Pain in my new kidney

[kellyt]

Starting Thursday evening I started getting this pain in the area of my new kidney (lower left stomach area).  I walked on my treadmill on Tues or Wed at an average speed (2.5 mph), but I walked at a level 3 incline for 30 minutes.  The "pain" I can only describe as intermittent and sort of "pulling", as if there has been some tightening and I'm pulling/stretching it.  If I touch the area or push down on the new kidney there is absolutely no pain.  It usually occurs when I'm standing and I take deep breaths or move strangely.  Bending over doesn't necessarily cause the pain, either.

I called the on-call clinic nurse last night and she went over all the other possible complications, such as fever or spike in BP.  I told her I had neither.  I feel fine, I just keep getting this stretching or pulling "pain".  My urine output is normal, as well.  I've been taking it easy today and I'm supposed to call her again in the a.m.  and let her know if it's worse.  If not, I have labs and a doctor visit on Tuesday.    I'm 9 weeks post-op.   Any other transplanter experience anything like this?   Actually, it's not an unfamiliar "pain".  I had this pain early on after surgery.  You think maybe I pulled something or strained something walking?  Any suggestions other than what I've already done calling the nurse?     

[Wenchie58]

Kelly...
   I had my Tx about 2 weeks ahead of you and I experienced much the same thing because I lifted something that was a bit too heavy.  Doc did labs and like you, everything else was fine (ie. output, temp, bp)  I bet you did exactly that "pulled something" when you walked the incline.  It's scarey and worrisome though.  Might be worth getting those labs just to ease your mind.

Good luck!

[kellyt]

Thank you!  That eases my mind!  If it had just happened out of the blue I think I would be more worried, but because I can associate it to the walking I really feel that's what caused it.  I usually walk at maybe 1.5 to 2 incline, but I was feeling rather ambitiious that night!  I think I'll slow it down a bit!    Thanks again!

Where did you have your surgery?  How are you doing now?

[Rerun]

It is hard NOT to worry, but the basic signs are fever, and pain when you put your hand on your kidney and push.  Don't be pushing on it all the time either you may bruise it.  Relax!

[Wenchie58]

Had my surgery at University Hosp in Syracuse, NY on October 24th.  It's been an interesting ride to say the least.  Surgically, I healed wonderfully, but have been dealing with rejection issues, that they now seem to have under control.  My creatine still runs 1.3 to 1.7 depending on how high my Prograf levels are, but they aren't concerned because my body beat the living hell outta the poor kidney for a couple of weeks!  All in all I feel great and I am not concerned about that creatine levels either, because I haven't seen numbers like that since my teen years.

[kellyt]

I agree, Rerun.  Last night I was starting to worry, but today after talking to the nurse I feel more comfortable.  Also, last night I noticed when I rolled over onto my left side I was having the pain.  When I woke up this morning I thought I'd try it again and when I turned to my left side there was no pain at all.  I'm just going to take it easy and relax until Tuesday's visit.  I checked my book and read the symptoms of rejection and one of them is pain or tenderness over the kidney.  But then again, it's not "to the touch".

Relax....breathe....relax.    Thanks gals.

[Chris]

Sorry this may sound wrong, but I was hoping that this might be similar to the pains I have had that's been going on for two years. Mine is in the same area sounds like, but mine was an intence pain and worse when I urinated. Local docs didn't want to look inside because he never dealt with a transplant patient. I was then transferred to my transplant center who just took blood work to see if I was rejecting. Thus another reason I really hate my pancreas surgeon. The pain took several months to go away, but now I have pain if I have the urger to go and have to hold. I'm not talking like I have a full bladder either, just because my body feels like ohh let's mess with him while he's trying to get inside or he's oing something that needs attention.

No doc has given m an answer to pain, not even it's possible reflux, which I worry about after finding out about it on here.

[monrein]

Sounds to me like you are describing a "pulled" muscle.  I still have never had any rejection, even though I'm no longer on meds, so can't speak to that but I often have sore stomach muscles from exercise especially when I try something a little new for me. 

[kellyt]

The pain is definitely over the kidney.  I'm sure I've strained something, but what?  My guess is that it's not rejection, but I hope I haven't hurt something that's still healing.  I'm going to take it easy for a while.  No lifting or straining movement.

