Three days ago, after suffering from back pain and what she thought was a bladder infection, my mother woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain. She was screaming with the pain, and couldn't move out of the bed. An ambulance came and took her to the emergency room of our health care provider, (Kaiser).
They said she had a kidney infection. While she was there, she was still screaming in pain, and a nurse came to ask her to 'keep it down, you're disturbing the other patients.' An hour later, they discharged her with some antibiotics and tylenol.
Now, screaming in pain sounds melodramatic, and some people just have a low threshhold for pain.... but not my mother. She went through an agonizing series of chemo and radiation treatment without making a sound. When the doctor said it'd take her six months to wean herself off the morphine she was taking for it, she quit cold turkey in three days, and never made a sound. She's one of those people that just suffers in silence.
But now she's screaming. Every twenty minutes or so, for the last two days, she's screaming in pain. She can't move out of bed; she can't even sit up. This can't be right. Why didn't they give her a stronger pain medication? They didn't even schedule an appointment for her to see a doctor later. They just told her to stop making noise, and then they made her go home.
I don't know what's going on, and I don't know what to do about it. Did they make a mistake, or is this normal for a kidney infection? How much pain does a person have to be in before the hospital has to do something about it?
Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance,
Heather
They said she had a kidney infection. While she was there, she was still screaming in pain, and a nurse came to ask her to 'keep it down, you're disturbing the other patients.' An hour later, they discharged her with some antibiotics and tylenol.
Now, screaming in pain sounds melodramatic, and some people just have a low threshhold for pain.... but not my mother. She went through an agonizing series of chemo and radiation treatment without making a sound. When the doctor said it'd take her six months to wean herself off the morphine she was taking for it, she quit cold turkey in three days, and never made a sound. She's one of those people that just suffers in silence.
But now she's screaming. Every twenty minutes or so, for the last two days, she's screaming in pain. She can't move out of bed; she can't even sit up. This can't be right. Why didn't they give her a stronger pain medication? They didn't even schedule an appointment for her to see a doctor later. They just told her to stop making noise, and then they made her go home.
I don't know what's going on, and I don't know what to do about it. Did they make a mistake, or is this normal for a kidney infection? How much pain does a person have to be in before the hospital has to do something about it?
Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance,
Heather
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Not sure if anyone cares (since I never received a single reply), but I thought I'd add the update after these last nightmarish two months.
My mother could only tolerate the pain for a little less than a week, then - despite her protests - we called 911 again. Back to the emergency room, where they prescribed some more antibiotics (or whatever, at that point I wasn't as concerned as I was going to be) for a UTI. This time she lasted only five days more at home, while the pain started getting worse and she was getting weaker.
She noticed her right leg was getting very numb, and had difficulty moving it. So we called 911 again, and for the third time back to the ER.
This time they finally agreed to give her an MRI, and they found masses of tumors in her spine. Two of her vertebrae were actually fractured by the compression, and her spinal cord was being constricted as well.
Well, at least they finally admitted her to the hospital, now to start radiation treatments. Within a week she was almost completely paralyzed below the waist. The tumors were inoperable (because of their location on the spine) and metastatic, so the primary cancer was somewhere else. They discharged her after five days in the hospital, and we rented a hospital bed at home to take care of her, since they weren't going to let her stay. They gave us morphine, half a dozen other prescriptions, a prognosis of no more than nine months left to live, and no other help whatsoever.
She died on January 2nd. They never discovered where the primary cancer was. They never bothered to. Her oncologist never even gave us his phone number, just gave us the advice nurse number.
The reason I'm even bothering to post this is to hammer the point home to anyone who might have too much trust in doctors or health care providers to never, ever trust them to have your best interests at heart. Be suspicious of any diagnosis that seems too careless, and don't just keep pestering them until they take you seriously. If my parents hadn't been too trusting, if they hadn't been too polite to be the squeaky wheel, they might have gotten better results... or at least more information.
