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Is Severe Pain After Kidney Removal Indicative Of Nerve Damage?
Question: My 31 yr old daughter had her right kidney removed in XXXXXXX of 2014. Since November she has experienced Intense pain in her back where the kidney used to be and up near her ribs on the right side. Cat scans have shown nothing. The skin is hot and sharp pains occur occasionally just at the touch. Shingles has been ruled out. Pain medicine has no effect. Standing, sitting, lying down or other activity has no effect on the severity of pain. Can it be nerve damage??.. The the doctors, from internists to to orthopedic surgeons just keep referring her to other doctors. Please help us. The pain is so severe, she has fainted. She is single and teaches third grade. She is her only source of income and must work, but can bearly make it through the day. Not ice or heat packs help much. Steroids shots provided brief relief. HELP!!!
Brief Answer:
MRI - Neurologist's opinion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history barring some points.
I am really sorry about your daughter after reading the history, I can understand the plight your daughter and you must be going through.
To recapitulate: Single - Teacher - only source of income - F/ 31 - nephrectomy right in XXXXXXX 2014 - Pains since Nov 2014 5 months gap) - right back and near ribs - ''skin is hot - sharp pain on touch'' - Shingles ruled out - CT scan normal - unaffected by activities - pain medicines - no effect - steroids provided brief relief - referring continues - ... Can it be nerve damage ??? Help ...
I would like to know some details please:
Why was the Kidney removed ?
Seen Neurologist / Neurosurgeon ?
Were the medicines like Gabapentin / Amitryptilin / Tegritol tried ?
Hot skin and pain on touch are definitely indicative of pain of few origins:
-Neurological
-Inflammation underneath.
- The nerve damage or entrapment should have occurred immediately after Surgery and is least possible as you are suspecting... the nerve damage.
-Shingles can show up very few vesicles in a few patients and hence could have been missed. ( How was Shingles ruled out ?)
I would advise her the following:
Blood tests - CBC to see whether WBC is increase. and other routine tests.
MRI of the spine and the affected area: this will help to see whether there is any compression on the cord by prolapsed intervertebral disc / a nerve root / any tumor / abscess or inflammatory process. This will also help us to see the problem along the rib/s, the position of the Kidney-bed, any collection or so.
Also helpful will be the opinion of a Neurologist or Neurosurgeon for clinical / physical evaluation, advise for proper necessary investigation and prescribing proper medications to alleviate the pain.
I hope this answer helps you and your daughter to get a proper diagnosis which is very important to get a proper treatment.
Please feel free to ask for more if required or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication...
MRI - Neurologist's opinion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history barring some points.
I am really sorry about your daughter after reading the history, I can understand the plight your daughter and you must be going through.
To recapitulate: Single - Teacher - only source of income - F/ 31 - nephrectomy right in XXXXXXX 2014 - Pains since Nov 2014 5 months gap) - right back and near ribs - ''skin is hot - sharp pain on touch'' - Shingles ruled out - CT scan normal - unaffected by activities - pain medicines - no effect - steroids provided brief relief - referring continues - ... Can it be nerve damage ??? Help ...
I would like to know some details please:
Why was the Kidney removed ?
Seen Neurologist / Neurosurgeon ?
Were the medicines like Gabapentin / Amitryptilin / Tegritol tried ?
Hot skin and pain on touch are definitely indicative of pain of few origins:
-Neurological
-Inflammation underneath.
- The nerve damage or entrapment should have occurred immediately after Surgery and is least possible as you are suspecting... the nerve damage.
-Shingles can show up very few vesicles in a few patients and hence could have been missed. ( How was Shingles ruled out ?)
I would advise her the following:
Blood tests - CBC to see whether WBC is increase. and other routine tests.
MRI of the spine and the affected area: this will help to see whether there is any compression on the cord by prolapsed intervertebral disc / a nerve root / any tumor / abscess or inflammatory process. This will also help us to see the problem along the rib/s, the position of the Kidney-bed, any collection or so.
Also helpful will be the opinion of a Neurologist or Neurosurgeon for clinical / physical evaluation, advise for proper necessary investigation and prescribing proper medications to alleviate the pain.
I hope this answer helps you and your daughter to get a proper diagnosis which is very important to get a proper treatment.
Please feel free to ask for more if required or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication...
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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