Kidney stone sufferers forum: Tell me your kidney stone experiences, please.
Kidney stones | Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
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Kidney stones form from a build-up of salts or minerals in your urine. There can be factors that make you more likely to develop kidney stones. You’re more likely to get them if they run in your family or if you have certain medical conditions. Your diet and whether you’re drinking enough fluids throughout the day are also really important factors.
See our Causes section for more information.
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You may not know if you have a kidney stone as they are often only found by chance. But if you have pain in one or both sides of your lower back that doesn’t go away or is getting worse, see your GP. Your GP will examine you and arrange tests to confirm whether you have a kidney stone. See our Symptoms and Diagnosis sections for more information. -
You may notice pain or aching on one or both sides of your lower back. But kidney stones can also cause sudden waves of very severe pain that spread from your lower back to your groin. This is called renal colic. You should seek urgent medical attention if you are having this kind of pain. See our Symptoms section for more information.
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Kidney stones are usually caused by a combination of factors. But having lots of salt, refined sugar and meat in your diet can increase your risk. Foods that are high in oxalate, which include rhubarb, celery, beetroot, spinach and sesame seeds, can also increase the risk of kidney stones developing. See our Causes section to find out more.
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If you are in severe pain, seek urgent medical attention. You may also need to be admitted to hospital straight away if you have suspected kidney stones with certain symptoms or health problems. Otherwise, you may have tests and treatment as an outpatient at the hospital. See our Treatment section to find out more.
See our Causes section for more information.
But kidney stones can also cause sudden waves of very severe pain that spread from your lower back to your groin. This is called renal colic. You should seek urgent medical attention if you are having this kind of pain. See our Symptoms section for more information.
See our Causes section to find out more.
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Kidney Stones Overview | Division of Urologic Surgery
Kidney stones are exceptionally common, affecting nearly one in every ten Americans. Those who have suffered from stones in the past, or who know someone else who has, understand that stones can be incredibly painful when they start to pass. Our team of stone experts at Washington University offers advanced care for the treatment and prevention of stone disease.
Below, you will find information about stone disease, links discussing treatment and prevention options available to our patients, and frequently asked questions about stone disease.
Symptoms associated with kidney stones
When a kidney stone starts to pass, symptoms typically occur suddenly and without warning. Sharp, stabbing pain usually develops in your side or back, typically right at the bottom part of the ribcage.
Sometimes, the pain will travel downward into the genital area. Stones that have nearly passed into the bladder may be associated with an intense urge to urinate.
Stone pain typically comes and goes. After an initial period of severe pain, you may feel better for a few hours before developing another attack. Many patients will require medication to help with stone pain.
Nausea and vomiting are also very common and are often a reason for hospital admission during stone attacks. You might also see blood in your urine. This can be unsettling to many patients, but is generally not life-threatening.
The most concerning symptom during a stone attack is fever, which indicates that you may have an infection in addition to a kidney stone. This is a potentially life-threatening combination and requires immediate evaluation and treatment.
Treatment of kidney stones
Kidney stones can be managed in a number of ways, depending upon the size of the stone, your other medical problems, and your overall comfort level.
Many small stones will pass with the help of medications, which will keep you comfortable while the stone passes naturally. This process may take a few days to a week or more.
For larger stones, stones that are associated with severe symptoms, or stones that will not pass with medical therapy, surgery is often required.
If you think you have a kidney stone
If you have been diagnosed with a kidney stone, please call (314) 362-8200 to schedule an appointment for evaluation and treatment; we will do our best to make sure you are seen promptly. You may be directed to the emergency department if you are experiencing intractable nausea, vomiting, pain or fever so that urgent treatment can be given.
We have a very limited number of same-day appointments; therefore, it is likely that you will be directed to the emergency department for rapid evaluation. There, they will obtain scans and labs that will help confirm the diagnosis of kidney stones.
From that information, we can make an informed decision about your treatment.
If you have recently passed a stone, you should have close follow-up with a urologist. Our team of stone experts can accommodate you at any of our clinic locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stone Disease
This is a complex question that is not completely understood. The most important contributing factor is dehydration, which is common among working adults. Urine is a solution, and potential stone-forming particles are typically dissolved in your urine. But, when you get dehydrated, your urine is not able to dissolve as many particles, and stone crystals can form. There are a number of other dietary factors. There can also be problems with your metabolism that may make you more likely to develop stones.
The most common stones are made of calcium. Other compounds include struvite, which is associated with infections, and uric acid, which is the same material that produces gout attacks.
No. Gallstones are mostly made of cholesterol, which is not found in kidney stones.
