Introducing KidneyStoners.org polls and surveys
Today we are introducing a poll on stent pain to the website. We hope that it will help our readers easily see what other “kidneystoners” are experiencing. Being able to share experiences with other kidney stone sufferers in the comments … Continue reading
Posted in Polls and surveys
3 Comments
Kidney Stones and Science Fantastic: A Patient’s Perspective
A few weeks ago, I found myself in the emergency room of the University of Arizona Medical Center under excruciating pain. I was pretty sure, but far from certain, that this was a kidney stone – that same pain had landed … Continue reading
Posted in Patient's perspective
Leave a comment
Does drinking a lot of water help a stone pass faster?
If you’re in the unfortunate position of trying to pass a kidney stone, you’d probably want to speed up the process along as much as possible. One common strategy used by patients and occasionally suggested by physicians is to drink … Continue reading
Posted in Information
Leave a comment
Severe pain after stent removal: How often does it happen and can anything prevent it?
Many patients complain of some pain after having a ureteral stent is removed. This pain is usually mild and self-limited. However, the pain can sometimes be severe. Because patients may not have been warned about the possibility of significant pain … Continue reading
Posted in Information
17 Comments
Did drinking iced tea really cause my kidney stones?
KidneyStoners.org Recently, you may have heard patients, newspapers, and websites all tell you, “Iced tea caused your kidney stones!” With so many sources telling you the same thing, it must be true, right? Wouldn’t it be great if iced tea were … Continue reading
Posted in Information, Prevention
4 Comments
Pain Management and MSK: A Patient’s Perspective
Editor’s note: Kayla contributes posts on her experiences as a patient with medullary sponge kidney, a condition that causes a large amount of kidney stones to form and which can cause chronic pain. Her experiences may therefore not represent those … Continue reading
Posted in Patient's perspective
10 Comments
From a Patient’s Perspective: The Ureteral Stent: Friend or Foe?
Even though different people respond to stents in different ways, I suspect anyone who’s ever lived with a ureteral stent remembers the experience. I have had two, and both were, indeed, memorable. Prior to undergoing a pyeloplasty, (a surgical procedure … Continue reading
Posted in Patient's perspective
47 Comments
What are my chances of successfully passing my stone?- A KidneyStoners.org Infographic
We frequently receive questions from patients trying to pass a stone who want to know whether they will be able to pass it successfully. There are three main factors that your doctor uses to predict your chances of successful stone … Continue reading
Posted in Information
3 Comments
Advocating for MSK
Welcome to KidneyStoners.org and my guest post from an medullary sponge kidney patients’ Advocate’s perspective. When I was asked to be a contributor to this site, I jumped on the chance. It isn’t everyday that MSKers are provided the opportunity … Continue reading
Posted in Patient's perspective
10 Comments
What’s New in Kidney Stone Research
At the 2012 American Urological Association Annual Meeting, researchers from around the world present research on a range of urological topics, including the latest information on stone disease, prevention, and treatment. This year the meeting was in Atlanta, Georgia between … Continue reading
Posted in Information
7 Comments
Medullary Sponge Kidney: A Patient’s Perspective
If you want to learn about MSK or kidney stones in general, you’re in the right spot. Personally, in my 8 years of dealing with this disease I’ve never found such an informative and supportive website produced by physicians. As … Continue reading
Posted in Patient's perspective
33 Comments
What is Medullary Sponge Kidney?
If, for some strange reason, you set out to design a kidney that could form stones as quickly as possible, you might end up with something like a medullary sponge kidney. Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a … Continue reading
Posted in Information
85 Comments
Ask KidneyStoners.org: Does shockwave lithotripsy cause diabetes or hypertension?
April 29, 2012 “I have a 5mm caclculi stone in my left kidney (non-obtrusive). Unfortunately, I have not been able to pass this naturally by drinking large amounts of water each day. I am considering having shockwave treatment for this … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
The Healthcare Costs of Kidney Stones
With the increased attention on the rapidly increasing cost of healthcare, we decided to take a closer look at how much kidney stone disease costs in the United States. United States healthcare expenditures for kidney stone disease for the year … Continue reading
Posted in Information, Trends
1 Comment
Ask KidneyStoners.org: Should I worry about getting a repeat CT scan in 3 weeks?
March 28, 2012 “I had a CT scan because of a kidney stone on my left side…the stone has left the kidney and it is stuck in the ureter…I also had an x-ray done …..and before the CT and x-ray … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
Ask KidneyStoners.org: How do I prevent infection related kidney stones?
March 27, 2012 “I’m a 50 year old woman who was just diagnosed with a 16mm stone in my left kidney. Ten years ago I had 2 massive (one the size of a grapefruit and the other the size of … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
2 Comments
Ask KidneyStoners.org: Do I really need that repeat x-ray?
