[mbpress01]

Had ESWL about 1 month ago after a 6mm stone was found in kidney 5 months ago. Stone moved down quite a ways and was very close to UVJ junction. Stone showed perfectly on X-Ray and Doc recommended ESWL. Had procedure Oct 20 after Doc confirmed that he could see stone perfectly on Fluroscopy machine. Just had another X-Ray yesterday. Report indicated no change and the damm stone has no moved or changed at all. I was shocked. All blood workup is normal and just very slight pain infrequently but no kidney swelling or obstructions as per the ultrasound. I am at a complete loss since I want to avoid anymore procedures (especially ureteroscopy with a stent). Does anyone think I can wait this out for at least 3-6 months and hope it passes and only in emergency situation do any more procedures. I drink at least 1 gallon water per day as well as major exercise. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[ecfgian]

It does happen sometimes that during an ESWL everything looks good, but then nothing happen - must be frustrating though! I would think that you could wait awhile if you wanted. A 6mm stone has a lesser chance of passing on its own, but its not impossible. And if it got into the ureter and got stuck, at least a utereroscopy would be a little easier than if they had to go all the way up into the kidney. (They found a 14mm stone in my upper ureter which I had ESWL on and then a URS.) Good luck!

[cathrine001]

[quote="mbpress01"]Had ESWL about 1 month ago after a 6mm stone was found in kidney 5 months ago. Stone moved down quite a ways and was very close to UVJ junction. Stone showed perfectly on X-Ray and Doc recommended ESWL. Had procedure Oct 20 after Doc confirmed that he could see stone perfectly on Fluroscopy machine. Just had another X-Ray yesterday. Report indicated no change and the damm stone has no moved or changed at all. I was shocked. All blood workup is normal and just very slight pain infrequently but no kidney swelling or obstructions as per the ultrasound. I am at a complete loss since I want to avoid anymore procedures (especially ureteroscopy with a stent). Does anyone think I can wait this out for at least 3-6 months and hope it passes and only in emergency situation do any more procedures. I drink at least 1 gallon water per day as well as major exercise. Any thoughts would be appreciated.[/quote]

ESWL isn't the most effective way to treat a stone and often requires repeat procedures -- I had it three times for one stone, which I still have. I had a blockage in the left ureter and had a fourth surgery with a ureteroscopy and a stent. After 5 days of hell, I feel better, but realize this may only be temporary. Kidney stones always come back.

I don't think you should wait 3-6 months. Waiting could cause a blockage, imbedding of the stone, swelling of the kidney, or infection combined with any of these other possibilities. However, pain is usually the motivator in doing anything. Get a good second opinion, request a CT scan (the most effective way to diagnose position of the stone) and see what a teaching hospital can offer you -- I recommend Johns Hopkins Urology Clinics in Baltimore, Maryland; they are #1 in the country, according to personal experience and a national survey of hospitals in the US. I was treated by Dr. Brian Matlaga, and he is truly a wonderful caring MD, and the standard to which all other urologists should strive. There is no reason to go anywhere else.

You are in my prayers -- good luck.