Lower back / kidney pain

[matth]

I rode yesterday and experienced an issue I have never had before. After approx 60km I developed discomfort in the area of my left kidney. After a few more km it turned into quite a bit of pain and I stopped, rested and had a drink then continued. After that every 5km or so the pain would increase, then it would abaute after a break and drink. Once home I took some Panadol and drank plenty of water and the discomfort went away.

This morning when I woke I felt mildly hungover despite not drinking any alcohol. Thinking through the day yesterday, I didn't drink much in the morning before heading off and stopped by the office to have a coffee with davidk before continuing. As it was a colder day I didn't drink a lot during the ride and there was quite a stong headwind so I was working quite hard.

Has anyone had anything similar... could this be lack of fluids ?

[rkelsen]

If you're getting kidney "stitches" you need more water.

Coffee dehydrates you.

[matth]

I realise coffee dehydrates and normally would not drink it mid ride. In hind sight it was rather stupid, but never having had issues with lack of fluids before I was probably a bit blase. I do a fair bit of running as well and can say I have never had a "stitch" like this... it was extremely uncomfortable to say the least.... I'd say it almost brought a tear to the eye but that would induce replies of "spoon full of concrete" I suspect

I suspected lack of fluids but wanted to check on others experience with this.

[hannos]

I suspected lack of fluids but wanted to check on others experience with this.

Before getting a real doctor to check you out perhaps?

[matth]

I suspected lack of fluids but wanted to check on others experience with this.

Before getting a real doctor to check you out perhaps?

I'm going to the doctors this afternoon but wanted to see what others experience was and whether they had experienced any correlation between lack of fluids and kidney pain.

[toolonglegs]

I don't think coffee dehydrates you as much as they used to think...it does make you want to pee thou.
Been dehydrated many many times and never had those symptoms...doctor it is.

[mylesau]

Had a similar experience once when on tour. It was pouring rain for most of the day, and I just sort of forgot to drink - it was cold and raining, the last thing I wanted to do was take in more cold water... It got so bad I had to stop. That's when I realised I hadn't had a drink for ages, so I rested and re-hydrated for about an hour before coming good. Sounds like a hydration issue to me - but I'm no expert.

[matth]

Well the doctor said I have a virus explaining the morning "hangover" and general soreness which I attributed to DOMS... this combined with lack of fluid intake and heavy exercise (read strong headwinds) most likely caused the pain.

So it's rest for me for a few days, plenty of fluids and ensure I hydrate properly before and during rides.

[trailgumby]

I don't think coffee dehydrates you as much as they used to think...it does make you want to pee though.

That is my understanding of how it dehydrates you - it is a diuretic.

With regard to the original post, if it is not sacro-illiac joint pain, do you think you might possibly have passed a kidney stone?

Until my shoulder dislocation, it was one of the two most excruciating things I have ever experienced. Happened while I was driving home from work one night, so I continued past the turnoff and went straight to the GP. Fortunately it was all over just as I arrived, and hasn't recurred since.