March 17, 2012 “In mid-November I began to have episodes of blood in my urine. I went to a urologist who did a CT (with and without contrast), a cystoscopy, and a urine cytology as well as cultures. All the … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
13 Famous Kidney Stoners
It turns out that kidney stones do not discriminate. Famous historical figures, celebrities, and other notable persons have also suffered from stones. Here, in no particular order, is an unlucky list of 13 of your fellow “kidney stoners”. … Continue reading
Posted in Information
Leave a comment
Ask KidneyStoners.org: Is it common to need a stent for a tight ureter?
February 25, 2012 “I have had two ureteroscopies in the last 5 years. In 2008 the procedure was a piece of cake with a 6mm stone lodged in the upper portion of the left ureter. In 2011 I had an … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
Ask KidneyStoners.org: Do I have to have a stent?
February 25, 2012 “I have been diagnosed with an 8mm stone in my left kidney and told I would be going for lithotripsy to have is broken up and will need a stent inserted for about a month or so. … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
5 Comments
Kidney stones in children
Studies have found that kidney stones are occurring more frequently in children. Researchers looking at emergency room admissions in South Carolina found an increased occurrence of stones between 1996 and 2007 from 7.7 and 8.0 per 100,000 female and males … Continue reading
Posted in Information
Leave a comment
Ask KidneyStoners.org: Is instant tea as bad as real tea?
February 22, 2012 “i was just in the hospital for the 2nd time with kidney stones. My question is, is instant tea as bad for you as real tea? Also what are some main foods and drinks i should avoid … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
Can dogs and cats get kidney stones?
It turns out that kidney stones don’t just afflict humans, they also occur in many animals, including your pet dog or cat. Between 0.2 to 3% of dogs and cats are believed to form stones and the number of pets … Continue reading
Posted in Information
Leave a comment
Ask KidneyStoners.org: Should I have ureteroscopy on both my kidneys at once?
In our “Ask KidneyStoners.org” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. See previous questions and answers here. February 6, 2012 Question about having ureteroscopy on both kidneys at once “I’m having a ureteroscopy next week … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
Ask Kidneystoners.org: Should I stop my calcium carbonate vitamin pills?
In our “Ask KidneyStoners.org” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. See previous questions and answers here. February 4, 2012 Question about calcium supplements “i recently had another small stone that passed easily (thank you, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
1 Comment
Can kidney stones cause kidney failure?
In addition to causing pain, can kidney stones actually cause permanent damage to your kidney? The unfortunate answer is yes, kidney stones in some cases can actually result in a “dead” kidney or kidney failure. The good news though is … Continue reading
Posted in Information
26 Comments
Ask KidneyStoners.org: Why do I still have pain after passing a stone?
In our “Ask KidneyStoners.org” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. See previous questions and answers here. January 13, 2012. Question about residual pain after passing a stone from a stone former in England, UK: … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
15 Comments
How do I choose which surgery to have for my kidney stones?
Understanding what is the best option for treating your kidney stone can be difficult. In our new chart, we summarize the benefits and drawbacks of each surgical option. While it still won’t make the decision for you, it can help … Continue reading
Posted in Information, Surgery
11 Comments
Ask us: Treatment options for a 6mm kidney stone
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. See other questions and answers or ask your own question here. January 10, 2012 Question about treatment options for a 6mm … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
2 Comments
Ask us: My boyfriend needs to have his stents removed in the operating room
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. See other questions and answers or ask your own question here. December 16, 2011 Question about removal ureteral stents: “(M)y boyfriend … Continue reading
Does soda drinking cause kidney stones?
Kidney stone formers often ask us whether their soda drinking caused their kidney stones. Many have already taken the initiative to cut out all their soda, thinking it will help prevent future stones. So, what’s the real deal with soda … Continue reading
Posted in Information
5 Comments
Kidney Stones During Pregnancy
Along with the other challenges faced by women while they are pregnant, you can add the risk of developing a kidney stone. The risk of stone formation during pregnancy. A woman’s physiology changes dramatically during pregnancy, which can influence her … Continue reading
Posted in evaluation, Information, Surgery
22 Comments
How long is too long? “I forgot that I had a ureteral stent”
Many people have ureteral stents placed to prevent or treat urinary tract obstruction, and if you happen to be one of these people, it’s likely that you’re familiar with some of the symptoms of having a stent. However, it can … Continue reading
Posted in Information, Surgery
1 Comment
My stent hurts…what should I do?
80% of patients will have discomfort from their stent. Often this is cramping in the bladder or in the kidney; at times worse with urinating. A variety of medications can be tried to help with this: 1. Alpha-blockers (flomax, uroxatral, … Continue reading
Posted in Information, Surgery
1 Comment
Ask us: Suffering from stones in Ontario, Canada
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. Today’s post is from a recurrent stone patient in Ontario, Canada who is sharing his story. See other questions and answers or … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
Ask us: Struggling with cystinuria
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. Today’s question is about struggling with cystinuria. See other questions and answers or ask your own question here. October 12, 2011 Question … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
Ask us: Does chronic use of potassium citrate have any long-term drawbacks?