My mother could only tolerate the pain for a little less than a week, then - despite her protests - we called 911 again. Back to the emergency room, where they prescribed some more antibiotics (or whatever, at that point I wasn't as concerned as I was going to be) for a UTI. This time she lasted only five days more at home, while the pain started getting worse and she was getting weaker.
She noticed her right leg was getting very numb, and had difficulty moving it. So we called 911 again, and for the third time back to the ER.
This time they finally agreed to give her an MRI, and they found masses of tumors in her spine. Two of her vertebrae were actually fractured by the compression, and her spinal cord was being constricted as well.
Well, at least they finally admitted her to the hospital, now to start radiation treatments. Within a week she was almost completely paralyzed below the waist. The tumors were inoperable (because of their location on the spine) and metastatic, so the primary cancer was somewhere else. They discharged her after five days in the hospital, and we rented a hospital bed at home to take care of her, since they weren't going to let her stay. They gave us morphine, half a dozen other prescriptions, a prognosis of no more than nine months left to live, and no other help whatsoever.
She died on January 2nd. They never discovered where the primary cancer was. They never bothered to. Her oncologist never even gave us his phone number, just gave us the advice nurse number.
The reason I'm even bothering to post this is to hammer the point home to anyone who might have too much trust in doctors or health care providers to never, ever trust them to have your best interests at heart. Be suspicious of any diagnosis that seems too careless, and don't just keep pestering them until they take you seriously. If my parents hadn't been too trusting, if they hadn't been too polite to be the squeaky wheel, they might have gotten better results... or at least more information.
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I've been there. I have had a kidney infection and it was convincingly the worst pain I have ever suffered in my life. I was up in screaming agony all night. The next day, I stumbled to the doctor's and was prescribed a course of antibiotics. It was gone in a matter of three days, the pain, and I never even had to go to hospital, but yeah, that pain was excruciating.
To answer your question, treatment for back and kidney pain related to a kidney infection should really cause the pain to subside very soon after the treatment starts. If she's still in terrible pain, something else is wrong. Take your mom back to hospital.
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No, Goldfish. That is not right AT ALL!
Your mother was not being melodramatic, she was the victim of ignorant, inconsiderate nursing staff.
After all, a kidney infection can be lethal. I know, I just about died from one.
I get them very frequently and the last time I got it, it was so bad that I actually got a bacterial infection in my blood. At first the pain was just gnawing back pain, but then within an evening it persisted into full blown stomach and back cramping to the point where I thought my back was going to break in half. Then it's like you get a full body flu, but multiply that normal flu by about 15 and that's what it feels like. You get hot and cold chills, almost EVERY BONE IN YOUR BODY ACHES, INCLUDING YOUR TEETH, YOUR FINGERNAILS AND EVEN YOUR HAIR ACHES! I was literally in so much pain that I actually got a migraine as a secondary result from the infection---to the point that I couldn't even lift my head.
I suffered silently but cried in pain for almost 5 hours waiting for a doctor in the hospital--they thought I was being a suck. Then, when I finally saw the doctor she was amazed at how well I was taking it considering that I was at the point where I could have died. She instantly put me on very strong painkillers the moment she found out I had a bacteerial infection in my blood. AFter antibiotics and many painkillers the one nurse came and appologized to me. Shortly after I had that same nurse take off my IV and I left the hospital even after advice not to do so.
I was so disgusted at how they treated people in pain. So called healers.
So, does that answer your question my friend?
I would complain if I were you. She could have died without proper medication!!!!!!!!!!! >;)
Your mother was not being melodramatic, she was the victim of ignorant, inconsiderate nursing staff.
After all, a kidney infection can be lethal. I know, I just about died from one.
