Kidney stones

Posted by Gary, Alumni Mentor @gman007, Mar 9, 2018

I am usually trying to help folks understand their symptoms, but need some myself now. I have chronic pancreatitis and have had it long enough that the way that pain manifests itself is pretty familiar. I have been experiencing a pain that is about an 8 on the typical 1-10 scale, but is more in my flank and lower than where my pancreas pain is. It is also very tender to the touch and if I move in any way that involves my torso the pain screams at me. I take pretty stri=ong opiates for my pancreatitis, so the pain is not being affected by those meds or if it is, I would be crying without them. Anyone have any thoughts? I already have had a urinalysis and it is not an infection in kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract. I am thinking kidney stone, but have never had the pleasure, so that is simply a guess.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 4, 2019

In reply to @djc59 "I take Cranberry Extract once a day. No stones in 5 years. Works for me!" + (show)

Hi @djc59 and @judyinca, welcome to Connect.
Judy, have you also had kidney stones in the past? Did you have to have surgery?

kidneystoneuser | @kidneystoneuser | Jun 8, 2019

In reply to @colleenyoung "Gary, I've had kidney stones. Compared to other stories I heard, my pain was not the..." + (show)

When I checked out that I had kidney stones by the color ultrasound machine its maximum diameter is four mm, then I use the Febuxostat Tablets, the Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets and the Uralyt-U (Potassium sodium hydrogen citrate by Madaus GmbH Germany). And I used Chinese herbal medicines. I don't know what as the treatment results will be.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 8, 2019

In reply to @kidneystoneuser "When I checked out that I had kidney stones by the color ultrasound machine its maximum..." + (show)

@kidneystoneuser
Hi,
Do those meds prevent stones or do they help dissolve them? Not that I’m gonna wait for that.
I read Febuxostat Tablets can cause heart attacks and strokes.
I take Potassium Citrate and reduce fat, sugar, salt and oxalates. Haven’t had another one since starting that regime. And drinking more water, ick. I can’t drink 3 liters everyday but my doctor said drinking a lot of fluid may not help anyway. First time I heard that. Anyone ever hear that?
Thanks,
Jake

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 9, 2019

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@kidneystoneuser Hi, Do those meds prevent stones or do they help dissolve them? Not that I’m..." + (show)

Jake, I notice that most articles call for 8-10 glasses of water each day. But I guess it depends on what size the glass is, doesn't it?
My hubby was told to dring 2 liters daily, but not for stones, just kidney health. I was once instructed to drink 3 L each day for kidney stones that showed on a CT image (I have a transplanted kidney). But now the kidney stones are gone (don't know how? don't know when?) and I am instructed to drink 2 L.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips to avoid summer kidney stones
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-tips-to-avoid-summer-kidney-stones/

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 9, 2019

In reply to @rosemarya "Jake, I notice that most articles call for 8-10 glasses of water each day. But I..." + (show)

@rosemarya
Hi,
Do you drink 2-3 liters of water/fluids every day? I can only have water and 2 cups of milk a day. Maybe if I could drink other things I might be able to drink that much.
Jake

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 9, 2019

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@rosemarya Hi, Do you drink 2-3 liters of water/fluids every day? I can only have water..." + (show)

@jakedduck1, I have become a water drinker - plain old ordinary water. I keep a 2 L pitcher on the kitchen counter and it is a constant reminder to me to have a drink. I can easily see my progress throughout the day. I sometimes make make unsweetened iced tea, and even enjoy using the flavored tea bags for variety. I have been known to make half-and-half (half lemonade and half water) My kids say "Yuck".
Water is my choice of beverage since my transplant, and I'm not exactly sure why I do that. I believe that other drinks count, but you have to be careful of the sugar content etc.
You say that you are limited to only milk and water. Is that doctor asdvised? Would you be able to add a twist of lemon or lime to 'jazz' it up? Would a straw help you to sip throughout the day? Or maybe multiple small glasses of water might be less intimidating than a large glass?
I'm getting thirsty! Gotta go take a drink!

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 9, 2019

In reply to @rosemarya "@jakedduck1, I have become a water drinker - plain old ordinary water. I keep a 2..." + (show)

@rosemarya
Hi
Yep, doctor ordered. Milk & water.
They say your supposed to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water a day which in my case would be 80 ounces which is 4 1/2 ounces shy of
2 1/2 liters. I might gag down 2 liters on occasion but not everyday.
Jake

trishanna | @trishanna | Jun 9, 2019

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@rosemarya Hi Yep, doctor ordered. Milk & water. They say your supposed to drink 1/2 your..." + (show)

@jakedduck1 I'm with you, Jake! I'm seldom thirsty, I hate the taste of water, and because of diet restrictions, there's really nothing else. Nor do I know how much one liter is! Pray God this is the worst problem I have to face!! But it's a problem, nonetheless.

jolinda | @jolinda | Jun 9, 2019

In reply to @trishanna "@jakedduck1 I'm with you, Jake! I'm seldom thirsty, I hate the taste of water, and because..." + (show)

As a kidney transplant recipient I don't feel I have the luxury to not like water. I think of water as medicine, my body needs it whether I like it or not. My dear friend put her life on the line to save my life by giving me a kidney. I struggle some days and switch to herbal tea, low sugar soda or whatever it takes to get the liquid down. People die everyday waiting for the chance I've been given. I will drink it standing on my head if they tell me to.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 9, 2019

In reply to @trishanna "@jakedduck1 I'm with you, Jake! I'm seldom thirsty, I hate the taste of water, and because..." + (show)

@trishanna
Hi Trish,
Drinking 2-3 liters of water may not seem like a big deal to most but day after day its a bit much especially when the only other liquid I’m suppose to have is 2 cups milk.
I was curious how much a liter actually is also.
There is only a slight difference in the following measurements but basically a liter is,
4 cups or
1 quart
There is 33.81 ounces in a liter.
My Mom drinks about an eye droppers worth of water and 1-2 cups of coffee. I’d rather dehydrate than drink that vile concoction.
Jake