I have a 4 mm, non-obstructive, mid-pole kidney stone. No symptoms. It was found during a routine exam.

My dr. recommends doing nothing. He says people live with them everyday. If it moves, then I will need help.

But I've read online that it's best to drink lots of water & walk to help move it along. Everthing else I've read about sudden, severe pain are concerning too.

I'm confused. Please advise.

Marcie

Drink lots of water and keep your hips elevated and it will move. The reason he says do nothing is by being mid pole and at the size it is, it should pass without incidence. I would monitor yourself for fevers though, this can be the sign that it is starting to obstruct. Try not to drink dyed juices or cranberry juice unless it is white as you should monitor for visible blood in the urine. Good luck but you should be fine.

Thanks, NJ neighbor. I've been nervous about this.

what does mid-pole mean?

hello sir!
My ultrasound reports showing that my left kidney showing hydronephrosis.
there is ecogenic focus of 8.5mm in left ureter
and swelling in the left kidney.
my urinary bladder is destended.
prostate gland is not enlarged.
and seminal vescels are symmytrical.
is it necessary to have a surgery.give some discription about my condition & medicine prescibtion.

hello sir!
My ultrasound reports showing that my left kidney showing hydronephrosis.
there is ecogenic focus of 8.5mm in left ureter
and swelling in the left kidney.
my urinary bladder is destended.
prostate gland is not enlarged.
and seminal vescels are symmytrical.
is it necessary to have a surgery.give some discription about my condition & medicine prescibtion.I had about the same ordeal .Mine was 7 and left kidney ureter with swelling in my kindney also.It will have to be removed or have lipotripsy done.Drinks lots of water and see your doctor .Dont let it go.It is blocking your lidney and making it drain slow or not at all.Of course im no doctor so besure and ask your doctor all these questions.If you get a fever,or stinky urine let your doctor know asap

Good luck to you. I hope they can break it up & make it easier to pass.

I got a 2nd dr. opinion. Since mine is 4 mm. they think I can pass it. But I'm still concerned about pain.

Good luck to you. I hope they can break it up & make it easier to pass.

I got a 2nd dr. opinion. Since mine is 4 mm. they think I can pass it. But I'm still concerned about pain.
drink lots of water you can prb pass it

Marcie Mid pole minds it is on the way out of the kidney instead of sitting there hanging out. It's generally a good sign.

Yup. Depeds on the shape of the stone too and the position in which it hits the ureters. I passed a 7 MM the other day and never felt it, but I found it in the strainer. It was long but narrow and must have come out just t he right way. Usually the ureter (sans scarring or any deformities) is just shy of 5 mm so you should pass it without too much problem. OD on citrus (limes are best) for the next couple of days it may break up the stone so it comes out in smaller pieces. Drink plenty of fluids but nothing diuretic (cranberry juice, tea, etc) Sometimes diuretics remove too much of the fluid and then it creates a dry passage for the stone which will hurt more. Fluids will act as a buffer to lead it on it's way and cushion his journey out. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Oh monitor for fever and blood in the urine. A little blood is OK and normal with stone passage, anything too much is not OK.

Wow, that's some comforting news. I'm glad you did ok and hope I'm as lucky.

Neither of my dr's explained straining. I read it alot here. Do I start now or wait for pain? Where do I get a strainer & how do I use it correctly?

I have trouble with citrus due to acid reflux. But maybe I can tolerate some.

My urine looks normal. I'm having it tested soon with my annual checkup.

Unfortunately I suffer anxiety attacks. But I tolerated shingles with only baby aspirin. So I'm trying not to worry.

You've been a big help. Thanks.

Start now. Do not wait for the pain - there may not be any. This easiest place to get one is the Home Depot Paint Aisle. A paint strainer will work as will as a medical one, plus it is fun to ask the salesperson for help. I have also found two other common items that work well:

Tea Strainer (preferably handled).
Reusable coffee filters (like the gold ones - not the paper ones).
You can even use an aquarium scoop if you have one.

Pharmacies generally do not carry them unless you go to the really old Mom and Pop type.

If you get the stone, save it for analysis and remember it may not all come out as once. Will probably look like kitty litter or like patina from a cast iron skillet.

Thanks again. I really appreciate the advice. I sent DH to Home Depot. In the meantime, I have an aquarium scoop.

What about finding hard flakes? Similar to small pieces of egg shell. Is that anything?

Also, is the paint trainer reusable? I rinsed the scoop with hot water & soap.

Flakes should be saved - they may be pieces of stone. I have never used the paint strainer myself but I assume it can be rinsed out and reused over and over.

Are the flakes the same color as the egg shells? (And what type of eggs). If they are white, then they may not be calcium stones and the lemon water will not help so don't use it - especially as you are concerned with reflux. Instead use olive oil (They say to drink it but I would dunk bread it myself - if not I would just not be able to get it down.)

One other thought, when rinsing the scoop - try not to use soap every time you use it - just plenty of hot water. Soap can leave behind remnants that can interfere with the analysis of the stone. They don't need the stone to be sterile, think of where it is coming from. When you do get it, I recommend a medicine vial or a 35 mm film container for storage (preferrably clear). Do not store it in fluids, it may cause it to dissolve.

Ok. I'll go easy on soap. The flakes actually look like a potatoe chip crumb. Small, yellow & sharp. Bread dipped in olive oil sounds better than drinking. Good tip!

I hope you are able to move it thru fast...but don't be suprised if it doesn't. Sometimes these things will just sit for a very long time. I had one that sat there for two years before it decided to move out. My doctors were not concerned....they just told me that I'd *know when it moved*. And I did!

Hi Shelli,

In that 2 yrs, did it grow?

My dr. recommends jumping rope everyday for a few mins, to help get it moving. And I'm gonna try elevating my hips, as suggested.

I like it sitting silent now. But there's always that unpredictable fear of when it will happen.

if it not blocking anything
and not real big
no infection?
then i know people whom had them for years with no problems

Hi Shelli,

In that 2 yrs, did it grow?

My dr. recommends jumping rope everyday for a few mins, to help get it moving. And I'm gonna try elevating my hips, as suggested.

I like it sitting silent now. But there's always that unpredictable fear of when it will happen.


I really don't know...we weren't able to find it when I passed it. I'm guessing it didn't grow too much, if it had been large I would have caught it when I passed it for sure.

I agree...when it's silent, it's hard not to stress about *when* it's going to decide to move, it's best just to get it over with!

Update:

Good news! I went for a checkup and there were NO STONES! It must have passed or dissolved without any symptoms. What a relief!

Thanks for the advice when I needed it.

Congrats marcie. That's great to hear. :)