Figured seems a few people ask and apparently some people don’t know what exactly happens with my kidneys.. from what the doctor I had before and the Specialist told me this is what I have:

medullary sponge kidney

Medullary sponge kidney is a condition where cysts develop in the urine-collecting ducts and tubules of one or both kidneys. Medullary sponge kidney belongs to a group of diseases known as ‘cystic kidney disease’.

Symptoms
Although medullary sponge kidney is present from birth, symptoms do not usually occur until later in life. Symptoms and signs may include:

• Pain in the back
• Blood in the urine (haematuria)
• Excessive amounts of calcium in the urine.

Possible complications
About one person in every 10 with medullary sponge kidney has complications. Some of the complications associated with the condition include:

• Calcium deposits in the kidneys
• Kidney stones
• Kidney infection
• Abscess (pocket of pus) within the kidney
• Kidney failure as a result of repeated kidney infections or kidney stones.

The exact cause of medullary sponge kidney is not known and there is no cure. It is thought the condition may have a genetic link. Medical treatment aims to manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.

This is obviously the shortened down version of a much larger article but the end of it is that I get a lot of ‘flank’ pain, some times very very severe that require trips to hospital for pain relief, on top of this I also get a lot of small kidney stones that cycle in roughly 2 – 6 week patterns when these occur I can end up in a lot more pain then normal even though the Specialist told me these stones are exteremely small break up quickly etc.. They are still quite painful and cause issues.. Then of course at times I also get Larger (much larger) stones which can lead to things like my last lot where I end up with a stent put in (Even if such does cause major irriation).

What does this mean? It means that at times I will have some ‘good days’ these are days when I would be like every one else, where I can move around and do everything other people do then I have ‘Bad Days’ these are days when due to the pain and the like I have to take some very strong pain relief medication that leaves me rather zonked out or other side effects.

The result of this is that along with the above and the fact I lost 20kg’s of weight (I weigh now 40.5kg’s) and have been UNABLE to put this weight on despite the fact that I can happly eat in styles that most of those who know me wish they could (And yes I’m seeing a doctor about this as well), That I am currently UNFIT for work not because I don’t want to work, I’ve told a number of places if they want work done with out a set time table on what hours the work has to be done and instead just a set date I would be happy to.. But the DOCTOR’s and Centrelink Job Capacity Assesement officer have stated that on average I am UNABLE to meet the requirements for even part time minimum work of 15 hours a week.

So there you have it my medical history for those who have been wondering.