I saw my Urologist today to discuss my recent KUB xray. I've had a kidney stone on the left side for several years now. In 2004, it was 3-4 mm. Now, it's 10 mm which is too big to pass. So, I have 2 choices. I can either wait and have another KUB xray in 4 months or have another Lithroptsy. I've had so many of those already, it's pathetic. I've been forming stones off and on since I was 20 and I'm now almost 57. I've been taking calcium citrate/magnesium pills to prevent osteoporosis and b/c it's calming, but I still don't know if taking those supplements is what's causing my stones. I also take B6, but I see that that hasn't prevented stone formation. When I was younger I didn't take calcium supplements and I formed stones anyway. No Dr. I have seems to know if taking calcium supplements causes stone formation. Also, if I stop taking them will I get osteoporosis? Tomorrow, as a matter of fact, I have a bone density test!!! I hope to God this stone doesn't move out of the kidney or I'll be in serious agony!!! Any advice or tips about calcium supplements? Thanks. Sue

What type of stones (calcium, uric acid, struvite, cystine) have you passed before? This is very important to know, for your treatment. Have you had any of them analyzed in the past?

Yes, they're always calcium oxalate. I'm so sick of dealing with this. Thanks in advance for any advice. BTW, where in Ca. are you? I'm in San Diego.

Sorry I can't advise on the supplements. I've heard arguments both ways, to take or not. Your calcium stones are hard to deal with, as they must be either removed or blasted (lithotripsy). They can't be dissolved like the uric acid stone that I had. I've heard that the best treatment for stone prevention is keeping one's urine in an alkaline state (> pH of 6). This is accomplished through diet and/or medication. Perhaps your doctor can make the proper recommendations for prevention, but you should get rid of the large stone if it's causing pain. If that stone moves and blocks urine flow, than serious problems (as well as pain!) can occur! Get with a good urologist for treatment and future prevention. Do post with further questions. Good Luck.

I have had stones on and off myself (more on) then off. I had found the Lemonade diet works pretty well and there is a supplement out there by Theralogix called Theralith also helps. Though it has not kept the stones complete away I went from an average of 12 per KUB X-ray to 2 so there is improvement.

I just had my bone density test and thank God my bones are OK. So, I'm stopping calcium supplements and will just take magnesium supplements. I'll look into those other supplements you mentioned. Thanks guys for your help. Sue