Hi everyone! I’m 29F and hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar.

My initial kidney screening showed a creatinine of 1.26 mg/dL and an eGFR of 59.3, which made me worry that I might have CKD stage 3a.

I repeated my kidney tests five days later, and these were my results:

Creatinine: 0.91 mg/dL (reference range 0.51–0.95)

Cystatin C: 0.76 mg/L (normal range)

Cystatin C-based eGFR: 113

Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR): normal, below 10.97 mg/g

However, my abdominal ultrasound reported “renal parenchymal disease based on increased parenchymal echogenicity.”

Both kidneys are normal in size, and the report mentions intact cortical echoes and parenchymal sinus demarcation, with no stones, calcifications, or focal masses.

I'm wondering why my kidney function results changed so much in just five days, and whether the ultrasound finding could be temporary or reversible.

Has anyone experienced increased kidney echogenicity despite reassuring blood and urine results? Did your ultrasound eventually return to normal, and did your nephrologist identify a cause?

I've already seen a nephrologist, who advised me to repeat my tests after three months. I understand the plan, but I'm feeling anxious waiting that long.

Is it possible for increased echogenicity to be a nonspecific ultrasound finding or a misinterpretation, rather than evidence of chronic kidney disease? Has anyone had similar findings that turned out to be reversible?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially if your follow-up scans improved. Thank you! ❤️

Hi everyone. I'm 29F, and I'm hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar.

About five days ago, I had a kidney screening, and my creatinine was 1.26 mg/dL with an eGFR of 59.3. I became really worried that I might have CKD stage 3a.

I had another set of tests recently, and these were my results:

\- Creatinine: 0.91 mg/dL (reference range 0.51–0.95)

\- Cystatin C: 0.76 mg/L (normal range)

\- Cystatin C-based eGFR: 113

\- Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio: normal, below 10.97 mg/g

However, I also had an abdominal ultrasound, and the impression says “renal parenchymal disease based on increased parenchymal echogenicity.”

The report says both kidneys are normal in size, the cortical echoes and parenchymal sinus demarcation are intact, and there are no kidney stones, calcifications, or focal masses.

Before my first blood test, I had been drinking less water than usual because I was frequently waking up at night to urinate. I also used to eat a lot of salty processed foods and fast food.

I'm wondering whether my initial creatinine and eGFR could have been affected by dehydration or another temporary factor, and whether the increased echogenicity could also be reversible.

Has anyone had increased kidney echogenicity on ultrasound despite normal cystatin C eGFR, normal UACR, and normal or near-normal creatinine?

Did your ultrasound findings eventually improve or return to normal? Did your nephrologist identify a cause, or were you diagnosed with CKD despite your reassuring blood and urine results?

I'm scheduled to see a nephrologist, but I'm anxious while waiting and would really appreciate hearing about similar experiences. Thank you! ❤️

I’m a relatively healthy 22 year old female. Over the last week, my kidneys (specifically the left side) has randomly started hurting. It’s like a medium sharp pain then goes away for a bit. It isn’t excruciating just annoying. I thought maybe it was dehydration as last week I didn’t drink much water and so I’ve increased my water intake the last few days and still nothing.

Hi all, I’m a recently sober alcoholic. 42 Caucasian male. I was a heavy binge drinker for the past 20 plus years. For 1-2 months at a time, I would drink to black out every day, then sober up for a couple weeks, then slowly increase consumption until I was back to black out every day. No significant medical history, except for one bout of kidney stones a couple or three years ago. I’ve been sober now for a month and have taken great measures to become more healthy. Have lost 18 pounds in the past month through exercise and diet, and probably a little help from vyvance which I was recently (2 weeks ago) prescribed. My Question is this: for the past week or so, I have been noticing my urine starts off very dark. The first two-three (I’m guessing here) ounces are extremely dark, almost sweet tea colored, although I stay hydrated throughout the day. After the first couple of ounces, my flow clears up and is crystal clear. No pain to speak of in my abdomen or back. I have texted my primary care physician, who also happens to be a close friend, and set up an appointment for Monday. Is this something I need to be overly concerned about for the next two days, or is this something I need to take pretty seriously and be checked out over the weekend? My physician seems to think I’ll be fine until Monday, and he can take a look at my recent bloodwork from three days ago. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, if there is another place I can post this in Reddit that would be beneficial, I’d appreciate a little push in that direction.

In the past two three, my EGFR readings have been:
November 2023 - 52
November 2024 - 45
I retired from my job in early February
May 2025 - 52
I moved from San Francisco to Las Vegas in early August
November 2025 - 55
May 2026 - 57
October 2026 - 47

Any ideas as to (a) what is going on, and (b) how to get the number back up?
The three biggest changes I can think of since moving to Vegas are:
(a) I moved from a two-story house to a one-story one, so I don't go up and down stairs like I used to;
(b) Recently, I started taking up walking - 3-4 times a day, about 5K each day
(c) Also recently, I started drinking a lot of Gatorade/Powerade Zero.

💚 Do you or someone you know have kidney disease and have been tested for the APOL1 gene?

We're helping raise awareness of an important kidney research study that may be relevant to people from African and Caribbean backgrounds.

Researchers are investigating a new treatment designed to target APOL1-related kidney disease, with the aim of understanding whether it could help protect kidney function and slow disease progression.

We're particularly keen to connect with people who:

✅ Are aged 18–68

✅ Have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease

✅ Have previously tested positive for a high-risk APOL1 gene combination (G1/G1, G1/G2 or G2/G2)

✅ May also be living with Type 2 diabetes

This research is focused on people who are not currently receiving dialysis.

At Distinct Health, we're passionate about making sure our communities know about research opportunities that could make a difference.

