Kidney Stones

[carlso]

Do kidney stones cause UTI's? Has anyone had recurrent UTI with small kidney stones? Can small kidney stones, 2 in left and 1 in right, all 1 mm, cause pressure and inflammation?

[Smiffy51]

I don't know about small stones, but I had some very nasty UTIs caused by a 1cm stone, & had to take daily antibiotics until the stone was removed. The UTIs made me shake & vomit & were very painful.

(The infections were the reason the stone was found - I'd spent 2 years being told by urologists that all the symptoms, including bright red urine, were in my head - they didn't think to look at my kidneys.)

[carlso]

Did you have a problem taking the antibiotics? Which ones did you take for such a long period? I have been on antibiotics now for about 4 mos. and am afraid to go off them. Thanks so much for replying.

[Smiffy51]

The one I took was Nitrofurantoin (that's it's UK name). I took it for 7 months until I had the stone surgically removed as the UTIs were so awful. Hope you are feeling bette on your antibiotics - what is happening about your stones?

[carlso]

I really am confused. He said the stones were small but could get infected. He said I probably could go off the antibiotics now and see. It makes me nervous as it all started with a UTI with lots of cloudy urine and pain. I agree with some of the posts that urologists don't like to deal with stones as the patients are bothersome and they (the stones) probably won't kill you. But I am having back and side pain now too so maybe I have to let it get worse to get something done. What dosage did you take of the nitrofurin? I have been on Macrobid, which is U.S. nitrofurin, 100 mg. 2 times a day. Thank you so much for writing. Are you now done with the whole problem?

[Smiffy51]

It sounds as if you need lithoytripsy to stop you getting infections and pain; you don't seem to be passing them naturally. I've no idea how big the stone has to be for it.

I took one 100mg tablet a day. All I have left now is a tiny stone in the other kidney that my urology dept. is x-raying every 6 months to see if it grows.