in the U.S. for several years, and is a very common procedure for patients with my particular illness.

My primary care physician said to get a second opinion. Within 5 days, I was scheduled for surgery. They found endomitriosis all over the top of my bladder, unnecessary tissue developing that was pushing my organs together that obstructed my fallopian tubes and ovarian function, and a mild case of interstitial cystitis. Had this procedure never been performed, I could have possibly never been able to have children. Here I am, in recovery, and I've never felt better.

I am very bitter, and very angry at how much of my life was wasted because of the run around this doctor gave me. I feel that I was treated completely unethically, considering it took one doctor 5 days to figure out what was wrong with me, and the other 8 months with STILL no consistent diagnosis when I left.

Based upon the above facts, do I have sufficient evidence to sue for malpractice?

Thank you all for reading this lengthy question. I appreciate your answers.
I did do the research. The only way I got anything out of him was my own research. I failed to mention this was doctor #8, after other doctors had failed in the same way. So saying that it's my fault because I didn't do the research, or try other doctors, is unwarranted.

• ANSWER:
  No. You do not have a case, unless you can prove you suffered irreparable harm, or your condition was irreparably aggravated by the doctor's negligence.

QUESTION:
What would you diagnos me as? Please look here?
Fears and Symptoms I have experienced since age 14 onwards.

Ok im a 16 year old male going 17

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS, WHAT WOULD YOU DIAGNOSE ME WITH?
I am going to the doctors on thursday but just to get an example of what the doctor might say please could you tell me what you think it is by reading the symtoms i had?

SORRY THIS IS SOO LONG!

HIV/AIDS/STD/ CHLAMYDIA/HARPIES
Paedophilia / Gay / Bisexual / Incest / Rape - Unwanted Perverted sexual thoughts
Schizophrenia Thoughts/ Fear of hearing voices / Hallucinating – fear of seeing and communicating with imaginary human
Bi Polar Disorder
Anal Cancer – because of Blood in stool
Scared about getting stomach ulcer
Breast Cancer – because of being fat and having man boobs.
Brain Tumour - because of headaches on the top, back and temple of my head.
I forget UN important things during the day.
Hernia
Hypochondria – health fear
Obsessive/Repeated Thinking or fear of my own thoughts – 2009 onwards
Repeated Checking and counting
Washing hands for at least 5 minutes or over. - Germs
Intrusive and Evil Thoughts
Anorexia - Obsessive about gaining more weight – Fear of eating too much – look bigger when looking in mirror – obsess about what I ate during the day, and have repeated thoughts on counting how many things I ate during the day. Often do this every day and think this like 6 times in 2 hours and the thought stays with me for 3 minutes at least. I stand in front of the mirror for about 6 minutes at least because I’m not sure if I look smaller. Even though that my clothes are now bigger because of exercise and diet.
Fear of losing my mind - getting mentally ill or losing control – going insane
Shaking, Trembling and facial twitching/ finger fiddling
Feeling hot then cold
Shortness and difficulty of breathing / Feeling restless/ panic makes me sweat lots and hot feeling around body.
Fear of watching scary videos incase of triggering schizophrenia.
Fear of keeping my eyes open in the dark. – My Room
Obsessive about my family’s welfare
Fear of not having children
Fear of my testicles not working
Fear and obsessing about having blood in my semen
Fear of blood clot in leg
Fear about low sperm amount
Fear of testicular problems – cancer- Tangled
Fear of Bladder Problems and kidney stones – because of Cloudy/Foamy Urination
Fear of going to sleep at night – because of hearing things just before drifting off to sleep and just before waking up. Random Mind Chatter – hypnagogia auditory (hypnagogic) hallucinations
Numb in areas of my body
Fear of being mentally immature – mental age of 10
Worrying about health and hygiene
'Electric shock' feelings (anywhere in the body)
Distorted vision
Suicidal feelings
Eye or brain tricks - Seeing Spots/Light Flashes/Black Things and seeing unknown things from the corner of my eyes.
Movements from the corner of my eyes
Optical Illusion – movements
Fear of being in a mental home – Fear of going to the doctors
Hard to concentrate on something when having anxiety
Sometimes it is hard to get hold of my thoughts. – I can’t think well when I am constantly worrying over and over about the same thing.
I can’t trust what I see because I don’t know if it’s real or not.
I need a lot of reassurance to get me through the worries
Fear and obsess about sleep eating disorder
Fear of torturing people
Fear of becoming a child abuser
Difficulty swallowing
Change in appetite
Startled very easily
Tired all the time
I Google my symptoms online which triggers even more worrying. I spend most times researching symptoms online/books and dictionaries
I joined loads of online forums and found that other people’s experiences help me get rid of the fears and phobias for a while. And often need reassurance
I am very aware of all my symptoms and I think there is something wrong with me. And I am not normal.
When in a panic mode, I often reassure myself I am normal in my head, I also sometimes whisper the word, “I’m Normal” Or tell myself not to worry e.g. “Don’t Worry” which sometimes helps.
Fear of puberty going wrong or fear of something abnormal stopping it.
Wet dreams - I used to have wet dreams and obsessed about it until i was told it was normal for teenagers. Before i knew it was normal for them to stop I used to go through some rituals.
Numbers – on the TV volume, I like even numbers and I usually like numbers from multiples of 5
Sensation – that i am falling of the bed or somone is pulling me backwords when i am asleep.

Thank You in advance

• ANSWER:
  you sound normal,
  but the Harpies are a worry, not to many people hear them sing

QUESTION:
Nausea and vomiting after eating, Pain in the upper left quadrant and loose stools?
Two weeks ago i was in the er with bladder pressure and they Dr did a urine test and it came out negative for a uti so he said my bladder was irritated and sent me home with peridium to numb it. As soon as the peridium was gone the symptoms returned but this time with burning.I went to my ob-gyn and she did another urine test and this time found Large traces of blood in my urine but the urine test came back negative for a UTI as well.

