My girlfriend has a lump on her back...

[Summer1108]

Hello, my girlfriend (is 23 as of march 10th) has a lump on her back (on the left side) just below her bottom rib. The lump is stationary, it wont move when I touch it, and when I do it causes pain almost immediately and even to the slightest touch. Lately her back has has been causing her pain in the lower region as well. There is a soft ball of tissue in her lower back as well which is close to the center of her back, but a little more to the right side. I assume it's just a knot in her back, but it never hurts to share more information... She has an outstanding hospital bill and does not have insurance which is prolonging her taking a trip to see the doctor... Does anyone have an Idea of what this could be?

I would imagine that if the lump below her rib cage was a cyst, an organ or an irritated muscle that the lump would move when I touched it. We started out thinking it was a knot in her back, which caused me to massage it when she got home from work one night, but it didn't even move then, and that was maybe three weeks to a month ago when we first found it.

When she was younger she had kidney problems, right now she is unable to remember what she was diagnosed with. She used to keep getting bladder infections and kidney infections because they weren't working the way they are supposed to.

Does anyone have an Idea what this stationary lump may be? We're both really worried. Even more so since she is unable to go to the doctor yet. Any response is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance...

 

[deutschesprache38]

honestly, and esp since she WAS actually Dxed with some type of actual kidney disease as a child, she DOES need to at the very LEAST right now, see her primary doc and have her kidney labs run and a UA just to check for ANY protien in her urine. would she recall the name of the kidney disease if she heard it? could it be a possible polycystic kidney disease(does ANY of her family also have kidney problems too)? this most definitely WOULD be enlarging her kidneys over the many years here since childhood if this is indeed 'it' i have this too and my kidneys are freaking huge too. but there just are many types of kidney diseases out there too. if a kidney gets enlarged, like with possible PKD, it usually is pretty well lodged into the area and would NOT be moving overly much since it IS simply too big? mine do NOT move at all, just keep getting bigger with more cystic development that inside and outside the kidney too.

what you are describing just really DOES sound like you ARE simply feeling and seeing some very enlarged kidneys here(from 'some" unknown reason that NEEDS finding out soon). despite her hosp bills here she definitely NEEDS to see her doc and go from there with something like this. if there IS definite function loss that has been ongoing, she could go into renal failure without some type of intervention here that WOULD create even MORE ongoing medical bills if this goes on untreated vs treated appropriately asap? this just HAS to at least be evaluated by her primary to begin with the labs and that one specific UA for protien since this just IS one of the first indicators of an underlying kidney disease going on. i have this too with mine. he also needs to be able to also palpate the actual 'outward tissue bulges" that you are seeing and feeling too.

i seriously would NOT wait here in getting her kidneys fully evaluated here VERY soon. if this IS a kidney issue, it NEEDS attention reguardless of her ability to take on more medical debt. its just THAT crucial and possibly critical at this point if her kidneys have not been getting checked out along the way for ANY real changes in "them" or her lab numbers too? if something IS seriously going on at a much higher level, renal failure can kill you. we just really DO NEED our kidneys to keep going. i would NOT take any chances here at all given her history and how obviously huge the kidneys are at this point too? while what is there just 'could' be something else? the locations you described just ARE the approx area for kidneys to sit, and would be a bit "off' if enlarged too. mine most certainly are at this point in my disease.

just get her evaluated as soon as possible. this just NEEDS some attenion and Dx too. hope things are not too bad here. please DO keep me posted on everything you find out? good luck, FB

 

[physicsanon]

My mom has had a cyst or two on her back (although up a little higher than the one you mention) that were very tender. It did not move and would feel pretty hard for the most part. I know it grew in size, but I'd say the last time I saw it, it was pretty noticeable, almost like a small piece of fruit or small ball was in there. She had to have it drained, which helped the soreness and the size. Unfortunately I think it's one of those things that can come back, so she just has to keep an eye on it and have it removed if it comes back or if a new one does. Now hopefully your girlfriend has something similar, but of course this is only one idea. There are different things, like the ideas the other poster mentioned, it could possibly be. A cyst can be harmless, but still be very uncomfortable and painful. As soon as she is able to see a doctor, I'd definitely say it's best to have it looked at. Also, be sure to take a look around your area (look in the phone book or online) to see if there are any low cost clinics or clinics who won't charge a fortune for not having insurance. Call around to see what an office visit would cost and if there is a way they can help with scheduling appointments (for example, not having to come back over and over) for not having insurance. Best of luck and hope she feels better soon!