[Ellie]

Here's a list of my current medications. My previous was Amoxicillin 1,500 mgs per day which went on for 3 1/2 weeks.

Right now, I have:

Azithromycin: 250mg per day
Mepron (liquid): 750mg (5ml) x 2 per day
Ultram ER 1x per day (as needed)
Balziva (birth control) once per day (no clue on mg's)

Do any of these have any impact on the kidneys? I am constantly feeling like someone punched me in the kidney, trying to arch backwards is impossible even to stretch and I'm waking up frequently in the middle of the night to pee (no problems with burning or anything, just the waking up part).

I've been on so many pills the past 3 months I feel gross. Any way to 'flush' myself?

I recently had my prolactin and thyroid tested (not back yet) due to some unfortunate leakage (thin/clear) combined with lymph swelling. Not sure if that's related to the pills, the lyme, or nothing at all. Digestive system seems to be handling things better than I had expected.

Any info would be appreciated.

[mrsD]

1) Zithromax is metabolized by the liver. It depletes over time
organisms will die off in the GI tract... so using yogurt daily can help this.
Vit K may go down, when those good bacteria die.
Also depleted are:
Inositol
Biotin
B1
B2
B6
B12
The dose is not really high, but the longer you are on it, the more likely you may need supplements.

2) The Balziva is like other BCs, and like hormones also depletes over time
folic acid (very important)
B2
B6
B12
magnesium
Vit C
Zinc

Mepron and Ultram do not have listings yet for depletions.

Is this back pain on the right side? The reason I ask is that Mepron is
excreted thru the bile and into the digestive tract. If you have any gall bladder issues, you might see side effects from it. I have not had many people as patients on this drug. It is used in a anti-malarial in lower doses. And that is typically short term. So all I can do for you is provide the academic data,
which is at www.rxlist.com
Don't hesitate to call your doctor about the pain, if it is right sided esp. I would not wait. Get that cleared up.

Female hormones tend to cause fluid retention, and maybe that is why you are going more at night. When we lie down, the kidneys are often more active.
Do you have any blood pressure problems? Sometimes hormones increase blood pressure, so you should have that checked. Higher blood pressure will cause night time urination too.

Flank pain can be due to kidneys, or gall bladder too. A doctor would have to check that for you. Long term antibiotics kill off beneficial bacteria, which block oxalate from foods we eat. When this extra oxalate gets to the kidneys it reacts with calcium to form calcium oxalate stones. A diet lower in oxalate can help. So can lots of water, and if you use calcium supplements choose the calcium citrate ones (CitraCal). It is always possible you might have some stones there, and a doctor would have to check that too.

Here is a copy of the low oxalate diet. About 80% of kidney stones can be of this type. You might need this information in the future.

I am glad that in general things are going smoothly for you so far.

[Ellie]

Yes, it's on the right side. It's not so severe as I am extremely concerned, but it is slightly uncomfortable and very painful when I try to arch backward (feels like an 'inner' pain). I had poked all around and bent various ways as I first thought it was back pain and then realized it's not.

My blood pressure it typically low, and it's average when I am perked up. It's been pretty good for the most part. Aside from this pain and my night time peeing issues, I actually feel a lot better than I have for the past few months.

Of course now everything around me is on fire and I can't breathe worth a crap, but that's obviously unrelated. :P My primary doctor works out of the urgent care center so she's out with the fire fighters. I imagine she will be gone until they get the fires out which is hopefully soon!

The pain is confusing as I've never really had any problems with those areas as far as I know. I've only got a couple more days left on my antibiotics, and I am hoping they will avoid putting me on IV Rocephin. I'd asked them to let me try a 'healing diet' because I feel like I need to detox. They aren't really excited about that, but I'm not doing it without their agreement, as I am sure they know better than I do. Well, most of the time.

Thanks as usual for all of your great information. I'd be lost without you around!

[mrsD]

I forgot the link to the low oxalate diet:

http://patienteducation.upmc.com/Pdf/LowOxalateDiet.pdf

( I was finishing up a bidding cycle on Ebay...and very excited, so I forgot)

[Ellie]

Originally Posted by mrsd

I forgot the link to the low oxalate diet:

http://patienteducation.upmc.com/Pdf/LowOxalateDiet.pdf

( I was finishing up a bidding cycle on Ebay...and very excited, so I forgot)

I was coming back to re-read it, I thought I just missed it, haha.

Watch out for that bidding addiction. I heard from a "friend" it turns into a sport! However, my "friend" got several great deals on genuine Coach bags!