She Put my on Cypro (Antibiotic) for 2 times a day 500 Mg. and said she would grow a culture to see if it is for sure a UTI but she said she is pretty sure it is. Once i started the cypro the next day i started to get Nausea after eating, in the morning when i wake up and before i go to bed at night and have had pain in my left upper quadrant right by my ribs that shoot into the middle of my back and also very loose stools.

I had gotten worried so looked up side effects from the pills and they are all the same as what i am experiencing but my fear is that it still could be some thing else causing these problems and with out my Urine culture results, It can be hard to determine. I know if the results come back that it is a uti then it is probably side affects from the pills but if negative then the blood in the urine is caused by another problem and that's probably why i am sick.

Any idea? I have been so worried over this and i am even losing weight because when i do eat it is not much and i am afraid to eat.

Additional Details

I forgot to mention and this is important.

The er doctors did an ekg or my pelvis and up to my chest and found nothing in the test and they did a lipid panel and a Cbc and there was nothing wrong with my kidneys and theres no kidney stones or cysts or any thing like that. They wanted to admit me but i refused to stay because i had not one to watch my children. They wanted to order and an ultrasound first thing in the morning to look at my gall bladder. I am going to follow up with my ob to see if she can do an ultrasound of it for me since she is the one who diagnosed me with the blood in my urine.

Also just thought of this.... I had a c-section 3 months ago with my 2nd child. Don't know if that matters? Probably not but just incase I thought i should add that!

Also just thought of this.... I had a c-section 3 months ago with my 2nd child. Don't know if that matters? Probably not but just incase I thought i should add that!

• ANSWER:
  I think your next step should be the ultra sound of your gall bladder AND pancreas! ASAP!

  What your describing is the same symptoms I felt before I had my gallbladder out. I ended up having a gall bladder attack. Only mine was on the left side. That's where the gall bladder is.

  However, it is possible for stones to escape thru the bile duct ( I know about this cause I read EVERYTHING! lol) and go into your pancreas which is sort of in the middle/left!

  Your initial symptom of bladder pressure was probably gas, and you new pains are likely from the stone/stones moving. Most people have stones and don't know it.

  Having just been pregnant makes you more likely to have gall stones due the increase in estrogen.

  Here's the symptoms for Gall stones in general:
  http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-gallstones-symptoms

  Severe and sudden pain in the upper right abdomen and possibly extending to the upper back
  Fever and shivering
  Severe nausea and vomiting
  Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  Clay colored stools or dark urine

  And for pancreatitis (which is inflammation of the pancreas-this is the organ that produces insulin!)
  http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/pancreatitis-topic-overview?page=2

  Nausea and vomiting.
  Fever.
  Fast heart rate.
  Sweating.
  Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
  Shock.
  Long-term (chronic) pancreatitis also causes severe pain in the upper abdomen. As the condition progresses, fat may be released into your stools, indicating that your body is not absorbing fat and protein. As a result, you may have diarrhea and lose weight. You also could develop diabetes if your pancreas no longer produces enough insulin.

  NOTICE the part about diarrhea and weight loss!!!

  My advise would be to get the ultrasound straight away!! And get someone over to watch your kids because if they find a stone in the pancreas they will operate immediately! This could cause long term damage to your pancreas and cause diabetes in the process! If it's in the gall bladder you can schedule it on an out patient basis and be home the same day.

  But if it is pancreatitis...with no stone, they will likely keep you to treat in the hospital for a day or 2.

  http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/pancreatitis-topic-overview

  Best wishes! And I hope you feel better! Bless you and your new baby and family!

QUESTION:
Could I have an ectopic pregnancy?
About 10 days ago, I was experiencing nausea, headaches, dizziness. I went to my doctor and he ran a bunch of blood tests. I also had a urine test for pregnancy and UTI. Tests came up negative. Also had a CT scan because I had a bump on my head. There was nothing serious with that. All of a sudden I started having cramping on day 27 of my cycle and started bleeding. I have never ever started my period before day 30 in my life. Now today I am getting this strange burning pain in my abdomen on the lower left side. It hurts worse if I am sitting and my lower back hurts. I have experienced kidney stones before and I can tell it's not that. I have had 4 children and my husband just had a vasectomy 9 months ago. I am not sure what this could be. I am on day 31 of my cycle. The bleeding had slowed down last night, but started back up again a little more this morning just a few hours before the pain. I am still having slight nausea that is a little unexplainable. My dr just thought that my dosage on my thyroid medication may have been too high so he lowered it. I have been on the lower dosage for a couple days now and still have the odd symptoms. I need to know if this is possibly an ectopic pregnancy or something else that could be serious. If not, I will just wait it out.
The bleeding stopped soon after I posted this and the pain died down a little and is a dull pain now.
I just remembered that I had similar symptoms years ago and had a cyst on my right ovary. Could this be something like that?

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
Excruciatingly BAD pain in left ovary?
I've been TTC for 9 months. In September 2006 (long before the idea of children crossed my mind), I went to the ER late one evening b/c I had this excruciating stabbing pain in my lower abdomen and a little bit of bloody pink discharge. I thought I had a kidney stone or something. I hurt so bad I was getting sweaty just trying not to cry. I went to the ER and they didn't do an ultrasound, but the doctor did a pelvic exam and squished my ovaries around between her fingers and said one felt swollen as if an ovarian cyst had just ruptured. It has only happened about 6 times in my life (I'm 21). I have seen two doctors at different locations and two midwives. I've gotten pelvic exams and ultrasounds done. Since my periods are very regular and I show no other symptoms, they ruled out PCOS.

They never determined what is causing it, but they said it's probably just a symptom of ovulating.

