Kidney infection, obstruction, antibiotics not working - Update: worse on new AB

They did not put a catheder because sometimes I can empty my bladder. Other times for some reason I can't and the pain intensifies.
At the hospital they sent me to bed with an IV and antibiotics as well as a congested kidney. The doctor that saw me the next day determined I am doing good enough to be released and now I am home with antibiotics. I improved some bladder pain wise by laying down after drinking fluids. That way I can better empty my bladder. But this evening I suddenly feel extremely weak and my right kidney hurts more again. I am unable to sit up much or walk around more than a few steps. I feel like I will never fully be able to keep it away. It's just a fluid drinking marathon.
 
Wishing you strength. Take care xxx
 
Thinking of you. Hope you are getting better xx
 
Thank you both! I figured out a way to manage the urine flow a bit better. I spend much of the day on all fours to get the baby weight off the urinary tract. It helps even a bit better than side lying. My kidneys hurt less yesterday. The problem worsens a bit at night because I can't do these excercises but I hope with time the bladder will last during the night.
 
Dear M, I really hope you can keep the infection at bay & maybe even get it fully under control soon. It must be very hard & scary, so keep a positive mindset that it'll work out! X
 
Dear M, I really hope you can keep the infection at bay & maybe even get it fully under control soon. It must be very hard & scary, so keep a positive mindset that it'll work out! X

Praying you are recovering and feeling better <3

Thank you!! &#9825;&#9825; The infection luckily is gone...but since the root problem can't be fixed it may return. I saw a urologist today.
Not the best, but not the worst news...my (pregnancy related) kidney congestion is Grade 1. So while I am not totally problem free, it is not a 2 or 3 which calls for more drastic measures. The doctor did not urge for surgery to insert a plastic tube to help the flow despite baby being on it. The surgery bears the risk of preterm labor so I would want to avoid it as long as possible. There is a slight chance the problem will correct itself with time, growth, repositioning of the baby etc., but it could also get bad pretty quickly. These things are pretty unpredictable. It causes damage to my kidney, which the body likely can repair after birth but I will try to take something for kidney health during pregnancy, a good diet and healthy lifestyle are key, some Yoga positions may help...let's just say I have vague plan of what I can do. Since the baby is on the urinary tract, but there is no infection at this time, not much in terms of natural supplements can be done atm. It was quite a hassle traveling laying down but it helped a lot to avoid more pain. Now hopefully I will do well on Friday when I see the midwife, and I would need to do a bit of shopping. Doable with Starbucks breaks maybe? Some of them have couches.
 
Glad to hear you are stable. However can I ask why u are being followed by a mw and not a high risk OB? In your case it would be best to be followed by a high risk OB who can follow and assess u properly along with a nephrology team. As much as it can get worse, it also can very much get better! Maybe when baby repositions itself the pressure will be taken off. Can u look into osteopathy or even accupuncture to encourage baby to get off the ureter? I'm sure they can help somewhat it's worth a shot :) and for what it's worth it can't hurt to just continue bedrest! Sending u good vibes xx
 
Thank you! I will definitely continue the bedrest and only travel when needed! It worked out well to lay down at the train station and during the train ride! I felt achy when I came home but after some rest, no worse.

I am doing Yoga for optimal fetal positioning a few times a day and I will see if I can see a naturopath.
I go to a midwifery/ home birthing facility because I was originally not high risk and planning to give birth there. It may not be possible now, but since I don't know for sure I will keep seeing them every month until I see how it progresses.

I am also seeing a regular OB. In Germany there are no high risk OB's sadly! Last time when pregnant in CA I was high risk due to Hashimoto's and a Prolactinoma and Cervical Cancer and the care was fantastic! They were so knowledgeable and thorough.
Here I get a very standard, minimal treatment. Though now that I have the kidney congestion I am entitled to frequent check ups, blood tests by both my OB and GP. I may see my GP for blood tests since he is only 2 mins away on foot and we know him personally...he cares and takes his time and does the tests I request :) Not sure if he can do a kidney US...I suppose so?
 
I just caught up with this thread and I am so, so sorry you are going through this! Pregnancy is stressful enough without something scary like this happening. I will keep you in my prayers. <3:hugs:<3
 
Hi!! It's been a while since I've been on here but sorry you are going through this! I'll keep u in prayers.
 
Thank you both!! :) &#9825;&#9825;

The infection still isn't gone it seems. After 17 days on antibiotics. The levels aren't raised all that much but when I quit antibiotics all symptoms came back within a day.
Now I started having symptoms of kidney failure. Luckily this could be ruled out but the chest pain and breathing problems as well as chest tightness still fits pulmonary embolism. Tomorrow I will be checked for that...I really hope not, but better to be safe.

The chest pain/breathing problems come and go which wpuld be typical for it though. :(
 
I have read about many mommys having to go to the hospital to get their bladder emptied by catheter because the baby is putting pressure on the bladder restricting the outflow. Almost all of them resolved eventually on their own as the baby grew and lifted out of the lower pelvic area. These ladies felt like they had to pee but went to the toilet and only drops came out and they had to go very bad! They emptied over a liter of urine through the cath when they got to the hospital!
 
How often can you empty your bladder? Maybe a catheter will help as the urethra don't get the regular pressure build up & maybe they'll recover better? Did they still not do ultrasound to ensure it is indeed pregnancy causing the problem?

Did they check your blood fr ph values? Apparently when kidneys are not doing well it can affect the blood ph and the effect in your lungs is that less oxygen gets taken up. That in combination with increased bloodflow gives breathless feelings. Question your blood work. Are you being monitored by a urologist fr this breathlessness?

