Blood in Urine

[Billydude]

I've shown positive for trace blood in the urine the last two tests.  I'm going in for a scan but my doctor says that if it shows nothing it could be that Sjogrens is effecting my Kidneys.   Anyone ever hear of that?   I didn't think kidneys could be involved with SjS.

[KellyG999]

Billydude,

I think Sjogrens can basically affect any organ: lungs, liver, kidneys and heart. I am glad you are getting checked to find out.

Good luck,

KellyG

[irish]

billydude, Yes, the sjogrens can affect kidneys. There is something called RTA or renal tubular acidosis that can occur. Ask your doc about that and make sure that he does the testing for other kidney issues also.

It is not as common in sjogrens, but it can happen. Also, the RTA has some symptoms of weakness and fatigue and is related to the potassium being excreted out of the body. If we live long enough we should find out about all the little "treats" that sjogrens has for us.

Do not panic---but insist that the doctors purserve. Also, it is possible that the lining of your bladder could be irritated and oozing a little bit of blood. Or there could be a polyp. May need to have a cystoscopy done to get the inside of the bladder checked out. Good luck and keep us posted. Irish

[Madison Granny]

SJS can effect your kidneys.  I has mine.  I have stage 3 kidney disease.  By all means get it checked out.  I also have renal tubular acidosis.  You kidneys secret too much potassium and keep in too much calcium which can cause  you to form stones.  It can be help with taking sodium bicarb.

[Billydude]

Sodium Barcarbonate?   Whats that?

[Joe S.]

Sodium bicarbonate is an old treatment for ulcers. I used to mix in in water. Baking soda is a common name. You may want to check the MSDS for additional information or wikipedia.

http://130.15.90.245/Chin-Sang%20Lab%20MSDS/Fisher/Sodium%20Bicarbonate%28MSDS%29.htm

It is nice to see you post.

[LizPetillo]

Kidney Stones .... those lil' buggers move around and ... zap ... trace amounts of blood in the urine.  That's what happened to me.  If you have blood there, you could easily have some kidney stones ...

[Carolina]

Dear Billy,

There can be several causes of blood in the urine.

I had 'idiopathic hematuria' for years, which means 'we don't know why you have blood in your urine".

I had the IVP (?) of my kidneys and they were fine, no stones, no nothing.

This was probably about 12-14 years ago, and lasted for several years.  I don't have it any more.

And I've also never tested positive for Sjogren's or any AI condition.

Of course Sjogren's is well known for attacking the kidneys.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sjogrens_Syndrome/default.asp

Kidney problems. The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and remove them from the body through urine. The most common kidney problem in people with Sjögren's syndrome is interstitial nephritis, or inflammation of the tissue around the kidney's filters, which can occur even before dry eyes and dry mouth. Inflammation of the filters themselves, called glomerulonephritis, is less common. Some people develop renal tubular acidosis, which means they can't get rid of certain acids through urine. The amount of potassium in their blood drops, causing an imbalance in blood chemicals that can affect the heart, muscles, and nerves.

Often, doctors do not treat these problems unless they start to affect kidney function or cause other health problems. However, they keep a close eye on the problem through regular exams, and will prescribe medicines called alkaline agents to balance blood chemicals when necessary. Corticosteroids or immunosuppressants are used to treat more severe cases.

I hope you find out what's going on.

Keep us posted.

Hugs

Elaine

[Billydude]

Thanks for the great information.   I feel a little less panicky.    Thanks for the welcome back Joe.   I haven't been on for some time.   I guess thats a good thing.  When I'm having a long stretch of no problems or complaints I don't seem to seek out the support so I'm good if I'm off but not so good if i'm back on.

[Carolina]

Billydude,

That's precisely WHY this forum exists.  When you need it, here it is.

Merry Merry and Happy Happy.

Hugs

Elaine