good news/bad news/good news

The good news is - I went for my semi-annual visit with my kidney stone specialist and he cleared me! He told me he didn't need to see me again unless I needed him. WOO HOO, thanks Doc, hope I never see ya again! He said the stone he had been watching in my left kidney is gone. I felt like I was having a mild stone episode on the left side last week and he confirmed it. I passed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He showed me my xray from December with the small stone and my xray from Monday (day of visit) with no stones anywhere to be found. He also pointed out some of the staples from my surgery. That was cool! The bad news - I got a call from my primary who just got back from a 2 week vacation. Before he left he had ordered a 24 hour urine test on me. The results showed that my citric acid level is low (which puts me at high risk for forming kidney stones). He wants me to go back on the medication to raise the citric acid level. These pills are big and they can't be chewed, crushed or split. I asked him if they would be in my system long enough for me to get the required amount of medication and he said they would be. I then told him I am concerned that they may block the stoma either from my pouch or at the new small intestine connection. He said to try one a day to see how it goes. I was taking 5 of these horse pills per day pre-op!!!!! The good news - from primary - My vitamin D levels are up in the normal range and I can stop taking the supplement he had me on. He had put me on 50,000 units 2X per week for 20 weeks because it was so low, I have just finished 16 weeks. I just have to take my multi and my calcium w/D to keep it in the normal range now. I think I'm going to call my surgeon to see if he thinks I may have a problem with this other med. The tablet doesn't dissolve, it is a waxy base that holds the medicine which leaches out and the base is then um "disposed" of. The tablets have always come out looking exactly like they did going in, if you know what I mean.

Good news for the most part! That should make you happy. How do you get the little toilet guy on here? I like him. Hazel

Very good news for the most part. I've called my surgeon's office and they referred me to the pharmacy about the caplet meds. They told me the max size the caplet could be and still pass from the stomach. These caplets don't dissolve and are extended release. Did I tell you I was taking 5 of these suckers a day pre-op? The pharm is checking on another med that will have the same results but comes in an oral form and in a crystal form to mix with food. They are even going to call the manufacturer to ask about mixing the crystal form with a protein drink. How cool is that?! The pharmacist is also going to call my primary to see if he will switch the prescription to this other medication if they find it will be compatible with my needs. I think I've just fallen in love with my pharmacist. To get the little toilet guy just type the word toilet between 2 colons. Susan

Susan: Ugh...don't you hate taking horse pills? I hate taking ANY pills. If I could get a shot each morning with all my vitamins in it, I would prefer that over even the smallest pill! But...your news is mostly good and I am very happy for you! I will be thinking good "no more stones" thoughts for you! Have a great day, Jersey Mom