Another "Ologist"

Good Morning Bleeps.

If you caught my blog yesterday you will know I was scheduled for an ultrasound of my abdominal area. I have been having right side pain that radiates to my back for ages now and I was worried it might be my gallbladder. Thankfully my GP was a good listener and referred me for a scan. Well, the good news is that the pain is not being caused by gallstones and my liver is nice and normal (that was a bit of a surprise but I'll definitely drink to that!) but it looks like my right kidney is being even naughtier than usual.

I was diagnosed with a "dodgy" kidney about 14 years ago. When I was pregnant with Madeleine (who is now 15) my Doctor didn't like the protein levels in my pee (eewww!!) every time I was there for a checkup. He sent me to a renal specialist and they did a bunch of tests (after my chick was born) and it was discovered that my right kidney was a shrivelled up little runt and was functioning at just over the level where they remove it. I think if it works at 25% they leave it in and if my very bad memory serves me correctly it was functioning in the high 20s somewhere.

My ultrasound yesterday revealed that it is super small and she feel that is what is causing my pain. She suggested that I am referred back to the renal specialist. Insert sarcasm here: Brilliant!

If it was only just above the functioning level back then (and it wasn't causing pain) and we are now 15 years on and it is now waking me up at night, does that mean it has deteriorated? If what is affecting my body is not MS and it turns out to be Lupus then it would sort of answer this question as Lupus can affect the kidneys (it is quite a common symptom apparently). I feel absolutely rung out both physically and emotionally.

I did read up on it and if you have a kidney that is duff it can affect blood pressure (mine is high), make you feel nauseous (often am) as well as causing a bitter/metallic taste in the mouth (get this a lot, that is why I wondered about my gallbladder). It also can cause itching and I am always itchy - I was putting that down to my nerves with whatever is going on the "is it or is it not MS" thing.

Honestly bleeps, I want to just curl up into a ball and not move. I am already under the Neurologist (obviously) as well as a Cardiologist for my chest pain/palpitations etc. Another specialist now? I don't even know what kind of "ologist" a renal Doctor is? I do know that I need this like a flipping hole in the head.

I have been awake since 1.30am with so much crap whirling around in my mind - surely everyone has their breaking point right? I was supposed to be going to Pilates this morning but there is no way I can face that today. I have work to do and a lot of emotional crap to try to process. I think I am going to have to blast a bit of Daughtry (my FAVE band ever!) and get stuck into this brochure job. I need to put my health issues and personal problems to one side for today because I am on the verge of losing my mind!

So enough about me, how are YOU?