Question Title: "Kidney"pain about 15 minutes after going to sleep

Posted by Ray Grogan on July 27, 1999 at 09:59:59

I am a 50 year old male, generally healthy. For years I have had a minor problem that I always forget about because of when it happens. My father had several kidney stones.

Just after I go to sleep there is an area where I imagine my kidney is (I don't really know what is there) that hurts enough to make me wake up. The location is in the narrow part of my waist, on the side. The side that hurts is my "down" side when I go to sleep on my side. Last night it was my left side, but I think it happens on either side. (I always go right back to sleep so it's hard to remember.) The pain gets worse fairly quickly until I do something about it. The pain stops instantly if I just roll over to the other side. The pain does not return, and never occurs at any time other than about 15 minutes after I go to sleep.

Thank you.

Ray

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Posted by HFHS M.D.-JS on August 02, 1999 at 16:12:21

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Thank you for your inquiry. Most forms of urolithiasis(kidney stones) are not hereditary. The clinical picture you describe is not typical for renal colic associated with a kidney stone. Pain from the passage of a kidney stone is usually intermittent to a degree but not from day to day. The pain is acute in onset and severe, located any where from the flank to the inquinal and scrotal areas. It does not typically resolve until the stone is passed spontaneously or treated surgically. There may be associated nausea and vomiting or fevers and chills. Patients often remark that they cannot get comfortable in any position

The discomfort who describe is not a typical presentation for a kidney stone. It is probably more consistent with muscle or bone pain. I would recommend seeing your primary care physician to discuss this pain for further evaluation.

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).

Sincerely,
HFHS-M.D. JS
*keyword:renal colic

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