Possible kidney damge from stone?

I've been having pain in my left side and back and my doctor suspects a kidney stone. He referred me for an ultrasound but it's not until May and in the meantime the pain is getting worse.

Is there a chance that I could do damage to my kidney because I'm waiting so long for treatment?

I know that if it is a kidney stone there's a good chance it'll be small enough to pass so I'll end up waiting anyway, but I'm worried that it could be too big and it'll be months before I know.

I'm also worried that urine is backing up in my kidney because of it. Through out the day I'll feel the pressure in my side get worse and worse. The pain is also getting unbearable and until they diagnose for sure that it's a stone I can't anything except regular over the counter painkillers like paracetamol, which doesn't even make a dent on the pain.

I'm also constantly nauseas and I've lost 14lbs over the last 2 weeks. I have headaches from my blood pressure going up.

Is there a possibility I could end up with kidney damage?

If i did end up with kidney damage since I'm otherwise healthy would my kidney heal fully eventually?

[Mommy_oftwo]

If the pain gets bad enough i wouldn"t wait it out. If you are loosing weight and can"t hold down food, get a temperature or are miserable from the pain, i would go to the ER. While yes, if it is a stone thats passing, all you can do is wait it out. But if the pain is so unbearable, you can recieve pain meds to help ease it at the ER. I just passed one myself 2 weeks ago and had such bad pain and nausea and vomiting i had to go in. With the fluids they give u and the pain meds. It made passing the stone easier. Hope you feel better and get some help soon. Best Wishes!

[kidneycoach]

Hi HaileyH,

Yes there is definitely a possibility that your suspected kidney stone could cause kidney damage... However, the power is in your hands and I would definitely get a second opinion or another doctor that will move the scan up sooner.

Not only were you right in thinking that the actual stone could cause damage as it passes through (assuming you have one), but if left in there too long a back flow of urine to the kidneys is possible, causing further damage.

I hope this news doesn't freak you out. Not intended. More a cautionary note to encourage you to follow your gut instinct and have your kidneys looked at sooner.

I wish you well, and I hope that the pain is transitory and minor one.

P.S. Yes absolutely, if you did incur any damage there are PLENTY of natural remedies to help heal your kidneys to health.

[doubleaaaron]

Why in the world would they wait till may? That's ignorant of them. I would go to someone else. Just go to the er. If you have a stone they will keep you. Stones can cause damage to your kidney, especially if you wait.

[livelifelarge24]

I have had over 60 kidney stones and unfortunately this is the way it works - if you go to a doctor complaining of the pain, they set you up for an ultrasound or ct scan, etc. A lot of times you have to wait weeks or months for that test depending on the insurance, etc. Meanwhile you are in a ton of pain and if you DO happen to pass a stone before the test you may never know.

However, if you go to the ER (which is ridiculously expensive with no insurance) then their job is to see that you are diagnosed and treated then and there. They will put you through all the tests they can, including a ct scan right there in the ER and then refer you to the right doctor or specialist. I have been through both ways of diagnosing many of my stones and I hate the ER but until I learned to recognize the symptoms that was the only way to be seen in a realistic time frame.

Yes, you CAN get kidney damage if a stone moves into the ureter tube and gets stuck there. Your kidney won't be able to release the urine it is producing and will swell up larger and larger and larger... This happened to me however and I can assure you that you end up in the ER long before major damage occurs. The pain of a blocked kidney, at least in my case, is unbearable. I couldn't walk much less move my arm or lift my head off the pillow. I had a high fever, etc. all I could do was sleep. If you're at that point then you need to go to the hospital asap!

I wish you the best of luck, kidney stones are no fun and getting answers from doctors can be the worst part!

[doubleaaaron]

Just shows how crappy health care is. Around here if you have high bp and a stone they will admit you in the hospital. But maybe he doesn't have insurance, idk.

[Kelbelle237]

i have reoccuring infections and stones. I have been to the er several times and yes they just tell me to see a neprologist? i know the symptoms now, so i drink tons of water and eat better. No neprologist accepts my insurance right now so i need your advice i hate the er. My stones always dissolve, i can never catch one. If one gets suck i will stop peeing right?? can you tell me any symptom you had..oh i never  get a fever just chillls.. thanks kelly