Well, I had the worst pain EVER on the 12th day of my cycle. My husband and I were at Panera Bread grabbing lunch before we left for his parents' house for Easter. I was just sitting there and all of a sudden, i felt like someone was hammering a pickaxe into my left lower quadrant. I almost passed out. My husband said I looked completely white. I got a headache. I couldn't eat. He was ready to take me to the Urgent Care and then all of a sudden, the pain stopped.

Any ideas as to what it could be since 2 doctors and 2 midwives have told me they don't know????
Like I said, if you would have read my question, I DID HAVE ULTRASOUNDS done. Please read my question thoroughly before answering!
This happened:

Sept. 2006 (not on BC, still a virgin)
April 2007 (newlywed, on Yaz BC)
July/August 2007 (on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo)
Dec. 2007 (on OTC-Lo)
Sept. 2008 (WORST, not on BC, TTC for 2 months)
April 2009 (TTC 9 months)

I can accurately remember each time b/c they're that bad =(

• ANSWER:
  See another Dr! There is obviously something going on... that is not normal ovulation pain. It shouldn't hurt that bad.

  Good luck!

QUESTION:
3 year old with sporadic back pains?
My son is three years old and has been experiencing random bouts of back pain for approximately 10 months.

The pains come very quickly and go equally fast but last anywhere between 1 and 15 minutes. Massaging his back seems to help and the tendency over the last few months has been for the length of the attack to shorten. On average he has these attacks 3 or 4 times a month and they can happen at anytime day or night (very occasionally). We have charted the time and circumstances around each attack and been able to find no common factors or causes.

The pain is located in the lower/mid part of his back around the spine and is often accompanied by a very tight tummy and a red face. He has no other symptoms or health problems other than Eczema and is otherwise a very healthy and energetic three year old.

He was referred to hospital on two occasions by our paediatrician and each time they performed a wide range of tests. Initially they thought it could be kidney stones so looked at kidney function via blood/urine/ultrasound and found nothing and sent us home. The second time they did 24hr urine collection, 24hr ECG, heart ultrasound, stomach/intestine/liver ultrasounds, EEG for testing epilepsy as well as numerous blood tests and urine tests and found nothing at all wrong with him. Additionally he has seen a Craniologist and a Orthopaedic practitioner and again, nothing untoward.

The doctors seem to have run out of ideas but we are not happy to just let it continue. It is very difficult to see your child in pain and to do so with absolutely no explanation is causing my wife and I a vast amount of worry.

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Karl

• ANSWER:
  I've had severe back pain myself, until i found this great information on this website:

  http://www.ReliefBackPainToday.com

  I hope you can find something useful for yourself also.

QUESTION:
Please help urgent !?
-------A baby was born weighing 7 pound. At 6 months old he weighed 40 pund. A year later he weighed 70 pound.He continued to grow 6feet 2 inches. Name the organ and the hormone that are responsible and how can the child stop this growth!

------A boy goes to the emergency room for a number of different symptoms. He has had pain in his back and difficulty urinating. He also had pain and sweelling in his arm when he punched his friend in the arm day before. The doctor sees x-ray and is shocked of his skeleton which is full of holes and he has several kidney stones. Name the organ and the hormone....

Thanksssss a lot!

• ANSWER:
  brain. growth hormones.

  dunno.

QUESTION:
Gallbladder surgery, Did I make the right choice?
I went to see a surgeon today because I have a gallstone. He said I have no symptoms and only one gallstone so did not need to have my gallbladder removed. However, when I told the surgeon that my husband and I plan to have another child in the near future...he said "good enough reason. Now let's talk about the surgery".
The surgeon gave me a choice and I chose to have my gallbladder removed.
Also, I've had kidney stones for the past 2 1/2 years and didn't want more pain in my future. Plus the risks of gallstones in pregnancy. Do you think I made a smart decision to get surgery? My surgery is in 2 weeks.
maybe- wow 100 gallstones. Yes I don't need that after going through pain from Kidney stones the past 2 years. I had a kidney stone that was 8mm and don't need gallstone problems in my future! MY GOD! LOL.
Stefanie M- That is so painful to have not been able to be there for your newborn. After my C-section with my son I had to go to the ER cuz of slight infection and cried my eyes out all the way to the ER just cuz I was leaving my newborn all night long.

• ANSWER:
  I had to have my gallbladder taken out through emergency surgery, the after effects arent horrible. It isnt an organ that you really need. So if you are just going to get more gallstones its up to you. It took me about a week of being really sore and then I was fine.

