11mm uric acid stone scheduled procedure - scared to death! - Kidney Disorders Message Board

PianoSteve123 · 02-07-2008, 09:17 AM

Hi. I am happy to have found this board. I have been plagued with uric acid stones for the past several years. I have had 9 ranging from 3mm to the last 2 (which I passed at the same time) which were 8mm. Twins.

Obviously, I am not a very happy camper.

I started taking Uriflow in hopes that it would be a healthy alternative to Alapurenol (not sure I spelled that correctly). However, I still have an 11mm stone sitting in my left kidney. In recent days it has started feeling a little crampy and I went to the doc to find out what my choices are, fearful that if this starts to move I would be in BIG trouble.

He recommended the lipotripsy. I made an appointment but I must say I am scared to death. Of what? You name it: being put to sleep, having a catheter inserted and a stent, scary release papers that promise a possibility of "intense pain" when the remaining particles come out. Should I continue?

Because it is a uric acid stone, it's not so much a walk in the park but a big deal with dye injected and going to sleep and all that mess.

Has anyone had anything like this done with the size of my stone? I never even had an operation so I am frightened of every aspect, especially of being knocked out.

Please help me with any and all reassuring words.

Thanks!

Steve

rpg · 02-07-2008, 06:51 PM

About 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with a 12mm stone in my left kidney. The urologist recommended the lithotripsy which I agreed to. The surgery wasn't that bad but things got worse. After 3 weeks of constant pain (not as bad as passing a stone though!) a second lithotripsy was recommended. At $15k a pop for litho and very poor insurance, I decided to get a second opinion. First question the new urologist asked "What kind of stone did I have?". Luckily I saved some of the remnants that passed and he analyzed at once. I had the uric acid variety. He said that I should try to dissolve the stones by keeping my urine alkalized. Gave me a Urocit prescription and I changed my diet to a lot of fruits and vegatables. Monitored my urine with litmus paper for 3 months and returned for another exam. The stones were mostly gone. He removed the stent (inserted during litho) right there in his office. I have been stone free ever since, but I still monitor my urine daily. Beats having one of those stones growing again!

Goldie_Locks_5 · 02-11-2008, 08:12 PM

so sorry you are going through all this - it stinks.

I have calcium oxalate stones - and had many of them while pregnant last year- which was horrible... b/c they can't do anything but stent you and give you morphine and percocet and hope you pass them.

I passed a few after the stents were put in- but still had some left after giving birth - and was going to be sent in for litho - but then another scan showed i passed them last minute i guess.

the one stent i had put in with just a spinal - i was awake- and couldn't feel anything below my chest --- i hated that! Being put to sleep was much better the next time - i didn't know what happened... no laying there with my legs in stirrups miserable and embarased and in pain... I'd take general anesthesia any day over being awake.

I had general anesthesia for the removal as well - i don't know how people do it without anesthesia! I was in a lot of pain the day after the removal- felt like i was scraped inside when I urinated.

the stents were really uncomfortable when i was pregnant- but after i gave birth i barely noticed they were there -- just the occasional muscle spasm in that area.

best of luck to you - try not to read too much on here b/c it will freak you out. I used to be on here all the time and was SOOOO scared of all of it - but when it came time to have the things done to me- it wasn't 1/2 as bad as what i read on the internet.

michele1982 · 02-23-2008, 02:12 PM

Having the lithotripsy for me has always been okay. I've had it about 6 times and have passed about 180 stones in the past several years. They gave me IV sedation, don't remember anything, next thing you know ...you wake up and are in pain from the procedure. They give you IV pain meds until you feel well enough to go home. If all goes well, the stone should be broken up into gravel or sand and is much easier to pass than a full size kidney stone. You pass this and probably a little blood- make sure you are sent home with adequate pain meds and you should be okay. Sometimes the stone doesn't break up enough and a second procedure is recommended. Now for stents....I would not have a stent put in again unless it was life or death situation. Dr's will tell you some people are fine with stents and some do not "agree" with them or are "uncomfortable" . For me the stents were horrible ( I wish the Dr would have been upfront with me and told me that was something that might happen) and I had to be hospitalized for pain control until the Dr agreed to remove them. I was pregnant so it is possible that made it worse. I would rather pass a huge stone then have stents. But, every person is different. Don't be afraid to have the lithotripsy, it is much better than passing the stone. You are put "out" and shouldn't feel a thing. Most of the time lithotripsy isn't even an option for me ...I just have to pass the stones with no choice, be glad you have one! Some people pass these things for years , I have and I'm still here, cranky but , here. Good luck!

sunshine123 · 02-23-2008, 03:59 PM

I've had many Lithotripsy's and only had a stent once. The Lithotripsy's aren't that bad. I only had pain afterwards for a couple of days. It felt like someone had beat me up in my back. I also had lots of trapped gas. I would recommend having some Gas-X or activated charcoal pills on hand, just in case. If you take the charcoal pills, don't take them too close to the time you take other meds. My stones are calcium oxalate. I've got (7) 3mm or smaller stones that I hope I can pass. I've some pain pills on hand in case they start moving. I'm drinking more water than I ever have in my life in hopes of getting rid of the stones and not letting them get bigger. Good luck to you. I know it's scary not knowing what to expect. Oh, and I had the stent removed at the Urologist's office that time too. It felt like he was pulling on the stent for 20 minutes before it came out. I felt like I had to pee right away and found out that's why the Dr. was wearing like a vinyl apron. lol.