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UPJ Obstruction

My son is 17 years old & has been diagnosed with UPJ obstruction in his right kidney. We saw a urologist. We has a kidney test done & it showed 13 % in that kidney. The other one is working fine. The urologist said the kidney is probably working less than 10%. We had the kidneys checked 2 years ago & they were fine. They said removal of the kidney is the right decision & they have scheduled surgery. We are trying to get a second opinion with an nephrologist. My question is if we remove the blockage wouldn't the kidney function improve.  Is it worth repairing especially in a 17 year old?  Any help would be appreciated.
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434278 tn?1324706225
Thanks for the update.  Actually, the Lord had laid your family on my heart to pray several days ago.  I'm sorry to hear that your son lost his kidney.  But I know God is faithful to take care of us.  Keep praising Him and trusting Him to do mighty things in your family's life.  
Kara
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Avatar universal
We tried a stent for my sons obstruction but it didn't help. The kidney function didn't change. today they took out my sons kidney. They said it had scar tissue so it probably took a hit at sometime. He never complains so its hard to tell when it happened. His other kidney is now working fine & has healed after its injury. He will have to be more careful in the future but should be fine. Thank you for all the information & more importantly the prayers. I hope this information helps someone else in the future
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434278 tn?1324706225
Hi Jim,

God can turn this thing around.  All things are possible to them that believe.  
Praise the Lord for a dr. who will give it a try.  I think that is an answer to prayer.  

God you love us so wonderfully and how wonderfully you have made our bodies.  Father, we are believing you for great and mighty things to us, but are so simple to a God that just spoke everything into being.  As you have given us that example, we speak to this mountain of a dyeing kideny and we tell it to live.  We ask that You guide the doctors hand as they insert the stent and that improvement will come about in this  boys kidney.  We ask and believe these things in Jesus' name.
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Avatar universal
Heya Jim,
think ive sent reply to your inbox if you dont get it just say and will send it here
Triksy
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Avatar universal
I got the phone call from the other doctor. He said that my sons kidney is thin. He was suprised that it showed no problem 2 years ago. We talked about putting in a temporary stent where the blockage is. He said that it can be performed without an incision. Use your imagination. He said to put in the stent & recheck the kidney in 2 weeks if it shows no change the kidney will have to come out. If it shows substantial increase of function they would repair the blockage. He is going to consult with the the original doctor to see what they think. Will let you know what happens
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
We have a second opinion set up. It is going to be a phone conversation. Our primary care could only get one Dr. to look at our son's test. He is in the same office as the original doctor.  We have to have a pediatric doctor look at him as he is 17. I'm not sure why as he is 5'10" 185. I guess its the beauty of living in Maine not many options. He is going to call but they weren't sure when. This new urologist performed a hydrocele on my son when he was one. We'll see what he has to say. I have looked at other websites to get more info chances are the kidney will have to be removed. After that we will have our other son who's 14  looked at. It was a long ride home after the doctors visit when my son found out he couldn't play fall sports. He feels healthy.  He has a good head on his shoulders & is very mature & handling it very well. Will let you know......... Jim
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Avatar universal
Heya Jim,
Im so sorry for what you are all going through and the decisions you will have to make. But all of us here in one form or another have problems with kidneys, and we will be here to suport you all.

From what i understand...UPJ generally occurs whilst baby is still in the womb, most of the time the blockage is caused between the urether and the renal pelvis narrows, this causes urine to build up damaging the kidney.

There are many procedures and roads to go down for the full list go to the web site medlineplus... they seem to have alot of information on the condition.

I would strongly urge you to read and learn all you can, so that when you next visit the doc you will have some idea what he is saying and maybe why the route chosen is the best.  I would also write any question or worry down and take that too as sometimes we can forget the most basic question.

I am curious as to why they have not mentioned the stent, or some other procedure first, maybe the kidney is too far gone for these to try, from what i have just read some of these procedures can cause kidney stones and infections after.

This must be a mind field of info for, and not my intention to confuse, if you visit the web page mentioned above maybe that will arm you with the info you need.

I do hope this helps, let us know how it goes with your son, and never make a decision like this until you know all the facts and pros and cons. So as a mother myself i believe a second opinion is what i would do.

Hope all goes well for you all, please let us know
Triksy  xxx
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Avatar universal
His Kidney was checked 2 years ago because he had pain but it turned out to be a pulled oblique muscle. His kidney function was checked to make sure & both were fine. The urologist believes he has had it since birth but didn't show up until now. They want us to have our other son checked out as it is common for other siblings to have the same problem.  We are waiting to hear from our primary care physician on setting up a second opinion. Hopefully we hear today.  Neither my wife or I have had any problems with kidneys. I am just starting to learn about kidney problems now. We have put our faith in our Lord & Savior Jesus &  & prayed for guidance. Please keep us in your prayers. God Bless............ Jim

                                                        
Helpful - 0
434278 tn?1324706225
Hi Jim,

I'm not sure there is any treatment available that would bring a dead kidney back to life.  I would be interested in hearing what the nephrologist says.  I know a pastor of a church, both kidneys died in one week time.  It all happened so quickly, there was not time to respond.  He had not pain, but was tired and had an amonia smell to him.  I wonder what would make a kidney die.  I had a friend who wa born with only one functioning kidney.  She managed to be alright.  I don't think they even removed it.  She wasn't careful about what she drank.  She would drink lots of tea and cokes (that sort of thing).  She was not in very good health though.  

Why was your son's kidney checked two years ago.  Has he had an on-going problem?  

When do you go to the nephrologist?

Praying for God's direction in your life.
Kara
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Avatar universal
Thank you for replying. This is what happened. My son had no symptoms. He was playing on a friends trampoline & landed on his side & came home & was urinating blood.We took him to the emergency room. They said his left kidney was bruised & bleeding but his right kidney hasn't been working for a while. They set us up with a urologist. The urologist said his left should heal fine. But his right wasn't working & hasn't been working. We had his kidney function checked 2 years ago & they were fine. He pulled an oblique muscle then. The urologist said that if they tried to repair it & it didn't work later on it may burst or have other symptoms & need a major operation & a big scar. He's really bumming as he's coming on his senior year & will not be able to play fall sports. The doctor had a list of activities he shouldn't do for the rest of his life on one kidney. He hasn't had any symptoms before this at all & the doctor was puzzled that he had no symptoms. It sounds like we will have to weigh the options but we have told him that his long term health is the most important thing .We have been praying for guidance. The doctor was pretty certain that the kidney should be removed. We are trying to have our primary care physician set up a another appointment with a nephrologist for a second opinion.  Thank you for replying I will mention the stint............... Jim
Helpful - 0
434278 tn?1324706225
Yes, I thnk you are definitely ding the right thing by getting a second opinion.  The loss of a kidney should be a LAST resort.  But a kidney not functioning very well might die anyway.  Is this what the urologist said.  Certainly the dr. shoudl try putting a stent in to see if symptoms imporve.  There is usually something causing the obstruction.  This could be a crossing vessel or a kidney stone, or a falling kidney.  

Is your son having any symptoms with this condition?  If so, how long ha he had the symptoms?
Helpful - 0
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