QUESTION:
17 weeks pregnant with 2nd child, i'm afraid of uterine rupture, what should i do?
OK, I had my dd in Feb. 2009. I got pregnant again in June 2009.
My doctor said i was "kinda" high risk. But never told me for sure.
She said I could have a Uterine rupture. Ok, Now, When i found out i was pregnant i didnt have symptoms yet, or missed my period yet. I was sitting down one day, and my previous c-section scar started to hurt.
I started to have sharp pains, they were light though. I never had problems whith my scar after it healed. It took me almost 9 weeks to heal from my previous. I was also in the hospital for 8 days from a alias. So, when the sharp light pain started i was like what could be causing this? Than i took a pregnancy test. I know at my 6 week check up the doctor told me to wait 18 months. Well, I had a schedualed pap in july, so i waited for that appointment no point in making two different appointments. So, I told her i was pregnant and she took another test and of course it was positive. So,
I started my prenatal care. On my second visit, I told the doctor that the sharp pains is gradually getting a little more painful. She told me it was probably adhesions and not to worry, i'd have some discomfort. On my third prenatal visit, I told her again, it's hapening more frequent with the sharp pains, now it's radiating across my insicion, and i tried to describe this to her, and sometimes the sharp pain is hurts and it actually makes me stop in in dead tracks...and i wait for the sharp pain to subside and so forth. but now it's getting worse, and it's happening more and more through out the day, at the begining, it was light, and only happened once in awhile, now that im 17 weeks it's happening ALOT through the day and the pain is more painful than before. It's more of a sharper pain and
it varies on the location of the scar. She told me that she think's it's kidney stones, and to drink alot of water to pass it. So i have been drinking alot of water, for the past month, and still nothing has changed. I KNOW she is wrong I can sense it. I just "know". My bf had alot of kidney stone problems his were recurring, and he had to have a few surgeries to remove them. I told him what i was experiencing and he said that doesnt sound like it at all...and i totally agreed. So now i'm worried that this could be a early warning sign that something is wrong. Oh, and when i was pregnant with my first daughter, i felt her moving around by now....and i dont feel this one at ALL...I still have my pregnancy symtoms. Also, i've only gained 1lbs. so far. Not saying that has anything to do with it, but just giving some more info on my situation. I have a ultrasound coming up soon, the second week of november, should i mention this to the ultrasound tech? and see if they can see antyhing? I know that when i was healing from my first one,
i went ot the ER because i had seroma, and they did a ultrasound on my scar tissue, and it was a totally different kind of Ultrasound. So i dont know if the ultrasound tech will be able to see the scar tissue or not. Should I get a second opinion? because i'm really really worried....I really dont want to end up in a bad situation if it can be prevented. But this doctor doesnt seem worried about it, and i need reassurance, and not just blown off.
She hasnt even done any tests on me, to even see if it's kidney stones or adhesions...all the reasons she told me, she hasnt even looked into.
and that really bothers me, because the like the said the pain seems to be gradually getting worse. Should i worry, if the doc isnt worried?
should i gets a second opionon? I really dont know what to do..I would like some advise.

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
Worried.. Whats wrong with me now?
In advance sorry for the novel but short of going to a doctor again I'm begining to worry severly about my health.

Almost two months ago I gave birth to my son... While pregnant I was healthy as a horse except for a few bouts with kidney infections and a touch of high blood pressure... For about a week afterwards I was fine! But shortly after I fell violently ill...

First came a cold that just made me extremly tired... I spent quite a few days in a daze laying in bed relying on my partner to help me.. Not long after I developed fever blisters (for the first time ever in my life... due to stress and lack of sleep according to my doctor) I was unable to eat because each time I even tried opening my mouth the corners would split open as well as the blisters... So for about a week I couldnt eat a thing or drink a thing... Due to lack of drinking I developed a kidney infection so severe I had blood in my urine and it required me to take a trip to the hospital..

While at the hospital they preformed a catscan to make sure there were no stones in my kidneys (perhaps a leftover suvoneir from pregnancy) upon the end of the scan.. They figured out that the cold I had a few weeks earlier had been pnumoniea and I was lucky that it hadn't progressed further..

From being so ill I didn't hardly eat for almost 2-3 weeks time.. only managing to get down a handfull of fruit loops or so a day... Now for the past two weeks.. I've been vomiting near every morning and having (not ashamed to say it) diahrehha.. As if my body was rejecting food.. (Ive lost nearly 30 lbs in the span of 3-4 weeks due to not being able to eat much)...

Now this morning I've woken up with blood in my stool... Bright red and lots of it. I had just passed off a little bit last night as a possible hemroid (another pregnancy suvoneir) but now the sheer amount of blood has me worried.. Should I be consulting my poor doctor again? With all my health problems after giving birth I feel awful bothering him but.. I need to get healthy for the sake of my children.. I'm so tired of being sick and tired... Anyone else ever have this problem after giving birth? A cascade of your health? Or these symptoms? Again sorry for the bleeping novel but I'm concerned. Thank you.

• ANSWER:
  After delivery there are lots of things that can harm a mother's health-- lack of sleep, stress, hormonal changes. Postpartum depression can also contribute to health problems after birth. It sounds like you have a compounding health problem. What started as a cold progressed because your body was worn down, then you became more worn down because you couldn't eat; these things can really snowball. Your bleeding could be a side effect of bowel irritation caused by the diarrhea or may be a sign of a serious infection or digestive disorder. You need to be evaluated because in your condition blood loss can lead to serious anemia. Your doctor isn't "bothered" by your concern. He'd be out of a job without it! What you're describing is serious and should be treated as such.

  On a related note, to prevent depression or alleviate it be sure to seek support from your friends and family. Having a new baby is hard enough; with your health problems it must be doubly so! Don't be ashamed to ask for help when you need it. There are probably lots of people in your life who want to help but don't know what you need so reach out.

QUESTION:
Doctors can you please help guide and advice me possibility of cause & effect of deasese with the CT report?
I am thankful to all answere's of my Question related to "Misty Mesentery". They are all best. So I can not Choose best to all of them.
From Then I learned so many things So I thought to write full report.

My husband had mild pain in his right waist exemplaryys. So we went to Doctor. Blood and urine report were. Ok. But In X ray doctor found lots of feces in Iliac. Colon junction. We are vvegetarian and my husband eats lots of Fibers. His eating habits are examplary. Except if he eats too much I can not say.I will say just the dinner at 5Pm is big meal. The Xray was taken at 1 am. Doctor suspected Cancer. So he ordered Barium Aneama DC.

In That too there was food on that portion but there was not structural problem. but due to food radiologist was unable to find polyp if they were there. He found Slip of L4 on L% and symptoms of Kind of osteoporysis on L4 And L5. The evening before Aneama his dinner soup was not Clear. It was lentil soup in a glass. 1/4 was just very fine lentil. rest was just clear.
And then we went for CT.

Ct report is this CT of the abdomen and pelvis were performed following Oral and intravenous contrast.

