Description
One of every 100 to 200 people have some form of this disease. The kidneys filter urine from the blood and direct it down tiny collecting tubes toward the ureters (ducts that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder). These tiny tubes gradually join together until they reach the renal pelvis, where the ureters begin. As the tubes join, they are supposed to get progressively bigger as they get fewer in number. In medullary sponge kidney, the tubes are irregular in diameter, forming pools of urine along the way. These pools encourage stone formation and infection.
Causes and symptoms
Although some cases of this disorder seem to be inherited, usually the cause is not known.
The symptoms associated with medullary sponge kidney are those related to infection and stone passage. Infection causes fever; back and flank pain; cloudy, frequent, and burning urine; and general discomfort. Stones cause pain in the flank or groin as they pass. They usually cause some bleeding. The bleeding may not be visible in the urine, but it is apparent under a microscope.
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I spent last week Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in hospital. It all started with flu like symptoms that sent me to my doc who prescribed antibiotics. Was in bed over the weekend with fever like chills and lower back pain. Yikes that back pain got progressively worse and eventually I felt like I wanted to rip both kidneys out of my own skin. I finally got myself off to the emergency rooms on Tuesday morning after not sleeping the entire night. After a CT Scan of my kidneys and a visit with a Urologist I was diagnosed with "Medullary Sponge Kidney"
I was pomptly hooked up to an intravenus drip, pumped full of cortisol and antibiotics and finally sent home on Monday with a diagnoses that I am not entirely happy with.
Basically have been told that there is nothing they can do for me and that basically this will be a re-ocurring condition that will bring me back for the same or similar treatment time and time again.
Humph! trex-073
notfair
Shame - poor you, that sounds really painful. I'm sure our team of online specialists might be able to provide some alternative treatments/opinions.
3d smiles(281)
bighug Thanks Michele, thats basically what I was hoping that somone on here has experienced the same and could possibly direct me in the right direction with some alternative remedies.