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Not passing many fragments after lithotripsy?
Hi all, I had lithotripsy2 weeks ago wendesday and the dr was able to break up all the stones in my kidney. I had a 10 mm stone in my renal pelvis, multiple stones in the lower portion of the kidney largest of which was 6mm and 3 stones in the ureter largest measuring 4 mm. I had a stent in for a week and in that time passed maybe 5 or 6 tiny little pieces, since the stent was removed Ive counted just 1 tiny piece passed. My first lithotripsy i had only one large stone and passed a considerable amount more. Dr has ordered an x-ray in about another week so I'll find out whats going on but I was wondering if anyone here has had experience with NOT passing all the fragments following lithotripsy and if that sounds like what is going on here? I was also wondering if anyone had a delay in passing the fragments without needing another procedure. Ive strained at least 90% of the time so its possible i passed more then but I'm pretty vigilant about looking for fragments so I don't *think* thats the case. Thanks
I can relate. I had a 1, 3 and 6 mm stones (lower and mid pole) prior to a lithotripsy in July 2022. In November, kidney pain returned. A CT scan revealed 3 and 4 mm stones in lower pole, and 2 1 mm stones in renal collecting system (no idea what that is). I would consider this a failed lithotripsy -- now more stones that will likely grow and not passing. My doctor appointment is in 2 weeks. Not sure what to expect. I've had 3 lithotripsies -- may not be as effective as expected. Not sure I want to get more lithotripsies or if they are safe to repeat every few years.
I had lithotripsy about 10 years ago and I was given an exercise to do to help pass the fragments so they did not just sink to the bottom of the kidney. I was actually searching for something on that when I found this. Also in my search I found a document on position therapy to move the fragments to assist in passing them. As soon as I find out how to attach a document, I will do so.
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Could not figure out how to attach a document, so cut and pasted here, will see if this works: Well the pictures did not come across, but basically you lay on the edge of the bed our couch with your legs on the bed or couch and from the waste down you are hanging over the edge. So you are upside down and the fragments in the lower kidney them sink to the upper kidney which is now lower as you are upside down. Then hopefully when you stand back up and the fragments sink, some of them pass into the tube to the bladder.
After Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment, the kidney stones are often reduced to small particles ranging in size from dust to small gravel. Most of these fragments are passed out of the kidney due to the normal flushing action of the manufacturing of urine. However, sometimes dust and small fragments settle in the more dependent calyces of the kidney, especially for lower pole stones. Fluids and positioning can held theses fragments exit the kidney.
1.Drink 16 ounces (2 cups) of water. This will increase urine production to help flush out stonefragments. Alternatively, you may drink coffee to flush fluids through the kidney.
2.Lay upside down on the bed for 20 minutes. Place one or two pillows under your head forcomfort. You may have someone tap on the kidney (lower rib cage) to jostle the fragments.
3.Drink another 16 ounces (2 cups) of water to flush the fragments down.
Continue straining the urine. Perform this twice a day until you do not see any more fragments for three days.
Whenever possible, sleep with the affected kidney up.
After Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment, the kidney stones are often reduced to small particles ranging in size from dust to small gravel. Most of these fragments are passed out of the kidney due to the normal flushing action of the manufacturing of urine. However, sometimes dust and small fragments settle in the more dependent calyces of the kidney, especially for lower pole stones. Fluids and positioning can held theses fragments exit the kidney.
1.Drink 16 ounces (2 cups) of water. This will increase urine production to help flush out stonefragments. Alternatively, you may drink coffee to flush fluids through the kidney.
2.Lay upside down on the bed for 20 minutes. Place one or two pillows under your head forcomfort. You may have someone tap on the kidney (lower rib cage) to jostle the fragments.
3.Drink another 16 ounces (2 cups) of water to flush the fragments down.
Continue straining the urine. Perform this twice a day until you do not see any more fragments for three days.
Whenever possible, sleep with the affected kidney up.
I had Lithotripsy in 2007 and passed lots of gravel,sand and tiny stones without a stent. I had the same procedure done 5 days ago, but this time a stent was put in. I have strained everything but a little at the hospital. I've yet to pass anything and the new nurse at the doctors office said thats because the stones were broken up and you won't see of feel it. Sorry but I've been dealing with stones for over 30 years I think I know what my body does and what kind of pain I can tolerate. Appears I'm going to be looking for a new doctor. Complained the following Monday that the pain was as bad as before the procedure and my pain meds were making me itch. so they prescribed the Vicadin with acetaminophen which does nothing for the pain. Had a range of stones from 4mm to 8mm
Okay well the X-ray showed stone fragments still in the kidney, so basically it just told me exactly what I already knew lol. Thats okay though, really I think I was being unrealistic thinking they would all be passed at this point. I was really just going off of my only other experience with litho which was completely different. For one I only had 1 stone then so yeah... not really sure what I was thinking. Im still hopeful though that the rest of the fragments will pass and I'll finally get a break from the stones, at least for a little while. I guess what has caught me off guard is the amount of pain and discomfort that Ive continued to have. The way I've been feeling had me convinced something was wrong. Granted I can be a pretty big baby when it comes to pain but I'm just surprised all these teensy tiny fragments have been as painful as they are. Hopefully its not just me lol
That does sound odd and not terribly helpful advice to you i would imagine. Im getting my follow up X-ray tomorrow so I guess I'll see whats going on then but I have been passing more fragments so I'm hopeful. You know I wonder if that "pile" of fragments could start to crystalize back together over time?
I had that procedure done and didn't pass any broken up stones. Saw the X-ray and looks like its just laying at the bottom of my kidney now. The doctor
said that it in pieces and now just looks like a little pile. Then told me I should go swimming to help the pieces move. Can you believe that?
said that it in pieces and now just looks like a little pile. Then told me I should go swimming to help the pieces move. Can you believe that?
My husband had his lithotripsy one week ago and didn't pass a single fragment. He goes back to the dr in two days to determine if they actually broke up the stone.
He's still having severe kidney pain.
He's still having severe kidney pain.
Thanks for the reply, I've passed a little more since I posted this so fingers crossed I'm getting there. Thanks again!
I've never had that procedure for any of my stones so I don't have any first hand knowledge to tell you. Hope someone else in here can . You sure had some big stones before the procedure though. Good Luck and I wish you all the best.
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