The Liver and the spleen are normal without evidence of enlargement or any space occupying process. The pancreas and the right adrenal gland are normal. There is a small Nodule in the left adrenal gland. Which may be fatty in nature and may represent and adenoma. This nodule measures 1.2 cm in diameter. A tiny stone is seen in the Collecting system of the right kidney. A Large (8mm) stone is seen in the Collecting system of left Kidney.I see no evidence of retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy.

Quite strikingly, there is increased density of Mesintery with the apearence of what is termed as Mesenteritis or " Misty mesentery". What is unusual about this is that I see several other FOCI of increased density in the mesenetry anteriorly, Quite seperate from central opacification. Misty mesentery is usually a BENIGN, poorly understood, condition. There are Mimickers, however which include TB, Carconoid, and Metastatic disease.

Cuts extending into the pelvis show normal anatomical structures without evidence of Iliac or inguinal Lymphadenopathy. There is moderate prostatomegaly and thickness of the bladder wall.

The lung bases are normal.
The Lumber spine and pelvis are free of Osteoblastic/osteolytic.

I am 54 years old and I do not have children so my husband is everything for me.I got married at late age. I Know some humen anatomy and Physiology. I have a B.Sc degree. My husband has 2 children.

Please explain advice and guide me in detail What to ask. My husband's appointment with Gasteriointerionology is on 20th May and for his inlarged prostate ( which we already knew ) is on 5th. it to me in detail.
Is there any thing in the report which may be the reason of misty Mesentery? Or any other thing which can cause serious problem?

I am O.K. Now after reading the answers of my Misty Mesentery answers . Otherwise I was thinking I will loose my mental balance. I was unable to sleep. Some day 3 am some day 1 am.
I live in a french city and I do not speak and understand French very well.

Once again Lots of thanks to all those who answered my questions and made be breath normally.

But if you are not a Doctor please do not answer.

• ANSWER:
  I am a GP . I answered your questions about misty mesentery. From the details you have given I could safely conclude that your husband is not at all suffering from any serious disease..Mild prostatic enlargement is very common among males above 50 . Blood ESR if normal , generally rules out cancer and infection . You have nothing to worry.

QUESTION:
Heartburn, Stomache pain on Right side, Prior ultrasound? Any answers?
Hello. I am a 35 yr old female, have had 2 children (c-section) and a hysterectomy. I am a bit overweight, approx. 40 pounds. I have been diagnosed in the past with stomach ulcers. Most recently (January) I had severe right side (2-3" below the ribs), I went to the Dr. assuming I had an appendicitis, well it seems I didn't. He ran tests and did an ultra sound, my stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, kidney and appendix were all fine, however he did say that I showed signs of moderate fatty liver disease. Recently, (last week) I started having the same pain in my side, it was severe last weekend and hurt worse with movement. I took it easy, what what I ate (when I did) and it has gradually gotton better, (is still a dull, constant, aching pain), however in addition to it now I have SEVERE heartburn after I eat/drink anything. I have a horrible taste in my mouth, my stomache, chest and throat burns, I still have the pain in my side as well. Antacids don't help, bland diet didn't help, water didn't, Aciflex meds didn't help. I am in pain and am not sure what else this could be. I know I should see a gastroenterologist, but I am not eligible for insurance for another month. I know there are such things as gall stones, acid reflux, GERD, ulcers, etc. But does anyone have any educated idea as to what this is and should I be extremely concerned or should I hold out a few more weeks until the insurance kicks in and I can see a professional. My quack of a Dr. doesn't seem to help me much, anyone out there with the same symptoms and a diagnosis, and Dr's out there with suggestions. Thanks for any help!!!

• ANSWER:
  This is reason for concern and could be an indication of something like a problem with the heart (when a woman has a problem with her heart such as if there's an impending heart attack-just using this as an example only-the symptoms that can occur can be in the stomach area and also cause heartburn) but I would recommend checking with the city health department to see if they offer a free health clinic that can evaluate the situation.

  If not, I would recommend going to the ER for further evaluation of the situation to see what they say.

QUESTION:
I need a qualified "Pain Management" Doctor in the Kingwood/Houston, TX area who accepts MedicAid. Suggestions?
My Lady Friend is a Single Mother/3 Children with Kidney Stones & accompanying ailments who has seen 2 Doctors in less than a week, yet has been unable to persuade these Doctors to write her a prescription for any Painkillers other than a few Tylenol # 3s while we wait for a barrage of tests that might take a week or more. Her pain is constant & quite severe, and while I do not wish to merely treat the symptoms rather than the cause, I refuse to subject her to continuous agony simply because of her lack of affluence.

• ANSWER:
  In most states, medicaid providers will send you a book of doctors that are in their network who accept medicaid patients. If not, it might help her to call her caseworker and ask if there are any restrictions, as well as if there are any pain doctors that are known to accept medicaid patients. And I fully agree with you.....no one should have to suffer with severe pain because of their financial status. If worst comes to worst, she should go to the local ER. A friend of mine had a bout of kidney stones, and when she went to the ER, they gave her some very strong medications to kill the pain, including morphine and demerol. I hope your friend gets the treatment she needs and deserves!

QUESTION:
I need a qualified "Pain Management" Doctor in the Kingwood/Houston, TX area who accepts MedicAid. Suggestions?
My Lady Friend is a Single Mother/3 Children with Kidney Stones & accompanying ailments who has seen 2 Doctors in less than a week, yet has been unable to persuade these Doctors to write her a prescription for any Painkillers other than a few Tylenol # 3s while we wait for a barrage of tests that might take a week or more. Her pain is constant & quite severe, and while I do not wish to merely treat the symptoms rather than the cause, I refuse to subject her to continuous agony simply because of her lack of affluence.

