3. What are the symptoms of a kidney stone?
4. Do all kidney stones cause pain?
5. What causes a kidney stone?
6. Can I take something to dissolve my kidney stone?
8. Was it something I ate/drank?
9. Can I prevent another kidney stone?
10. What are the treatment options for my kidney stone?
11. What are the signs of a kidney stone emergency?
12. How long does it take to form a kidney stone?
13. What is my risk of forming another kidney stone?
14. Am I going to be able to pass my (insert size here) stone?
15. Which surgery should I choose?
19. Why do I have pain after my stent was removed?
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Kidney stones are the formation of crystalline structures in the urinary tract (which includes the kidneys, ureters, and bladder). These stones can cause pain, infection, and kidney damage. Stones can be small, from 1 mm to very large, filling up an entire kidney. For pictures of stones, see our stone gallery.
For patients experiencing their first stone episode, the pain can be so severe and sudden that it stops them in their tracks. Without prior knowledge of what a stone episode feels like, it can be confusing and frightening to go through this amount of discomfort, which is usually described as the worst pain someone has ever experienced. A trip to the emergency room is usually required to make the diagnosis and provide treatment for an active kidney stone. X-rays, usually a CT scan, can be used to confirm that a stone is present.
3. What are the symptoms of passing a kidney stone?
Stone pain is often described as stabbing and extremely severe. Women commonly say that it is worst than having a child. The pain can start in the upper back (flank) and then migrate to the abdomen and groin. Changing positions does not help relieve the pain. The pain of a kidney stone is primarily due to blockage of the urine drainage coming down the small tube called the “ureter” that connects a kidney to the bladder. See a diagram of the urinary system.
It is thought that the increased pressure stretches the kidney and ureter, causing the pain. This is why stone pain can come and go in waves, as the drainage tube is periodically blocked by the stone trying to make its way out. As the stone moves further down the tube, the pain experienced moves down the body. Other symptoms common during a stone episode include seeing blood in the urine, nausea & vomiting, and feeling the urge to urinate. Once a stone is passed and makes it way out of the ureter tube and into the bladder, most patients describe a sensation of instant relief as the blockage and pressure is relieved. However, stones can take from days to weeks to pass. See a diagram of locations where stones typically get obstructed.
4. Do all kidney stones cause pain?
Most doctors feel that kidney stones only cause pain if they are blocking the ureter and trying to pass down towards the bladder. Stones that are not obstructing, such as those located in the kidney’s calyxes, are generally thought to be non-painful. This explains why some patients can have extremely large stones filling up their entire kidney with no or minimal pain.
However, it does appear that some non-obstructing stones can cause pain because of either blockage of small tubular structures in the kidney itself (the collecting tubules) or for other unclear reasons. Supporting this view is a recent medical journal article suggesting that the treatment of small non-obstructing “papillary” stones may provide pain relief. (Gdor et al, Multi-institutional assessment of ureteroscopic laser papillotomy for chronic pain associated with papillary calcifications, J Urol 2011) Additionally, testimonials from many kidney stone patients (including a urologist with a personal history of kidney stones) suggest that some non-obstructing stones can cause pain.
5. What causes a kidney stone?
Kidney stones affect 1 out of 10 people during their lifetimes. They are more common than most people realize. There are many factors that determines whether someone will develop a stone with some being under a person’s control while others are out of their hands.
Common factors influencing kidney stone development:
- Gender: Men are two to three times more likely to form stones
- Race: Caucasians have the highest stone rates as compared to other races
- Age: Stones occur most commonly between the 20s to 50s
- Geography: Those living in hot dry environments are at increased risk. Additionally, those living in the Southeastern United States appear to be at particularly increased risk of forming stones.
- Seasonal climate: Stone development is more common during the summer months due to dehydration from higher summertime temperatures and possibly also from higher concentrations of calcium in urine resulting from increased sun exposure which can lead to higher levels of Vit D production.
- Occupation: Those working in jobs with exposure to climate and dehydration are more prone to stone development.
- Body weight: There are higher rates of stones in those with increased weight and body mass index.
- Genetics and medical conditions: Individuals with a history of some conditions, such as medullary sponge kidney or renal tubular acidosis are prone to forming stones. Those with a personal family history of stones may have two to three times increased risk of forming stones.
- Infections: Chronic urinary tract infections can lead to the development of infection related stones, known as struvite stones.
6. Can I take something to dissolve my kidney stone?
Patients often ask whether something can be taken to dissolve their stones. Unfortunately, the most common stone types (calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, accounting for 80% of all stones) cannot be dissolved with medications.
However, in patients with uric acid stones, which account for 5-7% of stones, medication (potassium citrate) can be successfully given to dissolve the stones, helping them to pass and preventing them from re-developing.
Patients with the less common cystine type stones (1-3% of stone formers) can also benefit from potassium citrate and water intake to help dissolve their stones. Cystine stone formers additionally can be treated with D-penicillamine or α-mercaptopropionylglycine to help bind and dissolve their stones.
Finally, patients with struvite, or “infection”, stones were in the past more commonly treated with hemiacidrin irrigation solution which is dripped directly onto stones through a tube placed directly into the kidney. However, because of potentially serious side effects from this medication and the difficulty in giving it, this type of therapy is now uncommon.
Learn more about different types of stones.
There are many factors that lead to the development of kidney stones. For details and a visual time-line of the steps in stone formation, see: How do stones form?
8. Was it something I ate/drank?
In most patients, we find diet is not the main reason that caused a stone to form in the first place. Other important factors also play a role in determining whether someone is “prone” to forming stones. In other words, a non-stone-former can eat the exact same diet as a stone-former and never get stones.
That said, diet can play an important role in the prevention of future stones. The three most important dietary factors for most stone formers to modify in reducing their risk of future stones are to increase total fluid intake, decrease sodium intake, and and decrease protein (meat) intake.
Some commonly held beliefs of foods that promote stones including cola, tea, coffee, and calcium intake have not been shown to be true. In fact, research suggests that increasing tea, coffee, and calcium intake can actually reduce stone risk, while cola does not appear to have a significant effect (Curhan et al, Am J of Epidemiology, 1996). See more on kidney stones myths.
9. Can I prevent another kidney stone?
Yes!, there are many effective ways to help prevent another stone. Basic dietary changes can reduce your chances of forming another stone by half while more involved medical treatment can reduce that even further. While these changes may not guarantee that you will not form another stone, they can make it less likely that you will have to experience another painful stone episode. See our stone prevention center to find out more.
10. What are my treatment options for my kidney stone?
Treatment options for stones include allowing a stone to pass by itself, using medications to help pass a stone, and surgery to treat or remove a stone. Our stone treatment center has more information, including videos and diagrams of stone surgeries to help you better understand your options.
11. What are the signs of a kidney stone emergency?
If you think you are passing a stone, signs indicating that you should seek immediate medical attention include:
- Fever above 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit
- Other symptoms of a urinary tract infection with a stone, including burning during urination, cloudy urine, or bad smelling urine
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Intolerable pain
- Certain medical conditions can make passing a stone potentially more dangerous, including those with only one kidney, those with diabetes, or those with decreased kidney function
12. How long does it take to form a kidney stone?
It appears that stones can form in as short a period of time as three months. This is based on research of soldiers deploying to Kuwait and Iraq where the mean time to development of a symptomatic stone was 93 days in the hot desert environment. (Evans and Costabile, J Urol, 2005)
13. What is my risk of forming another kidney stone?
In general, the chances of developing another stone is about 40-50% over five years. In other words, 1 out of 2 new stone formers should expect to develop another stone within the next five years. However, there are many effective ways to reduce the chances of recurrence with simple diet changes. See our prevention center for more details.
14. Am I going to be able to pass my (insert size here) stone?
Your likelihood of passing a stone will primarily depend on its size, its location, and how long you have been trying to pass a stone. We go over this in our infographic available here: What are my chances of successfully passing passing my stone?
15. What surgery option should I choose?
There are three common surgeries for stones. These include ureteroscopy, shockwave lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. We go over the pros and cons of each here: How do I choose which surgery to have for my kidney stones?
A stent is a flexible hollow tube placed inside the ureter. It allows urine to drain around a stone and helps the ureter heal after surgery. It is entirely inside your body and is not visible from the outside. Stents can cause you to feel like you have to urinate often, can cause minor bleeding, and can cause pain. Find out more about stents here: All about ureteral stents.
17. How is a ureteral stent placed?
Ureteral stents are usually placed in the operating room by your doctor. A flexible wire is slid up the ureter and the stent is slid over the wire. The wire is removed and the stent remains. At each end of the stent are natural “curls” to keep it in place until it is removed or exchanged. See more about stent placement here: How is a ureteral stent placed?
Ureteral stents can be removed in two ways. Most commonly, your doctor will remove the stent by placing a camera into your bladder through your urethra (the tube where urine exits your body). The stent is grasped with an instrument and removed. The second method is used when a string is left attached to the stent. The string, which is visible exiting the urethra, is pulled until the stent comes out. See more about stent removal here: How is a ureteral stent removed?
19. Why do I have pain after my stent was removed?
Some mild amount of discomfort after stent removal is expected. However, in some patients, severe pain may occur for several hours after stent removal. This is thought to be due to spasms of the ureter or swelling and temporary blockage developing after the stent comes out. Not enough is known about this phenomenon but one recent study suggests it may occur in as many as half of patients. In the study, a single dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug given 15 minutes before stent removal was highly effective at preventing the severe pain from developing. You can read more about the study here: Severe pain after stent removal: How often does it occur and can anything prevent it?
Guys.. I’m confused.. Help me out.. Pls..
I had a kidney stone around 8 months back.. Was done ureteroscopy nd they removed it.. I was around 10 mm.. Now again I ve got a stone.. Its around 5mm.. Had immense pain 3 weeks back.. Consulted a doctor.. He gave me medicine for 3 weeks.. When he scanned after 3 weeks.. The stone was very real and static at the same place.. About 1 cm from bladder in ureter.. He says my kidney is moderately swollen and it need laser treatment again.. Which would cost me 25k again.. But I don’t feel a thing.. No pain right from the second day of medication.. So my doubt is.. Whether I can wait for the stone pass by itself it should I go for surgery?? I don’t have any pain or irritation.. Help me out.. Pls!
If I have a stone that isn’t causing a problem my doc leaves it. I have passed over 200 on my own. I wish you well.
I have been passing stones since 2001 and I have been told I am in the 1% whose stones are not all visible on ct scan. I just passed a 2mm stone 2 months ago and it took 4 months off and on pain to pass. I am already passing another stone. It’s not seen by ct which was no surprise to my urologist. He said if I am still in pain in 3 weeks he will operate. I’m wondering what will he do if
He can’t see it to do lithotripsy. I didn’t think to ask at the time. Has anyone ever had this happen and what did you have done??
I have had this problem in the past. I had the camera inserted and a little basket inserted to get it.
Thank you! I saw him today and he said that’s what he will do. He said the risk of infection is very high. Did you do okay?
I had lithotripsy a week ago. Stone (which could not be seen on X-ray because it was so impacted) was 6mm. Located and lasered. Stent inserted for 4 days, then removed at the Dr office. 24 hours later I started having pain again, same side (left). Next night, same thing. Went to emerg X-rays showed nothing. The next night same thing. Pain all night and no sleep. Seems to be better during day. I’m at my whits end.
My sister was just informed that she currently has 15 stones total in both kidneys. She doesn’t have many answers yet since her nephrology appt isn’t for a whole month! I’m trying to do some research but not having much luck. Is it common to have this many stones? Will she have to pass all 15? She is in no pain at the moment.
hi all was wondering if anyone on here can help me as i have googled this to death and still cannot find out anything! anyway my husband had a kidney stone removed on April 9th 2013 a 5mm stone and was given a urethral stent right side. since it he was fine occasionally in pain and discomfort from the stent. He was told he only had one stone and this would be the end of it so to speak. anyway he has ended up again in A&E this morning same kind of pain as last time not as severe but on the left side. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to form another stone so quickly?? he’s diabetic too but has seriously upped his water intake (approx 4litres a day) and being watching his diet. Can anyone help me to help him?? he’s been in A&E for the past 8 hours and no results as yet.
Maybe he has stones that cannot be seen by ct scans or X-rays. I have passed so many stones that haven’t been visible.
My urologist says it happens to 1% of stone passers.
I just read that a stone can form within three months (study on US soldiers serving in afghanastan ). With the heat, lack of hydration, etc.
Was took to A and E a few weeks back and diagnosed with kidney stones.
Had to see my consultant last night and he said there is a shadow so need a ct scan and bloods as my white count was boderline.He also said he is 99% sure it just stones and not to worry but OMG I freaked.Terrified.Just need some form of reassurance.
My wife has just completed her second ESWL to treat 3 stones 0.5cm 0.6cm and 1.24cm in her left kidney. She has had a DJ stent in for about 1 month. Initially the stent was painful but eventually the pain went away. Her two ESWL treatments were both OP and done in a span of 3 days. They were done at Bumrungrad International Hosp. in Bangkok and cost about $3k USD including a CT scan (but not the DJ stent) the stones appear to be completely crushed.
We visited some other urologists who said she would need three treatments with one month between each and two days of Hospital stay. Moral here is that no two urologists will tell you the same and it pays to do some research.
No nsaids. Call the Dr and ask for pyridium, or get uristat at the drug store. If she begins a fever above 101, go into Dr, or er.
Resting/sleeping in a recliner helps, or a few pillows under her knees. Usually the worst pains are from small urinations where you push. In a female I have found wet a washcloth as hot as you can stand and use as a compress directly to the urethra. Return to resting or sleeping.
Even with a stent there will be a cramping and pointy feelings feeling like a glass shard in your bladder when it passes. Then, once stent is removed, a few more days needed to get all the way back on your feet.
She will be more prone to stones the rest.of herlife. Keep hydrated.
I have never had a stone before in my life, 2 years ago I was put in the hospital running 105 fever. I was septic from Strepticalcus (not sure the spelling). It attacked my kidneys and every since then I have an average of 6-10 stones a year. To complicate things further I am a diabetic. I have eliminated everything I have read that could cause a stone formation yet it seems to be getting worse. I drink water by the buckets full and nothing helps. I am really scared that this will cause perminate damage. All the doctors do is give me pain meds which, although at the time of passing a stone I am grateful, I don’t like them. They make life a nightmare. Hate the pain!!!!!!
is it possible to have more than one kidney stone at a time???
as i write this, i had my first kidney stone 10 days ago. i didnt know what it was, only that i was in gawd-awful pain on my right side. lasted about a half hour. i was rushed to the ER, they did a CAT scan and the Dr said i had a 3mm stone in my bladder. should completely pass in a few days.
ive been looking for it, but i havent noticed anything come out. and i have had some slight discomfort in my bladder ever since.
then today i had another bout! this time it lasted an hour and a half! absolutely terrible! but then the pain passed and i was (more or less) feeling fine again.
an hour went by and it hit me again, only this time it was a solid 3hr knockdown drag out. unbelievably awful pain that seemed like it was never going to end. i drank water to help the stone pass, but i got so nauseated i threw it all up… i was just about to call 911 when the pain stopped. it was such a relief i instantly fell asleep.
i still have some slight discomfort in my bladder, and my right kidney is also sore.
so… is it possible to have more than 1 stone at a time? and why wouldnt the CAT scan pick that up???
im seeing a urologist asap. i hope i never have to go through this again!
Yes, you can definitely have more than one kidney stone at a time – I do!! I had my first one last Nov. (2012) on my left side; terrible pain, cramping and nausea, reddish pee, husband took me to ER. CAT scan showed one 2+mm stone on its way down; also showed a slightly smaller one sitting in my right kidney. Pain meds (IV) helped; they sent me home with more which I didn’t need and I passed the stone the next afternoon. They told me the one on my Right kidney could start to pass or could just sit there for however long – no way to tell. Well, a couple days ago the whole thing started again – on my left side again! Another trip to the ER, oh joy! CAT scan showed 1.5mm stone, again on the left side, high up, dr. said. The one that was on my right kidney back in Nov. is still there!! This morning I could feel it go into my bladder – basically it feels like a needle is poking your bladder. It felt that way right before I passed the first one, too – the only difference is that I passed the first one right away after getting that sharp feeling. It has been around 12 hours now and this second one still hasn’t passed! Any time now, Mr. Stone! Any time!! : > )
My daughter is 24 years old and had a stent put in on Friday. She has a 15mm kidney stone, YES-15 mm!!!! She did NOT receive any discharge instructions as her doctor “forgot”! She is in ALOT of pain and has been back to the ER for her pain. They gave her pain meds and say no heavy lifting. My question is, what can she do to get some relief? Should she try and get up every hour or so? She’s drinking plenty of water and using a heating pad accordingly. Should she be taking aspirin or anything else besides her pain meds? This is her first stent and hopefully her last. Thank you for any information you can provide.
hey i got stents put in both kidneys few weeks ago but was in alot of pain still and still blood in urine 3 weeks later went to er they just gave me antibiotics, finaly another week later i seen another doctor who did xray and realised one of my stents had slipped out of kidney! week later i was back again getting stents replaced, i have mulitple large stones, so they started work to lazer them as they said i would need multiple operations to get them all! they managed to remove a 3CM yes 30mm! egg like stone from my right kidney! and got a few smaller ones too, have to go back again soon to work on left side where i have multiple stones all over 2cm yes my small ones are 20mm!!! next surgury they will go through my back which i am not lookingg forward to at all! i think the larger the stone the more pain etc after surgury, but would advise her to ask for xray to check stent position, my kidney was blcked and badley swollen, if didnt have paroniod doc who checked i would have been in alot more trouble!
I am a 38 year old female and, apparently, a stone former. I awoke to an odd discomfort last June which I thought maybe was food poisoning or some sort of upset stomach. It was uncomfortable but I am a nurse so I got up and got ready to work (we work unless we are dying…). Before I could brush my hair I was struck by pain that made me yell out for help and took away my capacity for standing on my feet. As the pain seemed to be coming from my left flank, it finally dawned on me that I might have a kidney stone episode occurring. I went from severe agony to sudden relief on my way to the hospital in the car. At the hospital, they did a CT and informed me that I passed the stone as I had significant (not total) pain relief, kool-aid colored urine, and a negative CT scan and they sent me home. I then spent a couple of miserable months trying to figure out if I was crazy because I kept having pain. I had a kub and an ultrasound and both were negative. Thankfully, my doctor believed in my pain and I took Rapaflo and strained my urine. Finally, we reviewed the disc of my CT we obtained and found that it was misread and I did indeed have at least a 5mm stone. I was promptly scheduled for ureteroscopy with stone extraction in early August. I woke up with a stent (I hadn’t known that was a possibility) and was miserable until after it came out and even for a few days after it was removed. My pain began to resolve. But, then it came back. I had a repeat ureteroscopy in September and there was no stone so the doctor dilated my ureter (my ureter had been very irritated from the stone damage and the procedure damage) and said if the pain doesn’t improve I should get my back checked. It improved. Fast forward to this winter and a recurrence of left flank discomfort which seemed to get worse any time I was a bit dehydrated. I thought there was no way I could have another stone so I figured I had better get my spine checked. In the meantime, I was scheduled for my follow-up ultrasound (6 months after my august extraction). To my amazement, I had a new approx 4mm stone on the ultrasound. It is in my kidney and, therefore, I am told not supposed to be causing me pain. Either I have coincidental spine problems or this sucker is causing me pain even though it is not in my ureter. I am now giving it my second round of two weeks of Rapaflo and increased fluids to see if I can pass it before undergoing another ureteroscopy. I have had many times of “false starts” and I have passed little shards or bitty stones. I have tried drinking beer in addition to water (an act of desperation since I hate beer), I exercise, I keep moving and just don’t seem to want to pass stones. I am frequently very uncomfortable and nauseated and wish it would stop. I don’t look forward to another procedure and would love to pass it on my own. I keep seeking some magic answer for how I can pass the stone because I want it done. I work in the medical field and I am looking for magic. Anybody have any?
It starts hurting at about 4 mm the newest consensus of 2011 believes the pain may come from the tubes inside the kidneys. If it comes inwaves, it is trying to get it out, if it is dull and achy all the time wit bouts of screaming pain its pretty much stuck and needs intervention. My first one I let go for 9 months until I went septic. The next started a mere 10 months later and I let it go for 7 months I was wishing to be unconscious. Never did it make it to the ureter, in fact it stayed put and grew fast.
So yes it hurts in your kidney. PS my 1st stone 18 mm, my 2nd 11mm
Where was your website 10 years ago when I had my first stone. I just passed my 22nd stone on April 7th, 2013… still so painful~
Your site is full of great information, a lot I have already read over the years, but time and research changes, so it’s great to see what s new.
Thank you for sharing!!
I currently have a 3 mm stone in my right kidney. I am scheduled to have a cystoscope removal the middle of April. My plan is to flush it out before that.
I have had stones in the past, the first in my teens that required surgical removal. After that I had some problems with UTIs but ok. 35 years later they are back. I have had 4 stones in the last 5 years. I don’t know if its my age or if I just forgot how you feel with stones but…I feel awful. I have no energy, am either freezing or dying of heat, nauseated, tired, basically worthless. Then I see the doc and he tells me you don’t have pain when the stone is in the kidney. First, what brought me in..not a routine check. Secondly, I am not a doctor but if you have a stone couldn’t small pieces break off and come down the ureter and cause pain. This doctor is good I am told but statements like that make me nervous. Every time I have gone to the doctor with right flank pain I get a sono or a scan and I have a stone. I wonder how others feel when the stone is just sitting in the kidney.
I am 34 years old and stones first appeared 2 years ago confirmed with imaging. I just started passing stones again. Yes, I too feel that way with stones. I even crave salt like its nobody’s business. That lead me to January where a 24hr urine analysis revealed that my kidneys were dumping an insane amount of calcium into my urine. So much so, that if left unchecked it would be leaching from my bones in the long run. They are just throwing it away so I was put on hydrochlorothiazide and potassium citrate to help my kidneys retain calcium and prevent stones. I was one month into the medication and had “passed” 3 stones in the mean time and when the imaging was done last week, there were no stones. My urologist is having a hard time believing I have been passing stones since in December the imaging then showed no stones. But I can swear, 100%, typical pain and symptoms of stones. He told me that I needed to collect the stone next time I think I’m passing one. In other words, I need evidence for him to believe me. I will be doing another 24hr urine collection next month to ensure the meds are doing what they are supposed to be doing. And I hope to pass a stone to prove him wrong in the mean time. I’ll keep you posted. Good luck and keep telling them about your pain. All mine are on the right side too. And collect those stones for analysis!
Julie, I have a large stone just sitting in the kidney. They blasted half of it out with Lithotripsy in December. The remaining half is about 10 mm. I get pain after exercise, otherwise I am OK. The pain feels like a very upset and gassy stomach but it also drains me of energy. I have not had the cold and hot feelings but I do know that nausea can be part of the pain. I am calling right now to have it blasted once again.
Hello,
I was told a Year ago that I have MSK (Medullary Sponge Kidney) Disease with nephrocalcinosis in both Kidneys! I think I am trying to pass a stone. Pain was crazy bad for about 5 minutes then lightened up, now lower back is hurting some.
does this sound like a stone to you guys?
The pain was first in the bladder and right up through the middle of th body, traveled around to my left side Kidney ( Flank area ) I also feel bloated!!!! I have only past crystals in the past like sand, could this be a stone or more sand? Help!
Bloating is one of my symptoms of a stone getting ready to pass. You definitely need to contact your doctor to notify them just in case.
I have a 9mm kidney stone and also have frequent urinary tract infections – extremely painful and with a substantial amount of blood in my urine. Could the kidney stone be responsible in some way for these infections? I am waiting to see a consultant.
I’ve had a small stone since November 5th that will not pass and has off and on caused my severe pain. The doctors wouldn’t do surgery or anything to help me pass it because it was in my kidney until here recently. Since about the middle of January the stone has been sitting just outside my right kidney and they still tell me (being 4 months with the same stone) that it will pass on its own. My question is how longdoes it usually take? And if it doesn’t pass how long before someone does something? Ive had several stones in the past 3 years and it’s never taken this long, it’s usually been just a few days, or a couple of weeks at the longest with the really bad ones…
Had a kidney stone attack this weekend. Worst pain in my life that landed me in the ER. This is the second stone I’ve had the last being 12 years ago. Currently six months pregnant and my options were limited. The morphine didn’t touch the pain and I was given Dilaudid (spelling??) The Dilaudid was a big help. The pain eventually subsided and the doctors say I passed it. Thanks goodness. Do not wish the pain on anyone. My baby was fine through the process. Was monitored on heart monitors for baby the whole time i was in the hospital. Praying I never get another one!!!!
I was diagnosed 16yrs ago with a kidney stone, occasional pain here and there nothing serious. Years went by then on Febuary 23rd 2013, I woke up in extreme pain almost like child labour but far worse. I was asked my history and then put on morphine drip and saline to rehydrate me. CT prooved the kidney stone of course, then I was sent home. My symptons got far worse within hours and I developed a fever of 103.8, then I went back to the hospital they treated my fever and once again sent me homeand said come back tommoro for another ct. By 10 am the next morning I was so sick I could barely move my blood pressure fell to 88 over 53 and my white blood count was 21. I had the scan done and finally one doctor put me on antibiotics, A specialist came in and informed me that the stones had passed into the bladder (8mm and 4mm). I had to stay a few hours and had the choice to sit on a lounge chair or go home to my bed, I chose to go home of course. I am just wondering how long does it take to feel better from this, I am on day 3 of antibiotics. The pain has pretty much gone I am just weak, is this from the infection or the stones? Any answers would be appreciated thank you
I hope you have passed the stone by now, and I can understand your reluctance to take pain medicine during pregnancy, but if you haven’t passed the stone, and you’re still in agony, please talk to an OB-GYN about this. Severe untreated pain can increase cortisol levels which are not good for your fetus.
Hi, I’m a 36 year old first timer here. Severe back pain and dark urine landed me in the Emergency room yesterday where the doctors found a 9 mm stone near my right kidney. The doctors sent me home with penicillin and morphine to try and pass the stone on my own as I’m also 14 weeks pregnant and they don’t want to do surgery.
The pain comes and goes so that sometimes I’m in agony and other times I’m fine. I don’t want to take the morphine as I’m pregnant but I don’t know what else I can do! Will I be able to pass this on my own? Anyone else had them while pregnant and can offer done advice?
Thanks
Stones generally 5mm and above you do not pass. They are considered large enough to have procedures done to remove them.
9mm is fairly large – the fact you were sent home, and told no sugery / procedures due to be 3 months pergnant makes no sense. Penicilin? Why?
I would go elsewhere as soon as possible…
I had a 3mm stone and was in agony as it passed through my ureter. Morphine didnt help much. A 3mm stone is on the smaller side, too.
I live in New York. Perhaps the level of care is different here than where you are.
Drink plenty of water, canberry juice
This will keep your kidneys flush out. Also, m
ove around more. I had one removed, 11 mm big. This makes my 24th stone. Good luck
Male here. I went to the Dr last Thursday due to blood in the urine. I’ve recently had a blood clot and the blood concerned me since I recently started blood thinners. I hadn’t had any pain and the doctor said I had probably passed a small kidney stone recently. That night I had about 5 hours of excruciating pain in the lower right back (flank). Other than the bleeding, I was ok until the next night when I had another 2 hours of pain. I went back to the doctor on Saturday and they did a CT scan. They saw no stones in the ureter, but saw a 6 mm stone within the kidney. I was pretty much pain free through Saturday and most of Sunday. I was hit with some pain Sunday night and excruciating pain this morning. By the time we got to the doctor today it had subsided. Does it seem accurate that one or two have already passed and that this last stone is on the move? I’m supposed to drink lots of water (I’ve been doing that) and take Percocet for pain. I don’t know what I’m going to do if pain hits and I’m in front of my elementary students at work.
I have a 4.6mm stone. I have been having varying pain levels since 12/29/12, I was in the ER 1/13/13 for severe pain. I saw a specialist yesterday. He said give it another week and then I might need to have surgery. He suggested most non-invasive option, I can’t remember what the surgery is called. He said the recovery time is very small. I just don’t know how much longer I can tolerate the pain. Most times the pain is tolerable and constant in my back and/or in my front. I have had pain since 12/29/12, it is getting old but it is worth it to have a surgical procedure. For the women out there, how painful was it to pass your stones. The only people I talk to that have had stone are men.
I have had problems with stones on and off for 7 years. I have a stone right now and hoping I can get this to past. About 6-7 years ago I had a big stone lodged in my groin and I ended up having a lithotripsy to have the stone broken up. I would suggest this surgery because it is out patient. I felt better the next day but really sore. Then 2 days out after surgery I was vomiting and had uncontrollable pain from the stone being broken up. If you do have this surgery make sure you have plenty of pain medicine and anti nausea medicine. I passed the stones about 3-4 days after surgery. Hope this helps!
I just had my second surgery for my stones. When they went in the first time my Kidney was infected and the stone (1CM) was stuck in my uterer, I had to wait three weeks for the kidney to drain the infection before they could go back in there and blast the stone (which they did yesterday). They put in another stent, the one where they left the string hanging out so they will be able to remove it in the office tomorrow. I think the levels of pain with stones is based on the person (how much they can tolerate) and the size and location of the stone. I’ve been passing my stone fragments since yesterday and really have not had any pain at all. The meds that helped were extra strenght Tylenol, Zofran (if you’re nauseous) and oxybutinin (helps with the pressure on your bladder after the stent is in place). Hope this has helped you but yes I def. think the surgery was well worth it!
First timer here-I went to ER a few nights ago, for pain and they did blood work said nothing was found and sent me home. Started to vomit uncontrollable and went back less than 24 hours and they did scan(finally) and told me I have stones on both sides. My question is: can I assume(or hope) they pass at the same time?? Also, how long after some strong pain happens will they pass? Soon hopefully
I have been passing my stone with strong pain off and on for over a month now. I have passed 6 and this is the longest time taken to pass one for myself. I have missed 3 weeks of work because of unexpected pain and not being able to take medication in my field of work. Hope yours passes soon. Hang in there.
I had 2 shockwave treatments for 3 kidney stones. Last procedure was Dec 2011. I passed a few small grain size pieces after the last procedure, however, as of August I have started to pass bigger pieces. Is it normal to pass pieces a year after the treatment?
I’m on my 8th stone in 10 years. I take a Bee Pollen pill once a day and it helps prevent stones from forming and a Green Tea Extract pill once or twice a day and it helps decrease the size of a stone. The GTE also helps with weight loss. I also take Fish Oil pills which are rumored to help as well. I started taking protein shakes 2-3x a day in May which probably led to my last 2 stones, one in November and the latets one in December. I try to drink as much water a day as I can. I encourage anyone who suffers from kidney stones to take the Bee Pollen, GTE and Fish Oil.
Hi,
Just curious if those things truly do work….Ive had
several kidney stone surgeries in the past
two years, would love to find something
that might slow the formation of them
down. Also have you heard of coconut
oil for kidneys?