[okarol]

Hopefully there's no big problem, but get checked anyway. It's important to know if there's fluid building up in the area, although I believe if it were the pain would be there when you apply pressure.

Some people develop adhesions in the area of a surgical incision. Surgical adhesions and scar tissue can develop and cause discomfort such as tugging and pain.

Getting an adhesion is like having a not-so-elastic band suddenly ­materialize inside your body cavity and connecting ­internal organs that are not normally connected — like loops of intestines, with your uterus at one end and a bend in the fallopian tubes at the other, or joining your intestines and the walls of the abdomen.

I think they can do an ultrasound to diagnose the problem, but check with your doctor.

[chris73]

I'm 9 months post i still have stabbin pains coming and going over my incision site and i talked with tx clinic and told me some people have them...all my labs are ok... after all i have been through i tend to "worry" about every little ache and pain  i want to do everything i can to make it last long as possible....hope the pain goes away and it turns out to be nothing..Chris

[Sluff]

Hope everything is ok with the new kidney Kelly. 

[kellyt]

I stopped by the clinic today, as I as in the neighborhood, and my post-transplant coordinator seems to agree that I've strained something.  I have labs and doctor visit tomorrow.

Thanks everyone!  The peace of mind you all gave me is priceless!

[Wattle]

   Hugs Kelly

I hope the labs are good and you have just pushed a little too hard on the treadmill!


 

[monrein]

Glad to hear this Kelly.   

[kitkatz]

Slow down a tad on your treadmill. Remember you are a transplant person, not Superwoman, yet!

[kellyt]

Ha!     I don't think it was my speed.  I believe it was the incline.  I walk at a pretty average speed (not too fast, not too slow).  And I NEVER run unless something is chasing me!

How goes the gym for you, Kit?  Still going strong?  I wanna see photos of your muscles!!!!!     

[kitkatz]

Muscles, too much fat to get rid of first!   I am working out in the pool. I am up to 32 laps which is a half a mile in the pool on a regular basis!  Twenty minutes on the bike pretty easy at level 3.

[kellyt]

I saw my transplant doctor yesterday and he's in 100% agreement that I've strained something probably from the walking on the incline.  I've been taking it easy these last few days and I already feel a difference.

He did tell me, however, that I have to get my weight under control!  I've gained 15 lbs since transplant and I am miserable!  I asked him how much of that 15 lbs does he figure is fluid and he said "Zero".  Ahhhh man!            I told him I've joined Weight Watchers and he's happy.  He said "I don't expect you to lose until we get the Prednisone down, but you don't want to go any higher".  I agree.  The 1st week of WW I followed the plan and still gained 3 lbs!  I did have a late lunch, so maybe that contributed to my gain.     I didn't follow the plan at all last week, so I didn't even go weigh-in.  My scale at home doesn't say I'm up, but I don't trust the WW scale!  I'm not a tiny person so I can't afford to go any higher in weight!  I'll POP!!

[paris]

You aren't going to POP!!     You are so funny.     But, you can pee and have a lovely pink kidney --  so don't beat yourself up about the Prenisone pounds.  It doesn't help to have just gone through the holidays with all the good food.  You are doing great and look gorgeous!   

[st789]

Hope you are ok.  Take care.

[Sunny]

I think it would be fair to blame the prednisone. When that is reduced, I'll bet the weight will come off a lot easier. Don't be too hard on yourself about this. All you can do is your best to keep your weight under control. Prednisone is notorious for contributing to weight gain and sometimes doctors can be so ignorant or unsympathetic about it. Just try to cut out all the "bad stuff" ( you know what that is), eat healthy and hang in there. You'll lose the weight. I had prednisone weight gain too and sometimes there is not a lot to be done about it if you know you are already trying all the right things.

[kidney4traci]

Just thinking of you Kell... hope you have rested  a few days now and are feeling a bit better!!!   

[okarol]

 
Hey Kelly!
Take it easy!

[paddbear0000]

The 1st week of WW I followed the plan and still gained 3 lbs! 

I don't think Weight Watchers would like to use you as a spokesperson!