• ANSWER:
  Hello, I'm a doctor. Use Tramadol. I think that you want to get more info about it. Please go to ----> http://webmd51.notlong.com/AAlAKBS

QUESTION:
I need a qualified "Pain Management" Doctor in the Kingwood/Houston, TX area who accepts MedicAid. Suggestions?
My Lady Friend is a Single Mother/3 Children with Kidney Stones & accompanying ailments who has seen 2 Doctors in less than a week, yet has been unable to persuade these Doctors to write her a prescription for any Painkillers other than a few Tylenol # 3s while we wait for a barrage of tests that might take a week or more. Her pain is constant & quite severe, and while I do not wish to merely treat the symptoms rather than the cause, I refuse to subject her to continuous agony simply because of her lack of affluence.

• ANSWER:
  Just a few Tyelnol #3's is all that she needs for a kidney stone.

  She's either going to pass it or will require surgery.

  She doesn't need a pain specialist. Pain specialists are for people with chronic pain. Your friend has acute pain.

  God bless

QUESTION:
I need a qualified "Pain Management" Doctor in the Kingwood/Houston, TX area who accepts MedicAid. Suggestions?
My Lady Friend is a Single Mother/3 Children with Kidney Stones & accompanying ailments who has seen 2 Doctors in less than a week, yet has been unable to persuade these Doctors to write her a prescription for any Painkillers other than a few Tylenol # 3s while we wait for a barrage of tests that might take a week or more. Her pain is constant & quite severe, and while I do not wish to merely treat the symptoms rather than the cause, I refuse to subject her to continuous agony simply because of her lack of affluence.

• ANSWER:
  http://www.smpsclinic.com/information.html

  ^Pain and spine clinic in Houston that accepts Medicaid.

QUESTION:
Quite a few symptoms...do they all link up to one thing?
Ok...first off lets start off with this...I am 23 have 2 children and have never had any health problems (that I knew of) until October of 2008. I went to the er with terrible pain and vomiting, turned out I had a UTI...took the antibiotics and went to see my doctor to make sure it went away and it turned into a kidney infection and was ordered a CT scan...which turned out I had kidney stones in my right kidney. I guess I passes it...because for a little while I had no pain...well actually I had excruciating pain for about 20 minutes and then my back no longer hurt. But then a month later...back at the er with a kidney infection. Every month since October of 2008 I have had a kidney infection and some months 2. I have been given Cipro, Bactrim, Lavaquin, Amoxicilian...and none of them ever got rid of the kidney infection. In the past few months, I have noticed extreme fatigue, I can fall asleep just sitting here typing and I will have done nothing tiring that day (yes I am a mom but this is not the normal tiredness) I am always nauseated and vomit at least once a week. I have a rash all over my body that will not go away, it itches to the point that I make myself bleed. At night, this past week I have been experiencing difficulty breathing, fast heart beat and paralyzation of my body for a moment before I can finally move and am able to breath. Some mornings I wake up and from my waist down to my feet I have the most eexcruciatingpain that its miserable to get up and get to my son. I also only have one partner, when we do have sex, when we normally don't because it is normally very painful...our sheets end up covered in blood (while I am not menstruating). I had an ultrasound done today for my pelvis and kidneys and see the DR in the morning, I just don't feel right. My body feels like its falling apart. Has anyone else had these experiences, if so...what was it...I know I see the dr in the morning but after 10 months of this...I am just getting scared and the pain and nausea getting worse. Does this sound like kidney disease?? Any info would be great.
If it helps any, I was 16 when I gave birth to my first child and had complications with both children. Took nearly a year to get pregnant with my second child.

• ANSWER:

QUESTION:
Quite a few symptoms...do they all link up to one thing?
Ok...first off lets start off with this...I am 23 have 2 children and have never had any health problems (that I knew of) until October of 2008. I went to the er with terrible pain and vomiting, turned out I had a UTI...took the antibiotics and went to see my doctor to make sure it went away and it turned into a kidney infection and was ordered a CT scan...which turned out I had kidney stones in my right kidney. I guess I passes it...because for a little while I had no pain...well actually I had excruciating pain for about 20 minutes and then my back no longer hurt. But then a month later...back at the er with a kidney infection. Every month since October of 2008 I have had a kidney infection and some months 2. I have been given Cipro, Bactrim, Lavaquin, Amoxicilian...and none of them ever got rid of the kidney infection. In the past few months, I have noticed extreme fatigue, I can fall asleep just sitting here typing and I will have done nothing tiring that day (yes I am a mom but this is not the normal tiredness) I am always nauseated and vomit at least once a week. I have a rash all over my body that will not go away, it itches to the point that I make myself bleed. At night, this past week I have been experiencing difficulty breathing, fast heart beat and paralyzation of my body for a moment before I can finally move and am able to breath. Some mornings I wake up and from my waist down to my feet I have the most eexcruciatingpain that its miserable to get up and get to my son. I also only have one partner, when we do have sex, when we normally don't because it is normally very painful...our sheets end up covered in blood (while I am not menstruating). I had an ultrasound done today for my pelvis and kidneys and see the DR in the morning, I just don't feel right. My body feels like its falling apart. Has anyone else had these experiences, if so...what was it...I know I see the dr in the morning but after 10 months of this...I am just getting scared and the pain and nnauseais getting worse. Does this sound like kidney disease?? Any info would be great.
I have no health insurance so I have only seen my regular doctor for this situation 3 times in the past year...the rest of the times I went to the ER because I can not afford to see a regular doctor. My doctor did say he was going to try and refer me to a urologist because he is scared of kidney failure.

