kidney Stones

my second bad bout with kidney stones was when I was 6 month pregnant with my last child. I ended up in the hospital because of the horrible infection the stones had blocked into my kidney. Not fun at all, especially when they won't give anything for pain. Those stones did pass naturally. That's too funny, about the old men. For me, I knew my urologist and all the physician assistants, nurses, and staff where I was hospitalized, because I worked there on that same specific floor. It was so embarassing when I had to have a foley put in by nurses I worked with...LOL.

Oh about the indwelling stent... I had one put in during my first lithotripsy experience. Everything was going fine during recovery. But, 4 days later none of the residual fragments were passing and I developed a temp. Turned out the stent was not allowing the fragments to flush out and it caused an infection to back up into my kidney. So, out came the stent, and things were fine after that.

I always assumed that the point of the stent was to stop things from blocking your uterer. I didn't know that that could happen, now I'm worried! I hate having the stent. I'm pretty much constantly aware of it and if I try to do too much physical activity it really starts to bother me. The constant feeling of my bladder never being quite empty really bothers me too, but I hear that's normal? About the lithotripsy, did you have pain medication while you were having it done? My doctor said that most people don't need it, but I found that I really did.

Yes, this is very common. Once a person has had kidney stones one time, they are predisposed to getting them again. Sometimes, it is good to change the persons diet, and definitely increase water intake. There are also now medications that can be prescribed, which help to cut down the production of kidney stones. What was the course of treatment for the kidney stones? Did they pass on their own or did your friend require lithotripsy or surgery? I've had lithotripsy two of the times I had severe kidney stones.

I've been pretty lucky the last two years, and the kidney stones have been passing on their own. However, I just went for my yearly urology check-up and had my yearly IVP and CT scan, and guess what they found? Yep, I have 3 large stone in my right kidney, and they most definitely will not be passing on their own. I am hoping that they don't start shifting and moving around, because I cannot have any procedures for at least 2 months when my husband returns (he's military and TDY at the moment). We are stationed overseas so, it's not like I can call up a family member to stay with the kids when I go in. My body just makes stones. I drink lots and lots and lots of water, I exercise regularly, eat low protein and dairy diet--and I still make stones. My problem, though, is related to heredity. My father and Mother both have a history with kidney stones, and my maternal grandmother suffered with them for years and now actually has kidney failure and is on dialysis (unrelated to kidney stones).

Not only am I prone to gettting kidney stones, but for years I worked on a surgical unit in a hospital and the floor I worked was Vascular/gyn/urology based surgeries. I've heard varying stories about the stent, and myself, I had stent complications which are common. But, most people don't even know the stent is there, and it is supposed to protect the ureters from getting worn and torn during stone passage. Unfortunately, in my case, it didn't allow the fragments after lithotripsy to pass at all, and instead it backed up into my kidney and held in a bad infection. Not fun at all. Kidney stones are pain no matter how you look at it...*smile*

Hi Jen549, It was similar with me the first time I had kidney stones years ago. I was seen in at the clinic where my normal Doctor was affiliated, but it was a holiday weekend. The Dr on call there, checked my urine for infection and despite me handing her a cup of what looked like "red fruit punch", she found no initial infection and told me well it's probably an infection brewing so lets treat you for it. I knew there was something else up, because I work in the medical profession and was specifically working in a hospital ward that dealt with Urology patients. So, I followed up with my Dr. after the weekend and well, the blood in urine had stopped, but he was still concerned and sent me for an ultra-sound. Of course after you have an ultra-sound, they don't give results for like 2-5 days. I go to work the next eve, and about 3 hours into a busy crazy Monday eve on my unit, I start having intense flank (lower back) pain. Determined to complete my shift, I took some motrin--it dulled pain slightly and then pain subsided by the time my shift ended at 11pm. I drove home, and after a shower I was off to bed, when the pain came back. I went to the bathroom and there was blood in the urine. The pain was so severe, so my husband rushed me back to the hospital I work in. They did a CTscan and found my right kidney had several large stones and were trying to all pass. Behind the massive clog of stones, was infection building up. So, I was admitted to the hospital I worked in and to the floor I work on no less--I got very good service LOL. I had to have lithotripsy. Presently, I just passed 3 stones on my own in the last 2 months. My most recent scan showed stones in both kidneys--just hoping to pass them all without having to be admitted for treatment. Here's my latest article on Kidney Stones: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/353337/kidney_stone_advice_treatment_and_prevention.html

Read your article, thanks for that it was really interesting. I don't actually know what type of stones I have and I have never physically seen one. Although they seem to pass, they must generally be really small. I am already trying to drink loads of water, which I am really bad at. I do drink lots of tea though and was told by my doctor that it is as good as water. Amazing how different people think different things. I have been reading lately about how tea is quite acidic and if your body is too acidic then you may be prone to kidney stones as your body is deficient in certain minerals and the body draws the minerals out from your bones to try to alkalise your it and they can turn into stones. Weird eh!!! Anyway I tested myself and my composite body pH is highly acidic, so maybe there is something in this afterall. Doing a few things in an attempt to alkalise my body and see if it makes a difference. Don't think it will get rid of the ones I have but if it can stop me getting any more then great. This includes drinking alkaline water and cutting back on tea, meats etc - just like you suggest in your article.

actually, certain vegetables (fiberous ones) are not recommended for those predisposed to kidney stones. I've had specialists suggest, low calcium diets and lessen and avoid red meat intake.

I am so happy when I am able to pass them without having to go to the doctor or getting admitted to the hospital for them. I've learned to identify my signs and symptoms and then increase my already overflowing intake of water and do a lot of walking. They say that activity can help them pass faster, yet, when it is painful, it is so hard to think about engaging in activities..lol. Thanks for adding to the discussion.