Kidney Stones... what can I expect? - Kidney Disorders Message Board

Filmmuse · 06-29-2007, 12:44 AM

Hullo,

I was recently in the ER for severe left flank pain and was diagnosed after renal ultrasound with 1 stone passing and 3 left in my kidney. 2 5mm and a 3mm. The doctors are encouraging me to drink more liquids but I'm a little apprehensive. I'm 32 weeks pregnant and unable to take most pain medication.

How long do stones typically take to pass? If I up my liquid intake is it possible that I could pass one or more before I give birth?

I'm a little concerned that the pain may come on suddenly... has this been the experience of most or was there "warning" pain?

Thanks for your input!

Filmmuse

bananarama · 06-29-2007, 06:23 AM

Filmmuse,
So sorry that you have kidney stones!! Nasty little buggers. When I had my first round of kidney stones, the pain just came suddenly, but I never passed them. Had to have the ureteroscopy to have tehm removed after 3 weeks of having the pain. Then I had round two (still in that round). The pain came on suddenly again.
Did the doctor tell you anything that you could do to like naturally relieve some of the pain? What helped a little bit for me was a hot rice bad. I would put a towel between my skin and the bag, because I have blistered myself with it before.
My mom was pregnant with my sister when she had kidney stones. She was close to delivering though, so she just stayed in teh hospital until delivering, and then as soon as she had given birth they did a ureteroscopy and laprascopy.
Drinking water should help with making hte stones come quicker, and with less pain as well. I really hope that the pain won't be bad for you! Congrats on the baby though!!
Hang in there,
Daisy

duzford · 06-29-2007, 07:15 AM

Ditto what Allie said. You are actually lucky that they are as small as they are. I spoke to a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists and she said that there are some pain meds that are OK for the baby and the stones but it is important to pass them if at all possible. Liquid will help as will keeping your hips elevated (Which may be hard with a 8 month belly -- he he-- sorry).

Also be very careful when you have labor pains or kidney pains, the two are very difficult to distinguish - even for the docs.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

I sometimes get a warning pain - I get pressure in the groin.

hopesprings2 · 07-01-2007, 05:18 PM

The smaller one i think hurt but it is like giving birth to some of them.If they are low enough in the ureteral it can be usally 1 to 5 days guessing.But you never know.Did they say you have a infection also? Drink lots of water......and i here the lemonaid might help now also.Ihad some not really hurt much at all,..........Good luck ........at least they will let you take asprin ,tylonel or something wont they.?

Filmmuse · 07-03-2007, 06:46 AM

Thanks so much everyone for your input. So far only the one has passed and I'm doing my best to consume vast ammounts of liquid.

I think now that I know for sure they're kidney stones (when I passed the first one I wasn't sure what the heck was going on) I think it's much easier to tolerate the pain. Half of the problem with pain is worrying about what's causing it. If I can pass at least one more of these bad boys in the next 7 weeks I will at least be able to practice my Lamaze and relaxation techniques ;-) .

As for pain medication I can take tylenol and limited ammounts of vicodin. I did have a kidney infection as well, which was a bit of concern as kidney infections can cause preterm labor, apparently so can the pain from the renal colic. I have yet to see my OB to see how my pregnancy may be effected, but my regular doctor was very helpful and is on call 24 hours should I need anything.

Trying to limit my cranberry and lemonade intake as well as I was borderline gestational diabetes and trying to cut back on my sugar intake. Was taking quite a few calcium antacids due to chronic heartburn, but so far I've found I can limit it to 1 500 mg tablet before bed and chewing gum most of the day.

Thanks again for all your input. I guess it is just a game of waiting to grin and bear it.