Contrary to popular belief, the pain is not from the stone itself, but from blockage of urinary flow. This typically occurs when the stone passes from the kidney into the ureter, which is the tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder. When the urinary flow is blocked, the urine backs up and stretches the kidney and ureter, which are covered in pain-sensing nerves that respond to stretching forces. This produces the severe pain and nausea often experienced with stones attacks.
No. Stones that are in the kidney and are not blocking urine flow are not painful. Unfortunately, some of these stones can grow quite large and damage the kidney without causing symptoms.
No. Other common causes include muscle pain, nerve pain, severe urinary tract infections, and even severe constipation. Therefore, the diagnosis of kidney stones often requires tests, including labs and X-rays.
Potentially, but not always. Kidneys can temporarily lose some of their function when they are blocked by a stone, but in most cases, your kidney will completely recover after the stone is gone. Provided that you are in good health and have normal kidneys, your kidney can tolerate a little over a month of blockage without suffering any permanent damage.
However, large stones, especially those that fill the kidney, or stones that remain untreated after a long time, can cause permanent damage to the kidney, and may lead to kidney loss. This damage often occurs without any symptoms, which is why it is important to see a urologist if you have a stone.
However, large stones, especially those that fill the kidney, or stones that remain untreated after a long time, can cause permanent damage to the kidney, and may lead to kidney loss. This damage often occurs without any symptoms, which is why it is important to see a urologist if you have a stone.
While many patients will elect for surgical treatment, many small stones can pass without the need for surgery.
In these situations, medications that can help your pain and speed up the passage of your stone are usually given. Large stones, or stones that cause other problems, often require surgical treatment.
With medical expulsive therapy, most small stones (less than 5 or 6 mm) will typically pass within a few days to a few weeks. Provided you are in good health, you can try for up to 6 weeks to pass a stone, although most patients elect for earlier intervention.
Yes. While you may have passed the stone and simply not noticed it in your urine, it is important to know that there are times that your pain might completely resolve, even though the stone is still blocking your kidney. It is critical that you follow up with a urologist to prevent these silent stones from permanently injuring your kidney.
Yes. There are several situations in which immediate evaluation is recommended, even if your pain is mild. These include:
- You develop fever or chills.
- You have only one kidney (born with one kidney or had one removed, for example).
- You stop making urine.
- You develop confusion or severe fatigue.
- You develop severe nausea and vomiting.
Yes. Unfortunately, once you form one stone, your risk of future stones is increased. You have approximately a 50% chance of forming another stone within 5 years. There are some strategies to reduce the risk of forming stones, but at present, there is no way to completely eliminate your risk.
Diets high in sodium can contribute to kidney stone disease. You should avoid adding table salt. Keep in mind that fast foods, restaurant foods, canned foods, deli meats, even condiments such as soy sauce and ketchup contain high amounts of sodium and should be avoided or consumed in moderation. You should limit sodium intake to 2 to 3 grams or less per day. High amounts of animal protein including red meat, fish, poultry and pork can cause certain types of kidney stones, and consumption should be limited to 1-2 servings, 6-8 ounces per day.
You should avoid sugary drinks such as those containing sucrose or fructose. Water is the best fluid to drink and you should aim for 2.5 to 3 liters per day, provided you are not on fluid restriction.
Typically no. Although it’s true that most stones are made from calcium, for most people, normal dietary intake of calcium and even normal calcium supplementation will not increase your risk of forming kidney stones. In fact, for many stone formers, normal levels of dietary calcium may help to prevent kidney stones.
This is a common misconception shared by many people. There is actually little evidence to suggest that cranberry offers protection from urinary tract infections. But, more importantly, cranberry juices and extracts are associated with a significant increase in the risk for kidney stones! So, if you are a stone former, you should avoid cranberry juice!
You should also avoid grapefruit juice. One glass of grapefruit juice can nearly double your risk of forming a stone.
Also, megadoses of vitamin C (like those sold as cold prevention remedies) can lead to a rapid formation of a kidney stone and should be avoided, as well.
We offer clinic consultations and treatment for stone disease at our Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and Christian Hospital locations.
Request an appointment
Who had kidney stones?
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9 0015 April 09, 2010 07:38 PM
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But in any case, go to the doctor. And read online. There are 2 types of stones and a million reasons why they form. And, in general, drink 2-3 liters a day .. this is good for the skin. good luck 9Amelie
Sometimes it hurts in the lumbar region, I’m afraid to even think that it’s the kidneys.
