The Last Straw: A Virus That Pulled Back the Curtain on My Failing Kidneys

A Feeling That Something Was Wrong:

I woke up that day feeling "off," but nothing prepared me for how fast things would spiral. By late evening, my head was spinning, my stomach heaving, and a wave of nausea crashed over me again and again. I had already vomited seven times-each round pulling something deeper from me, leaving my ribs sore and my body trembling. I stumbled into the bathroom and collapsed partly onto the cool tile, then half onto the toilet, gripping its rim to steady myself. I could barely keep my head up....

Adrian stood in the doorway, looking concerned but calm. He had just recovered from the flu and was convinced I’d caught what he had. "You're probably just dehydrated," he said. "You don’t need the ER yet-it’s only been a few hours."

But I knew my body. I knew something wasn’t right. I looked at him, desperate and out of breath, I cried, "This isn't the flu. Something's wrong."

I had never felt so sick...so helpless. My lips were dry, my muscles ached, my body cold... and my vision blurred at the edges. I pressed my back against the wall and whispered, “It hurts.”

Adrian stepped closer. “What does?” he asked.

“Everything…” I said breathlessly.

I tried to stand-my hand gripping the edge of the sink...but my knees buckled instantly beneath me. Adrian rushed forward, catching me before I could fall. I collapsed into him, my entire body pressing into his as he wrapped his arms around me to hold me steady. I could barely stand on my own. He held me there, steady and strong, until I could catch my breath. Then he whispered, “Alright. Let’s go.”

A race against time:

It was late close to midnight as he loaded me into the car. My forehead pressed against the cold window as he sped us toward the ER. The glow of streetlights streaked past outside, and I watched them blur through the glass...soft, golden trails cutting through the darkness. Each one felt like a countdown I didn’t understand... I just stared, numb and silent, my body curled slightly toward the door, too weak to lift my head.

Adrian’s earlier calm had given way to quiet panic. I could feel it in the way he gripped the steering wheel, the way his free hand reached over to find mine....Every now and then, he glanced over at me...He didn’t say much, and neither did I, but there was something heavy sitting between us. A knowing. A fear neither of us could name yet. All we knew was that I was slipping fast, and we were running out of time.

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Under the bright lights: Tests, pain and Uncertainty:

The car screeched to a halt in front of the emergency room entrance, the headlights slicing through the night. Adrian rushed around to my side, helping me out of the car. My legs felt like dead weight, and as soon as my feet hit the ground, the cold air hit me, sharp and biting. It seeped into my bones, making me shiver uncontrollably. I struggled to stand, my body trembling from exhaustion and pain. The world felt distant, like I was drifting in and out of consciousness... Adrian kept me steady, his grip firm around my waist as we shuffled into the emergency room.

The waiting room was blindingly bright, the harsh fluorescent lights buzzing above me. I could barely keep my eyes open...Adrian spoke to the receptionist, explaining my condition, but all I could focus on was the waves of nausea crashing over me and the searing pain in my abdomen. It felt like my insides were being torn apart. My back, too, felt like hot daggers stabbing into me with every breath. I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t find the strength.

They quickly took me back. The nurse tried to draw blood, but my veins were so collapsed from dehydration that it took three sticks just to find one, each in a different vein. Each jab felt like lightning. I remember clenching my teeth with each poke, too weak to protest, just hoping they could finally get what they needed.

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The Test Results: A Sharp Wake-Up Call

When they finally pulled my blood and ran the labs, the results came back almost immediately...and that’s when everything escalated. "Your creatinine level is at 2.8 and you’re severely dehydrated."

Normal levels tops out at 1.1 I learned and that meant that number meant my kidneys were failing. They weren’t just stressed...they were actively shutting down.

Within minutes of receiving the results, I was admitted. Nurses quickly snapped on an EKG leads plastered to my chest like a lifeline and hooked me up to continuous fluids. That’s when the doctors discussed the possibility of placing a central line catheter...pulling blood directly from my heart, because they couldn’t get strong enough blood flow from my veins. Thankfully, they didn’t need to do that, as they were finally able to find a vein on my wrist, the 4th and final prick...but the fact that it was even considered was a stark reminder of just how severe my condition had become as I had never heard of that before.

