Don't get stones, folks

[KyleEdric]

A couple days ago I got a kidney stone surgically removed from my ureter. It was 7mm! The biggest one I've had to date. It was causing a partial blockage and was responsible for almost non-stop pain in my right side for weeks. I went to the hospital twice in the past couple months, I was in so much agony.
So when an ultrasound and x ray came back with images of a massive stone too big to pass on my own, I knew I needed to go into surgery.

I was in a lot of pain before the procedure so they gave me Fentanyl. That stuff makes you twice as dizzy as morphine, but I was more grateful it wasn't making me sick. I ended up needing two doses of the stuff just to keep the pain at a bearable level... =_=

The surgery itself went very well. I had a good surgeon, she broke up the stone with a laser and inserted a temporary stent (a thin flexible tube with little holes) into the ureter.

I was told the stent would originally be removed a few days after surgery but then was later told it would be removed on the 22nd this month... >.< I was warned that stents are uncomfortable, and it does feel almost as bad as having the actual stone, but it's there for a reason. The surgeon said that there was quite a bit of scarring throughout my right ureter from past stones and thats why the stent is gonna be in there for so long.

In the meantime, I haven't felt like doing much except curl under the covers with a heating pad and eating advil... Not to mention dreading to use the bathroom again because of how damn red my urine looks, now! 0.0;

One thing I have considered if I do want to transition to male, and get bottom surgery one day, those kidneys of mine are still gonna be producing stones and I can only watch my diet so carefully. I really don't know what I'm going to do, because while I don't like having a vagina it does give me a small advantage with the stones. I've heard kidney stones are worse for men since the stone already cut through the ureter and then it's cutting out the urethra.

Anyone here had stones? How'd you deal with them?

[Dena]

I haven't had them but I have been around people who have. The first rule is drink lots of water. You need at least half a gallon (2 litters) a day and you might need twice that amount. Use a glass of known size or a container measured with the amount of water you need to consume each day. In the summer working out doors, I may need as much as 2 gallons (8 litters). You will know if you have it wrong by checking the color of the toilet water. After you urinate the water should be clear or pale yellow. If it's any darker, drink more water.

Check with your doctor on the type of stone you have. You may need to alter your diet if you tend to form different types of stones and your doctor can advise you how to reduce stone formation.

My boss had a half gallon container he would keep with him all the time and he had the rule that the container needed to be emptied each day. In addition, he drank other beverages but they didn't count in the total. After he started carrying the container, he hasn't had any more problems with stones.

[JoanneB]

I worked for a medical device company designing equipment for blasting away stones. As Dena said they come in a few different flavors with some being a lot harder to crack then others. Some people are just plain prone to them no matter what. Other times it can be related to diet. Best to check with the urologist who did the procedure for his assessment of the type of stone and possible dietary causes

[suzifrommd]

I used to get one every year or so. They would get hung up leaving my kidneys and the pain was unbearable.

Never had any trouble getting through my man parts, though. Once they cleared the kidney, they'd just shoot out.

I now drink an ocean of water every day. I have to pee a lot, but I haven't had a kidney stone since 1997.

[FTMax]

Oh man, I've never had one but that sounds miserable. I remember when I was a kid my grandparents always told my mom I was going to get one because of all the soda and juice I drank. Luckily that never happened!

I hope the rest of your recovery goes well and you can avoid more stones as long as possible.

[Cindy]

I feel for you! I suffered with stones in my 20s and it was agony.

Mine were calcium based and I use to drink a lot of milk and love cheese. Cutting out milk and limiting cheese has solved my issues, plus of course a lot of water. I take a calcium pill to protect my health.

I still love cheese but look at it with longing desire!

[JoanneB]

I still love cheese but look at it with longing desire!

There is the possibility of Life Without Cheese  

[Dena]

I still love cheese but look at it with longing desire!

There is the possibility of Life Without Cheese  

Not for somebody born in Wisconsin!