• ANSWER:
  I am sorry you are suffering so much. I feel that the doctors are doing regular thorough checks and if they suspected kidney disease surely they would have done these tests earlier. Maybe the tiredness is part of a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome or M.E. Both conditions can be managed and quality of life usually returns to normal after the condition has run its course. This can be a lengthy process. The painful sex and raised heart beat can be attributed to stress. It seems to me that you are under an enormous amount of stress with all the worry and trying to bring up a family. Whatever it is sweetheart have confidence the doctors will get to the bottom of it and help you to feel well again. My thoughts are with you. Let me know how it goes. God bless. x

QUESTION:
I need a qualified "Pain Management" Doctor in the Kingwood/Houston, TX area who accepts MedicAid. Suggestions?
My Lady Friend is a Single Mother/3 Children with Kidney Stones & accompanying ailments who has seen 2 Doctors in less than a week, yet has been unable to persuade these Doctors to write her a prescription for any Painkillers other than a few Tylenol # 3s while we wait for a barrage of tests that might take a week or more. Her pain is constant & quite severe, and while I do not wish to merely treat the symptoms rather than the cause, I refuse to subject her to continuous agony simply because of her lack of affluence.

• ANSWER:
  http://www.medicaid-eligibility.com/

QUESTION:
Gallbladder surgery, Did I make the right choice?
I went to see a surgeon today because I have a gallstone. He said I have no symptoms and only one gallstone so did not need to have my gallbladder removed. However, when I told the surgeon that my husband and I plan to have another child in the near future...he said "good enough reason. Now let's talk about the surgery".
The surgeon gave me a choice and I chose to have my gallbladder removed.
Also, I've had kidney stones for the past 2 1/2 years and didn't want more pain in my future. Plus the risks of gallstones in pregnancy. Do you think I made a smart decision to get surgery? My surgery is in 2 weeks.
JB- I agree. I said to the surgeon that what if my husband and I want another child in 2 years. I mean the gallstone isn't going anywhere not even in 2 years. What a burden!
My husband and I both definitely want another child but are just waiting until we have enough money. Right now money is tight.
cliff1224- You're a real RETARD. The surgeon did say I needed the surgery if I wanted to have a 2nd child. duhhh. God you're an idiot! LOL.

• ANSWER:
  *I think your decision was a good and wise one. Your doctor doesn't seem like the kind of doctor who is knife happy and anxious to do surgery on people for no reason. After all, he initially told you that you don't need the surgery. He is aware of the risks this could cause if/when you become pregnant and I'm sure he weighed the pros and cons.

QUESTION:
What is the recovery time for surgical removal of a multicystic dysplastic kidney?
Two year old girl having multicystic dysplastic kidney removed in about two weeks. She is very healthy, active and has only been sick a few times(unrelated to kidney).

• ANSWER:
  My son had his left kidney removed, July 2005, due to a tumor. He spent 9 total days in the hospital (2 days in PICU).

  Have her take it easy. Follow the doctors instructions. Make sure she gets lots of water.

  As she ages: No high impact sports, continue to have her drink lots of water, her chance of UTI's will be higher.

  Otherwise she should be just fine.

QUESTION:
Breast Cancer- Surgical Removal of left breast.Has only 1 kidney. other solutions apart from Chemotherapy?
Female 57 years old. Dr. suggested Chemotherapy, but this person has only 1 kidney, is there any other medications she can take apart from chemotherapy? If so, what are they?

Any answers would be very much appreciated,

• ANSWER:
  What's the stage of the breast cancer?
  Primary tumor size? Axillary node status?
  Estrogen receptors? Progesterone receptors? HER2/neu status?
  What is the status of this person's renal function - serum creatinine / BUN?
  Which chemotherapy regimen is the oncologist considering?
  There are four or five commonly used drugs used in many different adjuvant chemotherapy regimens. Some agents present no problem for a person with one kidney - especially if that kidney is working well.
  Sometimes only dose modification is required.
  There is also Herceptin and various estrogen blocking agents.
  The options are many, and you have given us far too little information.
  Obviously her oncologist has all of this crucial information which we do not.
  So none of us should second guess the attending oncologist.
  This person could obtain a second opinion from another medical oncologist.
  That oncologist would need all of the information I have outlined above.

QUESTION:
Symptoms of kidney stones?
I have a congenital kidney defect and have had kidney stones more than I can imagine. They usually give me a distinct (pay attention to me) feeling.

I have the strips to test for blood in the urine, and they come up negative (do not change colors).

When you have stones, do you always have to have blood present in the urine? Or can you still have 1 or more stones and have no visible blood on the test strip (yes I know the blood is microscopic & rarely seen to the naked eye).

I have all of the other symptoms, including difficulty walking from the extreme back pain.

I have no insurance, so seeing the urologist or ER for a KUB is out of the question. I also cannot pass them (my defect makes for only surgical removal of stones).

How else can I tell if I have them?

• ANSWER:
  A kidney stone causes bleeding and pain when it moves. Otherwise, little or no pain. If it gets stuck in the ureter, then urine will back up into the kidney and cause lots of trouble. But you know that.

  With no pain and no positive strip, only way to know for sure will be the diagnostic checks that you say you can't afford.

  Sounds like you've fallen thru the 'cracks.' Medical problems, but no money, and not bad enough for assistance. If that is the case, what's the point in finding out if you have stones?

  Hmm... 'bout all I can suggest is for you to find a public hospital where you can be taken care of for a sliding scale fee, or go to local hospitals, explain you situation, and see if they can find a way to get you seen for nothing. Some have programs for such.

  Good luck.

QUESTION:
Who said this?
The television presenter had been treated in hospital near his north London home for several days with pneumonia.

He had previously suffered a kidney tumour in 2004, which was treated by surgical removal of the affected organ, but just months later in 2005 he was diagnosed with lymphocytic leukaemia.

In a statement, Beadle's agent, Nick Canham of MPC entertainment, said: "Jeremy Beadle MBE passed away peacefully today after a short battle with pneumonia. His wife Sue and close friends were at his bedside.

