Kidney stones

[Tar Heel]

Since 1972, I've passed 46 stones. In addition to those, I have had the "sewer snake" with the laser on three different occasions. There has only been 3 episodes of kidney colic (intense, intense pain) that I have experienced. Once in 1972, 1974, and 2004. I didn't know I had passed the other 40+ stones until I felt a slight sensation and then heard them hit the porcelain. These weren't the size of pebbles of sand, some of them were pencil erasure size. My urologist said the kidney belt in NC runs from Raleigh to the coast. I grew up in Eastern NC. There is a stone now in each kidney. They don't seem to be moving and will probably be broken up with lithotripsy during the winter months when I am less active.

[JRD]

Been there, Done that!

Once was enough, I never want that pain again.

I fully understand.

Jim

[jeff...]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

Since 1972, I've passed 46 stones. In addition to those, I have had the "sewer snake" with the laser on three different occasions. There has only been 3 episodes of kidney colic (intense, intense pain) that I have experienced. Once in 1972, 1974, and 2004. I didn't know I had passed the other 40+ stones until I felt a slight sensation and then heard them hit the porcelain. These weren't the size of pebbles of sand, some of them were pencil erasure size. My urologist said the kidney belt in NC runs from Raleigh to the coast. I grew up in Eastern NC. There is a stone now in each kidney. They don't seem to be moving and will probably be broken up with lithotripsy during the winter months when I am less active.

Yikes I sure am glad I've never had one.

[b4man]

Nothing in my entire life was as painful as a kidney stone moving from the kidney to the bladder. Unless you've had one there's no way you can understand the pain...and I've had a baby!

Kyle, I'm happy it's over for you and hope it's the last time you go through it.

[Sandy Rose]

It is definantely not a fun thing to go through. LOML had to rush me to the emergency room about a year and a half ago...had no clue what was going on at the time, just knew it was the most pain I've ever been in. At 29 years old, I had no clue how bad it actually was, and the following week was not pleasant. Needless to say I keep Vicodin in my truck at all time now - just in case.

[junquecol]

The pain from kidney stones will make you throw up stuff that you haven't eaten yet. (I wouldn't even wish one on my former wife.) No one should hurt that bad! Unfortunately, any thing you can take orally isn't strong enough to stop the pain. Demorol is MY FRIEND! Most kidney stones are a product of becoming dehydrated. Always drink lots of liquids, with water being the first choice. A simple way to check for dehydration is to look at the color of your urine. If it is colorless (clear), then usually you are OK. Remember some foods and medicines will discolor your urine.

[CaptnA]

Friends I feel your pain!
Thankfully ( and I do often) I've been spared this. However, EVERY member of my family has had them. Mother went in for the 23 hour lithotripsy adventure and 11 days later got to come home from the hospital. Punctured ureter, anaphylaxis, infection - I tell you when it comes to medical problems that woman is an overachiever! Of course sloppy medical care, (just in reading her charts and allergies) didn't helped a lot! NO morphine doesn't seem that hard to understand, does it?? NO PENICILLIN it was well documented and posted. Sheesh.
I've heard several urologists and other docs talk about the proflic kidney stones in NC. Various studies and opinions seem to range from mineral content to diet to liefstyle to predisposition.
Back to your initial question, yes- there seems to be an increase in stones of late. Some of the most pitiful people we are called out to help are suffering from kidney stones. So little we can do for them. Wait for EMS and hope for a sympathetic paramedic who is more free with morphine than others. Local medical opinions seem to be leaning partially on the drought. Especially in areas where wells are more common. Lower water tables and flow seem to cause less dilution of various chemicals/minerals. I am not learned enough to have a personal opinion on cause but from what I hear you are not alone in this thought.