There is a long article on "pregnancy & renal disease" on Medscape website. I know you're familiar with medical lingo, maybe you'll find relevant information there.

Sorry fr the questions & the rambling. Your condition boggles my mind. And I've been surfing the net in Dutch & English, but can't find much info that might be relevant...

X Take care!
 
@Naturalmommi
Yes it likely started as a UTI that was brushed off by doctors as "the baby is on your bladder" etc.
That is exactly the feeling I have too when I can not pee. My urologist said a catheder would not solve the issue because in my case the bladder won't fill if the urinary tract is cut off by the baby and it won't solve the kidney issue. A katheder or tube inserted by the kidneys has to be done under surgery and frequently leads to contractions.

@Qmama
If I sit up or stand I can hardly ever empty my bladder...technically "not". But on bedrest and all fours I can empty my bladder almost like normal. With the occasional weird moment where it takes me 20 mins in drops. I think the key is to just never be up after fluid intake cause it will get congested. So my rule is I drink a big glass, lay down, wait to pee several times and after 1-2 hrs get up and eat or do something around the house for about 30 mins. Then I do my excercise on all fours during which I read or even fold clothing, take care of little things that can be done on all fours. Soon after I drink another cup and rest again.. I repeat that all day. I am trying to not let it get to the point where any urine can build up so the infection can heal. I take home remedies also.

My blood was tested for pH values. Very much in the normal range. When I am handed blood work I usually receive it after being discharged. That way I can't ask any questions. But what I can see is that several levels were/ are raised that indicate an infection. These are German terms but "Kreatin" was higher on the 30th and dropped some. It is always below the normal range though bc my anatomy is more child than adult size. But it is good it isn't raised and even drops bc the opposite would indicate kidney failure. "Fibrinogen" was slightly raised during the hospital visit which can indicate a kidney infection. C Reactive Protein was first tested yesterday and raised. Not very high but it definitely indicates a bacterial infection is still present. The doctor that did this blood test discharged me with a condescending smile saying "no infection, you can stop antibiotics"...I find it concerning that after 17 (!!) Days of antibiotics it is still raised.

I have been self testing morning (!!) urine. Several days ago protein levels were ++, then yesterday Protein was + and Leucocytes +, today the + is much more faint, so between negative and +. I have to keep and eye on it but that is a good sign. Doctors test urine diluted with 3 liters of water which is about as pointless as testing a bottle of water for bacteria. Anyhow both, PRO and LEU indicate there is still a minor infection despite antibiotics.

As far as the catheder...I explained a bit above. Most often doctors will insert a DJ Schiene in Germany. Like hard tube with a J shape that forces the flow between the bladder and kidneys open. This bears a high risk of preterm labor, infection and it has to be switched out every 3 weeks. A catheder even more often. Almost all women on German pregnancy forums have immense problems with it. It causes permanent pain which was to be medicated, abrasion to the bladder and urinary tract and blood in the urine. It is really only done for Grade 2 or 3 congestion of the kidney if the kidneys would fail without it.

The ultrasound showed my baby is with the back to the right which causes my uterus to tilt and put pressure. It likely is the reason because the right side has less room to begin with due to an artery and a part of the digestive tract. Despite all Yoga he has not turned yet though. It can't be said for sure that this would keep an infection up...slight congestion, yes. But many women with a Grade 1 congestion are fine. I probably had it for some time and it only became a problem with the UTI.

A doctor for internal medicine will check on the breathing problem today. It's our local MD that knows my whole family. He has been the most helpful doctor when it comes to tests needed.
 
You seem to be in good hands. I hope you can keep your routine going and that baby turns the other way!! I've had baby shifting a lot yesterday, I hope yours will do so soon as well!

Either way, stay positive & tell baby to explore your belly a bit more!!
 
So the good news is the breathing problem is not due to pulmonary embolism! :) Not sure exactly what causes it but may have to do with the infection or antibiotics, since it first appeared end of December.

My MD was the first to listen and to actually be concerned. He will finally try to do a urine culture. We also discussed antibiotics. The one I am taking is well tested for pregnancy but not very effective. That may be a reason it won't go away.
He said if it really won't go away, we can try an antibiotic that is not deemed safe in the first trimester. And that it won't harm a fully developed fetus as there is no risk of malformation anymore.

I ordered very pricey natural remedies first though. The testimonials sound amazing. For many it took care of infections where antibiotics failed. But it also depends on whether we are really up against E.Coli...or another strain.

My urine seems to be clearing up very slowly but I need to do more tests. I attached a picture of my self tests and also the lab work where I was told it is "normal" and it wasn't. It still shows an infection and after 17 days on antibiotics, while still on them..that is not a good result.:growlmad:
 

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Hi. I have just been browsing the forum and seen this post, I had exactly
This problem it was discovered just after I gave birth to my baby in January 2015, my left kidney was so narrow no urine could flow from the kidney into the bladder, my kidney had been like this most of my life and I never knew so by the time I found out about it my kidney was too damaged and 9 weeks ago I had my kidney removed.

There is plenty of options for you though as your kidney problem has been caught in time! I was just like you, no antibiotics worked and I was constantly getting infections, it was an absolute nightmare, a living hell. if you have any questions of any sort feel free to send me a message. I absolutely understand the pain and frustration you are going through right now :hugs:
 
Thank you for your input :)

How did they determine it was narrow? I figured they would have told me during the ultrasound if mine was...My urologist said the baby is on my kidney.

That truly does sound like hell :( Would antibiotics better it for the moment or hardly at all? I am unsure if for me it is just a difficult infection or if it will be a problem to the end of this pregnancy due to the baby.
 

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