[Mom2three]

I'm a 43 y o female and have had dull achy pain in area of right ribs, off and on for a few years. I was treated for a bleeding ulcer in approx. the same area 9 years ago, so I just took antacids thinking that was what I had over the following years. Two months ago, I went to the walk in clinic with a achy pain in my side, and nausea, I was quite ill. They did an ultrasound, said my gallbladder was fine and sent me home with Prilosec for ulcers

Recently, the pain is much worse, I'm exhaused and nauscous. I went to a doctor who did an ultrasound and said she wanted me to get a CT scan right away, there is a mass in my kidney. Due to insurance reasons, I can't get the CT for another week.

She gave me some paperwork to give to the CT scan people. On a bloodwork page, It shows I'm anemic and my GFR shows >60.0. There is an astereix leading you to read the small print at the bottom "Chronic Kidney Disease is based on >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or kidney damage for at least three months. Kidney failure is based on >15 ml/min/1.73 m2."

Does anyone know if my symptoms coupled with this blood test and the ultrasound lead to kidney cancer or kidney stones or something else? Waiting a week is tourture!
Thanks in advance,
Mom2three

[cathrine001]

I would read whatever I can find on WEBmd.com and educate yourself. Try not to pay too much attention to the fine print; it raises anxiety levels and your children will sense something is wrong. The tests don't lead to anything else, but should give you a clearer picture of what you are dealing with; I realize it is very frightening for you.

Contact your insurance company to ask if they will pay for a consultation for a second opinion. Kidney stones are considered "Stone Disease" and stones are a kidney disease; but it is not necessarily kidney failure. When you get all of the test results, ask your doctor for a written evaluation that you can review, and ask for the technical terminology, as well as layman's terms. Without more information, or a referral to an oncologist, there is no way to know if there is kidney cancer, but you have the right to the truth.

Be assertive in obtaining all of your medical records, and a complete and in-depth evaluation of your case so that everyone can be on the same page.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Catherine