Jean in Newcastle Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I'm on my 6th consecutive antibiotic (Clindamycin) for acute illness I've had since the week before Christmas. Yesterday I also had an MRI with contrast (don't know what they injected into me). Yesterday my urine was dark orange and cloudy. I immediately started to drink lots. I was in moderate pain in my bladder with spasms but it subsided. I thought it odd but did not immediately associate it with my meds. I took my last dose of the antibiotic after dinner and in less than an hour was in pain again and my urine was dark. I drank and drank and drank. It was a very difficult night. I had chills for much of it. Now it is 6:45 and my urine has darkened again and I'm having low back pain and pain in my left front side. The pain in my side is fairly intense but I can talk through it and could "ignore" it. Of course, dh is out of town. My kids are old enough to leave alone if necessary but it would distress them if I just left. a. Should I keep drinking to flush things out or will that stress my kidneys even more? This option would be hoping to flush things out until I can tell someone or it gets worse. b. Should I go to urgent care at 8 am? c. Should I wait and call the prescribing doctor at 8:30 am? I know that he and his nurse are in surgery all morning. I would be leaving a message telling them what happened and would of course not take any more of this medicine. d. Should I wait and call my primary doctor at 8:30 am? He did not prescribe the medicine but should be able to advise me on whether I can just drink or go to the ER e. Do I go to the ER? f. Is there some option I'm not even thinking of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Because you have more than just a simple infection, and you've been struggling with this for so long, I'd go to the ER. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Yes, you need to be seen somewhere for a UA. From what I recall working in radiology, MRI contrast is not as hard on your kidneys as CT contrast, but it's possible that either the antibiotic or the contrast might have caused you some issues. Please go in, whether it's the urgent care or ER. I wouldn't drink anymore, just to be on the safe side, but make sure you have enough in your bladder to do a UA. ETA: I would go the ER. They are going to have more diagnostic tools available than an urgent care, who may just refer you there anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Pls go to the UA or the ER, whichever will get you seen quickly. They need to coordinate with your primary, too, and you need to report everything to the drs you are seeing, of course. Oh, honey, I'm sorry you are walking this road! Continued prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I think you should go to emergency... Hope you are ok and out of pain soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I think that I would probably seek medical attention in that situation and I did not go to the doctor for what was probably a broken foot/ankle (I thought it was just a bad sprain). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 if you have an emergency option that is attached to a hospital (i'm thinking of kaiser hospitals), then its worth an extra drive to go there. they have everything you might need. i think you are in a timezone later than mine, so hope you have already gone! ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 I'm going to end up calling at 8 am. I've been busy running back and forth to the bathroom and wasn't able to leave anyway. At this point it is 7:30 so I'll get dressed and will call at 8. The pain is diminishing as I'm able to go to the bathroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 So sorry Jean. This sounds terrible. I would go get it checked out. I tend to start with UC just due to cost and what my insurance will cover, but if necessary, go to the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn- Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Clindamycin is some nasty stuff. You might want to look up the side effects and see if any of them match your symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Clindamycin is some nasty stuff. You might want to look up the side effects and see if any of them match your symptoms. >>>Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: joint pain/swelling, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, change in the amount of urine<<< Oh boy. I read the side effects and warning. Sigh. I hope it at least clears up the infection, Jean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMV Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 *MRI contrast is usually gadolinium based. Although there was originally thought that this was safe for patients with chronic kidney disease (and once was recommended as preferable to the iodinated contrast usually used for CT scans) we now know that gadolinium can cause acute tubular necrosis so it isn't recommended as a safe contrast. It may still be appropriate and reasonable to use gadolinium if the benefits outweigh the risk but ordering physicians should consider the patient's baseline renal function, other medications/comorbidities, and the value of a non contrasted study when they make this decision. All contrast will be more likely to cause ATN in a volume depleted or acidotic state so interventions to reverse these situations prior to contrast administration are wise as well. *Clindamycin has also (but not commonly) been associated with acute kidney injury. The exact mechanism of injury is still not fully understood and is likely a mix of tubular damage and interstitial nephritis. It is my impression that this usually occurs early (within 48 hours) in the antibiotic course and usually patients present with hematuria. So, -You probably need to be seen by some physician today and you probably need a CMP, urinalysis (with microscopy), and urine culture (to exclude an infection). -In general I would probably start with your PCP if they are competent. If they are not wanting to deal with this then perhaps the Emergency Department is your option. Most of the ENTs I know would feel a bit outside of their scope with this and would likely want help from their friendly neighborhood internist or be inclined to send the patient to the ED if the internist is not friendly. -I believe you mentioned before that you were starting Metformin. If you are not already holding your Metformin because you received contrast please do not take more Metformin until you have assurance that your kidney function is sufficient enough that Metformin is safe. There is concern for lactic acidosis with Metformin in patients with renal insufficiency and the drug is contraindicated for women with Cre at 1.4 or above. Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thanks, LMV. I will withhold the Metformin (which no one has said anything about). I'm getting a bit of a run-around. Primary care doctor's nurse said to call the prescribing physician (ENT). ENT is in surgery all morning but I did leave a message with the on-call doctor detailing what is going on and asking if I need to be seen by someone like my primary. We'll see if anyone gets back to me. In the meantime, I've dressed and eaten breakfast so that I can easily go see anyone anywhere. If this is something that will just be flushed out of my system, that would be great but I don't want to risk kidney damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 No advice, Jean, just prayers and hugs. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 I'm going to the ER. I called Urgent Care and they told me that they would not see me with my complicated history on this (which is probably wise). My primary is passing the buck to the ENT, even though the ENT can't treat bladder/kidney problems. It would have been best if the primary had squeezed me in today but I can't make them do that. Dh (nephrology nurse) says that this is not something I can just flush out of my system. So. . . it's off to the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteryJen Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Praying here, Jean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 :grouphug: Praying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thanks for the update, Jean -- I'm glad you're going to the ER. I hope this turns out to be something minor. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Dang, girl. I wish Dr. House was a real guy. Hugs and prayers coming your way. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Glad you're going to the ER. I hope they can easily figure out the problem and treat you so you're home soon. Lots of prayers headed your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelAR05 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Praying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMom Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I'm glad you're going in, Jean. Praying for you. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Oh, Jean, I'm so sorry. Praying for you. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Just seeing this now. You are probably still sitting in the ER...update as soon as you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Praying with you, for you, Jean. I'm so sorry! humbug... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thinking of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Any word on Jean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Holding the thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I keep checking this thread for an update. I hope Jean is OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Hope you're doing okay, Jean. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 Update = I have a kidney stone. It doesn't really explain the amount of blood in my urine but it's all they can find for now. I've been released to drink lots and pee in a sieve. I'm in pain but really no more than "usual". The nurses were joking that I was a "woman of steel" since I wasn't thrashing and wimpering in pain like what they were used to. I had nothing to eat or drink all day in the ER except for some crackers I threw into my purse on my way out the door. So I took the kids and myself out for really good pizza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Thanks for the update, Jean -- you truly are a woman of steel!!! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 So sorry Jean. I hope it passes soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Glad it's nothing worse and glad they found it! Drink lots and lots of Gerolsteiner mineral water. They used to claim (on the bottle) it flushes stones out. Perhaps worth trying. :laugh: Enjoy the pizza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CupOCoffee Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 ((hugs)) Jean! Pizza sounds like a worthy treat after the day you had! I hope you enjoyed it and are now resting! You are in my prayers daily, even though I've been rather "in wings" here lately :) ~coffee~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I don't think I've ever liked a post where someone found out they had a kidney stone, Jean, but I really hope that stone is gone very soon without any more pain than you already have. And hooray for good pizza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 I don't think I've ever liked a post where someone found out they had a kidney stone, Jean, but I really hope that stone is gone very soon without any more pain than you already have. And hooray for good pizza. Thanks, Amira. For some reason I seem to go into "kidney stone labor" in the middle of the night. Last night was the second night with chills and pain that almost had me throwing up. But I got some sleep too and I'm still functional. Since I'm the only parent home at the moment, it is nice to be able to be happy and mobile during the day when I'm around the kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Feel better soon. I'm sorry you are dealing with this, especially alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I'm hoping and praying you feel better soon (like in right now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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