A friend says that it can be stones. I don’t want to go to the hospital yet, and I don’t have much time. I want to go when I go on vacation. I just don’t know if it’s really stones that you can endure for so long, I won’t do it worse? Who had this diagnosis, how serious and treated for a long time?
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90 057 April 10, 2010 10:16 PM
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lyudmila /38 years old/ – mother with 9 experience0005
IT COULD BE SAND IS GOING, THE PAIN IS NOT LESS! MAYBE THE STONE IS VERY SMALL AND IS LOCATED ALREADY IN THE URETER, AND IT WILL ALSO BE TURNED AS ANYWHERE IMPOSSIBLY, THEN US MAY NOT RECOGNIZE THE PRESENCE OF IT! ADVICE: WHEN AN ATTACK – TAKE A HOT BATH, IF YOU USE ALCOHOL, THEN 100 GRAMS OF COGNAC OR 0.
5 L. BEER / BETTER WARM /, IF ALCOHOL IS CONTRAINDICATED, THEN PUT BARALGINA 5 ML OR DRINK – KETAN 2-3 TABLETS, TRUTH HE IS NOW ON RECIPES, BUT THEY ARE SOLD, AND BY THE WAY, HE IS VERY INEXPENSIVE. SIT IN THE BATH – USUALLY THE ATTACK SELECTS AND A STONE OR SAND IS COMING OUT PRACTICALLY PAINLESSLY. CHECKED. HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!
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#27
irinka
it feels like the second one is coming. But the ultrasound shows nothing .Maybe someone knows whether all the stones are visible on the ultrasound or it happens that they are not visible.
Amelie
Sometimes it hurts in the lumbar region, I’m afraid to even think that it’s the kidneys. A friend says that it can be stones. I don’t want to go to the hospital yet, and I don’t have much time.
I want to go when I go on vacation. I just don’t know if it’s really stones that you can endure for so long, I won’t do it worse? Who had this diagnosis, how serious and treated for a long time?
I passed a stone 2 years ago. It was not visible on the ultrasound. therefore, for 3 days they could not determine that they had not done kate with contrast
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pharmacy (and we are all in China, we work) Chinese powder against kidney stones, which is diluted in boiling water and drunk like tea. so he helped him well. maybe not in one week, of course, but certainly faster than two months.
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alexander
Right kidney hurts found a stone 4 mm what to do I don’t know ??? 9New topics
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#38
Ivan
Hello! I have a 13 mm right kidney stone formed after cancer treatment.
I’ve been drinking baking soda for 4 weeks. In the first week the sand was light brown. Then the dark pieces for two days then the white ones looked like scale, they were all very soft. Now it’s white trash. 11 I’m going to the city for an ultrasound there is a good specialist. 9Ivan
Hello! Today I went to the city to check my kidney. I had a cyst after cancer in 2009. In the summer of 2010, 4 formations. The smallest 13 mm I shielded the stone. It turned out the stone was 2.5 * 13 mm. Didn’t find the stone today. There are 3 formations left. One has decreased by 9 mm. I don’t know what stones were.
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Ivan
Hello! After I became disillusioned with the traditional method of treatment, I began to look for other ways of healing. Arthrosis was stage 3 became stage 1. I started looking for how to help the kidney.
Turned out I had acidity. The pH is shifted to the acid side. Baking soda alkalizes the body and pushes the pH to the alkaline side. If you have a kidney stone. You need to check your acidity. If you have increased acidity, you can not be afraid to drink soda. In the first week, sand will go. In three or four weeks there will be no stone. You need to drink from a small dose three times a day 30 minutes before meals with boiled rancid water. We bring the dose to half a teaspoon. Acidity can be checked by litmus test strips in saliva.
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Attention
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Who treated kidney stones? I don’t understand, I’m being ripped off.
..?
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9 0523 August 09, 2016 10:06 am
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90 557 August 09, 2016 10:33 am
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Just Nyasha
Canephron and kidney preparations are most often prescribed. This is their standard. As according to the template, everyone is prescribed.
The drug is stronger – Rovatineks. It really helps, at least for me.
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Guest
First find out WHAT stone (oxalate, urate, etc.). If oxalate, then its independent exit will tear everything in its path (outwardly, these stones look like hedgehogs – studded with needles. Other types of stones are smooth. Dissolve, do not tell. They must be removed, and in an open way. Yes, ugly, but reliable. More – don’t be fooled by ultrasound crushing. After that, the pelvis looks like Pavlov’s house in Stalingrad. The ureters are no better – when fragments come out
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I tried to understand why is he. I drink chicory all day and read contraindications here.
Chicory provokes the formation of stones. Have you tried to analyze where you got them from and why they reappear?