Pain, Prescriptions and Prayers:

They gave me Zofran for the nausea, and that finally stopped the vomiting. It was the first bit of relief I’d felt in hours. I didn’t say much..I couldn’t...but I remember looking over at Adrian and nodding as the medicine settled into my system. My stomach was still uneasy, but the violence of it had calmed. The room was still spinning, but at least I wasn’t hunched over anymore.

Adrian and I were both terrified. He kept apologizing, still shaken that he initially thought it was the flu and that he didn't take me sooner...But this was so much bigger...and it was happening fast... It quickly became the scariest health scare of my life. I had no idea that my body was quietly screaming for help beneath the surface and it would take four days in the hospital to stabalize me and to fully understand just how close I came to permanent damage....

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The back pain was relentless...like hot knives carving their way through my kidneys. Every breath was a battle. Every shift in bed felt like scraping glass against bones. The nurses tried to help me manage the agony with Tramadol and Oxycodone for the pain Fioricet for the Migraine and Flexeril to relax my muscles...But each medication came with a warning: “Use cautiously.” Because my kidneys were failing, anything cleared through them had to be minimized or rerouted...preferably metabolized by the liver to avoid pushing my already-struggling kidneys over the edge.

Adrian, who had been by my side constantly, left to check on our pets, pack my bags, and get some sleep. I know he needed a break, but it felt strange being alone after everything had happened.

My world shrank to two things: breathing and the soft, sterile glow of the IV pole beside me. That pole became my silent companion through the nights rolling with me every time I shuffled to the bathroom...more times than I could count. It must’ve been close to what felt like 100 trips in those days in the hospital as IV fluids were being pumped into my veins around the clock, over the course of those 4 days...but they weren't staying. My body was expelling it as fast as they could hang the next bag. The fluid didn’t have time to nourish or stabilize anything. My kidneys, too weak to properly filter or retain what they were given, and I kept urinating everything out, like a bucket with holes in the bottom.

That’s when I realized… this is why i am still dehydrated .. im not retaining the fluids and i grew increasingly more dehydrated...My body can’t hold onto the fluids it needs to heal.

My body was in full-blown crisis mode. And still, I wasn’t sure if anyone—even the doctors could stop the freefall in time. I was terrified.

Day 2: January 21st>when the fight got real:

The next morning, after endless rounds of tests and IV fluids, a doctor came in with the news. She told me my kidneys are in acute renal failure, and they are keeping me for more monitoring and continuing to attempt to stabilize and also told me

I’d been juggling a cocktail of medications- all to tame my fibromyalgia... I never imagined they’d silently assault my kidneys until they almost killed me... but i learned the toxic combination along with chronic use of ibuprofen had compounded the damage of NSAIDs I’d taken and they were bringing in a nephrologist from out of town who will be here tomorrow to determine next steps....

Support from a Distance:

During those four days in the hospital, my mom and dad didn’t end up flying in...but they stayed closely involved through constant phone calls with the nurses. From what they were told, I was “stable” far from okay but stable and being carefully monitored. My mom later told me she had a bag packed and had been checking flights, ready to come if my levels went up anymore... She and my dad were even in communication with each other during that time...My divorced parents...two people who rarely speak because their daughter was in crisis... So that meant the world to me they also said it helped knowing Adrian was there with me and seemed to give them both a little peace.

At the time, it hurt not having them there. But now, I see they were making the best decisions they could with the information they had...not the fear I was feeling alone in that hospital bed.

I was wheeled in that for imaging all day. I was taken for a CT to see if there were any kidney stones, internal blockages, or signs of inflammation that could explain the sudden shutdown or if something more serious was silently happening beneath the surface...renal ultrasound to check for blockages or swelling in my kidneys.

They had already drawn vial after vial of blood to measure my creatinine, BUN, electrolytes, and GFR markers that tell them just how badly the kidneys are struggling. My urine was tested too, tracked and analyzed for signs of protein, blood, and abnormal cells clues pointing to the root of the problem.

