Kidney Stones and what my Urologist said....

[Richard]

If you've ever had a kidney stone, you know of what I speak.

Last year, I had some of them surgically removed. Doctor lasered some of them and did lithotripsy on some. Went back today for 1-year checkup and X-ray. (all is good).

I'd heard something, was curious so asked him.

"Doc, I have to presume you see both male and female patients for kidney stones" (yep)

"I've been told that women that have had both, a kidney stone AND a child..... might tell someone that they'd rather have another child than to have another kidney stone..... is that correct?"

"Yep"

So maybe not all women, but there are evidently a fair number of them that would concur that the stone they had, might have been worse than childbirth.

PSA (not to be confused with your PSA) of the day.

 

[nybirdman]

Had kidney stones twice,more painful than any broken bone I have had.

 

[azbinder]

When I had my stones about 30 years ago, the ER nurse told me that if a man wanted to know what it's like to have a baby, he needs to have kidney stones. She said that she had both and that it would be hard to tell them apart.

 

[BravoXray]

I had a kidney stone back in '93, and it wasn't near as bad as when I had gall stones. That was by far the worst pain I have ever had.

 

[John0829]

I have had MANY stones, in fact my urologist liked to say each year he was checking my gravel pit. Anyway I, fingers crossed, hope I am free of them now. I found a study done by the Chinese that showed drinking Green Tea helped to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Which was right up my alley since I am a BIG tea drinker, hot, luke warm, room temp or iced it doesn't matter. Long story short, since I started drinking Green Tea the gravel pit is now empty, no more stones.

 

[lman]

My wife has had a couple and she claims lemonade is the answer.

 

[mjonesnh]

I had a kidney stone back in '93, and it wasn't near as bad as when I had gall stones. That was by far the worst pain I have ever had.

Had 2 gall stone attacks, talking me into getting my gallbladder yanked out didn't take much effort from doctor.

 

[bigtiller]

I have passed 2 of them. After the second one the doctor said I am a stone maker. He advised me to drink several glasses of water all day long or you might make a third one.

Yes they are painful enough that you need to control your breathing while waiting for the pain killers to work or you might get into bigger trouble.

And an FYI, hemorrhoid surgery recovery was worse for me.

 

[Richard]

And an FYI, hemorrhoid surgery recovery was worse for me.

Never (yet) had that done. Good to know I have something worse to possibly look forward to!

 

[bridge4]

I have passed 2 of them. After the second one the doctor said I am a stone maker. He advised me to drink several glasses of water all day long or you might make a third one.

Yes they are painful enough that you need to control your breathing while waiting for the pain killers to work or you might get into bigger trouble.

And an FYI, hemorrhoid surgery recovery was worse for me.

I have asked a doctor about hemorrhoid surgery and both I talked to about it said it really is not worth it. The recovery is really hard.

The question no one, even the internet can't seem to answer me is this: Do they come back if you get rid of them? Do you think it was worth it years later? Sorry if personal, but since you brought it up I'm taking the opportunity to ask.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve had one kidney stone, it took about 4 days to pass. The pain was off and on during that time. The last 8 hours while it was on the move was really bad. I had Vicodin but that wasn’t cutting it. My wife was taking me to the ER when I felt it pop into my bladder. They are small but have razor edges.

 

[RSKY]

I have had MANY stones, in fact my urologist liked to say each year he was checking my gravel pit. Anyway I, fingers crossed, hope I am free of them now. I found a study done by the Chinese that showed drinking Green Tea helped to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Which was right up my alley since I am a BIG tea drinker, hot, luke warm, room temp or iced it doesn't matter. Long story short, since I started drinking Green Tea the gravel pit is now empty, no more stones.

I have a brother in law who also swears by green tea. He had a series of stones a few years ago and was told by somebody to try the tea. He gets a 'green tea powder'? from Kroger and mixes it with his water. Hasn't had a stone since.

RSKY

 

[Torvy]

My BIL is a 'stone' producer. From what I have gleaned, it is partly genetic, partly diet related. He was a pretty active guy, not overweight or anything. The 'experts' say to drink more fluid, reduce salt, add lemon/lime to water. If you are prone to them, also be careful of foods like spinach, meats and such.

