Hi,
I'm 33 y/o, 37 weeks gestation, 2nd pregnancy, twins born in 1999.
My current pregnancy has proceeded fairly uneventfully with the
exception of 5-6 UTI's,
pain that has/was assumed to be from
large kidney stores, and an almost constant vaginal discharge. The
UTI's have been treated with Macrobid and Ceftin. My obstetrician
said that since I was not
itching or hurting that it would be better
not to treat the vaginal discharge.
At about 32 weeks gestation I began to have quite a bit of back
pain. Not long after, the
pain was bad enough to warrant trips
to Labor & Delivery. A urological consult was obtained,
painmeds given, and I was discharged home, the assumption being
this was
pain from kidney stones. Nothing was done during
those 3-4 trips to confirm that. I had been previously diagnosed
with the stones. Additionally, I had a UTI at the time my pregnancy
was confirmed.
Last week I was admitted to the antenatal unit due to extreme
pain in my back. About 3 days prior, my OB ordered a urine culture
after reviewing my UA which showed a lot of blood and WBC.
He changed me from Macrobid, which the urologist had prescribed,
to Ceftin.
The result of the culture showed 10,000-49,000 candida albicans.
I have had a culture in the past, prior to this pregnancy, that
showed showed >100,000 candida albicans in clusters or something
like that.
During last week's hospitalization, a renal ultrasound was obtained.
It showed bilateral renal atrophy with the cortex having an average
measurement of <1 cm.
A C-T scan performed in my urologists office 1.5 years ago was
negative except for a stone in each kidney.
My questions are: can untreated yeast damage the kidneys? I was
born at 27 weeks gestation and weighed 1000 grams. Could
prematurity account for this finding?
My BUN and
creatinine were normal x 2. I have never had any
protein in my urine; I am not diabetic. I have been treated for
infertility with induction of ovulation with gonadotropins, hCG,
and clomiphene. Was treated with progesterone vaginal suppositories
until 13 weeks with both pregnancies. I have never used drugs and
have at no time in my life used alcohol. I'm an active mom and have
been working full time.
I am as large as I was when I had my twins, but my ultrasound
exams have been perfect. I had fluid...
ascites?..in my abdomen
due to acute hyperstimulation of the ovaries prior to conceiving
in 1998. I was hospitalized twice and had so much fluid in my
abdomen I looked like I was pregnant and full term. I did
conceive, but it turned out to be a chemical pregnancy.
Three months later I underwent my second round of gonado-
tropins and conceived my twins.
I've included all this information in the hopes of getting a lead on
what may have caused my kidneys to waste. I have not yet had
a full investigation due to my pregnancy and my husband and I are
so worried.
Is it possible I have bladder reflux that never gave me trouble in
childhood? I ask this because my 14 month old niece had a horrific
UTI at 4 months and was diagnosed with kidney reflux which
seems to run in families.
Are my kidneys going to fail? Will I die? Have I been running
around with shrunken kidneys for years without knowing it,
and is it possible the CT from 1.5 years ago (a KUB was also
performed which confirmed the CT findings) simply did not
image as well as an ultrasound?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. My cesarean is
scheduled for 9/29/08. I am having a girl. Should I be
concerned in any way for her?
Respectfully,
CWalsh
