Dr Hive kidney stone?

[Only me]

I feel like I'm In the twilight zone so I wanted to be sure that I'm actually right in this case. I had an ultrasound and CT of my liver and gallbladder and they found a 7.7 mm kidney stone. It's in my kidney so supposedly isn't causing any pain. I'm not completely sure about that part but what scares me is if it moves. My doctor told me that I could easily pass a stone this size without pain. She said I could pass one up to 2 cm. That doesn't seem right.

 

My husband just passed a 3 mm one and was in pain and my dad had a 6 mm one and was in pain. I told the doctor this and she said that I had to be wrong about the size and that my husband's must had been 3 cm. what? I never heard of such a big one. Now I realize that it is worse in men but wouldn't an almost 8 mm kidney stone hurt if it passes? My neighbor just had 7 mm one that had to be surgically removed. She said that it was the worst pain of her life.

 

I usually really trust my doctor but I'm thinking about seeing a urologist. Has anyone had a similar size one just sit In the kidney? Also am I right about that size causing pain?

[PeacefulChaos]

See a urologist.  I mean, yes, you can pass one without pain IF YOU'RE ON PAIN MEDS.  :lol:

 

I get them all the time - every couple weeks or so.  I had two a couple months ago that were HUGE - thing is, I don't go to the doctor for every stone (that'd be silly of me), so the last I'd heard (in December), I had 3 stones the size of BBs that were floating around in my kidney.  I always have them in the walls, but those 3 were the most notable that were loose. 

Anyway, come January and early Feb and I made 2 ER visits, thinking it must be for the same stone.  As long as I keep ahead of the pain with pain meds I'm fine, and I take Flomax.  When finally, the middle of February, I passed not just one, but TWO stones that were much bigger than BBs, I was like, oh... :lol:  That's why it was taking so long.  :leaving:  

I probably should've had litho for those, but I try to avoid it if at all possible.  They were over a cm each.

 

Anyway... all that to say, yeah, see a uro.

[hornblower]

I believe when they're under 5 mm, most will pass but over 5 is iffier. BUT - it depends where it's sitting. If it's sitting high up in a kidney in a little 'pocket', it might not be moving anywhere anyway so I think those you just monitor. 

I had stones during pregnancy, had to have stents placed while still pregnant and after dd was born I had lithotripsy. After all that I tweaked my diet & have been stone free since.  It depends what kind of stones you have but some can definitely be prevented. 

In your position I would see a urologist for a 2nd opinion. 

Also do some research on your own. I like this quick little summary because it hits all the high points (it's specifically about pilots but the med details are all good)  

 

http://www.asams.org/guidelines/Completed/NEW%20Renal%20Stones.htm

 

"Those afflicted with stone disease are encouraged to remain well-hydrated (>2L/day) and maintain a diet restricted in sodium and animal protein intake."

[Spryte]

Yes, see a uro. I have stones often. Painful! I'm allergic to all pain meds, so I take Flomax and something for nausea, and that's it. Stay hydrated.

 

At this point, if the stone's not moving, just stay hydrated, and maybe schedule with the uro.

[Only me]

Ok so it's not likely that my husband had one that was actually 3 cm instead of 3 mm. I would imagine at almost 8 mm one would hurt to pass

[Spryte]

Ok so it's not likely that my husband had one that was actually 3 cm instead of 3 mm. I would imagine at almost 8 mm one would hurt to pass

Ummmm. Yes. An 8 mm would hurt!

[Spryte]

I think the average ureter is only 3 - 4 mm, so anything larger than that isn't going to pass without help.

 

And - I get tiny gravelly stones, too, in addition to the big ones (my big ones are in the 4 mm range). Believe me - the little ones hurt. They are rough, and they scratch. I don't think it's possible to pass one without pain. Ouch!

[MomatHWTK]

Getting one removed was very $$$ for us. I can't remember why DH did, maybe it was really big? It was several years ago. Usually, when it is in place there isn't much pain. Once it starts to move, if you can pass it you will know. You will feel pain when it moves from kidney to bladder, then might have a respite. When it moves again- you'll know again. In fact, DH had to do extensive testing to demonstrate that he wasn't at risk for passing out from pain while on the job.  :crying: It is painful, but the degree of pain varies by person. 

Edited April 18, 2016 by MomatHWTK

[countrygal]

See a urologist! That has a good chance of being too big to pass and why wait until it's an emergency to get it taken care of? Are you in any pain? I beg to differ that stones in the kidney don't cause pain. Sure, it isn't the severe pain of passing one but I had vague, unpredictable pelvic and back pain for 7 + months with blood occasionally in my urine and it took to the 3rd doctor to even suggest a kidney stone because I wasn't in 'enough pain'. I did end up in more pain when a 2mm piece broke off from the big one (over 1 cm) in my kidney and started down the ureter. I thought it was a cyst because then I had the lower abdominal one sided pain but the OB said it was a kidney stone. Sure enough it was. Had a lithotripsy that week!