To All Needing Info On Kidney Reflux,
HI! This is finetune8 writing a long overdue follow up on my first post begging for info on surgery. We decided to wait on my son having the surgery.
In regards to my son, he is a little over 2 1/2 years old. He has been on a daily antibiotic since the day he was born, now (Bactrim.) Being that he was born with the worst grade in one kidney, as he has gotten older the over flow from the right has given him reflux in the left but at a lower grade. I got three doctor opinions as to whether at age 2 he should have the surgery. I got one resounding NO from his primary doctor (who wrote the book used in Colleges on reflux), I got one resounding Yes from a Duke doctor, and the third doctor's opinion from another well-known hospital was sitting on the fence but felt waiting would be better. Since in my son's case he has never had an infection (thanks to the grace of God) we felt it would be in his best interest to see if he will out grow it.
Annual testing of the VCUG & Ultrasound indicated as the Doctor said that his grade 5 has gone down a notch -so that was hopeful. The daily bactrim medicine he is on I feel has also helped. He has been taking it daily since the day he was born. I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the surgery that prevents the reflux from going back up. In girls the surgery process is a little bit different from boys. Again from my research I have heard nothing but positive results from the surgery. The only negative side effects I have heard from another Mother whose girl was on daily Bactrim as well is that it can cause C-diff. "being on bactrim for long periods can cause a drop in white blood cell counts and cause c-diff." I have no idea what C-diff is. None of my doctors told me this. Another reason I decided to wait on surgery is due to his age. Weigh your options and what you feel is best. If you have not gotten a second opinion you may want to try that first if you can't decide. Make sure you bring the original X-rays if you decide to go that route. It will help the doctor make a better decision. The hospital and urologist should have prescribed a daily antibiotic for your loved one with the reflux. If they have not, I would if I were you, demand it. Reason being it works! Please note I am speaking from experience and I am not a doctor or have a health education background. So please always consult with your doctor. My son off and on I would say at least five times has had a 102 fever then it drops down to 100 and 99. Of course with the reflux we have to get his urine tested every time he has a fever to make sure he does not have an infection. Well, I strongly believe his body during these times he has had fevers is about to have an infection, then the antibiotic kicks in keeping him from having them. The antibiotic with the grace of God is what has kept us from during surgery. So come his next birthday he'll undergo his testing to see at what stage his reflux is at and then decide based on his primary doctors advice if we should or shouldn't do surgery.
Good Luck to all and give it to God to help!
If I can help further please e-mail me at: finetune8@yahoo.com. - Nicole
