Having kidney stones treated with shock wave lithotripsy

[Tony H]

My urologist has been suggesting I have several large stones treated with SWL but it did not seem urgent since they have been stable for several years (that I know of). My wife is going in for a major surgery in a few mos so I decided it would be prudent to have them treated to avoid possible passing during my wife's recovery. I guess they are coming out one way or another eventually. The last one had me crying in the ER. Sounds like there will be some pain as the pieces pass. Anyone had this done?

[davidmash]

Nope but I hope everything goes well for you.

[Tony H]

Peeing small gravel does not sound like fun. I actually thought I was dying when I passed the last one.

[barry12345]

I have heard of too much suffering. I have one stone that acted up but did not pass. The pain was a little more than just interesting. I got a shot in the arm and the pain was gone in five minutes.

So I asked for some heavy pain killing meds for when the time comes. They are home under lock and key.

I have lost any interest in passing it cold turkey. Yet most people will. I figured trying to be the exception was not a bad thing. Time will tell.

[t walgamuth]

I have had Bladder stones removed twice...pretty routine. since mine were prostrate related and I have had that fixed hopefully I will not need it again.

[muller]

Have the stones analyzed so that you have an idea about how they formed. You may want to make adjustments to your diet after that.

[t walgamuth]

The doc said they were formed because with my prostrate enlargement the bladder never emptied so they formed because of that.

[Diseasel300]

My dad went through kidney stones with many complications in the early 90s. In the end they used lithotripsy and he was absolutely shocked how quickly his problems were resolved afterwards. His advice to ANYONE with stones since has been not to even question it, lithotripsy at your earliest convenience. Yes, it sucks to pass gravel, but pales in comparison to passing a stone, or having one get lodged in your plumbing.

[t walgamuth]

I had one get stuck in the outlet. A full bladder with no ability to pee is excruciating. It hurt so much I did not blink about a young nurse put in the catheter.

[Tony H]

Thanks for the insight. It's not till the end of June. A few preliminary appts before-ultrasound and COVID screening.

[Sugar Bear]

Tell the Doc about the desired delay to take care of the Mrs. If the stones are big you won't be passing them anyway, the Dr. can predict that to some degree through looking at radiology studies whether or not they should stay put for a while. There is always the risk one could fracture off a small piece. My Dr. did the watch and wait several times.

Had so many stones I've truly lost count. If anyone gets them I encourage them to go straight to the ER for pain relief and Flomax to increase the flow.

Best of luck Tony!!!

[Volvo Diesel]

I had the lithotripsy procedure done about 8 years ago. I did not find it to be a painful procedure. In my case the procedure broke the stones into small enough pieces that passing them was not terribly painful; certainly not as painful as passing a stone. I hope it goes well for you.

[BWhitmore]

A common procedure to break up kidney stones is the use of ultra sound. It is best to avoid carbonated soft drinks, drink plenty of water and cranberry juice. For a man, the pain associated with passing a stone compares to child birth labor for a woman.

[muller]

When I pass mine, they look like jagged glass nesting a small blood clot.

[Tony H]

Agreed. Already on Flomax. Stones (the big ones) have been stable for a long time. But I passed my first one quite unexpected. Learned how good Norco works.

Originally Posted by BWhitmore

A common procedure to break up kidney stones is the use of ultra sound. It is best to avoid carbonated soft drinks, drink plenty of water and cranberry juice. For a man, the pain associated with passing a stone compares to child birth labor for a woman.