Fortunately, that doesn't seem to be a problem in my bloodline. I mostly drink water anyway. Usually 1 glass of unsweet tea a day. Maybe a Diet/Zero Mt. Dew instead. (My version of morning coffee). After that, almost exclusively tap water.

I like green tea OK, but it's a rare option. Usually English or Irish Breakfast tea brewed, then poured over ice.

Best of luck to those who are prone. I wouldn't wish them on anyone.

 

[ponytug]

Sorry to hear about you all's kidney stones. Pretty much everyone that I know who has had them describes them as their most painful experiences, but I'm sure knowing that doesn't help.

There is a variety of types of kidney stones, and certain diet modifications can help, but only if the diet change matches your kidney stone type. There are four main types of kidney stones: calcium stones (which include calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate), uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones.

FWIW: Knowing which type you have can be important going forward;

Types of Kidney Stones: Chart, Comparison, and Treatment

Kidney stones can be made of several different types of crystals. They can be composed of a single type of crystal, but more often it’s a mix.

www.healthline.com

Cysteine stones do require medication in most cases as it tends to be genetic, as far as I know (not an MD).

All the best,

Peter

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I have asked a doctor about hemorrhoid surgery and both I talked to about it said it really is not worth it. The recovery is really hard.

The question no one, even the internet can't seem to answer me is this: Do they come back if you get rid of them? Do you think it was worth it years later? Sorry if personal, but since you brought it up I'm taking the opportunity to ask.

Hemorrhoids run in the family...both my dad and brother had surgery when theirs got so bothersome and painful. I looked at mine as a bother, but didn't worry about them until they really got bad. Doc looked at them and said "I haven't seen any thing like that, since med school!" and referred me to a surgeon.

The surgeon said same exact thing, and told me to get ready for emergency surgery...seems my hemorrhoids were strangled and the stain on my under were was from the gangrene.

The surgery was not pleaseant; it took a week in the hospital and nearly a month off work before I was halfway normal again. The pain was horrendous; the closest thing I can compare it to was shingles...but shingles was not as intense, just constant.
That has been 50 or so years ago, and no hemorrhoids since...and yeah, it was worth it, mainly because I had no choice.

 

[bigtiller]

I have asked a doctor about hemorrhoid surgery and both I talked to about it said it really is not worth it. The recovery is really hard.

The question no one, even the internet can't seem to answer me is this: Do they come back if you get rid of them? Do you think it was worth it years later? Sorry if personal, but since you brought it up I'm taking the opportunity to ask.

Recovery will take 6 weeks and 5 of them will be memorable. Put it off as long as you can tolerate it and do a few things like, drink lots & lots of water, max-out on Metamucil, vegetables and fruit. And Google "is this food binding" before you eat it.

Yes, it was worth it. Yes, they can come back. It was 30 some years ago for me and occasionally they will flair up to remind me that I am eating to much of the wrong thing.

 

[rontaki]

While I haven't had kidney stones (knocking on petrified wood), I do drink lots of water and mildly acidic fruit juices. Just a guess on my part, I think those two things keep the stones from forming. Could just be dumb luck in the health lottery.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

My wife has had a couple and she claims lemonade is the answer.

No one can actually tell.. BUT I had a 6mm stone verified by ultrasound. It was giving me a fit. I had it for at least a few weeks as I tried to pass it. The day before I was slotted to do the search and destroy mission on it, it quit hurting. I had been straining for it, I wanted to make a charm out of it like my brother did with his "Child" "Thorny". Never passed it. That was about a year ago now. That was my second or third attack over 30 is years.

Only thing I did in those two weeks was drink lemon water.

 

[rontaki]

No one can actually tell.. BUT I had a 6mm stone verified by ultrasound. It was giving me a fit. I had it for at least a few weeks as I tried to pass it. The day before I was slotted to do the search and destroy mission on it, it quit hurting. I had been straining for it, I wanted to make a charm out of it like my brother did with his "Child" "Thorny". Never passed it. That was about a year ago now. That was my second or third attack over 30 is years.

Only thing I did in those two weeks was drink lemon water.

Probably dissolved the stone.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

That is what I believe...