Question:
Why am i having pain in the lower part of my back around the area of my kidneys?

   — Laura C. (posted on July 26, 2001)

July 26, 2001
Hi Laura, Just thought I'd let you know I had this same thing happen to me a couple of weeks ago and I could barely move from it. I called my PCP after hours and he called in a strong antibiotic and said it was probably a bladder/kidney infection. Do you feel like you have to pee all the time but can't? I noticed I was drinking too much coffee and not enough water....hope this helps!
   — Christi G.

July 26, 2001
This is obviously a question for your doctor. It COULD be a kidney infection as a complication of having had the catheter in your bladder post-op. It might just be back pain form being still more than usual. It worries and amazes me the questions people will ask here instead of seeing the MD--I hope they and you are doing both! please don't rely on guesses--see the doctor. Bets wishes, Jesse
   — Jesse M.

July 26, 2001
Jessee, I am sure that Laura has called her doctor. I was by no means trying to diagnose her, but just letting her know what has happened to me and that it COULD be the same thing; or not! Of course I called my doctor and I think that most people do. People come to this web site for support; meaning that they want to know if other people experiance the same symptoms or if they should be alarmed by similar symptoms, even if they DO call their doctor. We shouldn't be so crytical in our postings. We are all in this together!
   — Christi G.

July 26, 2001
Your kidneys are higher up in your back than most people think. The area where your lower back and pelvis are sometimes hurts due to muscle strain, disk problems or pinched nerves. If you are having pain higher up than that, burning on urination, fever, chills and an intense desire to go but nothing comes out, you might have a bladder/kidney infection. I agree with everyone, CALL YOUR DOCTOR. Your physician is the only real source for these kinds of conditions and while we here can advise you as to what it could be, the doctor is more suitable for answering health-related questions. I hope you feel better, I had a kidney infection last year and was off work for 4 days because I was really sick.
   — [Anonymous]

July 26, 2001
I had this exact same problem..I even went to the ER about it, and my bf is currently experiencing the same thing. According to the ER, it is chest wall pain..your abdomen has been all rearranged and your body has to get used to functioning that way. They told me to take some Motrin and I would be fine. It was over in 3-4 days. (Hurts the worst when you take a deep breath..) Good luck :)
   — jammie B.

July 27, 2001
I had my surgery on June 27th. I had nobody stay with me--by choice. I sincerely feel that if my husband or father (who came down for the surgery) had been there, I would have spent more time worrying about them and not resting. I had no problems--the first night I had a catheter in, so the nurses came in to help me walk, but on the second night, with the cath out, I did fine without the nurses--they only came in to check vitals or to bring my pain med--my IV and epidural were out by this time too. I think it is a personal preference. Good luck on your surgery!!
   — Sharon N.

July 27, 2001
Hi, I've been experiencing this off and on in the past few months (I'm six months post-op). Just an ache/tightness in the upper back (around rib cage area under my shoulder blades). It is never severe or sharp pain. I am getting water in but always can drink more. I have cut down on coffee considerably post-op, only having a cup once or twice a week. I usually notice this when I'm sitting straight up without back support in a chair or pretty active (moving around and twisting). The ache subsides once I rest. I'm seeing my surgeon for my six month post-op in a week and a half, so I'm definately addressing this issue at that time. All the best (lap DS with gallbladder removal, January 25, 2001),
   — Teresa N.