Kidney infection? (In me, not a kitty)

For the past couple days I've been getting back pain one on side of my back, toward the middle. But only when I lay on my side or my back? I googled it and it said localized back pain like that could be a kidney infection, and I should call my doctor immediately. But I would assume if it were a kidney infection the pain would be constant, wouldn't it? The info I read said blood in urine is an indicator, but lack of it doesn't mean I don't have a kidney infection.

I thought the pain was pregnancy related (I'm almost 26 weeks), but I'm not really that big

What does everyone think? The pain is pretty bad, I have to sleep halfway on my belly if I want to get any sleep at all. Should I call my doctor?

Immediately - It can be dangerous during pregnancy... If you can't call an after hour line, go to the ER... Sorry, Don't want to scare you, but don't play around with it.... Call your dr.

Originally Posted by Carolina

Immediately - It can be dangerous during pregnancy... If you can't call an after hour line, go to the ER... Sorry, Don't want to scare you, but don't play around with it.... Call your dr.

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Wouldn't the pain be constant if it were a kidney infection? That's the only symptom of a kidney infection that I have.

Originally Posted by kscatlady

Wouldn't the pain be constant if it were a kidney infection? That's the only symptom of a kidney infection that I have.

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Look you are 26 weeks pregnant, with a very bad pain, that is taking away your sleep... Kidney infection or not, that is not something you want to play with... Call your dr., and if you can't get someone on the line go to the ER... In your case (a pregnant woman's case), I'd say better safe than sorry...
Just call...

Krista, Have you thought about the possibility of this being contractions?

Originally Posted by Carolina

Look you are 26 weeks pregnant, with a very bad pain, that is taking away your sleep... Kidney infection or not, that is not something you want to play with... Call your dr., and if you can't get someone on the line go to the ER... In your case (a pregnant woman's case), I'd say better safe than sorry...
Just call...

Krista, Have you thought about the possibility of this being contractions?

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It's definitely not contractions.

Which side? Is it high enough to be gallbladder?

Originally Posted by kluchetta

Which side? Is it high enough to be gallbladder?

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Right side...I don't know if it's high enough.

I would probably at least call the doctor. I do know two people that had back pain during pregnancy and were written off as "pregnant" by the doctor. One of them had 2 herniated discs, and one had to have emergency gall bladder surgery at 36 weeks.

On-call nurse said to push the fluids and keep an eye on it. I might go to my regular doctor and have them check my urine for an infection. They are closer then my OB. Thanks for the help, ladies!

Originally Posted by kscatlady

On-call nurse said to push the fluids and keep an eye on it. I might go to my regular doctor and have them check my urine for an infection. They are closer then my OB. Thanks for the help, ladies!

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Krysta, not optimum, but they sell urinary tract infection (should also indicate kidney infection) home test kits at CVS, at the same aisle they sell feminine items, such as yeast infection stuff, tampons, etc... If you have a CVS close to you, that is something you can do before going to the doc...

Originally Posted by kscatlady

Wouldn't the pain be constant if it were a kidney infection? That's the only symptom of a kidney infection that I have.

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As someone with chronic kidney infections running in the family - Nope. The pain won't necessarily be constant - it's different with everyone. I walked around for a week with a nasty kidney infection once because I thought I'd just badly pulled a muscle while sleeping in my P's guest bed. I also wouldn't count on blood int he urine, since I know that's one symptom not everyone gets.

I'll second Carolina's advice - anything that hurts badly enough that you're losing sleep means you should probably see a doctor. Especially since you're pregnant.

It seemed to be getting worse today, and more constant, so I tried to get an appointment and couldn't get one until tomorrow. They said if I start running a fever or am in terrible pain then to go to the ER. I was a little surprised my OB or my GP couldn't get me in, but I guess they know what they're doing.

Originally Posted by kscatlady

It seemed to be getting worse today, and more constant, so I tried to get an appointment and couldn't get one until tomorrow. They said if I start running a fever or am in terrible pain then to go to the ER. I was a little surprised my OB or my GP couldn't get me in, but I guess they know what they're doing.

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I wouldn't assume anything!

So you won't be seen until tomorrow? boy that's a long time to be in pain. I just recently had a kidney infection. And I'm not pregnant. Boy, talk about pain. The pain started in the evening, I went to the urgent care the next morning. I'm no stoic.

keep us posted.

I have had kidney infections all of my life. they are nothing to fool around with. The pain isn't always constant. It can be very uncomfortable, mine only get worse the longer I leave it. Being pregnant I would take any chances.

I went to the doctor and there were white cell, blood and protein in my urine. The doctor thought it was a bladder infection, but she's sending my sample in to get a culture so we can find out what type of infection it is. In the meantime she gave me antibiotics. I'm kind of worried though, because bladder infections can cause contractions.

Originally Posted by otto

I wouldn't assume anything!

So you won't be seen until tomorrow? boy that's a long time to be in pain. I just recently had a kidney infection. And I'm not pregnant. Boy, talk about pain. The pain started in the evening, I went to the urgent care the next morning. I'm no stoic.

keep us posted.

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It's not terrible pain, it's manageable. It gets a little bad when I'm laying on my back or my sides. Hopefully it won't get any worse since I started the antibiotics.

Originally Posted by kscatlady

I went to the doctor and there were white cell, blood and protein in my urine. The doctor thought it was a bladder infection, but she's sending my sample in to get a culture so we can find out what type of infection it is. In the meantime she gave me antibiotics. I'm kind of worried though, because bladder infections can cause contractions.

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Krysta, I will repeat what I said on my first and on my second response on this thread, but now for your next time... Please PLEASE do NOT wait around to go to the doctor when you have something like this... Many things can be dangerous when you are pregnant, and you are better safe than sorry. If no one is taking you seriously, go to the E.R. PERIOD. I cannot believe they told you to wait... I had a feeling you had an infection... If there is blood in your urine, it is usually due to an advanced infection - meaning you have had this infection for quite a few days.
Please Krysta, do not play around with anything... any little tiny thing when you are pregnant...
Now lay down and rest - I am putting you on time out girl!

Well, I didn't feel like they weren't taking me seriously. I don't think it was to trusting of me to listen to them, I spoke to a nurse at my GP and my OB, so it was more then one person who thought I was ok to wait.

Thanks for caring enough to put me in a time out! I'm drinking soooooo much water and resting.

cranberry juice is great for UTI's .