Kidney issues, allergies, and medical professionals.

[tolovemercy]

Hi wise mamas,

I'm going to try to keep this short--

In the last year or so, after snuffing out a dairy intolerance in DS2, I began to suspect that my chronic UTIs/flank pain/constantly having white blood cells and/or protein in my urine could possibly be due to a (dairy) intolerance in myself.

After eliminating dairy completely, I felt way better, and would notice symptoms coming back or worsening when I ate significant amounts of dairy, but was not, admittedly, very strict about being "dairy free". I know, I know. I guess I just felt a little crazy, and like other people thought I was crazy.

I would like to see someone (like, a doctor...of some kind...), because I'm concerned about the state of my kidneys & urinary tract. I'd like to do some healing, get a professional opinion--and really, just have some medical supervision, because, in the back of my mind, I worry that if this isn't *exclusively* an allergen issue, I will really regret not looking into further medical care.

I saw a naturopath a few times regarding the issue last spring, and didn't find her to be very helpful (and too expensive, and kind of hokey). I'm hesitant to go back. I worry that a run-of-the-mill urologist will be quick to diagnose and medicate and not take my concerns seriously, but I'm also not totally convinced that an allergist is the right move, since I know many of you have had bad experiences.

Can anyone point me in the right direction here? Any help would be seriously appreciated. Thanks for reading!

[kjbrown92]

A urologist would probably say there's no connection. However, if you eliminate ALL dairy, and all the symptoms go away, then haven't you proved it is connected? If it does correct it, then what else can be wrong is, I guess, what I'm saying. You could go to an allergist, just thinking you'll rule it out (so if it's negative, you're not disappointed, and you know it's not the end of the road). And you could get an intolerance test (like ALCAT, which shows an inflammatory response to the food, not necessarily an IgG test), or an IgG test. But the big thing is, if you eliminate it and the symptoms go away, I'd think you'd have your answer. This is coming from someone who's had UTIs for years (been on abx for 7 years) and found out that if I'm on anti-inflammatories around the clock, I don't get UTIs, because I have some nerve impinged somewhere (this is after visits to 3 or 4 urologists, a neurologist, a nephrologist, and countless others), but figured out by an osteopath.

[tolovemercy]

Thanks, Kathy. I remember bits and pieces of your story from awhile back when I was battling thrush with DS2.

I initially went dairy-free, completely and fully, for awhile and things got way better, but I wouldn't say they cleared up entirely. They definitely lessened in intensity and frequency but every now and again I would still get the back pain, and the urgency and couldn't come up with any hidden source *anywhere*. I suspect there might be other allergens involved? I'm not sure. I feel confused by what's happening to my body--I don't understand it and wish there was a magic doctor out there that could just hand me a list of answers to my questions and a checklist of practical solutions.

Anyway, you're right, eliminating the suspected problem entirely is obviously the best place to start. It just worries me to think that I'm doing permanent damage to my body the longer I go without figuring this thing out. And, with number 3 on the way, I feel more aware of how much I've demanded of my body in the last few years and the need for me to be well is seeming really urgent.

So, I guess on a more practical note, has anyone else had experience with a reaction like this? Anyone have suggestions for supplements? Protein suggestions for dairy-free pregnant mamas?

[kjbrown92]

While you're going dairy free, you can definitely get other things checked out, and keep a food journal as well, if you think there are other food triggers. We all wish there was a doctor out there with a magic checklist! It would be sooooo much easier than all the food journaling, and visits to different doctors, and poking and prodding!

While I was on the abx for a billion years, I had an IVP done, a CT scan of my kidneys, some kidney function blood test, 2 cystocopies, a voiding cystogram (where they have you pee, then fill you back up with fluid, then have you pee again, all while hooked up to muscle monitors - that's where they figured out that my muscles weren't actually working properly), and probably more that I've blocked out.

Another thing that helped me was drinking lemon water - keeps the body alkaline. Not sure how that is when you're pregnant though.

If you're not a vegetarian, then protein shouldn't be a problem - meat, fish, beans, nuts, etc. all have protein.