Advice on Kidney Stones

[Dace]

I think I may have a kidney stone. Form what I have read I am pretty certain this is what is up. The pain just started this morning. I am not going to run off to the Drs, if I develop a fever or symptoms I will.

For now I have increased my water intake and taken ibuprofen. Any other suggestions to hurry this process along?

 

[sylvie]

Maybe not Ibuprofen, but Tylenol? Isn't ibuprofen metabolized in the kidneys? (fuel in the fire sort of thing)
I had one once and consumed a gallon plus of water per day as recommended by dr. And after passing continued flushing in case there was more than the one. As it turned out she was correct.
As I recall I drank a 10 oz every hour.
OW!

 

[Dace]

Hmmm....not sure this is what I read:

For severe pain, you may need to take narcotic pain killers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen.

Edited to add.....so lots of water! How long did it take to pass from the time you noticed the pain?

 

[Ldychef2k]

Dace, have you noticed any other urinary symptoms, such as pain or burning, maybe a different color? Kidney stones can cause bleeding, but it frequently is microscopic.

Kidney pain can come from a variety of causes, including infections which do not produce fever in the early stages, ureteral spasms, renal colic, etc. Stones CAN be debilitating pain-wise. Ibuprofen would probably not end up being very helpful if it were a stone. But people are different and pain means different things to them. You may be a person who could tolerate an unmedicated root canal!

I know you don't want to run to the doctor for everything that comes down the pike, but if the pain gets worse (and with a stone it is almost guaranteed...many people simply hit the floor!) you could consider maybe an urgent care visit. Most people I know need strong narcotics for kidney stones. Other kidney ailments can be treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, but that doesn't mean they are less serious that a stone. In fact, sometimes just the opposite.

Don't mean to be a gloomy gus, but the body gives you pain responses for a reason.

 

[Dace]

You are not a gloomy gus

I appreciate the feedback which is why I asked the question! I have noticed and decrease in pain since taking the ibuprofen.

The pain reminds me of contractions. Every few minuted the pain would substantially increase for short time (seconds) then decrease. Very odd, and seemed to fit with the symptoms of stones.

I have not have any discomfort with urinating nor has the color changed....although right now it is pretty colorless with the increase in water consumption.

No worries, I am not going to wait too long to see a Dr....if the pain persists or increases in any way I will go in.

 

[sylvie]

I initially thought I was having more back discomfort (but extremely bad) from too much hill-work in my daily runs. I noticed the pain was traveling downwards every 4-6 hours and then eventually radiating around to the front of abdomen. Then it hit me that I may have a kidney stone, which I had never had before nor knew anyone who had one. I got into the dr about day 2. I took no pain meds. The stone and pain passed after 24 hours of taking water.
Everyone is different and stones can be very different sizes.

My DH was just diagnosed with a kidney infection and told to stay away from Ibuprofen. That's why I threw that out there.

ETA dr said it was probably from over consumption of chocolate!

 

[Ldychef2k]

My dad had a regular calcium oxylate stone many years ago. Now he is diabetic and has end-stage renal disease, and they found that one kidney has only 10% function because it is completely filled with what is called a staghorn calculus. In his case, it is a mucousy blob that cannot pass, and because he also has leukemia they can't operate because he has severe platelet deficiency and his blood doesn't clot hardly at all. We are all different critters !

 

[noobiechickenlady]

Yes, up the water intake. Also, up your Vit C intake (helps dissolve them) and cut down on your tea & chocolate. They are high in oxalate which (with calcium) helps form the calcium stones. Those are the most common type.
There are some herbs you can use if you don't get relief from the above. Cramp bark, meadowsweet & fennel work well, as does diuretic tea made with dandelion & corn silk.

Now I have a semi-funny story. Only because it's poking fun at someone. My BIL had one. Rest assured, he tells this story himself, expecting laugher. It was a rather large one actually. The meds they gave him to break it up turned his urine green. When it passed, he was in the bathroom and DH hears him yell. DH runs to the bathroom, busts open the door and finds BIL writhing on the floor, wearing a white tshirt & nothing else, covered in green pee & clutching his parts.
He was the most sympathetic man when his wife was giving birth

 

[Dace]

Poor BIL! That is terrible!

Lady...sorry to hear about your dad

Well now this is a really odd thing because I am not one to get sick or have health issues that land me in the Dr office... except for childbirth and prenatal care, I NEVER go to the Dr.... just never need to. So when something unusual happens I play wait and see and whatever it is usually goes away.
So this pain was pretty strong and came in waves. I took the ibuprofen at about 9:30 this morning and the pain has been gone ever since. It has now been nearly 4 hours.

Keeping my fingers crossed that what ever it was was a random fluke!

 

[keljonma]

Hope you feel better soon, Dace!