"In 2005, Jeremy was diagnosed with cancer, but did not let the condition affect his day to day life. In the autumn of 2007 he released three new books, and prior to his illness, was busy working on a series of television formats.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Sue, his two daughters, Cassie and Bonnie and his stepchildren Leo and Claire. He will be greatly missed."

• ANSWER:
  I can't imagine why you want to know? But it was "said" by the London Daily Telegraph at www.telegraph.co.uk

QUESTION:
My cat has hyperthyroidism. Is there anything i can feed him that will help him gain weight?
My soon to be 20 year old cat (20 in human years, yeah hes really old) has hyperthyroidism and is becoming rather thin. He only measures 30cm around his tummy area. When i cuddly him all what i can feel are his bones. He is on medication but due to his condition hes always vomiting what he eats and the tablets. Surgical removal of the thyroid is out of the question because hes too old. And any other treatments are way too expensive, as i can not afford them. Apart from the heavy breathing, vomiting and weight loss he seems fine. Hes always running around and playing with my other cat. But i got told by my vet that that is normal for his condition. What can i do to help him? I got told that heart failure or kidney failure can occur without treatment. He is on tablets but he cant keep them down. PLEASE HELP? THANKYOU

• ANSWER:
  Ask your vet about the medicine in gel form that is applied to the ear.

  " It is given in a pill form, daily for the life of the cat. It can also be administered as a transdermal gel applied to the ear." http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2130&aid=218

QUESTION:
Please help me in biology. Thank?
24. Kidneys maintain the electrolyte balance in the body. The term electrolyte refers to:
A. carbonate-bicarbonate
B. urea-uric acid
C. acid-base
D. water-salt

25. Which of the following are possible treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia?
A. transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
B. applying microwaves
C. surgical removal
D. drug treatment
E. All of the choices are correct.

26. The bone tissue that contains many large spaces filled with red marrow is called:
A. compact bone
B. medullary bone
C. hard bone
D. spongy bone

27. Where would you expect to find elastic cartilage?
A. nose
B. external ear
C. fingertips
D. wrist

28. The expanded region at the end of a long bone is known as the:
A. lacuna
B. diaphysis
C. osteon
D. epiphysis
E. medulla

29. Spongy bone is primarily located:
A. in the medulla of the long bone
B. in the diaphysis of the long bone
C. in the epiphysis of the long bone
D. only in flat bones
E. only in long bones

• ANSWER:
  24. Kidneys maintain the electrolyte balance in the body. The term electrolyte refers to:
  C. acid-base
  "Electrolyte solutions are normally formed when a salt is placed into a solvent such as water and the individual components dissociate due to the thermodynamic interactions between solvent and solute molecules, in a process called solvation."
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolyte

  25. Which of the following are possible treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia?
  E. All of the choices are correct.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_prostatic_hyperplasia

  26. The bone tissue that contains many large spaces filled with red marrow is called:
  D. spongy bone
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_marrow

  27. Where would you expect to find elastic cartilage?
  B. external ear
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_cartilage

  28. The expanded region at the end of a long bone is known as the:
  D. epiphysis
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphysis

  29. Spongy bone is primarily located:
  C. in the epiphysis of the long bone
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphysis

QUESTION:
Is plastic surgery really safe and the best option?
I'm thinking of having some surgical procedures to undue having 3 children--tummy tightening, vericose vein removal, breast lift...I'm wondering if this could be done with exercise and I'm just being lazy--also I worry about how it will affect the balance of my body since I only have one kidney to work with--I wonder if it will put extra strain on my kidney that I am not considering. Would applying myself to exercise really work to tighten up the muscles so the skin doesn't sag?!?! I would think exercise would make the veins worse!

• ANSWER:
  Go for it!

QUESTION:
Help with this question on the kidneys/lungs?
Felicia, a medical student, arrived late to surgery where she was to observe removal of an extensive abscess from the external surface of a patient's kidney. Felicia was startled to find the surgical team working to reinflate the patient's lung and remove air from the pleural cavity. How could renal surgery lead to such an event?

• ANSWER:
  the kidneys are responsible for diuresis- clearing the body of extra fluids (by getting rid of electrolytes as well). if the kidneys cannot do their job, fluid can collect (usually in the form of edema) in other parts of the body, including the pleural cavity.

QUESTION:
Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO). Can anyone offer some insight please?
I have to undergo surgery to remove my appendix due to a mucocele. The surgery has to be treated as a cancer surgery although cancer is very unlikely in my particular case. As a result the lymph nodes and part of my bowel has to be removed. The doctor said that I will lose my ileocecal valve. I looked into this upon returning home and learned about SIBO and how it will likely result from the valve removal. the doc was pretty thorough in his explainations but never mentioned SIBO. My big problem is right now i'm not sick (asymptomatic) and if I develop SIBO it could make me sick regularly and affect my quality of life extensively. I can't be on regular antibiotics because i have kidney problems and can't risk developing a resistance to the meds in case i need them for the kidneys. One of the meds they use is the one they always use for my kidney infections. Can anyone offer insight to what living with SIBO is like and any long term treatments or surgical cures they know about? Thanks!
I can't access my surgeon for another few days at least and my surgery is in less than a month. Any resources would be appreciated as well. I haven't found too many regarding treatment or discussing dealing with SIBO first hand. These would be great. Thanks again.

• ANSWER:
  I'm really sorry that you have to go through this.
  and now you have me scared as I have IBS and this article says that
  Based on all the research, it is likely that somewhere between 40 and 84% of IBS patients may actually have this problem. (sibo)
  from this article
  http://community.livejournal.com/ibs/491898.html
  I am sure you have read all the info on the web so I won't provide any more links, for my sake as well as yours.
  I think I will just go and hide my head in the sand for awhile
  I will say a prayer for you and hope for the best.
  wish I could help you. maybe someone who actually has the disease will answer you. I hope so.
  take care