Did anyone else have hydronephrosis while pregnant?

[inkslinger]

I was diagnosed around 15 weeks and it wasn't bothering me at all until the last week or so. Now I am in SO much pain, it's awful. My dr prescribed Macrobid to take for the remainder of pregnancy, but I just don't feel comfortable taking it for the next 4 months. Did anyone else experience this? (I am 22 weeks, btw)

[Triniity]

obviously every medical advise over the internet is a bit difficult. Just as a disclaimer.

Sorry that you are in so much pain. A hydronephrosis per se does not cause pain. Or at least should not. I am not sure what makrobid is, but it sounds like a pain killer, right?

Pain in your back together with hydronephrosis could be a sign of an infection, or the cause of the pain is something different. Did they rule out everything else?

I am in pain constantly, since I have this UTI constantly and pelvic problems, and I do take medication for it. I could not walk a straight line without them.

So I think, if you can handle the pain (every person is different) than fine, but if you are constantly in pain, that makes yourself so miserable and not functioning anymore, that would be really horrible.

Good luck, and hang in there!

[Rodeo Mama]

Yep, this is baby #4 for us and the 3rd pregnancy I've had hydronephrosis (I'm 22 weeks also).  IT's been less severe each time, although I'm currently dealing with a UTI too....so extra miserable.  With my first pregnancy, I couldn't do anything and I was totally miserable and ended up with a stent (that didn't work), no probs with #2, could do some activity but not a lot without a lot of pain with #3, and this time seems to be fairly mild so far.  The urologist thinks there may be a structural issue that may need to be corrected, so I will having testing after this baby is born to see what's going on for sure.   I wouldn't be comfortable doing the macrobid the whole time either.  I don't know that I would really consider it unless there were multiple UTI's.  I'm taking nettle capsules and cranberry capsules trying to keep things from getting worse.  I just started the cranberry with this UTI though.

Feel free to message me anytime.  I can totally commiserate. 

[Urchin]

I have hydronephrosis but I guess it's more on the extreme side.

Pain started for me around week 22. We first thought it was ligament pain as it was in my right hip and groin mostly.

Then I ended up in the ER in excruciating pain -- so I don't know why the poster above said pain is not usually involved with this condition!

I had an ultrasound which confirmed that my right kidney was not draining.

I ended up having a stent placed between my kidney and bladder to drain the kidney. It worked for a week and then I was in a lot of intense pain again until 30 weeks. At that point we learned my kidney was not draining again, the stent was removed and found to be blocked and crystalized. So I have kidney stones which are likely causing my drainage issues.

I had a new stent placed and have felt FABULOUS since then. I am not 35 weeks pregnant.

I'm not sure why your doctor would only put you on macrobid--since that is an antibiotic and you don't technically have an infection. I would have them look further into why you have the hydronephrosis. Is it because of kidney stones? Is the uterus placing too much pressure on your ureters?

Make sure you drink as much fluid as possible. That really has helped my pain. Also, sleep on the side that is not effected (if it's only on one side).

Good luck, and if you need support, let me know! It's been a long road for me with this pregnancy and all the kidney issues I have had! I hope you get relief soon!

[inkslinger]

Thanks for your replies!

I do have kidney stones in both kidneys - they aren't passing yet. The stone in the right kidney is what's causing the blockage and pain now. No infection of any kind, I'm being pretty constantly tested for infections. The hydronephrosis started at week 15 or so, with no pain. The pain started at week 21 (I'm almost 24 weeks now). I've been in the ER 3 times in the past few weeks....just awful! I'm not taking any painkillers because I'd rather not. I'm sure I will have to take something if I start passing the stones. I had stones when I was around 24 weeks with my last pregnancy and I had to be admitted into the hospital for a week until I passed them because I kept having contractions. What a pain! I'm sorry there are others going through this, but glad someone can commiserate, if you know what I mean. I hope you guys have some relief soon, too.