I get them very frequently and the last time I got it, it was so bad that I actually got a bacterial infection in my blood. At first the pain was just gnawing back pain, but then within an evening it persisted into full blown stomach and back cramping to the point where I thought my back was going to break in half. Then it's like you get a full body flu, but multiply that normal flu by about 15 and that's what it feels like. You get hot and cold chills, almost EVERY BONE IN YOUR BODY ACHES, INCLUDING YOUR TEETH, YOUR FINGERNAILS AND EVEN YOUR HAIR ACHES! I was literally in so much pain that I actually got a migraine as a secondary result from the infection---to the point that I couldn't even lift my head.
I suffered silently but cried in pain for almost 5 hours waiting for a doctor in the hospital--they thought I was being a suck. Then, when I finally saw the doctor she was amazed at how well I was taking it considering that I was at the point where I could have died. She instantly put me on very strong painkillers the moment she found out I had a bacteerial infection in my blood. AFter antibiotics and many painkillers the one nurse came and appologized to me. Shortly after I had that same nurse take off my IV and I left the hospital even after advice not to do so.
I was so disgusted at how they treated people in pain. So called healers.
So, does that answer your question my friend?
I would complain if I were you. She could have died without proper medication!!!!!!!!!!! >;)
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I am knew to the board so i apologize that you didn't rceive an anwser. gold fish iam so sorry for your loss and my husband is in and out of the hospital now with severe kidney pain. aCTUALLY he has been in th er three days in a row. went to urologist yeaterday who seen white blood cells raised and immediatly sent him to ER. They admitted him last night DON'T KNOW WHAT QUEATIONS TO ASK WHAT IS RIGHT WHAT IS WRONG I AM SO UPSET AND CONFUSED.
i hope god bless's you and my husband
i hope god bless's you and my husband
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for my kidney infection the just prescribed me an anti-biotic, and told me to take pain-killers and drink a lot. I never even saw an Rn except in tiage. If she didn't have a fever they were most likely okay not admiting her.
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After read your stories, I feel so relieved that I am not alone in this careless health system. Since the beginning of this year, I am in bed with terrible back pain. I saw five doctors by now, and they send me home with ibuprophen. Last saturday, I went to the urgent care, and my urine shows elevated WBC. The doctor gave me Levaquin, and I have to see him in 10 days. I am in bed with horrible pain, and I do not know if I will survive until my next appointment. I don' t believe how horrible our health system is! I feel angry that I can die living five minutes from the hospital, and paying health insurance every month (blue shield-PPO). I feel that doctors don't care about the patients. They do care only about the money. I feel angry, hopelesss and betrayed by the health community.
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I am in severe pain from my lower back have been for over a week now ,cant stand for long cant touch my feet or bend more than slightly. Went to the er they say I have a kidney infection just started antibiotics. This was he greatest emergency room they were very thorough and he staff was friendly
and took time to explain and answer ? i had. this was the first time i have ever been treated this well in the er any where. however i was allergic to the tramodol painkiller and am just going to take the antibiotic. m y back is still in pain can't work i hope this antibiotivc does the job and good luck to all of you suffering out there.
and took time to explain and answer ? i had. this was the first time i have ever been treated this well in the er any where. however i was allergic to the tramodol painkiller and am just going to take the antibiotic. m y back is still in pain can't work i hope this antibiotivc does the job and good luck to all of you suffering out there.
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Please accept my condolences for the loss of your mother under such dreadful circumstances. Just for her to have adequate pain relief as she was dying would have made such an enormous difference to her last days onthis earth. You must be absolutely devastated.
When your grief isn't quite so raw, I hope you will make the strongest possible complaint to all the authorities and senior staff involved in this outrageous abuse of your dying mother. Kick up the most enormous fuss you can, so that others are not treated in this callous and cruel way.
Hugs
(I spent two years being told an enormous kidney stone was 'all in my head' & being offered antidepressants for it)
When your grief isn't quite so raw, I hope you will make the strongest possible complaint to all the authorities and senior staff involved in this outrageous abuse of your dying mother. Kick up the most enormous fuss you can, so that others are not treated in this callous and cruel way.