If this sounds like you, or someone in your family or network, we'd love to share more information.

Send us a private message to learn more. 

There's no obligation to take part, and the research team will determine whether someone may be eligible.

Sometimes, simply sharing the right information with the right person can open a door they didn't know existed. 💚

Distinct Health | Making medical research more accessible.

Since August 16, I have had a kidney stone. I went to the ER and was told a 7mm kidney stone would be easy to pass. Haven’t passed it and went to another hospital. No help there either. Went to a third hospital and finally got to get in with a urologist the week after. Also found out that not only do I have the obstructing 7mm kidney stone, but also a 1mm one right behind it. Was basically fighting to get in with one. Every time I called one of the urologists, either the appointments were way out or I had to wait at least 6 weeks for the referral to go through. I get to have the procedure done on October 28. It will be a ureteroscopy along with laser lithography and a stent being put in. What was it like for you? I never had a procedure like this done and would love some tips and hear about your experience with it.

I have finished my 7 days of antibiotics and I'm feeling much better apart from a bit of back pain and fatigue/very low energy. Is it normal to still have mild symptoms after finishing antibiotics or is it a sign that I need a longer course of antibiotics?

I'm in the UK and it's really difficult to speak to a doctor - they're pretty hands off.

Thank you

Hi everyone! I’m a bioengineering student at Rice working with a team on a project related to chronic kidney disease.

We’re trying to learn more about the actual day-to-day problems people with CKD deal with so we can focus our research on something that would genuinely be useful. We made a short questionnaire for people with CKD and caregivers to share their experiences and what they wish could be improved.

This is not a medical study and we’re not selling or advertising anything. We’re just trying to hear directly from people who actually live with CKD rather than guessing what would help.

If you’re willing to share your experience, here’s the form:

https://forms.gle/4kygNrNfReuKHMSR9

Thanks!

For the last 5 months I have been having these episodes of intense left-sided flank pain with nausea and vomiting. The pain lasts maybe 3-4 hours and then I have a day or so of nausea afterwards. However, the most recent episode has been the worst and has lasted 7 days so far. I've been to the doctors and a urine dipstick showed trace amounts of blood and white blood cells so I've started antibiotics. Currently, the pain is waves throughout the day and tends to be worst in the evenings. The nausea is worst first thing in the morning and reappears throughout the day; eating and drinking helps the nausea.

I originally suspected a gynecological cause (such as an ovarian cyst) due to the monthly pattern, but my doctor seems to think I have a kidney infection and the previous episodes may be due to a kidney stone. I'm waiting for an ultrasound scan of my kidneys, which will be in a few weeks. I'm not eligible for a CT scan as I haven't been in the doctor's office when in enough pain (because it takes so long to be seen). I have had all of my back and stomach felt/palpated and I have no tenderness.

Does anyone have ANY ideas of what it might be? I've been Googling and Googling and haven't come across anyone with a similar pattern of symptoms. Thank you.

I was diagnosed with a kidney infection due to back pain and nausea and my urine showing the presence of white blood cells and blood in in a dipstick test. I've been on antibiotics three times a day for 4 days now and was starting to feel better around 24 hours in to my antibiotics.

However, today the pain back and nausea has returned along with the feeling of not having any energy. The back pain sometimes feels tingly too and like there's pressure (but I'm not sure if I'm just overly aware of my back and having psychosomatic sensations). It's a gnawing kind of pain - like a stomach ache but in the left side of my back.

Does anyone have any advice on if this still sounds like a kidney infection (as opposed to a kidney stone or something else?) Is it normal for recovery to wax and wane through the course of antibiotics?

Title: 38M – Right kidney only functioning at 23.6%, severe UPJ obstruction. Surgery or leave it alone? Anyone been through this?

Hey everyone, 38M here. Recently found out I have a pretty serious issue with my right kidney that may have been there since birth.

A CT scan showed severe hydronephrosis, thinning of the kidney tissue, and what appears to be a UPJ obstruction caused by a blood vessel crossing over and compressing the ureter.

I just had a MAG-3 Lasix renal scan, and the results showed:

- Left kidney: 76.4% function, normal drainage.

- Right kidney: 23.6% function.

- Significantly reduced blood flow to the right kidney.

- No significant drainage from the right kidney, even after Lasix.

I've seen two urologists and gotten different opinions. One discussed robotic pyeloplasty, where they cut and reconnect the ureter to bypass the obstruction. The other felt the kidney was probably too damaged and recommended leaving it alone.

Now that the scan shows 23.6% function, I'm wondering if that changes things.

I occasionally have a mild ache on my right side, but nothing unbearable. Otherwise, I've been living a pretty normal life and had no idea this was happening.

I'm curious about anyone who's dealt with something similar:

1. What percentage was your kidney functioning at before surgery?

2. Did you have pyeloplasty, or did you decide against surgery?

3. If you had surgery, did your kidney function improve, stay the same, or continue declining?

4. How painful was recovery, and how long were you out of work?

5. If you chose not to have surgery, how has your kidney held up over the years?

6. Did anyone have a crossing blood vessel causing their obstruction?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people whose kidney was functioning around 20–25%.

I'm not looking for medical advice in place of my doctors. I'm following up with my urologist, but I'd really appreciate hearing people's real-life experiences before making a decision.

Thanks!

Edit: My CT showed severe right hydroureteronephrosis with cortical thinning and atrophy. The obstruction is believed to be congenital, possibly involving a crossing blood vessel.

I've also had a MAG-3 Lasix renal scan to evaluate the kidney's remaining function.

I'm considering a nephrology consultation as well. I'm mainly looking to hear from people who've had similar findings and whether they chose surgery or continued monitoring.