So this morning I urinated blood, but had no pain. Hours later (around 3pm), it hits all of the sudden, pain like getting stabbed with a knife in the side of my abdomen. I went to the ER because I feared it was something serious like a Kidney infection or something. Luckily it was just a kidney stone. To my surprise the doctor said it was relatively small and would have likely passed (95% chance) without drugs, but gave me a prescription of flow max and Vicodin just in case. I can't believe such a small pebble could cause me so much writhing pain and anguish, so I ask fellow BBSers, is there any type of prevention besides the obvious drinking gallons of water a day to help prevent this in the future (types of food and stuff, I'm not really into taking drugs). Feel free to share your stories if you've ever had one too, to make me feel better. I really never want to experience this again.
Drink a minimum of 2 liters of fluid (your body is designed to run on water not soda, etc but all fluid counts) daily. In an ideal situation you should be needing to pee every 2-3 hours while awake. Eat less salt and animal protein Don't take calcium supplements but eat moderate amounts of dairy in your diet. If you continue the same diet and fluid intake as before your kidney stone, the chance you'll get another within 10 years is 50%. Good news is that there has never been definitive evidence that non-infection related stones cause kidney damage. They just hurt like a b****. Good luck.
There are 4 different types of kidney stones: calcium, ammonium-magnesium-phosphate, uric acid, and cystine stones. They are all pretty much caused by different things and need to be treated/prevented differently. If you see it a recurring issue in the future, I'd get the stones looked at under a microscope to tell you what time of stone it is.
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Been hospitalized 4 times for kidney stones. They can be genetic. Also you said you drink tea, I would limit your consumption. I have had surgery 3 times, because the stones were too big. Pay attention to your body and look out for obvious signs. Also, there are drugs they can give you that will help prevent them. I refuse to use them though, I am concerned about the side effects. Last time I got them I was driving from Texas to Oregon. Had the pain get progressively worse until I passed out in a truck stop in California and was taken to the hospital.. no fun.
Just got home from the ER. I have a 7mm stone that has been stuck just outside of my right kidney for 4 days. Going in at 7am tomorrow to have it blasted to pieces by some sort of ultrasonic machine. If that doesn't work, have to have a stent or surgery done before I lose my kidney (starting to show signs of infection from the backup). This is now the 4th time I have been hit by these boogers. I can't imagine a worse pain.
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Unfortunately if you get one stone you are likely to keep getting them. I've had two about 7 years apart. I've heard that cranberry juice can help prevent them. They hurt more than you can imagine (well, not more than YOU can imagine!).
If kidney stones were caused by soda, then I would have had 20 of them by now and I haven't had one yet. I think genetics have more to do with it. No one in my family has had one.
Some are caused by genetics, but diet is definitely a factor (wow @ the thread necro btw lol). Calcium oxalate stones (the most common type) is generally based on diet, and not usually because of calcium. The oxalate is what tends to bind with other things, and my urologist said drinking excessive amounts iced tea, cokes, etc can easily cause them. He also said having a low acidic diet can cause it as well. Sorry you got them, they're hella painful. Drink lots of water in the future.