The Heart monitors that were placed on my chest was to watch for dangerous rhythms, especially as my potassium levels crept toward dangerous territory...and because my mobility was so limited, I had to get Heparin shots in my belly continuously to prevent blood clots from forming while I lay there, too sick to move.

Eating, Showering, and Getting Stronger:

Adrian, returned relieved to find me more stable. I was thankful he was back He kept holding my hand, whispering reassuring words, his presence grounding me in a sea of uncertainty.

I was just relieved the meds were working, and I was finally starting to get hydrated. They allowed me to leave my room and shower, and even changed my bedding. It felt like a small victory, but it meant the world

I was even rolled around by Adrian in the hallways in my wheelchair to get out of my room a little and get a little " Fresh air"

My stomach rejected everything rich or spicy...only bland turkey sandwiches, fresh fruit and scrambled eggs was what i had in the hospital for those 4 days...Each bite felt like a triumph; each sip of water a tiny victory against the dehydration that had nearly killed me.

Day 3, January 21st>A Turn for the Better:

The kidney specialist finally arrived. He sat beside me and gently explained what had been happening in my body. “If you hadn’t gotten that stomach flu and become severely dehydrated...we wouldn’t have caught this in time. And it wouldn’t have been reversible.”

That stopped me cold. I had been seeing the virus as the enemy...but now, in some strange twist, it had become the thing that saved me. Thank GOD....I was admitted when I was. Thank God... we caught it early enough.

He told me the best news I’d heard yet: my creatinine had dropped back to 2.8. It wasn’t ideal, but it was no longer rising...which meant the freefall had finally stopped. That was what they had been waiting for. Still, he was cautious. He wanted to keep me one more night to make sure the progress held and that my levels continued trending in the right direction before even talking about discharge.

Then came the serious part...the long-term changes. He listed off the medications I’d have to quit. No NSAIDs. Ever again. Not even one. “If you take even a single dose,” he said, “you’ll be right back here.” Anything primarily excreted through the kidneys was now off-limits. My body had drawn a hard boundary, and this time, I had to listen.

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That afternoon, I got more rest, took another shower-this time on my own and even managed to walk short stretches in the hallway with the nurses and babe's help...It wasn’t much, but it was something. I felt myself slowly coming back.

Adrian had gone home briefly to care for the pets, grab things from Walmart, He brought back a suprise..my Chick-fil-A stawberry lemonade when he returned that evening for my final night. We sat together in the dim hospital room, watching a show, eating dinner from the hospital quietly, both of us tired but relieved. There was a lightness in the air we hadn’t felt in days. We weren’t out of the woods yet...but for the first time, we could see a path forward.

Day 4:January 22nd>Discharge and the Road to Recovery

By the evening, of the 4th and final day...things had finally shifted. After another warm shower, a full meal, and clear urine output, the doctor returned with news I could breathe around: my creatinine had dropped to 1.5. It wasn’t perfect, but it was safe enough for discharge. My kidneys were working again. I was hydrated. I felt like myself...for the first time in days.

They updated myself, Adrian and my family, then began the process of unhooking everything. Babe packed us up, Nurses began unplugging me from the monitors, IVs removed, sticky pads peeled from my chest with alcohol wipes. It was surreal. I saw one of my favorite nurses on the way out...the sweet older woman who had been such a comforting presence. She administered my daily Heparin shots in my belly, brought me my favorite puddings, and loads of apple juice and even a chapstick by Medline Remedy...the hospital brand that I still use to this day and love...she also swabbed my nose with those little orange-scented antiseptic sticks...not for comfort, though I loved the smell..but to protect me from MRSA, a dangerous infection that high-risk patients like me were vulnerable to during long stays.

Adrian and I both adored her. In fact, the entire staff had been kind, attentive, and deeply human. I’ll always be grateful for the way they stabilized me, fought for me, helped manage my pain, and gave me the dignity to recover.

I was wheeled out of that hospital a different person...stronger, bruised arms, a humbled and grateful heart, and a kidney-safe prescription list clutched tightly in my hand.

