Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Support Group
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a progressive, genetic disorder of the kidneys. It occurs in humans and other organisms. PKD is characterised by the presence of multiple cysts (polycystic) in both kidneys. The disease can also damage the liver, pancreas and rarely the heart and brain.
Hello,
I am new to the group! I was diagnosed about 2 years ago with both PKD and PLD. While my kidney function is still 99%, both my kidneys and liver are very large. One cyst on my right kidney was measured at 10 cm last check.
My symptoms have just been annoying to this point: flank pain in varying degrees, enlarged tummy, high blood pressure (well controlled with Lisinopril).
However, in the last several months I have trouble whenever I eat. I feel full almost immediately, and I feel like I need to vomit because my food just sits in my throat. If I bend or move at all, even with the smallest of meals, I have terrible acid reflux. I've vomited more in the last few months than in the entire last 15 years of my life. It doesn't matter what I eat, I'm always uncomfortable afterward.
Has anyone else dealt with this? Any suggestions on how to manage it?
I am new to the group! I was diagnosed about 2 years ago with both PKD and PLD. While my kidney function is still 99%, both my kidneys and liver are very large. One cyst on my right kidney was measured at 10 cm last check.
My symptoms have just been annoying to this point: flank pain in varying degrees, enlarged tummy, high blood pressure (well controlled with Lisinopril).
However, in the last several months I have trouble whenever I eat. I feel full almost immediately, and I feel like I need to vomit because my food just sits in my throat. If I bend or move at all, even with the smallest of meals, I have terrible acid reflux. I've vomited more in the last few months than in the entire last 15 years of my life. It doesn't matter what I eat, I'm always uncomfortable afterward.
Has anyone else dealt with this? Any suggestions on how to manage it?
Welcome to the group. There are a few of us here who experience digestive issues, some related to having huge kidneys and/livers crushing surrounding organs and structures. The problem of discomfort and nausea after eating can be reduced by eating smaller amounts and eating more frequently. I lie down after my evening meal. Some days I am more comfortable than others, so on those days I eat what I can and on worse days eat less. Some replace solid food with smoothies. There are medicines for acid reflux, but I haven't found any that help yet. Try not to bend at all after eating and to reduce the amount of bending you do generally (difficult, I know). Ask others to help with this if possible. I have teenage boys so there's no chance of not having to pick up after them, but I certainly try to keep it to a minimum.
It may be worth seeing your doctor and asking for a referral to Gastroenterology for an opinion. You may well have another problem unrelated to the PKD/PLD which can be fixed.
Look forward to hearing more from you,
Chewitt
Yes, a visit to a gastroenterologist is very helpful. He can figure out if it is your cystic kidneys or liver that compress your stomach or if it is gastritis. My GI doc ordered an ultrasound of my liver which showed a few 9 cm liver cysts. Then he did an endoscopy of my stomach. That showed no compression of my large cysts on stomach. Notably it did show gastritis. He ran a test on the biopsy for H. Pylori bacteria and no bacteria present. I am to take a prescription medication now for 8 weeks to allow stomach to heal.
The best to you in finding cause of nausea/vom. Please let us know how you do if you decide to see GI doc.
Jess