Talk to me about kidney stones...

Savvy122 · January 2014

I spent the morning in the ER in the most excruciating pain of my life. You know how they say that kidney stones are the worst kind of pain next to childbirth? Yeah, that's not a lie. Why don't they offer an epidural for that shit!?

Has anyone ever had a kidney stone? I'm trying to avoid freaking myself out using Dr. Google but I can't contact the urologist to follow up until Monday. The ER couldn't see any stones on ultrasound, but since all of my symptoms point to one, they're treating me as such. So I'm home with a script for Oxycodone (which I realllly don't want to take but I will do anything to avoid that kind of pain again) and orders to drink a lot of water. Is there anything else, in your experience, that I can do to help with the pain and/or passing of this little devil?

Ladybird2014 · January 2014

No experience but I pray it passes fast. I can only imagine the pain you are in

.

nfanning23 · January 2014

I have a history of Kidney stones and infections. The worst pain I have ever been in! Lots and lots of cranberry juice! Cranberry juice is very good for your system. Since I have a history I drink it daily I do the no sugar or light juice because it can sometimes have a lot of sugar. Plenty of rest too. They will hopefully just pass on their own.

BrunoBabies · January 2014

I have plenty of experience with this. When i was pregnant last time they started forming, but were spontaneous stones which pass on their own. They SUCK, but as long as they pass you should be happy. From what I hear stints suck. I had kidney and gall stones throughout my whole pregnancy and then a few months after he was born, they cleared up on their own and can be just another lovely symptom of pregnancy.

Metamucil helps if you drink it daily, and lots of cranberry juice. Also cut back on sweets and oils and up your intake of citrus.

Hope this helps!

Savvy122 · January 2014

snuff9861 said:

If the stone is small enough to pass, there's really not much you can do until you pass it. Keep drinking lots of water. I would be wary of the oxy, I'm not sure if it's safe to take during pregnancy (but I'm not a doctor so take that with a grain of salt). If the stone doesn't pass, I do believe they try to break it up ultrasonically.

Hmm. Maybe it's not oxycodone (my H just took the script to the pharmacy, otherwise I'd check). Whatever it was, I did question the doctor and she said it is a narcotic, so only to take it if necessary, but that she did want to make sure I had something for the pain.

bebemac · January 2014

No experience with this, but I hope relief is on the horizon! I'd be hesitant to take the oxy.

momof5sept18 · January 2014

Soaking in hot baths help with the pain. DH used to get Kidney Stones. He said as hot as he could stand the water is how he'd make his bath and just lay in it and it helped him a lot.

I hope you feel better!!

Savvy122 · January 2014

@BrightEyes112 @snuff9861

I just called my H and had him ask the pharmacist about the oxy... he said it's Category B, so safe to take during pregnancy. Glad I had him double check! I hate taking anything, really, but I feel a little better knowing I can safely take something to help with the pain.

hscoggins · January 2014

I have chronic kidney stones. I've also been told they are worse than labor and boy, do I hope that's true!

If they didn't see any stones on a scan then likely it/they are very small and will pass in time (it's not always quick, unfortunately). What causes the pain is when stones move around in the kidney and start to either move down into or block the ureter. I don't have experience with Oxy while pregnant but I would call your on-call OB to ask about it's safety. You'll want pain relief! Definitely up your water intake, and drink cranberry juice too. I drink 2-3L of water a day (no joke) to avoid future stones and I can't have spicy food or citrus bc it can exacerbate stone formation.

Hang in there! They suck, but it'll prepare you well for childbirth (or so they say)!!

MegRN2008 · January 2014

So sorry you are going through this! I know first hand that it sucks badly

I was diagnosed with a kidney stone during this pregnancy at 10 weeks. I too ended up in the ER and was told to follow up with urology later. My stone ended up not passing on its own and I had to have surgery a few weeks later to remove it and a stent left in place for a week after to let the ureter heal (and yes the stent did suck too).

Until you follow up with urology, push the fluids and yes the oxycodone is safe during pregnancy. You don't want to become dependent on it and take it the rest of the pregnancy (the baby would be born addicted), but taking it now sporadically or for a short time is not going to do any harm. I took Vicodin around the clock for about a week and then off and on until this resolved for me. A heating pad on my back where I was having the flank pain also helped me a lot... I was just careful to not have it too hot or on for too long because I didn't want to raise the temperature anywhere near the baby (which was probably overly cautious anyway). Good luck with everything and don't hesitate to ask me any questions if you want to know more about my experience!

