The saga continues...

haylo33 · March 2014

Posted yesterday about spending the day in L&D with mild contractions. I went home still in a lot of pain. It progressed throughout the night and was very severe pain on my left side. Called the on call midwife who told me there wasn't much to do until morning and I probably need an ultrasound of my kidneys. Woke up today feeling a lot better but still having pain. Went for the US, the tech said she wanted the radiologist to look at it real quick before I left. Then she comes back saying he was going to read the whole thing and call my OB. Then they said just to go right to my OB. Got there, saw the nurse who told me the US showed hydronephrosis or swollen kidneys and that I had an appointment in an hour with a urologist. The urologist said the ultrasound showed severe swelling. I guess it's not uncommon for pregnant women to have swelling on the right kidney with pregnancy but both is abnormal. It is unlikely a stone causing it because that's usually one sided. He genuinely seemed stumped. Sent my urine for a culture to see if it is caused by a bacteria. Usually, they place a stent in the kidneys to drain them, but they don't like to because it increases the risk of preterm labor. I'm so stressed out. They did send me home with a script for Tylenol with codeine. It is a narcotic but Tylenol won't even touch the pain. He said to take it only if it gets unbearable. I'm wondering if its safe. I know the baby is formed so once or twice won't do long term damage but I still worry. Anyone experience anything like this? I have a repeat US Tuesday and will see the doctor after.

RachelCA29 · March 2014

I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this! I'm stressed FOR you. I hope they figure out what it is and can get your the proper treatment ASAP!!

cnbean · March 2014

That sounds scary! FX that they can figure out what is causing it.

kshampeny · March 2014

That is such a bummer. I was hoping for a good diagnosis for you today. FX that they figure it out quickly, so you can start to feel better.

jjtyler · March 2014

I have extreme hip and leg pain due to a torn labrum. I have been given the green light for Tylenol with Codeine...and you are right, it basically doesn't do much for the pain, but it does make me sleepy and helps knock me out when the pain is at its worst.

rainydayluck · March 2014

Wow, crazy! I hope they figure out something soon! Good luck!

meli1025 · March 2014

So sorry you're going through this. I hope your u/s on Tuesday provides more answers.

sammy.k · March 2014

I had to take Tylenol with codeine because of a scratched cornea (holy hell it hurt!!). My OB was fine with it. Hope you feel better soon!

sparklingdiamond · March 2014

So scary! I hope they figure it out soon and you start feeling better!

LunaBug924 · March 2014

I have no advice. I'm just sorry that you're going through this and I hope you feel better and get answers soon!

LoveIsAll25 · March 2014

So sorry! I can't even imagine the pain you must be in. I have never taken Tylenol with Codeine but my cousin did through out her pregnancy and her son is healthy and smart.

spacepotatoes · March 2014

So sorry you are dealing with this!

FlemDance · March 2014

I'm so sorry! Hopefully you start feeling better soon!

delatl · March 2014

How awful. I'm sorry you're going through this. I've heard tylenol with codeine is okay.

Roufi · March 2014

That sounds awful! I hope that they get this figured out and ease your pain soon! You certainly don't need any extra pain and worry while cooking this little one.

Junebug060609 · March 2014

As I sat here reading your post, so much of it I kept saying to myself, "That sounds like A (a woman I was pg with for my sons pg). So I shot her a message on FB, including C&P your OP, and here is what she wrote.

Quick background: Not only has she experienced what she describes, but she also works at a hospital (radiology) and treats people like her/you.

Just going to C&P her comments, my input is the bolded.

I asked her what she was dx'd with: Because my uterus was growing and I am so small it was pushing in my ureter which was then smashed into my pelvis. So my urine couldnt drain and it would back up into my kidney. Its called hydronephrosis. So I ended up with a Percutaneous Nephrostomy which is a drain inserted into the kidney from the outside. It drains the backed up urine. Its very easy to diagnose though. What is going on with her?

This is where I C&P'd your OP

Yep thats what was wrong with me. Peoole dont realize how common and treatable it is. She needs a perc neph not a stent

And I was just closely monitored by my OB after ever drain exchange which was every 4weeks plus I worked in the department for 7 years that did that exact procedure. Its not a big deal. She needs to find a new urologist and OB. Its not a swollen kidney! Its backup urine.

Regarding the Tylenol with Codeine worry :

I was on a fentanly patch for over 17weeks. Thats a heavy narcotic. And she is worried aboout codine? Seriously? Lololol! K had mild withdrawl at birth but we had no choice. And now 2 1/2 years she is one of the smartest in her class

She offered being available if you wanted to reach out to her. Not sure how I'd liason that, but I can figure it out with her if you are interested.

LenaBakeOven · March 2014

Lurker here. I'm sorry you're enduring so much pain. I have taken not only Tylenol with Codeine during this pregnancy but also Percocet and IV Morphine... never for often and never at once, but on a limited, short-term basis, as little as possible. All was approved by several OBs and ER docs, even in the first tri. First time was 8 weeks. It worried the hell out of me but I basically had no option (won't go into my tl;dr medical history here but yeah), and I was repeatedly and vehemently reassured by docs that it was okay. I'm 28 weeks now and had MANY ultrasounds due to all this, most recently this last Thursday, my scans/tests are 100% normal.

