White cell casts

[teachmom]

Hi! I haven't posted here in a long time. For a while I was actually in remission, but have been having lots of problems again the last few months. I recently had a ton of lab work done and had white cell casts in my urine. I am supposed to have it repeated. I am wondering how common this is and if it could just be a false positive or temporary sort of thing. Most of the stuff I have read really points to lupus kidney involvement. I was diagnosed in Sept. 2001 and have been lucky to have normal kidney functioning up until now.

In addition I have been having falling spells. I don't really seem dizzy. I just know that all of the sudden I am hitting the ground. Has anyone had this with a flare? I have had falling when I was flaring, but it was usually related to dizziness.

A

[Lily]

Hi Amy,

Yes they will need to repeat this to see what comes up this time. It can point to kidney problems in a known lupus patient, I havent had any experience with white cell casts only when infection was present. My main probs with kidneys have been red cells casts and protein showing up. Even then we seem to have a handle on it and keeping a close eye on it at this stage. They've upped my meds and I'm awaiting some recent bloods done for creatinine etc. Previous IVP was ok except for some extra renal pelvices so they arent jumping yet, although they have upped my Imuran which covers the Vasculitis as well.

Good luck and let us know how you get along. They will probably re-run this test and decide from there. Have you had an IVP before and a 24hr urinalysis, they may very well be next on the list of investigations, depending what bloods show. And they may do a biopsy depending on bloods - I'm only guessing.

When I have kidney inflammation I am more wonky, but I only found that out because I was testing when I felt like that at home with dipsticks. It was usually after sun exposure for me..........the little I get exposed to that is :P

love
Lily

[zara]

Over the past couple of years, I've had casts (not sure which kind) in my urine when I go in sick and complain about being thirsty. The thirst thing for me comes and goes, so I think it may just be dry mouth. I'm not sure the two are related. I've never had typical symptoms of a UTI.

I'm not diagnosed with anything yet either, so this has not been linked to Lupus in my case. I'm curious about it, but not worried at this point.

Anyway, I hope it is nothing major, and if it is kidney involvement, that they caught it quickly and get it under control for you. :thumbs:

Zara

[here]

Hi Amy! Good to see you around... sorry you are having troubles.

I often have white cell casts in my urine.. and I have a time or too been know to take a spill. You should have all this checked out.

Take care! (((hugs)))

[mimibee123]

What are casts in urine? ;)