sorry to sound whiny, but need help...

I will start by telling you that I have RA, and deal with that everyday... Since January this year 2012 I have been also having pain in my kidney area. It started in my left kidney area and progressed to where now both kidney areas ache. I went to the doctor January 31, and they gave me urine test and antibiotics to fight infection. When those meds were done the pain was still there and I went back naturally to say it didnt work. More urine tests...and another kind of antibiotics. After that set was done....still pain. Another set of urine tests, and yet another antibiotic. Well you guessed it still have pain. So they did an ultrasound of my kidneys. Found a tiny kidney stone that the specialist said was in an area that he was positive in his professional opinion would not be causing my pain, especially pain in the right side of my lower back kidney area because stone was found in left kidney. He suggested maybe it was lower back related.... and that maybe robaxacet would help. So because I can get that over the counter I went and talked with my pharmacist to be sure it would be okay to take with my RA meds, and she said it would be. When I would get to the point of unbearable pain in kidney areas I have taken them as suggested on package.....it may dull the pain a little but it definitely gives me a headache as well. And the pain comes back. Not knowing if this med is working I do not want to over do taking it (especially since I get the headache, kinda feels like Im taking partial relief with added different pain for nothing).
So my question is, does anyone out there with RA get sharp pain in lowerback kidney area? and is it caused by the RA? With my family doctor I most times feel I have to come up with my own "diagnosis" and take it to her so she can work with that.... It has been 4 months and I am getting at my wits end. RA causes enough daily pain without the added new pain. Would love to get rid of ALL my pain but alas have come to terms that RA means pain,so opting to "fix" the new one but havent got any diagnosis ideas....
Any suggestions would be really appreciated, I work at a seasonal job and should be returning to work soon as the summer is coming, and would like to feel "at my best" to endure the days there. Thanks

Thank-you for posting Vannie. Out of 3 or 4 tests I believe only one time did it show an infection...but because I still had pain they tried a new antibiotic to try and get rid of "whatever" it was. I currently do not take prednisone, I have taken it as a 'trial' for a week at a time but found it wasnt helping with the RA pain I have/had and because its a steroid we (the rhuemy and myself) decided to quit taking it. I take 50mg of amitriptyline, and 400mg of plaquenil, as well as 1000 units of vitamin D daily. They were prescribing Tylenol 3 for pain, and it was working but I have taken it so often now all it does is five me a "buzz" feeling and nothing for the pain. So rather than prescribing something else my family doctor just said take Advil for pain....which is like grabbing some m&m's and munching them because thats how much advil helps my arthritis pain. Advil is great for headaches for me but thats all.
Still trying to figure the medication mixes out...and trying to figure out what the heck is wrong in my kidney area ....but as I am not a doctor I haven't any idea what I am facing.... except total frustration.
I really appreciate your post, thanks again.

Thanks, I think I should make yet another appointment to see my family doctor....if I can get one . My rhuematologist is an hour and a half away and only sees me once every six months....so I have to go see my family doctor in between. I will as about Tramadol as no-one has ever mentioned that as solution....the pain could be back pain I suppose. But the med I have tried for it didnt work, not saying it was for the wrong thing so didnt help, just dont know why it didnt. Thanks so much for your support. :)

Hope you get your voice back,and some rest. I know how it feels to try to endure the day when your tired. When I return to work, I am a cashier at a grocery store, which means alot of standing,and talking,and carrying groceries out for customers (some seniors with arthritis that cant carry out their groceries....I dont know why but I find it secretly funny because ME with arthritis is carrying heavy groceries for customer with arthritis...lol), sometimes means cleaning shelves etc so lotsa bending, and dealing with those rude people that cant "see" my disease so I mustn't be sick.

Feel better soon. and thanks again :)

okay, thanks again. Still trying to figure things out....its hard sometimes to know what symptoms are from RA or from whatever "new" is ailing you....
I really do appreciate your support and thanks again :)

thanks Chartreux, I do get some help if needed, as my sister and neice both work with me and realize I have arthritis so if I ask them they carry it if they have time...
I still have pain in my back and all the back pain meds I have havent been helping, I am still trying to self diagnose
thanks again for your support, its nice to know that someone who KNOWS what its like has got your back (no pun intended) lol