Three locations where stones become lodged
Stones usually first develop in the kidneys. (For more information on the process of stone development, see: How do kidney stones form?) A kidney stone usually first causes symptoms when it tries to move down the ureter and out of the urinary system. As it makes its way down the ureter, it can cause blockage, which leads to the development of increased pressure in the kidney above. This pressure leads to the pain associated with passing a stone.
As a stone moves down the ureter, it tends to become lodged in three locations of natural narrowing: the ureteropelvic junction, the crossing of the ureter over the iliac vessels, and at the entrance of the ureter into the bladder. Depending on where a stone is located along this path, the pain associated with it can vary. Stone pain usually starts high up near the kidney then migrates towards the abdomen and eventually down towards the groin as the stone moves further down the ureter. As a stone is almost ready to come out, patients may feel the urge to urinate.
What about kidney stones that aren’t passing?
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 kidney 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.
My Son had serve pain on the right lower side of his back about two weeks ago, pain was so bad that he was vomiting and couldn’t stop. Took him to the ER and they did an ultrasound and told me that they didn’t find anything wrong with him, fast forward to a week later and the poor boy was having the same pain and again with the vomiting, this time took him to his Doctor, got another ultrasound done and they found a 4x3x3 kidney stone that is obstruction, went to the urologist and they want him to try and pass it on his own. He is ten didn’t even know children could get kidney stones, is there anything I can do to try and make it more comfortable for him when the time comes
At 15 I had my first stone. At 16 my first ESWL. These things have consumed my life, as I am now 42 and unable to work. Hundreds of stones, both sides, numerous lithos and stents, and enough radiation from CTs that my immune system is compromised. These are my credentials, and anybody who’s looking for answers I’ll do my best to help. Have a wonderful fall day.
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I’ve got nonobstructive kidney stones. My back is killing me. I can hardly walk. I’ve been to the ER several times. They won’t treat me because they say I shouldn’t be having pain while they are still in my kidneys. Not to mention I run a fever every single day. I do not believe for one second that just because they aren’t passing that I’m not experiencing pain because I am and it’s unbearable.
Try to get an appointment to a urologist if possible. They will understand far more about what is going on than an ER doctor.
I have no idea as yet if I might have a kidney stone but like your self I am in a lot of severe pain and can hardly walk-no fever though but I surely can identify with the unbearable pain on my right side that just won’t go away.
i was diagnosed with a 4mm stone in my left kidney about 5 months ago. I never passed it and every so often it will give me trouble for a day or two but then it will go away. For the past two weeks the pain has been excruciating. Left flank pain around to my left side stomach ad down my pelvis. The doctor three days ago said my urine was clean except for a little uti infection. I have been on meds for it as well as flexoril ibprophine and an antibiotic, yesterday morning I could only pee about 2/3 oz my first pee of the day and it was dark brown. I started chugging water and after about a gallon of water I could only force out 1/2 ounce of dark brown urine. Went to the doctor I for a CT and blood work and was told everything looked normal. Went to er bc pain was too much and they did a catheter and by that time I’d drank so much water my urine was clear. I was told even though the stone was still there my issue was muscle spasms in my back and I must have been dehydrated and that was the cause of my bloody urine. Was prescribed muscle relaxers anti inflammatory and loratabs but none helped pain just helped me sleep. This morning I’m back to having painful urination and bloody fowl smelling urine. Still in severe pain. I don’t know what to do. What this could be. My gut keeps telling me something is wrong with the kidney stone but no one believes me.
I should also mention I have no fever and my bp is lower than normal 104-110/60, and i stay nauseated.
Go to Urolig urgent ! It,’s a stone that wan’t came out fro your ureter. You might loise your kidney if the problem is longer tgan 4,6 weeks.
I’m 26. Since I was 19, I’ve had 6 kidney stone attacks. 5 of those have been in the past 4 years. Been diagnosed with RTA(renal tubular acidosis).
Currently waiting for a doctor to approve me to go back on potassium citrate. I had a stone attack on April 23, 2018 and now another one on June 20, 2018.
They are getting so frequent and I am already obese, have interstitial cystitis, severe OCD and anxiety. This is just a nightmare. I feel like I’m gonna have to quit my job that I’ve had for a year because I simply cannot perform at work any more.
Look up paleo recipes. Completely stop sugar & flour intake. Eat whole fruits, veggies & meat. Commit for 2 weeks
Do not eat meat at all. The most common kidney stones are caused by protein, sugar and salt overload. Lay off chocolate, spinach, animal product, nuts etc. Look up kidney stone diet on the internet. Drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day and add 1 to 2 lemon juice in your water. Also, in the morning drink 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, every single day. You’ll thank me later.