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OT- Kidney Stone Experience?

always_anxious's picture

Submitted by always_anxious on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 8:46am

I'm not looking for medical advice, I called my doctor and waiting for a call back. Just looking for experiences.

I went to the ER this week for a kidney stone. I had been having symptoms of a UTI for a week and a half, then in the middle of the night felt the worst pain ever in my life. Scans showed the stone (4mm) when I arrived at the hospital. They did another scan and said it passed.

I guess now its in my bladder. I'm still having to pee a lot and feel sore. Any experiences on how long this lasted for you. I have no idea if I passed it out of my system completely or not. Urologist wants to do a stent, but its only been 4 days. I feel like I should give it time given how invasive a stent is and I am going out of town for work.

Comments

just-a-lurker's picture

Submitted by just-a-lurker on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 9:03am

I have had them twice. It's a miserable experience for sure! Each time the urologist gave me a little cup that had a strainer on one end in order to catch the stone after it passed. They need to test it to see what the stone is made of and depending on the composition, make recommendations as far as how to avoid them in the future. It's an easy way to know for sure when it passes so you're not guessing whether it's out or in, potentially causing more problems. From onset of symptoms to passing, it took 1 to 2 weeks. The second time I had them they gave me a med to help relax the muscles in the urinary tract system to allow the stone to pass quicker/more easily. Seemed to help. I'd ask about something like that before doing an invasive procedure, and give it some more time.

always_anxious's picture

Submitted by always_anxious on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 4:55pm

Got my cup from the urologist today. Got an X-ray and I haven't passed it all the way yet. She said its right at the end of my ureter ready to drop any time. She said it will hurt. I feel like a walking time bomb. I have the medicine that relaxes you, hoping it takes it quicker. They canceled the invasive procedure since the stone is right there ready to pass. thank goodness.

At first it was diagnosed as a UTI because I was having bladder spasms and frequent urination. then the pain...

mro's picture

Submitted by mro on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 6:40pm

So sorry to hear that. I had a bout of 2 kidney stones a few years ago. They were 5-6 mm. One passed on its own but it took 5 days. Five absolutely miserable days! Even with the nausea meds and the narcotics and the flomax. The other one had to be removed by scope and a stent placed. The area where the ureter joins the bladder (the ureterovesical junction) is one of the places where the ureter narrows and stones often get caught there. It can feel like a UTI. Once it gets past that point it should pass the rest of they way out of the body easily. Mine were probably caused by not drinking enough water but the urologist may recommend you not overdo it with foods high in oxalates. I had been eating spinach every day which might have contributed to it too.

They say stones under 5 mm are more likely to pass on their own so hopefully you won't need any procedures but please take care of yourself and keep in touch with your doctor cause they can cause problems if they are completely obstructing the ureter for too long.

always_anxious's picture

Submitted by always_anxious on Wed, 07/12/2017 - 1:44pm

It finally passed. Your post is really helpful. Thank you! I looked up foods with high oxalates and I think that's my issue too! I went low carb (not ketosis low, but just under 100g/day) and I was eating a lot of those high oxalate veggies. I've really increased my water and including lemon now. Hoping the acidic drink will help.

thinkthrice's picture

Submitted by thinkthrice on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 9:31am

My daughter has been plagued with them. She also had gallstones. Weird thing, once she got her gallbladder removed, it seemed to alleviate the kidney stones.

thinkthrice's picture

Submitted by thinkthrice on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 9:31am

My daughter has been plagued with them. She also had gallstones. Weird thing, once she got her gallbladder removed, it seemed to alleviate the kidney stones.

jmh302's picture

Submitted by jmh302 on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 2:44pm

Ouch. I have had kidney stones a bunch. I had them so bad when i was pregnant i was preing straight blood and had to get dilaudid in the hospital because the pain was insane.

Now if i feel them coming on i basically chug lemon juice and water. For me it usually only lasts a few hours till it passes.

I have had one pass into bladder as i was being scanned. It was crazy. I got up from the bed, the tech said go ahead and push hard to pee and pop i saw it in the toilet. Lol

always_anxious's picture

Submitted by always_anxious on Thu, 06/15/2017 - 4:52pm

I am so sorry you went through that. That is terrible. I'm drinking lemonade which is not the same. I'll head out and get lemon juice tonight! thank you.

I hope it passes through my bladder just that easy....

always_anxious's picture

Submitted by always_anxious on Wed, 07/12/2017 - 1:54pm

Thank you! It finally passed. OMG yes worse than childbirth. I can't imagine a pain that is worse physically. I thought I was going to pass out.