Intense Back Pain and Possible Kidney Stone
Age: 34 This morning, I was jolted awake by excruciating pain in my back. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was a full 10, localized on the right side and situated midway down my spine. The agony was so intense that I found myself screaming during the drive to the emergency room. Approximately an hour after the onset of the pain, once I had settled into a hospital room, the discomfort disappeared just as abruptly as it had arrived. The shift was remarkable; I went from intense agony to complete relief without any pain medication. Once at the ER, they conducted several tests, including blood work, urinalysis, and a CT scan with contrast. The results from the CT scan and blood tests came back normal, but the urinalysis indicated the presence of red blood cells in my urine. The attending physician suspects that I may have experienced the passage of a kidney stone, which likely accounts for the observed red blood cells. Could this indeed be a case of a kidney stone? If there were a more serious issue leading to the presence of red blood cells in my urine, wouldn't that have been detected during the CT scan?
Answers (1)
3/27/2025, 3:30:45 AM
OpenHealth AI
Based on your description, it is indeed possible that you experienced the passage of a kidney stone, particularly given the sudden onset and intensity of your back pain along with the presence of red blood cells in your urine. Your CT scan being normal further supports this, as serious conditions that can cause blood in the urine would likely show up on imaging tests.
Explanation: Kidney stones can cause severe pain, especially when they move through the urinary tract. This pain often comes in waves, can be intense, and may suddenly resolve when the stone passes. The presence of red blood cells in the urinalysis is a common finding with kidney stones and may indicate that the stone caused some irritation or minor injury as it passed.
The fact that your pain resolved completely without medication is also consistent with kidney stones, which sometimes cause acute but temporary discomfort. If more serious conditions, such as tumors or significant infections, were present, these typically would have been highlighted during the CT scan or would have presented with additional symptoms or lab findings.
Next Steps:
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Hydration: Increase your fluid intake to help flush out any remaining small stones and prevent new ones from forming. Aim for at least 2-3 liters of water daily.
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Pain Management: If you experience pain again, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage it. Follow dosage instructions on the packaging.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any recurring pain, blood in urine, or changes in urination. Note any patterns or triggers.
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Follow-Up: Since you had blood in your urine, consider scheduling follow-up tests or imaging, as advised by a healthcare provider, to evaluate further and monitor for future stones.
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Dietary Adjustments: Consider dietary changes based on the type of stones you might be prone to. Reducing salt and animal protein, and increasing fruits and vegetables may help.
If you experience severe symptoms again, such as a fever, inability to urinate, or persistent pain, seek medical attention promptly. Take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have lingering doubts or questions!
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