I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience with kidney stone and their doctor. Three weeks ago I went to the clinic to what I thought was a UTI as I was urinating more than normal, had general malaise and also mild back pain. My doctor took a quick urine test and found traces of blood in my urine. Suspecting kidney stones, she sent me for an X-ray and an Ultrasound. The Ultrasound uncovered a 3mm stone in my right kidney. When I went to see my GP for the results, she breezed by the kidney stone and didn't offer any advice or info, just that I had a small kidney stone and everything else seemed normal. After some pressing, I got her to refer me to a Urologist who I went and saw last week. I wanted some answers on how to prevent this from happening again. I'm 26 years old and in good health. To my suprise, the Urologist was very young and very 'green'. He asked me a bunch of questions and examined my kidneys. He then took out my ultrasound reports and x-ray and read them out loud only to throw them on the table and say "this means absolutely nothing to me" I was floored. Why would i have been sent for an ultrasound and x-ray if they were unnecessary? Then he said he'd like to take a CT scan to see if the stone is still there and if there are anymore. My question is, are CT scans the best way to detect stones, and if so why would an ultrasound be ordered. ALso, why would my doctor order another CT scan when the radiologist clearly stated that I had 3mm stone and that everything else was normal.

Sorry for the long winded post, I'm just frustrated and confused.

Thanks.

I have had several similar experiences with my stones. I began getting them at age 22. I have had very severe episodes with stones. I have been admitted in the hospital many times. I have had stents, ureterscopies, lithotripsy and I even had a blood infection that kept me on IV anitbiotics for a few weeks. However, now my stones aren't so bad. But having them is still a pain because they cause mild back pain and just a real Blah feeling. I consistently pass stones every 1-2 months. The stones I have now though are much smaller and a bit easier to pass. My last bad attack was in February and the intense collicky pain only lasted about 4 hours. Since that attack my old urologist told me that the rest of my stones (all 6 of them) were small and sent me on my way. He also told me I had no abnormalities that would cause this and that this is probably something I will just have to deal with.

I have since switched urologist but I himmed and hauled forever about because I figured they were all the same. I was wrong. My new doctor is young, and sent me to a nephrologist who has pinpointed my problem (much to my surprise because I thought there was no problem).

My advice to you is to find a doc you are comfy with. It's your health and kidney stones are never normal! Especially when you are 26 and female.

Hope that helps!

Thanks so much for your reply. My Urologist suspects dehydration as the main factor as I've had problems with it in the past. I'm really into preventitive medicine and would appreciate any advice on certain things I can alter in my daily routine to help the stones. I do believe I passed the small one (3mm) but I'm almost certain that I may have a small one in my ureter on the other side which I'm hoping the CT will pick up.
In the interim, my doctor has prescribed lots of water mixed with lime juice. Ever since I've increased my water intake, I've felt fantastic and my appearance has improved (my skin glows!)

Thanks for sharing your experience.

a

My urologist has drilled it into me - drinking lots of water is the best way to prevent stone formation. He said the average person should drink at least 64oz of water per day. If you are a stone "factory" like me, you should drink even more than that. He also said a glass of water before bed is good, as long as you aren't the type to have to go to the bathroom a bunch in the middle of the night.

Other ways to prevent stones depend on why you are forming them. An analysis of one of your stones is needed for this. In my case, it's high uric acid levels. My doc prescribed Allipurinol to cut the level down, but my family doc said it was raising liver enzymes, so I can't take it.

My urologist has drilled it into me - drinking lots of water is the best way to prevent stone formation. He said the average person should drink at least 64oz of water per day. If you are a stone "factory" like me, you should drink even more than that. He also said a glass of water before bed is good, as long as you aren't the type to have to go to the bathroom a bunch in the middle of the night.

Other ways to prevent stones depend on why you are forming them. An analysis of one of your stones is needed for this. In my case, it's high uric acid levels. My doc prescribed Allipurinol to cut the level down, but my family doc said it was raising liver enzymes, so I can't take it.

It is very important to get an analysis of a passed stone, to rid oneself of future stones. Urocit is a good (and somewhat inexpensive) drug for acidic urine, because it raises the urine's PH balance. It can also dissolve existing uric acid stones! Drink plenty of the citrus juices (orange, lemon, lime, & grapefruit), as these juices will also raise one's urine PH. To answer another question, the CT scan (although expensive) is the best way to find kidney stones!