Need Help on Dealing with Kidney Stones While in Recovery

[Kristen0984]

I'm so glad to find this forum! I am in recovery for opiate abuse and have been clean for 16 months. I have a situation now where I could really use some advice from fellow kidney stone sufferers.

Around 3 weeks ago, I woke up with some moderate pain in my flank. As the day progressed, it got worse and worse until I finally had to go to the doctor. He thought that I had a kidney stone and recommended I go to the ER. I declined since I have no health insurance after being fired from my job as a nurse at that same hospital last year due my substance abuse (also a contributing factor why I had no desire to go back to that hospital). I was extremely irritated that my doctor then offered me Demerol for the pain when he knows about my addiction! I went home with Toradol, which worked well. But then I got extremely ill that night with a high fever, so I was admitted to the hospital the next day. I had a kidney infection in addition to a kidney stone. Feeling so sick, it was really exhausting for me to make sure everyone knew that I was in recovery and to make sure I did not receive any meds that would be dangerous for me, especially since these people all knew me from when I worked at the hospital before. I kept taking the Toradol, but my stone would not pass and I had to have it removed. Afterwards, I experienced instant relief and was discharged.

Unfortunately, last week I began having flank pain again. I have been using the Toradol and hoping this stone will pass, but I just don't know how much more I can take. I have been vomiting for a week now, and the pain has gotten extremely severe in the past day. The Toradol is no longer helping. My sponsor is concerned that I am so stubborn that she thinks I will refuse to ever take stronger pain meds even if they are necessary. I think this is probably true, but I can't help but feel like I would be giving in to my addiction. I have worked so hard for my sobriety and I do not want to put it at risk. I keep telling myself the stone will pass soon and that I can handle the pain. It is just weird to me because if someone else in recovery were in this same situation, I would tell them to take the stronger pain meds if they honestly need them and make sure to attend extra meetings and have someone else keep possession of the meds. I would tell them that this would in no way equal a relapse. But I cannot seem to give myself this same advice.

What do you all do when you have kidney stones? How do you deal? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[overopiates]

Take ur own advice no need to torture urself its not a relapse its medically necessary and u know that

[Stacy_Lynn]

I to have a history of stones & even dealt with one stuck in my urethra for 5 months ( i was still getting my fix of hydro so why bother) until i got a Major infection, as u should know being in the medical field as well, so i had zero choice to have 2 surgeries in 1 week. Congrats to 16 months clean, thats awesome & what i'am striving for ( i'am only at 29 days ) but being in the medical field u know sometimes u might just need them. I know ur scared & I get that but u sound like u have had the proper treatment & if u can take the drugs as prescribed & thats it i feel u have the tools to make it! I too worry about a future kidney stone & such but i feel like i want to be clean & not go back to the place I was & that i have the tools to deal with it! Good luck dear & post here please when needed! Love & prayers. Stacy