This Friday is the "anniversary" of a pretty brutal attack i endured a number of years ago, so this is the hardest week of the year for me. The fact that I had to go back to work (very stressful job) this week after my knee surgery has not helped (I was not able to endure sitting upright in a chair for more than 5 hours and had to come home to ice and elevate it and to take pain meds). For the last two days I have been having symptoms of a UTI (feeling like I have to go almost constantly (but then don't at all or very little) and pain when I *do* go that lasts even after the urine stream actually stops).  I have also had intermittent aching just above my waist in my lower right back.  So I saw my PCP today, and my urine has blood in it (not visible) but not something else that he would expect to see if it was a bladder infection.  He sent the urine to be cultured and sent over a prescription for Cipro if the culture comes back positive, but he thinks it may be small kidney stones, one up below the kidney and probably one down in the urethra that might be stuck.

So, as if my anxiety isn't high enough already this week, I am now anxious because I know there is the chance that I may suddenly develop excruciating pain from a kidney stone.  (I have had two before, and one of them hurt so badly that I couldn't walk, couldn't even keep my eyes open, and could barely speak.) If the culture is negative, he will send me for a scan.

I'm just stressed out... and cranky because my whole leg is swollen and hurting from the chair at work for 5 hours and for some reason the Vicodin I took does not seem to be kicking in. Oh, yeah... And because my leg is all swollen, my doctor's scale shows me having gained 4 pounds.  (even though I doubt it is real "gain", I still hate to see it when I am already "strung tightly".  PTSD sucks.

Lora

I'm sorry.  A kidney stone is the last thing you need right now.  Not that anyone ever needs a kidney stone, but you know what I mean.

Yeah, I know what you mean.  I would be much better able to deal with it NEXT week.

I think I am going to take a second Vicodin and lay down for a bit.  If I miss support group, you'll know why!

Lora

Wow, your plate is incredibly full right now!  I  never have any good advice about these kinds of things but I always really appreciate your posts on here and wanted to let you know that I really empathize.  Trauma, UTI's, pain and kidney stones is almost too much for one women to bear.  Sending gentle vibes your way....

^^^  What they said. Your posts are always so helpful, I wish I could say something...I'm sending good thoughts

Patty

Just want to send you a virtual hug(()) So sorry you are having such a rough week:(

For the knee pain (I know you are post TKR) would it help if you propped the leg at work?  I need a TKR but haven't had one yet and I keep a bean bag chair under my desk at work and I prop my knee up on it sometimes so that my leg isn't always in the same position. 

Sorry you are in additional pain with a kidney stone.  Those are the worst!

Sonja

Lora, did they give you any Pyridium?  Some doctors don't like to give it and if they do it is usually for just a few days.  I know you can also buy it OTC at the drugstore just not as strong of a dose as an Rx.    I know how horrible stones are and the pain is incredible.  Back pain along with a UTI is not uncommon and I know you are slamming the extra water now to try to move it along if it's a stone.   But I know the pain in the back is a red flag warning that a stone may be working it's way down.  I used to use a heating pad on my side of the back and towards the side unless I knew it was a stone.  No mistaking that then it was on to the ER. 

They had my bed in the ER next to a wall and I was literally trying to crawl up it and the doctor came in and said passing a stone huh?  You think?  He immediately hooked me up to morphine.  I haven't had one in years ( now I probably will get one).  Take care, Jane  

*comfort-hugs* :( 

Well i wish you much luck and hope this week ends on a good note for you.  Incidentally i am right there with you on a lot of stuff..2 weeks ago my knee started hurting...didn't even do anything to it so not sure what was up but if it didn't get better they were going to scan it and then start shots.  And then I got the flu.  First time i have been sick since i had surgery 20 months ago.  It lasted for 6 days or so.  Suddenly my urine is starting to be red.  Went to the doc today and i am scheduled for a ct scan on thursday.  this will be my second time and i also ache right above my waist on the right side.  So if it makes you feel better, you are not alone..lol   We may be sharing kidney stone issues...good luck to you and hope you feel better quickly. 

Laurie