Hugs
(I spent two years being told an enormous kidney stone was 'all in my head' & being offered antidepressants for it)
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My Mum has been treated so badly by the health trust. She has a prolapsed bowel that is 5 and 1/2 inches out permanently and she bleeds heavily all the time. She was operated on to treat an ulcer which wasn't needed and was told her bowel was fine............................ 3 years down the line she still has a prolapsed bowel now 8 and 1/4 out. She has now been told the only way to repair this is to remove the bowel and give her a stoma bag. She is only 38 and doesn't deserve this and is refusing a bag and will eventually die from a hemorage. Don't know when it's just a case of waiting. I love my Mum to bits and stand by her decision and help her make her last days? Weeks? Months? Years? happy and memorable. Nobody realises the seriousness of this not even our family. God is very cruel and I have lost all faith in him. DON'T TAKE c**p FROM A DOCTOR THEY READ IT ALL FROM A BOOK THAT IS OUT OF DATE STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELEIVE IN
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I am in alot of pain, started as we thought was just a uti. found out it's a kidney infection was sent home with medication for it with no pain killers and I am about to scream..... I don't think I can take the pain any longer. after reading your blogs I am going back and getting some help with the pain.
So very sorry to hear this happened to your mom. may she rest in peace.
So very sorry to hear this happened to your mom. may she rest in peace.
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I understand your frustration, but I wouldn't lose all faith in God, however the medical system is a different story. They only think of money. I popped my back and was completely stuck, for some reason I
couldn't move my arms or legs, it was at a grocery store. I was embarrassed but in so much pain, I kept trying to get p but couoldn't move a thing. I was rushed to the hospital, when I got there they had to carefully get me from bed to bed and it killed... the doctor comes in and lifts my legs and bends my knees with full force I was screaming. He didn't care, he just walked out. I herniated 2 disks but I guess it had all my muscles spasm. It's really not that seriousm but I already hate hospitals and these people were jerks... not to mention I had to go to the bathroom and couldn't get a bed pan under me due to pain. At this point I was begging for a cathedar and this doctor had me hold it for nine hours. I seriously hate hospitals.
couldn't move my arms or legs, it was at a grocery store. I was embarrassed but in so much pain, I kept trying to get p but couoldn't move a thing. I was rushed to the hospital, when I got there they had to carefully get me from bed to bed and it killed... the doctor comes in and lifts my legs and bends my knees with full force I was screaming. He didn't care, he just walked out. I herniated 2 disks but I guess it had all my muscles spasm. It's really not that seriousm but I already hate hospitals and these people were jerks... not to mention I had to go to the bathroom and couldn't get a bed pan under me due to pain. At this point I was begging for a cathedar and this doctor had me hold it for nine hours. I seriously hate hospitals.
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This is the first time i have scoured the net for info on kidney infections.
Wish I would have done so sooner to give you my sympathies. My moms mom had the same treatment in hospital. There advice for her back pain was to work out. She had cancer all through her body.
I have been through many urologists when my last one moved on. Luckily I found someone trained by my former doctor whom I like very much.
If anyone in this forum should suffer from any life threatening ailment, get a second , third opinion if needed. It is hard these days to even retain a specialist. My family doctor had to pull some strings. Our medical system is horrific. I have suffered from kidney disease since birth and way back, they had you rushed in and kept in hospital with the best treatment.
Now, as I lay here ill with a prolonged kidney infection, I keep putting off the emergency as I know the treatment you receive, if you can even get a bed.
Anyway, I had to vent. Maybe its the high fever.
Wish I would have done so sooner to give you my sympathies. My moms mom had the same treatment in hospital. There advice for her back pain was to work out. She had cancer all through her body.
I have been through many urologists when my last one moved on. Luckily I found someone trained by my former doctor whom I like very much.
