dx: Kidney Stone

[Cardholic]

Well, I saw my Uro yesterday, CT scan shows I have a 4mm kidney stone in my left kidney. That explains the constant ache, but does not explain my bladder symptoms. He did mention that I could have IC... He explained IC as, "a bladder that doesn't work like it should" and "the only way to diagnose it is to do a cysto/hydro". I declined the cysto/hydro. My bladder symptoms haven't been too bad lately...

He offered to shock the stone to break it up, but I'm tired of being poked, prodded, tested... He said I could wait for 3 months and see what the stone looks like then, but I'm scared of passing this stone!

Should I go for the shock treatment? Is it bad to let the stone sit there? I've never had a kidney stone before, but I understand that passing them is VERY painful! I'm re-thinking my decision to wait 3 months.

I appreciate all of your support. I don't think I could get through all of this testing, waiting, peeing, pain, etc..... without all of you!

[Berkshire Road]

Get the "shock." It doesn't hurt. Then whatever pain is coming from the stone will be gone, and you can concentrate on seeing if you still have pain and frequency. If you do, the dx of IC is more likely.

But, cysto-hydro is NOT the only way to dx IC. You can be diagnosed by PST or by symptoms alone. Maybe get another opinion on the IC? But I would advise taking care of the stone first.

[humpieumpumkin]

I had a "clinical" diagnosis before my actual cysto. I would also get "shocked". I wouldn't imagine it would be good to leave a stone in there to do damage. It is painless and done with shock waves. Hope your feeling better in a jiffy!

Erika

[leelee88]

Yes passing a stone is VERY painful.. I would have the treatment to blast it..

[Trishann]

I don't know about passing kidney stones but I heard it is very painful. I hope you don't suffer if the surgery can give you relief.

Just sending many hugs, Trishann

[Cardholic]

Thanks all for your support. After doing further research, I think I'm going to wait it out. The "Shock" treatment has risks and is usually not necessary for a stone the size of mine. 80% of the time, a stone 4mm or less will pass on it's own without intervention. In fact, they use the "Shock" treatment to get larger stones down to 4mm or less. Also, the "Shock" treatment is sometimes not successful on a stone sitting on the bottom of the kidney which mine is. So, wish me luck on passing it on my own YIKES!

[GriffsMommy]

That doesn't sound fun Diane. I have never had a stone but I heard it is not fun. Good luck!

[jodi.b]

Kidney stone

Hi Diane,
I have had 7 stones. I have passed some naturally and some removed. Go with getting the stone blasted. My last stone was March 06 and I waited for a month before having it removed. HUGE mistake and I am actually back in hospital next month getting the damage it caused cauterized. I have had nothing but trouble for the last year. If I was you I would get it blasted.
Best regards and good luck.
Jodi B

[blue]

Good Luck, I hope your stone passes soon.

Sometimes to dianose IC they pour some fluid in a cathetar and if it burns, they diagnose you. I've forgotten what it's called. I would do the cysto/hydro. That way they can see inside the bladder, know what kind of condition you are actually in.

Good Luck on your decision.

[ihurttoo]

Whew! It hurts me just READING about your stone! I cant even THINK about PASSING it! OUCH! I dont know what I'd do either, but I hope they are giving you pain meds to help with that. I wish you the best of luck and hope it passes soon and that the pain meds will ease your pain.

Hugs,
Amy

[jodi.b]

Kidney stone

Hi Blue
I believe from what the doctor told me that I had very bad inflamation due to the last kidney stone. I have to watch what I eat etc. They blew my bladder up with water etc which did not help. I found the name of a new specialist thru this site. She seems to think what I have causes IC symtoms and with cauterization of the bladder neck I will be alot better. I hope this is the case.
She is going to put me on permanent medication to stop my stones as well.
I am in hospital on the 14 th June. I am not looking forward to the pain at all but if it makes me better, then I can not wait. Bring it on!!!!.
Jodi B

[blue]

feel better soon!

[Babs RN]

I have had more stones than I can count and have had the lithotripsy done 3 times as well as a basket retrieval. After the lithotripsy I was sore but just kinda like I did too many sit ups. Passing these suckers does stink. I was in labor for 38 hours, pushed for 4 hours with my daughter and figured if I could handle that I can tolerate just about anything. You need to follow your heart on this. I lived in Las Vegas for a few short months--who is your uro?

I hope this goes away soon.

Hugs,
Barb

[Moonheart]

Hi,

I have chronic kidney stones and after the last tests found that all lobes of both kidneys are highley affected. I had 4mm stones and they thought about shattering them, but said with stones that big there is large risk of damaging tissue surrounding the stones.

Good luck and feel better.

[dminton]

Was there any mention of crystals in your urine, a byproduct of metabolism that may increase one's tendency to get stones, and I wonder if the crystals can cause bladder irritation?