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Life After Acute Renal Failure:

This didn’t resolve overnight. And it won’t. But one thing is certain: stopping NSAIDs immediately saved my life...and it’s a decision I’ll never take lightly.

I was only 28 years old when this happened. I’m 29 now, and since that hospitalization, I haven’t taken a single NSAID...not once. And I haven’t been admitted into the hospital since.

My body has been through so much... and I am proud of me in so many ways for so many reasons.

Now, when I experience menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia flares, or back pain, I can’t reach for ibuprofen like most people. I remember what happened. I take Tylenol carefully, and I’ve built an entirely new pain management plan..one that protects my kidneys and respects my limits.

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Why Midol Complete-Not Regular Midol?

Regular Midol often contains ibuprofen or naproxen...NSAIDs that reduce blood flow to the kidneys. For someone like me, even one dose could risk repeating the injury.

Midol Complete, however, uses acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain, caffeine for bloating, and an antihistamine for irritability..all without straining the kidneys. Acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver. As long as I stay hydrated and under the 3,000 mg/day limit, my kidneys stay safe.

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Why Tylenol Over NSAIDs?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) works in the brain to relieve pain. NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac reduce pain by lowering prostaglandins...but those same chemicals are also essential for kidney filtration. Lower them too much, and the kidneys lose blood flow.

That’s what happened to me. I learned the hard way.

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My Kidney-Safe Pain Relief Toolkit:

Today, I manage chronic pain holistically. It’s not always easy...but it’s working.

Medications:

Extra Strength Tylenol: (max 3,000 mg a day) relieves pain by blocking signals in the brain without stressing my kidneys.

Magnesium glycinate 300mg: (for cramps, muscle tension, and sleep)

Tizanidine Hcl 4 Mg: helps with fibromyalgia by relaxing overactive nerves in the brain and spinal cord that cause chronic muscle tension, spasms, and widespread pain

Ubrelvy 100 mg: relieves migraines by blocking a protein that triggers inflammation and pain in the brain.

Therapies:

Ice packs reduce inflammation and numb pain, while heating pads relax muscles and improve blood flow...

(I mainly use ice now-heat can increase inflammation/pain)

TENS unit for nerve pain

Gentle yoga, stretching, and walking at home...to ease tension, increase movement, and support the body’s natural healing and energy flow.

Massage gun, foam roller, neck cloud and yoga props (mat, block, strap, ball)

CBD Cream which Is applied to the skin to target localized pain and inflammation.

CBD Tincture Oil which Is taken under the tongue to promote overall relaxation, pain relief, and balance in the body.

RockTape...which is a stretchy kinesiology tape that lifts the skin to reduce pain, support muscles, and improve circulation. It's cut into 2 strips and applied along my spine by both my chiropractor and my Husband.

Lifestyle:

I carry a 32 oz water bottle everywhere at all times.

I stay consistent with meals, rest, and hydration

I take Vitamin D3, Vitamin B-complex, and magnesium glycinate daily

Chiropractic adjustments help realign my body and ease pain

Massages help relieve muscle tension, reduce pain, improve circulation, and calm the nervous system...making them especially helpful for fibromyalgia, stress, and chronic pain management.

I used to rely on ibuprofen...especially after my wrist surgery 2 years ago and that healing took about a year. I never imagined that something so common could turn so dangerous. But now, I know better. One wrong step, one careless dose, could send me straight back to the hospital. Or worse, to dialysis.

I was recently prescribed Lyrica for fibromyalgia...but had to stop after learning it’s excreted directly through the kidneys. It’s frustrating, but necessary.

I'm currently waiting to get into a pain management clinic. With Virginia’s opioid prescribing restrictions, my options are limited...but I’m hopeful. They’ll be able to offer more than my general doctor can. Until then, I stay vigilant.

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If you’re reading this and you live with chronic pain, please:

Listen to your body. Pay attention to your labs. Ask questions. Advocate for yourself.

Don’t wait until your body screams for help.

Mine nearly did...and by God’s grace, I was just in time.

Oh...and throw away the ibuprofen. Switch to Tylenol.

Trust me.

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> “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3

Kristen, Unfiltered Xo 💋