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. Today’s question is about long-term use of potassium citrate. See other questions and answers or ask your own question here. October … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
Leave a comment
Ask us: How common is it for homozygous cystinurics to not form a stone?
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. Today’s question is about cystinuria. See other questions and answers or ask your own question here. October 11, 2011 Question from … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
4 Comments
Salt Intake and Kidney Stones
Most individuals think that their calcium and oxalate intake are the main culprits to the formation of their kidney stones. Because the most common kidney stone type is composed of calcium oxalate, this would seem to suggest that restricting calcium … Continue reading
Posted in Information, Prevention
Leave a comment
Coming to Terms with the Need to be Over-Hydrated – From a Patient’s Perspective
Water, Water Everywhere: Coming to Terms with the Necessity to be Over-Hydrated. I know the consumption of plenty of water is necessary in order to stay properly hydrated, especially if one lives in a hot and dry climate. I live … Continue reading
Ask us: How will I know when a stone has dropped into the bladder?
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. Today’s question is about knowing when a stone has passed successfully. See other questions and answers or ask your own question here. … Continue reading
Ask us: Do I need to treat my 3mm stone?
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. Today’s question is about small non-symptomatic kidney stones. See other questions and answers or ask your own question here. July 22, … Continue reading
Posted in Ask
5 Comments
Ask us: How to treat cystine kidney stones in a five year old boy.
In our “Ask a kidney stone doctor” section, we field questions from stone formers or their family members. Today’s question is about cystine stones in a 5 year old boy. See other questions and answers or ask your own question … Continue reading
Obesity and Kidney Stones
Written by Jennifer N. Wu, MD and Roger K. Low, MD University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA. Obesity is a leading public health epidemic with the prevalence in the United States exceeding 30% in most sex and age groups.1 Interestingly, the … Continue reading
Kidney Stones: Why me? – From a Patient’s Perspective
A healthy lifestyle: In some ways I’m a typical kidney stone former, but in other respects, I suppose I’m not. I’m a female in my early sixties who lives in a very hot and dry climate. I work full-time. I’ve … Continue reading
How is a ureteral stent removed?
We previously went over how to place a ureteral stent. In today’s post, we go over the steps of removing a stent. Ureteral stents are removed using two basic methods: 1) By pulling on a stent string, if the string … Continue reading
Can bacteria be causing my kidney stones?
You may already be aware that some kidney stones can result from urinary tract infections. These are the so-called “struvite” stones, which can form large staghorn type stones. What you may not know is that researchers have suggested that bacteria … Continue reading
How do I know if I am drinking enough?
Graph showing urine output volume by hydration level. At 100% hydration, average urine output is 50 cc/hr or 1200 cc/day. Kidney stone patients should aim for 100 cc/hr or 2400 cc/day. Most kidney stone patients are used to being told … Continue reading
New insights into stone formation at the American Urological Association meeting 2011
Why do stones form? Oxidative stress was the main topic of conversation at the American Urological Association meeting in Washington DC last week. Investigators from Valhalla NY reported that oxidative stress may facilitate calcium oxalate crystal formation. In turn, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Cystine Kidney Stones
Classic “stop sign” crystals seen in the urine of patients with cystine urinary stone disease are illustrated. Most cystinurics do not have these crystals in their urine but when they are present they confirm the diagnosis. WHAT ARE CYSTINE STONES? … Continue reading
How much radiation am I getting from x-rays for my stones?
Computerized tomography scanning (CT scans or “cat scans”) have revolutionized the ability of physicians to diagnose kidney stones and has resulted in the vast majority of kidney stones nowadays being correctly diagnosed-the important first step in planning the best treatment … Continue reading
Can you use Google to track kidney stones?
Internet search data can now reveal where and when kidney stones are presenting in almost real time. In the past, gathering information on how often medical conditions (like kidney stones) occur required the meticulous gathering of information from medical records, … Continue reading
Kidney stones and urinary infections
Urinary infections and kidney stones can be related in two important ways. Infections can be the direct cause of stones or can develop in a patient with a non-infection related kidney stone. Infections cause kidney stones in about 15% of … Continue reading
How is a ureteral stent placed?
If you ever wondered how ureteral stents are placed, we’ll explain the process to you here step by step. Ureteral stents are typically used in two situations: 1) When a stone is causing blockage of the ureter and drainage needs … Continue reading
Kidney stones becoming more common worldwide
The bad news: Kidney stone disease appears to be increasing worldwide. In 2008, 1 out of every 11 Americans will experience a kidney stone at some point in their lives. This is up from 1 out of every 20 Americans … Continue reading
Kidney stones in women
Women appear to be at greater risk of forming kidney stones nowadays than ever before in the past. Previously, doctors observed that stones were 3 times more common in men than women (75% versus 25% of stone formers being men … Continue reading
