Lithotripsy with 9mm stone (pain, kidney stone, blood, surgery)

[Pheebz8]

I wanted to make a post after my experience with a kidney stone just in case someone else is in the same position I was in and needed some encouragement. I have had one single stone in my right kidney for at least ten years. The doctor told me it would likely never bother me but I would know if it moved. At the time of finding it, it was roughly a 4-5 mm stone. It has never caused me any pain, thank the Lord. I did over this past summer start having a lot of blood in my urine. After seeing my gynecologist and the urologist and having an ultrasound and CT scan, we discovered the stone was likely the cause and it had grown to 9x5 mm. The urologist explained a stone that size would not be able to pass on its own. He suggested Lithotripsy or another procedure needing a stent. After stressing and worrying and causing numerous anxiety attacks, I went for a second opinion. They agreed with my urologist and suggested I do something about it sooner than later since it could cause a blockage. I was petrified worrying about the pain of the procedure and after with passing. I have only heard horror stories. I am here to tell you, mine wasn’t bad at all! There isn’t always pain. I had the procedure last week with minimal back discomfort. I have already almost passed all fragments without any pain at all! I never felt them come out. Had I not been straining my urine, I wouldn’t have known. I realize my situation is my own and everyone is different but I wanted to make sure and tell all of you, if you’re worried or going through what I did, please don’t fret. It can go very well. Have faith. The only thing I can tell you to do is 1. Pray 2. Drink a TON of fluids 3. Jump, lunge, squat, move around to get things moving out. I hope this post helps at least one person to feel a little better in the midst of the unknown. Not all stories are bad ones

[fisheye]

You're right, we are all different and our stones are different. I passed a monster at work with very little pain. It looked like it was 3/4 of an inch by 3/8 of an inch. But it was covered by a blood clot. Since it was a public urinal, I did not dive in to inspect it. Perhaps it was a small stone covered by a large clot? I will never know.

When you get a good look at these stones they are really sharp and you can easily see how they can get lodged in your tubes.

I glad you had a relatively painless delivery! That has not always been my experience!

[SomeGuyInFairfax]

My mother had this -- Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) -- some years ago and the procedure is indeed essentially painless and nonintrusive, using soundwaves to shatter the stone so it can be passed easily.

Definitely a better option than surgery.

Originally Posted by Pheebz8

I wanted to make a post after my experience with a kidney stone just in case someone else is in the same position I was in and needed some encouragement. I have had one single stone in my right kidney for at least ten years. The doctor told me it would likely never bother me but I would know if it moved. At the time of finding it, it was roughly a 4-5 mm stone. It has never caused me any pain, thank the Lord. I did over this past summer start having a lot of blood in my urine. After seeing my gynecologist and the urologist and having an ultrasound and CT scan, we discovered the stone was likely the cause and it had grown to 9x5 mm. The urologist explained a stone that size would not be able to pass on its own. He suggested Lithotripsy or another procedure needing a stent. After stressing and worrying and causing numerous anxiety attacks, I went for a second opinion. They agreed with my urologist and suggested I do something about it sooner than later since it could cause a blockage. I was petrified worrying about the pain of the procedure and after with passing. I have only heard horror stories. I am here to tell you, mine wasn’t bad at all! There isn’t always pain. I had the procedure last week with minimal back discomfort. I have already almost passed all fragments without any pain at all! I never felt them come out. Had I not been straining my urine, I wouldn’t have known. I realize my situation is my own and everyone is different but I wanted to make sure and tell all of you, if you’re worried or going through what I did, please don’t fret. It can go very well. Have faith. The only thing I can tell you to do is 1. Pray 2. Drink a TON of fluids 3. Jump, lunge, squat, move around to get things moving out. I hope this post helps at least one person to feel a little better in the midst of the unknown. Not all stories are bad ones