If I were you, I'd take what I needed to take to get comfortable. I usually take half a pill and then if needed take the other half two/three hours later, so I can be sure I'm taking the least amount possible. You're obviously conscientious and concerned which is the right mindset! Do be aware that in my observation baby tends to be more lethargic after taking the pills, so it would be a bad time to do kick counts. My little kickboxer usually recovers her energy before the effects wear off.

I hope you feel much better very soon! Hang in there.

ns1 · March 2014

Sorry you're dealing with this. I hope they figure out what's going on asap and you get some relief soon!

softservecity · March 2014

FX for you that you find answers and relief!

YTLCNURSE · March 2014

I'm sorry you are going through all of this. Hopefully they can figure out what is going on. Keep us updated!

whitneymarie003 · March 2014

I'm so sorry, that sounds absolutely awful. As if being pregnant isn't hard enough! I'll be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!

haylo33 · March 2014

Thanks for the info and kind words! As a nurse, I see Hydronephrosis pretty regularly where I work... It is just usually with 70 year old men haha. The way the doc was talking, they will just want to monitor me until he is born which is great but I still have to work and function which I wouldn't be able to do with that pain. Plus I'm a nurse, so if I had the pain, I can't work with any narcotics in my system. Maybe it will disappear by Tuesday.

Arinias · March 2014

Just wanted to say I am sorry you are going through this! T&P that you will get some answers and some relief!

Junebug060609 · March 2014

haylo33 said:
Thanks for the info and kind words! As a nurse, I see Hydronephrosis pretty regularly where I work... It is just usually with 70 year old men haha. The way the doc was talking, they will just want to monitor me until he is born which is great but I still have to work and function which I wouldn't be able to do with that pain. Plus I'm a nurse, so if I had the pain, I can't work with any narcotics in my system. Maybe it will disappear by Tuesday.

The friend that I contacted...her pain became so unbearable that they did surgery in second tri to put in the drain. Her daughter was delivered at 36w. She had other issues with her pelvis going on as well, but the kidney stuff just kept escalating.

I hate to say this, but you being pulled from work early so you can address the pain seems like à possiblity. Is that something you have considered?

Bootsie327 · March 2014

I don't have any experience but I hope this gets resolved soon so you can feel better!

Jillzy86 · March 2014

I'm so sorry thoughts and prayers headed your way. I hope you feel better soon!

Unknown · March 2014

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Christinaruth74 · March 2014

FX this resolves itself and doesn't turn into anything more serious. Keep us posted!

haylo33 · March 2014

Junebug060609 said:

haylo33 said:
Thanks for the info and kind words! As a nurse, I see Hydronephrosis pretty regularly where I work... It is just usually with 70 year old men haha. The way the doc was talking, they will just want to monitor me until he is born which is great but I still have to work and function which I wouldn't be able to do with that pain. Plus I'm a nurse, so if I had the pain, I can't work with any narcotics in my system. Maybe it will disappear by Tuesday.
The friend that I contacted...her pain became so unbearable that they did surgery in second tri to put in the drain. Her daughter was delivered at 36w. She had other issues with her pelvis going on as well, but the kidney stuff just kept escalating.

I hate to say this, but you being pulled from work early so you can address the pain seems like à possiblity. Is that something you have considered?

I know it is a possibility eventually. I'm an RN and work 12 hour shifts on my feet, so it's not a relaxing environment. I explained to him that I have to work unless he thinks I really need to stop. I get 12 weeks maternity leave. I think there is a policy you can only take 12 weeks leave for anything in a 1 year period so any time off before the baby means less time after and I'm not ok with that. I'm hoping the urine culture comes back and it was a uti that went to my kidneys and can just be treated with antibiotics. The doc seemed to think that would be best case scenario.

IBackBevo · March 2014

Oh no! I had a kidney infection and swelling in one, but not both. Has your bp been normal? I will think about you. Give us an update when you can.

haylo33 · March 2014

IBackBevo said:
Oh no! I had a kidney infection and swelling in one, but not both. Has your bp been normal? I will think about you. Give us an update when you can.

My BP has been great. High 90s low 100s. When I was in L&D with the extreme pain it went as high as 140 but I know that was just the pain

MinaE01 · March 2014

I had a kidney stone or infection with DS at 26w. I was in pain for about 2 weeks. I took Tylenol with codeine and it made me incredibly constipated - very uncomfortable and it didn't really help with the pain that much. I wouldn't recommend it unless you absolutely cannot stand the pain.

Also, when this passes (and hopefully it will soon!) insist on extra monitoring of the baby. I delivered DS at 32w3d for an unknown reason, but my OB suspects it was because I had the kidney issues. I was not checked between 26w and when I had him. I asked and they scoffed. If I had one cervical length check, they would've noticed something was off.

Good luck! I hope you find some relief and those kidneys start behaving themselves.