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As a rule (99.9% of cases), if there are stones, then there is sand. FROM WHICH a calculus is ultimately formed (that is, a stone). There may be a vanishingly small amount of sand, but it is still there, it happens that it comes out unevenly – one emission – it is gone, another – gone. Sometimes after exercising or climbing stairs. So, the type of stones is determined by sand, by its particles
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author
Just Nyasha, thank you.
I tried to understand why he was. I drink chicory all day and read contraindications here.
Chicory provokes the formation of stones. Have you tried to analyze where you got them from and why they reappear?
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Robin
Stones are often formed due to malfunctioning of the thyroid gland. You can check the hormone parade, vitamin D, TSH, st4.hormone is responsible for the production of calcium in the body
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#23
by
I didn’t understand the last “st4.
parade hormone”
Please explain.
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author
I did not understand the last “st4. parade hormone”
Please explain.
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author
Angry poodle, thank you! I don’t want to crush. I want a drug that will dissolve it.
The goal was this. I realized that kanefron and all these fees are just a diuretic. The doctor himself said that it is worse if the stone goes by itself. The ***** goal was the treatment – that it would dissolve from the medication. And in the description of kanefron it is not that it dissolves. This is where I began to doubt.
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by
And the stone came out? Dissolved and was not visible at
And the stone came out? Dissolved and it was not visible on the ultrasound?
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Vladimir
Author!! with such an approach to treatment, you need to contact a psychiatrist!! I don’t understand why you are so panicked? you have been prescribed treatment, that’s right, get treated and don’t panic!!! not a single doctor in the world, if he is not a charlatan, will not perform any operations on you, no crushings, etc.
!! your stone is 2mm sorry like smoke in the ass!! do not listen to anyone, do not try hard to expel him, if he goes, remember all and all advisers !! the purpose of the drugs prescribed to you is to dissolve this stone, and prevent other stones from forming!! there are 4 types of stones, what question do you have?? for this, a general urinalysis, a blood test, a daily urine test are prescribed !!!
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Vladimir
Author!! with such an approach to treatment, you need to contact a psychiatrist!! I don’t understand why you are so panicked? you have been prescribed treatment, that’s right, get treated and don’t panic!!! not a single doctor in the world, if he is not a charlatan, will not perform any operations on you, no crushings, etc.!! your stone is 2mm sorry like smoke in the ass!! do not listen to anyone, do not try hard to expel him, if he goes, remember all and all advisers !! the purpose of the drugs prescribed to you is to dissolve this stone, and prevent other stones from forming!! there are 4 types of stones, what question do you have?? for this, a general urinalysis, a blood test, a daily urine test are prescribed !!!
Where does it say in the description of kanefron that it dissolves stones??
Go to a psychiatrist yourself and pass your diploma.
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Guest
Author, what helped in the end? Who heard about Renotinex or Rowatinex? what is their difference
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Angry poodle
there is no such medicine …. Kidney stones come in different compositions, what helped one is not the fact that it will help you. Try rovatinex, it is considered an herbal medicine without side effects, it has helped many. You need to drink it for about 2 months. but expensive.
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by
So does kanefron dissolve??? I don’t understand this.
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author
So does kanefron dissolve??? I don’t understand this. I took it for 3 months with a break. Sand came out, and one stone is in the ureter 2 by 2 mm. I hope it comes out too.
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Guest
Kanefron helped me! I took it for 3 months with a break. Sand came out, and one stone is in the ureter 2 by 2 mm. I hope it comes out too.
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Attention
#4 7
Guest
First find out WHAT stone (oxalate, urate, etc.) .P). If oxalate, then its independent exit will tear everything in its path (outwardly, these stones look like hedgehogs – studded with needles.
Other types of stones are smooth. Dissolve, do not tell. They must be removed, and in an open way. Yes, ugly, but reliable. More – don’t be fooled by ultrasound crushing. After that, the pelvis looks like Pavlov’s house in Stalingrad. The ureters are no better – when fragments come out
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Angry poodle
Let me tell you my story. I visited 3 urologists and 2 ultrasound specialists! I am 29 years old, the uzists found stones in the left and right kidneys, 5 stones of different sizes. I didn’t take any tests, and I took rovatinex, etc., etc. I went to the last urologist, he looked at the ultrasound and said that it was not stones but scars on the kidneys after pyelonephritis. So, what kind of treatment do you want? Have you been assigned everything correctly, or do you want to crush a 2mm stone? No one will crush it for you, it’s not even a stone, but sand, and it will come out by itself (stones up to 5-7mm come out on their own).