I get kidney stones almost every year, and last yr i was lucky enough to get them 2 times in 3 months. The first ones was 10mm by 8mm and obstructed...the others were 6mm and 8mm. 2 months later I had 3 more 7mm stones...I am on HCTZ because my body produces to much calcium, but I also have to be on potassium because aside from the HCTZ I have chronically low potassium too. So after the 2 bouts last yr I doubled the HCTZ and tripled my potassium. Anyone else on meds for stones?? I have had them every yr since 94, and I think I actually had them before that. I also have CKD.

My kidneys hurt a lot of the time and I have never been able to pass my stones..I have had so many surgeries I can't even recall them all. Anyone else like this??
gracie

Gracie,

I am on 2 medications to help assist with my kidney stones. They are allopurinol and potassium citrate. Of course I think it would depend on the type of stones you have. I have mostly uric acid stones so these medications would work for me. Perhaps the best thing to do is talk to your doctor and see what they think. It never hurts to ask. :)

Terry

Thank-you for responding...

My stones are calcium based ones. The meds I am on to prevent the stones seem to be doing the trick, though I know I have stones in there. They were found on a follow up last yr to the 2 surgeries I had...they didn't want to do a 3rd, so I am hoping that when the doc doubled my HCTZ that it will do the trick. The potassium makes me sick, but because of my chronically low potassium I have to take it..I have heart problems as well, so when my potassium falls it gets my heart involved. And I don't want to go in CHF again. I have several other things wrong too, APS..a blood clotting disease that is autoimmune. But nothing else related to the stones and the CKD, luckily that is under control and hopefully won't cause me any problems.

thanks again,
gracie

Ask him to order a 24 hour urine through Litholink they will do a full analysis of your metabolic panel and help you regulate the right meds. I am on Urocrit, TheraLith, and HCTZ

I have had that done many times, now I just get the blood work every 3 months to watch for the progression of the CKD. I had the last 24 hour urine done a yr ago. I think it's a different lab, but it's comes out with 2 pages of levels and which ones are high, or low.. or stable.

I just talked with them because my potassium fell to below 2.9. They "yelled" at me about making sure I take it every day..but like I said, I take 60 mg a day and it's hard on my stomach. I tried to take it with more potassium enriched foods, but it didn't work. So my cardio nurse yelled at me and so did my nephrologists! It's not a bad idea though....

I may call and ask about it...thanks!
amy

Gracie:

Are you on potassium or potassium citrate?

Onekidney,

It's potassium citrate...

gracie

Try not taking the Potassium on an empty stomach.

I'm also on potassium citrate & hctz. My potassium also has gotten too low where this summer they had to postpone a stone surgery.

I also get upset stomach and always take with food. I also eat 1-2 bananas a day. Other foods that are high in potassium are rasins, dried fruit, potatoes but have to eat the skin. A good breakfast ceral is one of the Kashi brand. I recommend the Heart to Heart or the Go-Lean crunch Almond/Flaxseed.

Good Luck ;)

Be careful with the breakfast cereals, many are protein enriched which will cause stones --- as does flaxseed --- yes I it is a frustratingly fine balance act we walk. Sucks huh?

Thanks!!
I do try to eat it with food, but it still gets upset. I also am on coumadin from the stroke I had in 2000 after my son was born. So I love to eat veggies and salad, but I have to watch that too, because too much vitamin k drops my INR levels...it's a never ending story eh??


I have tried eating the Kashi cearal, maybe I'll try again!

gracie

I've had several stones this year...and my doctor had me do the 24 hour urine test thru Litholink. The results said I was low on something and my doctor put me on potassium citrate. Unfortionately I can't stand the stuff....I've felt cruddy since starting it..not just tummy problems but all over cruddy and my skin has been breaking out like crazy.

It makes me feel gross all over too, but then, I am on several meds, so I never know what is making me feel worse. My potassium is still low, and I know i have more stones(through a CT scan). And my kidneys have been hurting a night, i just can't deide if it's the potassium..or kidney stones on their way to being trouble..:confused:

Sorry it makes you feel gross too...
gracie

Has that where the breakouts are coming from. I had picture perfect skin ( not to brag just good genes) and suddenly I am getting small breakouts. Mostly on my back. Strangely I am breaking out in those skin tabs too, can there be a correlation????

I've had several stones this year...and my doctor had me do the 24 hour urine test thru Litholink. The results said I was low on something and my doctor put me on potassium citrate. Unfortionately I can't stand the stuff....I've felt cruddy since starting it..not just tummy problems but all over cruddy and my skin has been breaking out like crazy.

I just did a Litholink this weekend. The worse part is getting Fedex over here to get the sample. 11:00 Last night!!! I was so frustrated and afraid the sample would go to waste.

I was lucky enough to find a Fedex drop box 15 miles from home so I didn't have to wait for a pick up.

I really think that the potassium citrate is causing my skin to breakout...I'm a mess! And I just feel awful since starting it...I'm not sure I want to continue taking it...I guess I'd want to know if it works on the stones 100% to make it worth it. Not just if it *might help* know what I mean?