Savvy122 · January 2014

You are all wonderful, thanks for the advice!

dragonfly711 · January 2014

MegRN2008 said:
So sorry you are going through this! I know first hand that it sucks badly I was diagnosed with a kidney stone during this pregnancy at 10 weeks. I too ended up in the ER and was told to follow up with urology later. My stone ended up not passing on its own and I had to have surgery a few weeks later to remove it and a stent left in place for a week after to let the ureter heal (and yes the stent did suck too).

Until you follow up with urology, push the fluids and yes the oxycodone is safe during pregnancy. You don't want to become dependent on it and take it the rest of the pregnancy (the baby would be born addicted), but taking it now sporadically or for a short time is not going to do any harm. I took Vicodin around the clock for about a week and then off and on until this resolved for me. A heating pad on my back where I was having the flank pain also helped me a lot... I was just careful to not have it too hot or on for too long because I didn't want to raise the temperature anywhere near the baby (which was probably overly cautious anyway). Good luck with everything and don't hesitate to ask me any questions if you want to know more about my experience!

@MegRN2008

They said Vicodin was ok? My back went out in July. ( herniated disc) I usually take Vicodin and flexeral. I went to theDr and told her at that time I might be pregnant. She told me not to take Vicodin or the flexeral. Only thing she told me was they Tylenol which did nothing so I just sucked up the pain.

Mbk247 · January 2014

I had them too! Scary how much pain they cause. Fingers crossed they pass quickly. I flooded myself with water and cranberry juice. Maybe this helped, but it's hard to say. Keep taking the meds, they help!

CreEspree · January 2014

Everything PP said!! Those things sick HORRIBLY.

And I pray you get some relief soon.

MegRN2008 · January 2014

@dragonfly711

Yes Vicodin should be fine but only for short term use. I would even be weary about using it short term closer to birth because I wouldn't want baby to be born with the Vicodin in their system.

Not sure about your situation with your back, but maybe they said no because they thought you would need it more long term? Also was it your regular doc or a back specialist that said no? Because in my experience, if babies or pregnancy aren't a doctor's specialty, they err on the side of caution (probably rightfully so). I would take what my OB says above any other physician when it comes to what is or isn't okay in pregnancy.

kibean · January 2014

Ugh those are TERRIBLE. Did they give you something to try to catch the stone when it passes? I was able to get one of mine and they analyzed it, which I think is key.

Based on the results I was told to avoid calcium containing antacids...I think I was taking too many Tums and getting too much calcium at the time. Once I switched to Prilosec, I never had another one.

curlylocks3 · January 2014

I get chronic kidney stones and so I totally feel your pain. Your risk of getting them is higher during pregnancy so really, staying hydrated is the best thing you can do prevent stones. The urologist may give you some specific guidelines on how much fluid you need per day (I do 3.5L). Try to avoid things that will dehydrate you- caffeinated and/or carbonated beverages are not the way to go. Soups and popsicles can also help keep you hydrated.

Some people say walking helps, I can't really say one way or another. When I am having severe pain massaging the area with a fist seems to really help- its like the perfect shape to get to my flank. Lastly, sometimes I'll lay on my side with H behind me and have him bring his knees up so his knee cap is right over that area.

Good luck, I hope your stones pass soon!

Savvy122 · January 2014

kibean said:

Ugh those are TERRIBLE. Did they give you something to try to catch the stone when it passes? I was able to get one of mine and they analyzed it, which I think is key.

Based on the results I was told to avoid calcium containing antacids...I think I was taking too many Tums and getting too much calcium at the time. Once I switched to Prilosec, I never had another one.

Yeah, they gave me a little cardboard-ish strainer. I hope it passes... and that I can see it when it does pass.

dragonfly711 · January 2014

MegRN2008 said:

@dragonfly711 Yes Vicodin should be fine but only for short term use. I would even be weary about using it short term closer to birth because I wouldn't want baby to be born with the Vicodin in their system. Not sure about your situation with your back, but maybe they said no because they thought you would need it more long term? Also was it your regular doc or a back specialist that said no? Because in my experience, if babies or pregnancy aren't a doctor's specialty, they err on the side of caution (probably rightfully so). I would take what my OB says above any other physician when it comes to what is or isn't okay in pregnancy.

yeah it was at the walk in clinic. I only usually use it short term for a few days just to get over the initial pain. I actually didnt want it in case I was pregnant, I wanted it on hand and she would not give it to me. I just sucked up the pain for the week. lol

Breff · January 2014

About a month ago I was having sharp pains on my left side. I couldn't even drive to work pulled over in a parking lot and layed in my backseat. The doc treated me for kidney stones never did a ultrasound to check and wrote me a script as well. I tries Tylenol first bc I didn't want to take a prescription. Tylenol helped didn't take the pain away but made it more bare able try Tylenol if you don't want to take the painmeds prescribed to you. Mine lasted about a week

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