hilery,
Here's a copy of a reply I sent to another member earlier this month. Hope it helps you to understand.
I am a 13 year veteran and have passed MANY stones. I've also undergone 5 lithotrypsies. Kidney stones can be very scarey. Is your pain sharp like a bad gas attack in the abdomen area or dull, but severe, and more in the lower back or flank area? For me, a 'passing' stone is always a sharp pain with some nausea and has been, by and large, endurable with oral pain meds. Blockages start feeling like a sore back (lower back/flank) and progress to the point that I cannot stand up straight or get comfortable in any position, have mild to high fever, and have more severe nausea. At that point I head for the ER. Blockages are VERY dangerous. An untreated blockage can cause permanent kidney damage. An IVP (IV push) in the ER will show a blockage. Basically they rapidly push fluids into a vein through an IV with a dye in it. Then they take an xray that will show whether the dye can pass out of the kidney.
In my experience, shape has more to do with the pain of passing than size. I passed one very smooth stone (re-formed from litho sand) that was 5 - 7mm and didn't feel it at all until it was 'spit out' (anyone who has passed a large one knows what I mean - putoee). I have also passed one that was less than 0.5mm that felt like it was ripping me apart all the way through. I looked at it with a microscope (I'm funny that way) and it looked exactly like a little tiny, razor-sharp arrow head. So, YES, a small stone can definitely hurt as much or more than large ones.
Time for a stone to pass: I don't think I have had any single stone that took more than a week to pass.
Pain: If you are having severe pain and your doctor is only giving you muscle relaxants (useless) and steroids, find a new doctor. Noone should have to stand this kind of pain without at least Darvocet or Lortab or something else of like strength. One of those in combination with phenigren for nausea works well for me. Of course, as with any narcotic these should be taken properly. Also be careful of driving or operating machinery if you are one of those effected strongly by these medications (I am not).
The good news is that I have never been (nor have I heard of anyone else who has been) permanently damaged by passing a stone. Nor have I been permanently damaged by a blockage (I don't let it go that far). It definitely isn't fun, but you will get through it. Remember to as your doctor any question you want, no matter how dumb it may seem, you, or your insurance, are certainly paying enough for his time. Make sure you understand exactly how he is diagnosing you, exactly who he plans to treat your condition, and, MOST important, WHY. Look for all the info you can find. If you don't think he is treating you properly, don't feel bad or embarrased about getting a second opinion. Doctors are human and make mistakes just like the rest of us, even though some don't think they can.
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