What exactly is Medullary Sponge Kidney & Interstitial Cystitis?

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I have had urinary tract problems my entire life whether it be UTI's or kidney stones. Recently I was diagnosed with Medullary Sponge Kidney Disease (MSK) and Interstitial Cystitis (IC). I know little to nothing about either of these 2 problems, other than I am in constant pain, and the Dr. said I will have to live in chronic pain for the rest of my life. So if there is anyone out there who knows anything about the M.S.K. or the I.C. Please let me know. There has to be someone out there that knows something about this. Please help......
Unfortunately I don't know much about it, but I was diagnosed last week myself(MSK and IC are the same thing just different names from what my doctor told me). For the past few months I have gotten bad, stabbing pains, had 4 kidney stones, blood in my urine as well what has appeared to be gravel.

I'm scard too, but here are some things I learned. Yes, we'll be in pain, so much so that my doc gave me vicodan to keep at home(i'm allergic to morphine). She said increasing my water to 64 ounces a day(2 quarts) will help and to add some lemon juice. Cranberry pills will as well. Every other month on the 3 days before my period i have to take a different, alternating antibiotic to help with the infections. Basically; as i understand it, our kidneys have deep fissures in them like a sponge and can't empty themselves completely causing irritation, build up of minerals that cause the stones and the pain. The good news? It won't kill us. It wont' cause renal failure, we'll never need a kidney transplant or dialysis(or however it's spelled) because of it.

The pain is bad, I know, trust me. It brings tears to my eyes. I'm a professional chef and it is affecting my work considerably. I have a good nephrologist(a kidney specialist) if you live in NJ, and if you don't I suggest you get one as they know the disease and can help you live with it. They can help you get your pain in hand and help you life your life w/o severe issues. She even said it's possible with her help for me to one day have healthy children. There is a support group on MSN but I haven't looked it up yet, this all being very new to me as well. I know the constant pain thing, trust me, I've been in pain everyday for the last year, and when I went to the ER they treated me like crap. They told me I was out or attention or drugs; when in reality i just want the pain to stop so I can walk, or sleep or even eat. I can imagine you probably have the same problem.

My nephrologist said people fall all over the spectrum in terms of how bad their pain is and how much it affects their lives, some over time even have the insides of their kidney's calcify and have it show up on ultrasounds. I found out because my family doc ordered a cat scan because i was yet again peeing blood and in pain. It showed up on that, and she scared me to death by calling me and telling me to see the specialist, but the dr. she refered me to at the center for kidney disease in southern nj where I live has been a godsend. She spent an hour talking to me about it and mapping out a game plan to see how bad it and to help control my pain so I can have a normal life.

If you need someone to talk to more you can email me. i'm in the same boat as you and like i said I was diagnosed last week(8-23) but it explains a lot of the issues I've been having for a long time. I mean, I'm an active 25 year old and it's cutting in my life. I'm sorry you're hurting so bad, but I do understand how much it hurts.   (+ info)

Loops of henle - what would happen if it shortened and didnt reach the medullary region of the kidney?

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Hypothetically... What would happen if all the loops of henle shortened, to the extend that they could not reach the medullary region of the kidney? (In a human) I would love answers no longer than a paragraph or two please that are relatively easy to understand but not preschool as i have some basic understanding. Thanks so much.
Well, the medulla is the place where the urine is concentrated to an osmotic strength higher than the blood plasma; that would no longer work, so urine could maximally have the osmotic strength of blood plasma. As long as one drinks enough, that would not be so much of a problem.  (+ info)

Can kidney disease cause chronic feelings of fatigue?

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I have been diagnosed with medullary sponge kidney for the past several years. For the past 5-10 years though, I have constantly felt tired. It's to the point where I can barely drive and drag myself out of bed some days. I currently take pain medication to help alleviate my kindey symptoms, but not a huge amount. I wonder if my kindey function being impaired could be causing my feelings of constant tiredness. Last night I slept for 10 hours and I still could barely make it to work.
When was the last time you went to your nephrologist? You need to be discussing this with him/her. Never seek online medical advice...it's a crap shoot at best. If your kidneys aren't working well, of course you'll be fatigued. But this is something you need to see your doctor about!!!!  (+ info)

does sponge bob have kidneys and has he every passed a kidney stone u know with the constant drinking coke?

