Anyone with Aching Kidneys?

[RobinFinderson]

So far I have been aging pretty gracefully, with no serious health issues (that I know of). There is one exception, and I was curious about whether this is common -- aching kidneys in the morning.

Basically, if I don't pee before going to bed, and if my bladder fills up during the night, I have an aching feeling in my lower back around the location where I imagine my kidneys work. After I pee the pain goes away, after about an hour. It has gotten to the point where I make sure to relieve myself before going to bed, and if I wake up in the middle of the night for any reason I will go try to relieve myself again, just to make sure I wake up without the ache.

Is this common?
Is this normal with middle age?
Is it a symptom of something that should concern me?

TIA!

[myboynoah]

So far I have been aging pretty gracefully, with no serious health issues (that I know of). There is one exception, and I was curious about whether this is common -- aching kidneys in the morning.

Basically, if I don't pee before going to bed, and if my bladder fills up during the night, I have an aching feeling in my lower back around the location where I imagine my kidneys work. After I pee the pain goes away, after about an hour. It has gotten to the point where I make sure to relieve myself before going to bed, and if I wake up in the middle of the night for any reason I will go try to relieve myself again, just to make sure I wake up without the ache.

Is this common?
Is this normal with middle age?
Is it a symptom of something that should concern me?

TIA!

I don't know RF. Could it be kidney stones? I've had two stones removed, so any other of life's humiliations can only pale in comparison (well, the colonoscopy ranked up there, but at least that didn't come with a pretty young nurse pulling a stent out of my penis). My symptons didn't mimic yours, but maybe you're only having partial blockage. Is it both kidneys?

[RobinFinderson]

I don't know RF. Could it be kidney stones? I've had two stones removed, so any other of life's humiliations can only pale in comparison (well, the colonoscopy ranked up there, but at least that didn't come with a pretty young nurse pulling a stent out of my penis). My symptons didn't mimic yours, but maybe you're only having partial blockage. Is it both kidneys?

Both kidneys, and it feels like lower back pain. For a long time I thought it was just mattress problems until I figured out that it was related to whether or not I had relieved myself.

[scottie]

I have the same thing Robin. I'm 36 and have thought about going to get it checked out.

[myboynoah]

Both kidneys, and it feels like lower back pain. For a long time I thought it was just mattress problems until I figured out that it was related to whether or not I had relieved myself.

I don't think that would be stones, then, but who knows. Time to call the urologist. You'll be happy to know that most of your fellow patients will be baby-boomers. The waiting room will be a target rich environment for you.

[RobinFinderson]

I don't think that would be stones, then, but who knows. Time to call the urologist. You'll be happy to know that most of your fellow patients will be baby-boomers. The waiting room will be a target rich environment for you.

No offense to the doctors, but unless this is something with a very specific treatment regimen, I'd rather deal with the pain than a long series of experiments about what the problem might be, each guess requiring one medication after another. This is why I'm asking, to find out if this is relatively common or not, and whether or not there is a straightforward way to handle the problem, or whether this is the first rung up the health-care ladder that tops out with a closet full of pharmaceuticals, each one treating the side-effects of another. I'd rather deal with the pain and pee before going to bed rather than start up that ladder where your innards become a witch's brew of chemicals.

[myboynoah]

No offense to the doctors, but unless this is something with a very specific treatment regimen, I'd rather deal with the pain than a long series of experiments about what the problem might be, each guess requiring one medication after another. This is why I'm asking, to find out if this is relatively common or not, and whether or not there is a straightforward way to handle the problem, or whether this is the first rung up the health-care ladder that tops out with a closet full of pharmaceuticals, each one treating the side-effects of another. I'd rather deal with the pain and pee before going to bed rather than start up that ladder where your innards become a witch's brew of chemicals.

I don't have those symptoms. I also don't see a problem with consulting an expert.

Anyway, I hope things work out for you.

[ERCougar]

It's worth getting a urinalysis at least, Robin. Cheap and non-invasive, and it won't test for cannabis. No one's going to make you take anything you don't want to.

[RobinFinderson]

I don't have those symptoms. I also don't see a problem with consulting an expert.

Anyway, I hope things work out for you.

I'd be happy to see an expert, but first I want to know if any such expert exists. My experience and that of family and friends, when dealing with doctors and internal aches and pains, there often isn't any real expertise. It is just a lot of, 'well maybe we can try this...' Doctors are really good at a few things, but they are expected to provide care in a lot of areas where they don't know much. That is what I am trying to figure out. Is this a good problem, in that there is a straightforward treatment that corrects a known defect, or is this a mystery problem where the doctors can treat the symptoms, but aren't really sure about the cause?

Anyhow, thanks for your advice. Please don't take my lack of faith in the medical profession as a lack of appreciation of your input.

[RobinFinderson]

It's worth getting a urinalysis at least, Robin. Cheap and non-invasive, and it won't test for cannabis. No one's going to make you take anything you don't want to.

For what it is worth, I get about four urinalysis tests every year, looking for signs of any infection. Last test was two weeks ago, and nothing came up. It was performed as a general test of overall health, and not in search of any specific problem related to my kidneys. Would they perform different tests if I were to tell the doctor that I had some kidney pain in the morning?

Also I have done a little googling on the subject of Kidney Pain in the Morning. It seems like a fairly common problem, but I haven't found any information about successful treatment. Anyhow, it isn't impairing. The worst I get is a compromised night of sleep with an hour of dull lower back pain in the morning. I'd gladly deal with that over drugs.

[myboynoah]

I'd be happy to see an expert, but first I want to know if any such expert exists. My experience and that of family and friends, when dealing with doctors and internal aches and pains, there often isn't any real expertise. It is just a lot of, 'well maybe we can try this...' Doctors are really good at a few things, but they are expected to provide care in a lot of areas where they don't know much. That is what I am trying to figure out. Is this a good problem, in that there is a straightforward treatment that corrects a known defect, or is this a mystery problem where the doctors can treat the symptoms, but aren't really sure about the cause?

Anyhow, thanks for your advice. Please don't take my lack of faith in the medical profession as a lack of appreciation of your input.

I didn't take it that way at all RF. Like I said, I hope you find the reason for your pain. Good luck.

[falafel]

So far I have been aging pretty gracefully, with no serious health issues (that I know of). There is one exception, and I was curious about whether this is common -- aching kidneys in the morning.

Basically, if I don't pee before going to bed, and if my bladder fills up during the night, I have an aching feeling in my lower back around the location where I imagine my kidneys work. After I pee the pain goes away, after about an hour. It has gotten to the point where I make sure to relieve myself before going to bed, and if I wake up in the middle of the night for any reason I will go try to relieve myself again, just to make sure I wake up without the ache.

Is this common?
Is this normal with middle age?
Is it a symptom of something that should concern me?

TIA!

Late night fight club?

[RobinFinderson]

Late night fight club?

Like I would tell you.