I know that they say that tea is not good to drink if you have kidney stone problems, but can you drink decaf tea?

Same answer as Allie. It is the oxolate in tea that is the enemy not the caffeine. Ironically some decaf teas have more oxolate in them due to the decaf process.

arrggghhh that is not good because I love tea....sighs

I feel your pain, quitting tea was the hardest thing - especially when you are married to a BRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yuck!! No point - if it can't be full strength why bother?

Okay, here's a question for you. Is it possible that stones can be mistaken on a Kub for a cyst? I was reading over some old reports and part of it said, "that there was a 10x10mm low density lesion. Following intravenous contrast, this is not as conspicuous. Precontrast Hounsfield density measurements are suggestive of a cyst. However, given that there is equivocal enhancement in this location following the intravenous contrast, a solid lesion can not be excluded. The overall appearance on the postcontrast imaging may be secondary to volume averaging adjacent renal parenchymal."

This was back in 2003 and of course I have had a recent Kub stating that I have the "several small left renal calculi grouped in the central postion of the left kidney" So, what should I make of this? Is it stones, cyst, both? Can't they tell?

Usually cysts show on CT scans not X-rays. I have seen cysts mistaken for stones but have never heards of stones mistaken for cysts. Positioning is key. The stones will show up IN the kidney rather then attached to it and becuase stones are calcified and cysts are not they will cast a shadow on the film.

Is it possible then that I have both?

Yes. I have cysts and stones all the time.

I did look at the report and it was in fact a CT scan. Can I have a cyst since 2003?

Yes - cysts can stay in the body for years and years without causing damage. If they get to big or in the way of another organ then they become a problem.

I did have an MRI on my lower back, would that have shown anything in the kidney area?

Not necessarily. I had a 6 cm tumor in my abdomen and it never showed on the multiple MRI's I had. I was found by CT and sonogram.

If you go to the UPMC website and click on patient education and then kidney stones you will find a low oxolate diet there and it lists some "Safe Teas" - but don't go off the list!

I had an MRI for a back injury years ago and that's when they discovered my renal cysts...It was a different doctor that ordered the MRI but as some of you know my previous urologist told me there was nothing he could for me..I think he knew about my cysts all along and never told me.(Idiot Award nominee top of my list)..I know some people who have cysts and they end up breaking/popping..


So, cysts are nothing serious??

It depends on the size and location...I haven't had a problem with mine but there are people who do have problems..

How would I know if it were a problem?

pain,frequent UTI's, high blood pressure, cysts on other organs can occur such as the liver and headaches are few symptoms...

Did your doctor mention if you have cysts? Sorry I forgot with so much going on...
There are some good sites out there if you typed in kidney cyst problems
I'm not sure which sites we can post and which ones we can't so I don't post unless I find out it's OK..

How are you feeling?

I feel fine (knock on wood) So, I am guessing the headaches would come from high blood pressure, which I don't have, and UTI's.....not sure if I have ever had that. pain? Guess that could be anything...Are you talking pain as in like Kidney stone pain?