Litholink analysis after kidney stones
I saw the urologist yesterday for a follow-up after my lithotripsy (X-ray and ultrasound show no stones in right kidney (just the small one in the left... And, no, I have no idea why he didn't blast that one while he had me in there for the other ones).
He said the next step -- after we wait 2 months to give my body a chance to completely rid itself of any stone "gravel" -- I will do a 24-hour urine collection and then FedEx it to a company called Litholink for a detailed analysis of the urine composition with special focus on known stone formation factors. They will then send a report to my urologist so he can determine what I should or should not be eating, drinking, taking (medication) in order to prevent stones from recurring.
I asked a couple of people here who have had kidney stones in the past if they did anything similar and they said no. So... If anyone is having issues with kidney stones, it might be worth asking the urologist about this testing.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Hi Lora,
I've done the 24 hr collection. In fact I did it while on leave for my RnY back in Feb. It's a pain because you're pretty much tied to home all day and have to collect it every time you "go". If you leave and miss a collection (using a public restroom, etc), it affects your output #s and you don't look as hydrated. I recommend doing it on a Sunday or some day you don't have much going on. My results were that I need to drink more H2O (they said I drink enough for the avg person, but that I need to further dilute so I should aim for 90-100oz/day. GLUG GLUG!); I also need to cut back on dark green leafy veggies; cut back on protein). Basically, everything they told me except the h2o is counter to my rny diet, so I have to be careful in managing both.
I currently have 3 stones (not too big) in each kidney. Not causing pain at the moment. They've been sitting there for at least 5 mos. My urologist is following up with me every 2 mos. I've had kidney stones for about 20 years. I had surgery a couple of years back because one was blocking my ureter (and they put a stent in). The pain from REMOVING the stent is probably the worst pain I've ever had. We're considering a lithotripsy for my current stones, but I just had my gall bladder removed 2 wks ago, so I need to recover from THAT first.
Thank you for your updates about the lithotripsy, etc. It's not so scary when someone explains the details.
Good luck!
I have no doubt it will tell me to drink more. I have been trying, but u less I increase my diet soda intake, it is a struggle for me. I already limit dark easy greens because they are high in Vitamin K which counteracts my Coumadin (blood thinner), so I know that isn't a contributing factor.
I think it is funny that you have to return it within so many hours via a FedEx location that handles bio material!
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
I don't care WHAT they say, I am NOT giving up my small amount of chocolate, LOL! I already don't eat leafy greens because of the Vitamin K in them, but I know my water intake isn't as high as it should be.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
My son had to do the same urine testing after his lithotripsy. He was 8 when he started having kidney stones. We had to send the urine collection off to Litholink too. My son has to limit his calcium & sodium intake. Since the lithotripsy he has been put on Hydrochlorithiazide & has not had any troubles with kidney stones since & he is 11 1/2 now. I'm glad you were able to get the stones blasted & hopefully on your way to being pain free.
Oh, poor kid! How terrible to be that young and have to endure such pain. I am glad that the medication and diet changes are helping him.
Since the radiology and ultrasound reports seemed to indicate that I have had a combination of uric acid stones and some type of calcium stone, it will be interesting to see what the analysis shows.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
I know. It was terrible. I felt so bad that he had to go through that. It's one of those things that you wish you could take away from them & deal with it yourself. Yes, I too am glad that the diet & medication has helped keep it under control. He dealt with it like a champ tho. I have to give him that. I know grown adults that couldn't handle kidney stones as well as he did. He's a trooper. Keep us updated & love up on Gus. :D