If anyone in this forum should suffer from any life threatening ailment, get a second , third opinion if needed. It is hard these days to even retain a specialist. My family doctor had to pull some strings. Our medical system is horrific. I have suffered from kidney disease since birth and way back, they had you rushed in and kept in hospital with the best treatment.
Now, as I lay here ill with a prolonged kidney infection, I keep putting off the emergency as I know the treatment you receive, if you can even get a bed.
Anyway, I had to vent. Maybe its the high fever.
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Well, I don't like doctors at all. I'm 26 weeks pregnant, went to the ER for severe lower back pains, and the nurse told me. "Oh, it's probably a small kidney infection."
I didn't much worry about it, as long as they gave me something to help with pain.
The told me to urinate in a cup, and they would soon have the results.
I peed in the cup, and waited 3 hours.
The nurse came back. "Yup, just what I thought. It's a minor kidney infection." She said she had called the doctor, and that he was on his way. I waited for the doctor. And waited...
and waited...
...and waited some more.
After about another 4 hours, the doctor showed up. The only thing he did was look at a chart, and tell me what I then already knew. I had a kidney infection.
He prescribed me anti-biotics, and told me to take tylenol, which I understand because that is the ONLY pain reliever i'm allowed to take during pregnancy.
But, I asked him more questions, like what if I came back with the back pain, is there anything they could give me, a shot maybe, something to help me sleep, if he knew anything about early labor, whether or not this back pain could be more than "just a kidney infection".
And with every single question I asked him, he replied "I couldn't tell you."
He is a doctor, a medical professional. I wasted 4 hours of my time trying my very best to not yell in pain. Just to find out, he had been sleeping the whole 4 hours I had been waiting.
The doctor bill came in just 3 days ago. It was over 500 dollars.
My fiance has been to the ER 3 times. They have taken blood from him, given him shots, taken X-rays, and has peed in the cup (also to see if it may some sort of infection) and his bill came out to be almost 70 bucks.
Needless to say, before I ever go back to a doctor, i'll take a massage, a nice warm bath, some tylenol, drink my cranberry juice, and that would probably help me way better than they did.
I didn't much worry about it, as long as they gave me something to help with pain.
The told me to urinate in a cup, and they would soon have the results.
I peed in the cup, and waited 3 hours.
The nurse came back. "Yup, just what I thought. It's a minor kidney infection." She said she had called the doctor, and that he was on his way. I waited for the doctor. And waited...
and waited...
...and waited some more.
After about another 4 hours, the doctor showed up. The only thing he did was look at a chart, and tell me what I then already knew. I had a kidney infection.
He prescribed me anti-biotics, and told me to take tylenol, which I understand because that is the ONLY pain reliever i'm allowed to take during pregnancy.
But, I asked him more questions, like what if I came back with the back pain, is there anything they could give me, a shot maybe, something to help me sleep, if he knew anything about early labor, whether or not this back pain could be more than "just a kidney infection".
And with every single question I asked him, he replied "I couldn't tell you."
He is a doctor, a medical professional. I wasted 4 hours of my time trying my very best to not yell in pain. Just to find out, he had been sleeping the whole 4 hours I had been waiting.
The doctor bill came in just 3 days ago. It was over 500 dollars.
My fiance has been to the ER 3 times. They have taken blood from him, given him shots, taken X-rays, and has peed in the cup (also to see if it may some sort of infection) and his bill came out to be almost 70 bucks.
Needless to say, before I ever go back to a doctor, i'll take a massage, a nice warm bath, some tylenol, drink my cranberry juice, and that would probably help me way better than they did.
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I CANT BELIEVE SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY BLAMING GOD WHEN GOD IS THE HIGHEST PHYSICIAN THERE IS. HE CAN HEAL ANYTHING AS LONG AS YOU HAVE FAITH IN HIM. HAVE FAITH PLEASE. DONT BLAME OUR FATHER ITS SATAN WHOSE TO BLAME...
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