Cynthia
Basically he was symptomless until one day he kept doubling over for a few seconds, said it hurt, then straightened up and continued to play. He did this a few times, so being the overprotective mother that I am, I made a doctor's appointment. The doctor really couldn't find anything and almost dismissed it as gas, but decided to take a urine specimen. He has had urine tests in the past, but this time I could see from the nurses' face this one didn't turn out good. He was spilling protein, which basically means trouble. The truth is you really can't see anything in the urine tests until damage is already done, so don't go by that alone because you may be able to ward off damage by intervening before it is too late. Whether your side pain is related to your dual collecting system, I cannot determine. It could be kidney stones for all I know. Many hospitals, usually state hospitals, have what they call free care or charity care or a discount program to help with the cost, you just have to ask about it, sometimes you have to be insistent. If you go into the hospital in an emergency situation with no insurance, you should apply for what is called "Emergency Medicaid", which will pay that hospital stay only, no follow up visits. Hey, maybe you could have a garage sale, get rid of junk you never use and get enough money together to pay for the tests. But in all honesty, all hospitals will be willing to set up some type of payment arrangement. Determine with the doctor which are the most crucial and get those done. A simple x-ray should eliminate or determine if there are kidney stones. That's not too expensive. They could also do an ultrasound to measure the size of the kidney, to see if it is enlarged. Then there is what's called a VCUG, which determines if there is reflux. A nuclear medicine study that determines if there is kidney function loss and there is another one I can't remember what it is called. But the doctor would know which one would be right for you especially if he knows your situation. You may also inquire to the Kidney Foundation to see if they can offer any help. Let me know.