Lancelot Acres

Lauren's Kidney Reflux - VCUG results

Sigh.

To say this was not a fun day would be putting it mild.  It sucked.

Lauren had her VCUG test this morning.  It is a horrible test, but over quickly.  They have to cath her and fill her bladder until she pees and then X-ray while she is peeing to see if her urine is going back up into her kidneys.

We discovered she had kidney reflux last year in May (she was 6 or 7 months old).  She came down with a Urinary Tract Infection.  The Ped ordered a VCUG because UTIs are rare in young children and Kidney Reflux is usually the cause/reason.

Sure enough, it showed up on her VCUG last June.  It was a mild case, grade 1, and they expected her to outgrow it within a year.  Another VCUG was scheduled for a year later, so they can see if it healed and if there are any anatomy changes because of it.  She has been on a low dose of antibiotics DAILY since that last VCUG.  It's a preventative measure against UTIs.

Last year they had a horrible time cathing her.  It took 3 nurses to get it right.  This year was MUCH better.  They got it on the first try without any trouble at all.

Well...I honestly expected them to say she was healed.  I did NOT expect them to say she's still refluxing and that NOW it's a grade 2 instead of a grade 1!  I almost started crying.  It was bad enough that we were standing there holding her down while she was screaming on the X-ray table, but to get that news at the same time was almost too much.  :(

All I kept thinking was that now she has to stay on antibiotics for another full year.  Now she has to come back and have this horrible test again next year.  sigh :(

Grade 2 still isn't that bad as far as Kidney Reflux goes.  There is still a very good chance that she will outgrow it sometime in the next 5 years, I just really hope she outgrows it sooner than later.  :(

Kidney Reflux is not painful to her in anyway, we wouldn't even know she had it if we hadn't found the UTI.  A UTI is usually the only sign/symptom.

Sigh.  What a crappy day.

Kidney Reflux...When the bladder empties, the urine should all empty out, it should not go back up where it came from.  Here is a bit of explanation:

Grade 1-means the urine is going up into the ureters, not all the way into the kidneys.  It's usually outgrown in a year or two.

Grade 2 -means the urine is going back up through the ureters and into the actual kidneys.  It's usually outgrown sometime before 6 or 7 years of age.

Grade 3 - means the urine is going back into the kidneys and there may be scarring or anatomy damage/ changes from the reflux/infections.  It's also usually outgrown before 6 or 7 years of age.

Grade 4 is just a bit worse than 3. 

Grade 5 is the most severe and surgery is sometimes needed to correct it.  Grades 4 and 5 can sometimes be outgrown as well.

Untitled Comment

{ 06:26, 2008-Jun-27 } { Posted by morningsunshine }

my heart breaks for your little one!

it is sooo very hard to take them for tests like that! they do not understand why mommy is letting people "hurt" them, or why she cannot eat or nurse or.... I think I am going to go hug my little one. My prayeres for you and your family

Untitled Comment

{ 11:58, 2008-Jun-27 } { Posted by gabbie427 }

Sounds like you need a......*hug*. I am so sorry to hear this news, but thankful it sounds like the doctors think she will grow out of it. It must be devestating to get this news, but I guess it could have been worse!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo