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?
I’m scheduled for lithotripsy for a 3mm stone, on Feb. 24. Must I have a stent placed after the procedure??? I’ve had many stones and only needed intervention 1 other time on the other side. Plus it’s only a 3mm stone.
I was in ER due to pain on left flank area. I had CT scan in ER and found 4 mm x 4 mm x 3mm stone in left ureter. It did not find any issue in right kidney. After 15 days, there was ultrasound which confirm stone in left ureter. It also found stone in right kidney mid pole. How come stone can appear in 15 days? What are my options here? Has anyone done Utereroscopy on both side at the same time?
My wife (86) has a very large staghorn stone in right kidney. She’s in hospital for suspected kidney infection. Today, she was sent to theatre for “Stents”. After that, she was told that stents and stomas had been fitted. What are “stomas” in this regard?
I have had my 2nd case of Kidney stones and I drink a lot of crystal light lemon tea. Does it have Oxalate in it.
I just had a stent removed after 45 days in. I bleed most of those days and could not sleep on my side without feeling I had to urinate. The removal was painless and over in maybe two minutes at the most. No pain after and back to normal urination right away.
Hello,
I have 2 stones , 4mm and 3.5 mm. had pain and went to a doctor after Cat Scan we got the results. 5 days so far nothing other than dull pain around my kidneys. drinking apple cider vinegar in the morning, lemon juice during the day. when do I expect to drop the stones? has been 5 days…
Ultra sound report shows
Pls comment on the treatment of the results
2 calculi seen in the right kidney measuring 0.6cm at upper pole calyx and 0.5 cm at mid pole calyx.
Uriniary bladder is slightly thick walled—-Mild Cystitis
Mild fatty infiltration of liver
Mild right sided obstructive nepropathy seen
Two months ago I passed a large number of stones in 24 hours. Analysis showed them to be uric acid. From their appearance I guess they are type IIIa. They were mainly between around 1mm and 2mm diameter.
An ultrasound scan about three weeks after the initial batch showed nothing. I dropped off certain food as advised by the doctor and since then have only passed an occasional one until this past weekend.
The past 24 hours I’ve passed over 25, the largest is over 2mm.
It is difficult to establish how long stones of this size take to form. Eating away from home I risked eating certain foods on two days this past week but can’t imagine that even stones of this size could form so quickly if that is the primary cause.
Has anyone else passed this quantity of stones in such a short period of time?
I woke up yesterday morning with that very familiar feeling. This is kidney stone number 3 in 8 years. Not as big as the last one, but it is still 4.5mm. You would figure after the first one I would be seasoned vet, but I have so many questions. I have not had a lot of pain and am hardly using my paint medication prescribed by the hospital. I know the cause of my stones is my pop (soda) intake. I work for a company where I sweat a lot and am not a huge drinker during the day. Since my stone appeared I have been drinking water like crazy, but constantly sweating and have only taken one restroom break in 8 hours. Obviously this is not doing me any good. Should I drink more until I have to constantly use the restroom? Second question. Why have I only developed these stones as an adult? I was a heavy beer drinker in my late teens until my late 20’s. Never had a stone at all. Only drank beer and pop, very seldom a glass of water. Did cutting beer out of my daily routine help cause the stones?
Finally, I am not a large man (6′ tall 215 lbs) and I am trying to figure out what to eat that can help me reduce the chance of getting more stones in the future. Is there a substitute I can use for salt? I read where there is a potassium supplement I can put in food, or should I just eat a banana daily?
My urologist isn’t the easiest person to get information from, so I figured I would ask you all. Thanks
terrible back pain woke me out of a good sleep one day, i had a epsom salt bath, i drank a glass of warm water with 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar, i filled a big cup full of ice water and a sliced up lemon. 10 hours later, i had passed a stone. very painfull. and happy it passed so fast. My first stone and hopefully last one.
I hope I am as lucky. Pretty sure this is a kidney stone, never had one before. But I’m doing the same ACV and pounding lemon water. Wish me luck
My doctors and I have recently discovered (by accident while having a CT investigating something else) that I have a 43mm (yes, 4.3cm) stone lodged in my kidney. Thankfully, it’s not moving or obstructing anything, so there isn’t the usual searing razor blade pain of “regular” stones. I have to have percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, which has me a little concerned. Better than leaving it until it starts causing problems, though. I think I’m more bothered by the stent and the potential issues with it that I’ve heard from people rather than the actual procedure. I’m hoping I’ll get in within the next couple weeks.
I have Found lemonade to be effective at dissolving stones. I had A stonthat was “too big to pass” and was scheduled for a procedure. I found Testimonials online saying lemonade worked and I passed That stone with no pain. I am Now 6 year’s free of stones. Please try it! Of course, you want real lemon juice (concentrate is fine).
How was your PCNL surgery, can you please share with us ?
I also found out by accident that I have a 13 mm non obstructing stone in the lower pole of my left kidney. I don’t have any pain and my urine is normal.
Doctors said I have to get rid of the stone so it doesn’t create problems in future but am worried about all the pain associated with it when I have to pass them after ESWL
Hello I’m 37 and am currently in the process of having multiple stones removed.
There was 5 in total all measuring between 1.3 and 1.5 CM in diameter. 3 down 2 to go!
I’ve had 2 ops so far. The first was endoscopy to take a look and first stent. The second op was stone and 1st stent removal and 2nd stent fitted and i await the 3rd one for final stent and stone and secind stent removal. All good fun!
I get the impression from my medical people that they are worried about how long I’ve had them for possibly because I was failed by many doctors and they know I’ve been wronged. I’ve no idea really what they think.
I’m a large person build wise and have been overweight most my life.
I started getting pains about 10 year’s ago and went to the doctors for help but was repeatedly told to lose weight as this is what caused the pain. I knew they were wrong because it felt like more than that. All of it was down my left side and my muscle tissues felt fine. They all told me it was muscle related.
After a heart attack in 2016 I finally learned my lesson with weight and have since shed 6 stone. I couldn’t have any more ops without weight loss and was told no anaesthetic eitger as too dangerous.
I’m not sure but I believe the doctor’s didn’t want to offer me help because I was too fat. I understand the medical advise and restrictions caused so don’t mind being told I’m too fat but I don’t like it If I was carrying these stones around for 10 years and constantly mis diagnosed by repeated so called professionals because they didnt like my appearance.
If I’m right on that is there anything I could do about it? It feels like I’ve been discriminated against and its really unfair but that said I respect doctors and always now esp. Listen and value them so I don’t and never have wanted to cause trouble. That’s why I kept letting it go.
My real gripe with it all and the reason I’m posting this here now is how long I had these stones in me for. Can it be possible for kidney stones x5 and too large to pass naturally to be causing pain to a person over a 10 yr period undetected? …and be mistaken for muscle problems in an overweight man repeatedly by 3 or 4 different doctors?
Please help me as the only people I can ask are medical and they seem to close ranks as soon as I start explaining it all. Which makes me even more suspicious btw.
I’d be grateful for any info or input you may have regards to ..
Thank you 🙂
Good luck with everything. It sounds like it could have been stones causint you pain over the years but it also could have been something else. There is no way of proving anything now.
Just do your best from here on out to be healthy. You can do a test when your done with all of your surgeries. The dr can order the test for you. You receive a box in the mail, you collect your pee for 24 hours. You then arrange a fed X pick up.
The company will send all results to your dr. The results may help your dr figure out any underlying cause for your stones. It would be helpful for you to find out if there is anything f you can do to prevent future stones.
I’ve passed one recently. Overall it’s taken about a month with one ER trip and several trips to a urologist. Before all of this I had pains. Nothing like actually passing one. However one night it was excruciating and I had to get out of bed and curl up in a ball on the floor. I could barely function the whole next day. After actually passing a larger one I look back on that and think it was problly a smaller ones that I passed.
It’s always possible your pains have been from smaller ones you have passed in your own.
Regardless right now try to focus on positive thoughts. Try to medically and emotionally get past this. It may be hard because that is a lot of years of pain…. but try to move past it once you medically get past this. I hope everything works out for you.
How do I know f it’s a kidney stone. Something
else
CT scan
hi, last year February 2017 had kidney stones removed from both my left and right kidneys.
i was unfortunate when i found out they my urethra were too small to pass the stones, and i needed stints put in. Unfortunately the right stint pierced a hole in my right kidney because i was impatient to start training for a marathon.
But long story short, the stones were removed, the hole closed and i was cleared by the Doctor.
But now…from time to time i get sharp pains around the kidney area on both sides, but more on the right hand side, i get like a dull sensation in my groin are too.When i bend over it intensifies the pain, especially on the right side.
so do you think i need to go back to the doctor? do i have stones again? is the hole in my kidney open again? am i just being a baby?
My reason for asking is because the pain is not as intense as the last time, the last time i started vomiting from the pain.
Yes, I had surgery 5 years ago for a kidney stone. Them 3 years later I had back pain lower left side just where my other stone was. My dr thought it was back pain so for 2 years i was told it’s just back pain. I complained that the pain was dull but now getting to be sharp but the pain came and went away and came back so she ordered me an X-ray: the X-ray was normal. I asked for an ultrasound to ease my fear that it’s a kidney stone and the dr said ok. Turns out I have a 4mm stone in my kidney. Guarantee you it’s been there for z2 years. My dr never believed it could be a stone
My stone 16mm what can I do then my stone removed
Hi.
I had 7mm kidney stone removed and a stent put in. I also had acute kidney injury stage 1.
I had the stent removed on Thursday and it is now Sunday evening and I have only peed 4 times since then. I am drinking plenty of water so why am I not going? Any advice please x
I got microscopic kidney stones from too much spinach. They diminished in frequency by adding lemon juice to juices, and now less frequent. Waiting for them to
Pass.
What did the doctor say?
As I type this I am in the process of tryiYing (I say trying) to pass my very 1st kidney stone. I can not believe the level of pain this has caused. Ita going on my 5th day with no luck. I am staying extremely hydrated (which does help a great deal). Also, as mentioned above the heat on the area is a huge instant relief for sure. I personally have been using a heating pad and it does wonders. I was wondering if any one has tried a “stone breaker” herbal medicine?? If so do they work?? I currently have a “stone free” herbal medication only started taking it yesterday. Fingers crossed
I was at the ER last night doubled over with lower abdomen and lower back pain, pain to sit, nausea, and constant urge to urinate. After I finally gave a urine sample (dark brown) i immediately felt better. Had a CT scan done and blood work and no infection or stone showed so Dr was 95% sure i had passed a stone. Today the pain is coming back, same place and same time as yesterday. Is it normal to have pain after passing a stone? Could they have missed seeing the stone on the CT scan? Or, could it be something else entirely different? I just took a Toradol and hoping the pain subsides.
I have lower left back pain
I have had 3mm kidney stone is a change there could be a other one sitting in left kidney or is it a some other kinda of stone
How many time is a change it could be a other stone forming in the other kidney
Had kidney stone surgery and a stent was inserted in me. After 3 weeks, the stent wast removed. I was urinating blood but after several days my urine became clearer. For about 10 days, my urine was clear. On or about the 11th day, my urine was dark red (blood) it lasted for several minutes then stopped. The past few days, my urine has been pink to clear. Any explanation or advice?
Hi there, I had surgery about 3 weeks ago for the removal of 2 kidney stones, I have a fused kidney ( horseshoe ) which did not help matters, I don’t drink or smoke, I am a soldier and a keen endurance athlete, they said they have been caused through dehydration which I can believe. I am having my stent removed tommorow and what I’m asking basically does the belly ache and the back pain, and the pain when urinating subside once the stent is removed?? This has not been an enjoyable experience and all I want to do is start running again.
Thanks in advance for reply
Roy
I’m really perplexed about this. A week ago I noticed I was urinating blood and blood clots. I immediately called the doctor who ordered a ctscan. Before I could do that, the next day the pain was so bad in my lower left back I went to the er. They said it was all the symptoms of a stone. I urinated blood and clots there and later they told me my ct scan showed clear and that I must have passed the stone. Since then I pass blood and clots once in awhile, sometimes two days go by and clear urine, but since this is still occurring I wonder if it’s even kidney stones. One thing though, I’ve only had any pain once since that er visit.
I just had a uric acid stone removed I mostly bled after contracting my abdomen muscles forcefully but did have some bleeding and clotting for seemingly no reason. It did not show up on xray It showed with an ultrasound and it showed up on a CT With Contrast
If you have not had it taken care of you might want to per sue it further Good Luck
Dave
I’m in my mid-60s, and had my first stone last year. Most pain I’ve ever experienced. During those desperate times my wife and I looked for anything to relieve the pain. We found a miracle solution. Try drawing a hot tub of water, with the level above the kidneys, and soaking. I did this and experienced instant relief! And I do mean instant. No promises, but I was amazed and really grateful, because ALL pain disappeared while in the tub. When I got out, the pain gradually returned, but when it got to be too much, I grabbed a book and made a beeline for the tub. Hope this helps someone.
I passed a .3mm stone 6 days ago. I woke up with exact pain again, went to ER and found to have another stone.5mm in the kidney. Will it pass soon or could it stay there for an undetermined amount of time?
Can you have a 9mm kidney stone and your Urine test perfectly normal.
yes bro I have 11mm stone and my urine test was passed