Wondering about kidney involvement? but not wanting it...just have questions.

Hi Ellie, I wouldn't let anything unusual go without being checked out. What you have mention sounds very simalar towhat i have. It's not a real problem but I do  tend to get infections from it and that can be a problem. Sometimes I feel like I have to just set for ever twiddeling my thumbs trying to get somthing moving. My doctor ssaid alot of women have this problem and other women on here have mentioned it as well. It is possible you have what is called tipped bladder. yes you a dribble a little or push real hard just to make little progress. She says try to rock forward and backward and side to side trying to empty your bladder. It seems that our bladder tends to not empty all the way. which of course makes it stay longer and cause a darker color. There is also a possibility that your bladder is full to the top but because you have a problem you are only getting the very (overflow) to come out. I would suggest you should get it get it checked it. The may need to do an ultra sound. Your doctor may want to put you on a low salt or possibly lasix for awhile. Bt to answer your question I would not put it off. while is may not be anything at least you will know. and if it is possibly an infection or blockage or somthing they will be able to get it fixed. I'm not suggesting the every little thing needs a rush to the ER but this does suggest at least an appt to the doctors office.

let us know

hugs

carol

Hey! I agree with Carol and Amy. I also have renal involvement with Lupus. I am no doc, but it sounds like bladder more than kidney to me! It warrants a check up for sure. Let us know how you are!! Bless you , Judy

Hi!! Everyone,

One of my lectures from my immunologist, was that one of the goals of lupus meds was to protect the kidneys asap. Everytime I go to him, q 6 months, I pee in a cup. Everytime I go to my family dr., I pee in a cup. They do a quick check for sediment, cells and protein. I think one of the more serious signs of lupus nephritis, is foamy brownish bubbly urine. Once I spilled catecholamines, but my 24hr urine checked out. And one of the evidences of kidney failure is the inability to concentrate urine, so I worry when mine is light and I am not over hydrated. And for perimenopausal women, urgency, frequency or difficulty are some times, (and not to forget about the usual UTIs), connected to status post childbirth, menopause, and a check with the dr. is my vote.

hugs, suetoo

Thank-you so so so so so so much from all of you that responded so quickly. If you can't tell, I'm appreciative:) I do plan on talking to my GP about it tomorrow. I have an appnt set up for prescription refills, but I think that I'll tag that on too. It hasn't gone away, and I've tried cutting coffee back and adding more water than usual. The thing is, that years ago I used to drink lots of water, and be a very active runner. I have kept that up and was keeping myself drinking about 2+ liters of water daily. I would drink about 1-2 cups coffee, and ate a very healthy low salt diet. Then, 2 years ago I actually passed out due to low sodium (they think) and then had 2 grand mal seizures. Since then it has been a fine battle to keep my salt in the regular range...hence I have been told by my GP to increase my salt intake, and am to drink no more than 2 liters of water daily in any form (juice, tea, etc...). I was keeping that up, but without adding lots of extra salted foods my sodium was not regulating..now it's been fine, but I've cut WAY back on drinking water..I drink about 1 1/2 liters p/day, no herbal teas, and no juice...just some water, and way more coffee (otherwise I just feel too hungry). I'm not a big fan of too much gatorade (just not my thing). So, that's a bit broader the storey. It makes sense that possible I could be a bit dehydrated, but I've been this now the same for almost 2 years...I have tried over the last few days to drink more water, and even added in some extra cups of herbal tea to see if it would dilute my pee...it's worked somewhat, but still I am not out what I think I should be, and it still seems to be more concentrated than normal. I will just have to see what my GP says. Oh, and also yesterday I noticed that I was spotting a bit of . Could be my endometriosis though...not totally sure on that one (shrugs, oh well, don't know everything). I am interested in hearing that it could be an infection of some sort. I did just start on Imuran 2 weeks ago..that's supposed to make me more suseptible to infections, right? Hmmmm...

Thanks again everyone, and I'll letcha know what my GP says.

Bright yellow can also mean you are taking too much Vitamin C !

Imuran...how long ago was that added? Are you taking the generic azathiprine (SP)? I remember when I first started taking Imuran a few years ago, my urine turned very yellow!!! My rhuemy told me that it can be a side effect. I don't remember how long it lasted, I jsut remember it turning yellow, but once I got used to it, everythign returned back to how it was.

I think I recall my urine being more yellow when I first started Imuran but now as long as I keep my fluids up it is pretty clear. I hope you find out soon about the possibility of a bladder infection as those left untreated can travel into the kidneys and cause havoc. I would do a follow up call to my doctor if I were you just to see what they have discovered.

Hey Ellie!! So glad to know you don't have a infection! I know that is a great relief. It was almost 3 years ago that I started taking Imuran but if I remember correctlty (haha) I think the yellow urine lasted about a month and then each time they upped my dose I had the same issue for about another month.