Kidney Stones

[ganskagrl]

Well I recently had a trip to the ER (the end of july) for severe back pain. I have been having back pain and pain in my pelvis, bladder and groin area for about 2 and ahalf years. None of the drs could figure out what it was. I ended up at a urogynecologist who told me that I have weak pelvic floor muscles and this is causing all my pain. I thought I had ICS because all the pain really began after I had a bladder infection. I had a bladder infection and after that its like the pain just never went away. So I ended up with physical therapy and seeing a chiropractor The pain was so bad I wouldbe limping and taking 3 darvocet every 4 hours. It wasnt until I ended up in the ER doubled over in pain that they found the stones by CT scan. I have a 12mm stone in my right kidney and a 5mm stone in my ureter. Now they say my kidneys are not swollen therefore they dont believe I have a blockage. My urologist says my pain cannot be coming from these stones because the only time you will have pain is if there is a blockage. Now they have only done a regular CT scan without contrast. I have had a KUB also which did not show the stone therefore the dr put me on Potassium Citrate which I have been on for over a month with no reduction in size of the stones. The dr wants to go in and look to see if the stone in my ureter is causing a blockage (but the radiologist said its highly unlikely due to the fact that my kidneys are not swelling) . Im seeing another urologist tomorrow for a 2nd opinion because when I started with all this the urologist Im seeing now told me I have overactive bladder and its just something I need to deal with. And I may have a little bit of that however I know that is not the cause of all my pain. My pain also is ONLY on the right side and that is where both of these stones are located-therefore it seems VERY odd that they would not be causing pain. The pain varies in intensity as well. But my entire groin hurts sooooo bad at times. I put a heating pad on and take tylenol and rest. Has anyone else had this issue with the groin hurting?

[Addie]

Yes, i have had six kidney stones in the last couple months, and I always have groin pain, and I have pain when they are in the tube even when I am not completly blocked. The CT scan is the only test that ever shows my stones. I kn ow your post is from Sept, I hope you have had some relief.

[ganskagrl]

Well I ended up having an IVP test done which showed I have 2 stones in the ureter which the dr feels is the cause of all my pain. He said the one stone is 13.9mm and the other 8.9mm. Im going to have the procedure to have them removed next week. Im relieved I finally got an answer!!!!!

[Addie]

I am so glad you will have some relief! I am hoping to get some answers from a new doctor that i just started seeing, everyone eles has thrown there hands up in the air and tells me they do not know why i am getting so many stones, since January, i have been in the hospital 5 times to have stones removed. I am sure you will feel so much better when they are gone. Keep us posted!

[rnadyb]

Having had several stones, a long history, groin pain is a common symptom. Renal colic, ER visit pain, usually occurs when the stone is trapped in the ureter. As long as you are able to urinate, and the stone remains fixed in the ureter, you will not suffer renal colic. When the stone begins to move renal colic sets in. It is really like setting on a time bomb. I would recommend pursuing lithotripsy or ureteroscopy removal of the stone. Seek your second opinion and ask about these treatments.

[prohealth]

your situation sounds a little like me only I am reletively new to all of this. About7 years ago after having a routine back x-ray to check on some joint problems, the radiologist said that I had 3 stones in various places throughout my right kidney and 4 on the left. I have always been plagued with non-descript flank, back and groin pain and thought, heh this must be why. Unfortunately for me I never pursed the matter nor did the dr. offer anything more on the subject. Now 7 years later I have had 3 urinary tract infections in the course of 6 weeks. I have NEVER had an UTF in my life. NEVER. and I am 50 years old,very athletic, slim and eat nutritiously. I suggested to my dr. that perhaps I was getting more stones in my kidney. He sent me for a CT scan then phoned me the next day to come in right away to discuss the finding.However I cannot get in to see him until next week. I too have had pain down my groin and back for years for seemingly no reason at all. In mentioning this to my GP he would down play it and suggest overuse of a muscle, (even though I had done nothing to cause such a thing and I could tell it wasn't a muscle problem) . I have a real problem starting my stream and maintaining it most of the time. I seem to have no problem with volume though and must also get up several times in the night to void. The worst part is that even after emptying my bladder it still feels full and I can sometime sit for 15 minutes waiting for it to empty in dribs and drabs.

I am very worried this could lead to renal failure as that is what I have read in several articles. Has anyone had this told to them or happened to them or someone they know? What were the circumstance that led to their renal failure? I have also read many many confusing treatments for this and fear even my doctor won't know the best course of action. I do not think my cause is hereditary or hormonal. Anyone out there with some thoughts or advice? BTW as far as I can feel, the stones have never gone beyond the kidney to the ureter. They seem to be content to stay where they are and multiply. (or so I am assuming) and thats what scares me. If they don't come out what damage can they cause?

[Addie]

I have Kidney stones for the past 20 years but never like this. Every Xray I have shows multible stones in each kidney. I just was in the hospital 3 weeks ago having 3 stones removed that were stuck in the tube. I think I have another stone right now bcause I have groin pain and back pain. Last year 3 weeks before my daughters wedding, I was in severe pain with a fever, doctor sent me to hospital, when he removed the stone the infection fled into my blood stream and I got a Septic infection that kept me in Intensive care for a week. I did have kidney damage, my kidney function has not been normal since then. So now when i get a stone Im scared to death that, that will happen again. I am afraid to even travel, my doctor says im like a time bomb, because I never know when one of these stones will pop out of the kidney. They truely feel they are taking over my life. I am seeing a new doctor and I hope they can find out why I am getting so many, I also am in my 50's, thin and feel that I eat healthy, I dont smoke, so I wish the doctors could please give me answers! It is very depressing to me, the last 2 years i feel like I am constantly in pain, and in the hospital. My advice is anyone that feels they have a kidney stone moving to make sure you dont have a fever because it may mean infection, and that could lead to more problems.

[prohealth]

I am so sorry "addie" that you have had such a tough time with your stones. How awful to end up in ICU. Are you being monitored with regular bloodwork etc. to keep tabs on your kidney function? Have they given you any advice like dietary restrictions so that your kidneys can function as long as possible? Luckily I have never had a fever or infection of my kidneys but will certainly take care of it if it happens. I am anxious to find out what my doctor wants to tell me on tuesday. I hope its not real bad news. Keep us informed as to any progress on your situation.

[Addie]

I have routine blood work done, the new doctor I saw last week is sending me to a mineral doctor, I have an appointment in 2 weeks. My stones are mostly calcium, and 2 years ago i had my thyroid and 2 para thyroid removed so I have to take calcium. So that might have something to do with having so many Kidney stones in the last 2 years. I am really trying to drink more water, and watch my diet, but it doesnt seem to make a difference. I have never passed any of my stones, i always have to go and have them removed. Keep me posted on what your doctor says, I need all the advise i can get. Hope your doing well!!!

[cathrine001]

Doctors are taught that kidneys do not hurt because of stones, but they are wrong. If the pain is localized to the right side, in the area of the kidney, so much for a pain-free kidney. I start getting achy, and so that is a signal for me that something is going on with my kidneys, because not long afterward, I have another stone. Sometimes, the ache starts a couple of weeks in advance, and I ignore it thinking its my ruptured discs. When I start running even low-grade fever, the back pain is rules out as spinal pain.

I hope you get some answers soon. Chances are, you will have more kidney stones; it tends to be a recurrent issue. Drink, drink, drink! At least 10 glasses a day -- 96 ounces, at least.