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actually yes he does have kidneys and he did have kidney stones I was there....bad times  (+ info)

Can anyone relate or give any advice for my kidney stone problems?

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I am 31 years old and have suffered from urinary tract infections all of my life. At the age of 18 I had my first kidney stone. Since that time I have been hospitalized dozens of times including during 1 of my 2 pregnancies in order to preform stent placement, lithotripsy, basket retrieval for removal of stones. I pass many stones at home but have had many that are too large to pass (6-12mm). I have had 2 urologists treat me and I have been diagnosed with Medullary Sponge Kidney disease. I go through bouts for up to a few months which require multiple trips to the er for pain management or surgeries and then I may go for a few months with hardly and problems. For an example of my history- last December (2005) I went to the er and was admitted for a 8mm stone removal- discharged just to return 2 days later and was admitted for 2 new stones which had fallen from my kidney and causing obstruction. A 6mm and 10mm stone which had to once again be removed via lithotripsy. August of 2006 admitted for another 8mm stone removal, December 2006 admitted to have another large stone removed by lithotripsy. This is the quality of my life- in the hospital or at home with pain more often than not. I have been told by my urologists that due to the disease and the fact that both of my kidneys are full of stones there is really nothing I can do to treat or prevent them but just continue to have the surgeries to remove them or treat the pain for the passable stones. I am very frustrated and looking for any other answers or advice. Thank You.
I take pain meds- like vicodin or go to the er if the pain is extreme enough. I have been to the er 2 times in the last 2 weeks, its embarassing because they know me at the er I go to but I can't help it- luckily they are very helpfull because they know my history. I don't like taking the meds but I have to and my urologist isnt very sympathetic and I often am not perscribed enough to last long. I only take the perscribed amount and have been told by many nurses that see the stones I pass that most patients they have treated are screaming in pain for smaller stones. I don't know what else to do but take pain meds at home or go to the er for stronger treatment.
I talked to a women who has practiced medicine her whole life and is now retired and she told me of a tea that breaks down the stones and is good for preventing it. I forgot the name of it but I am sure a health food store would have it. See a naturapathic doctor to try and eleminate the problem through your diet! Your doctor is just going to treat the symptoms not prevent the problem. I believe there are a lot of different foods to help prevent them and foods that create them. I think your diet would be the most important aspect. Of course remember to drink tons of water. I would definately see a naturapathic doctor. Good luck  (+ info)

Medully Sponge Kidney treatments?

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they didn't find any cysts. but, they said i have this rare medully sponge kidney I not due to go to a urology untill Monday but, what are the treatment?
why don't you ask a REAL doctor... we aren't med certified here... at least I'm not.  (+ info)

Can medular sponge kidney be painful?

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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.  (+ info)

What is Sponge Kidney?

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Hi. I'm 24 and spent the night in a hospital a few days ago. I has having terrible kidney pains. I had a CT scan and found out I had a kidney stone about 3mm. Luckily I passed it. But before I was discharged I was told I would have to see a kidney specialist because it might be possible that I have Sponge Kidney. The doctor couldn't tell me anything else about it and I've looked it up online but it's all in medical terms I don't understand. Can anyone out there break it down for me in just plain stupid person language?
Medullary Sponge Kidney. It's a rare condition where 1 or both kidneys have a somewhat wider plumbing. In other words you have a higher chance of getting kidney stones and infections. But even with with this condition the kidney works just fine.  (+ info)

what is muddully sponge kidney?

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did you mean Medullary Sponge Kidney?

http://www.emedicine.com/Radio/topic433.htm  (+ info)

kidney !!??

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For 2 days I have an amusing feeling in the kidney area. I don't know exactly whether its in kidneys direct. I did not wear a shirt and it was kind of cold , after putting on my pullover still in this area remained kind of cold, as if l dont anything on me !!!ber. What can it be and what I can do against it???
"Amusing"?

Doesn't sound like a kidney problem.  (+ info)

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