Expensive, invasive and embarrasing proceedures vs Lithotripsy a stone

[gizmo556]

In order for me to post a question, I must first give a little hx. I have had left flank discomfort and intermittent gross hematuria. I had a flat plate of my abdomen and a renal ultra sound done. I went to a urologist who told me that he was not going to do anything about the stone because it was non obstructing but then ordered another ultra sound and when I went back to the exam room after the ultrasound, he was setting up for a cysto. I told him no and left. I got copies of the original ultra sound and flat plate and made an appointment with a second urologist. I had to give a health hx to both Urologists and the first never commented on my hx. My hx is as follows: 1992 Total hysterectomy due to CA of the Cervix, I went faithfully for pap tests the first 7 years which were all negative. I did not have Chemo or radiation tx. The 2nd Urologist said that he wanted me to have an abdominal CT w and w/o contrast which I did have and stated he thought I should have a cysto as well and also added that he did not think the left flank discomfort and intermittent hematuria was caused by the stone. He wanted to be sure I did not have CA again.  All I wanted was to have the stone pulverized to pass it. Why not get rid of the stone first, then if sx don't subside then do these other things? By the way, the CT scans were negative and a waist of insurance money so I did not go back to that Urologist either. Why not just Lithotripsy and be done with it? Please give me a reason to believe in the urology profession because I feel they knew I have good insurance and wanted to rack up tests to keep me coming back therefore to keep the money flowing in.

[MSKshelly]

I have gone through a lot of this over the last few years,,,, is the stone in the kidney or the ureter?  How big is the stone?
Do you only have the one?

This is very significant because stones in the ureter are something that they treat more proactively!  Both of my kidneys are soo full of stones they can not even count them!
I have been through mulitiple CT scans, x-rays, cystos, and pelvic exams!  Your urologist is not out of line doing a cysto to rule out an other issues causing your pain, this is pretty standard procedure. I know it is embarrasing.... and not fun.. but keep in mind the urologist does these all the time so it is all very medical to them!  It's just embarrasing and personal to you.  (You might ask your doctor if he could give you something like a low dose valium before doing the cysto.  Of course have someone along to drive you, but by relaxing you to the procedure it will make it emotionally easier but also help to relax the muscles urethra etc. down there making it a lot less painful!
Trust me I have learned that the hard way!)

  I would how ever highly encourage you to find a pelvic pain physical therapist!  After battling right flank pain for years, and the test not giving us any conclusive answers I finally went to a pelvic pain PT.  To my amazement she found a lot of scar tissue from a childhood surgery and delivering my kids.  She taught me how to work with and build up my pelvic floor and abdominal wall, which helps with the pain!  She also taught me how to work the scar tissue and she manually broke it up... without surgery!  This is important since more surgery would only increase my scar tissue in the long run!

With two kidneys full of stone, chronic infection and IC I still have bouts of flank pain... but nothing like before!  Also she was able to teach me the difference in my pain issues, so I can tell what is actually causing my pain when it hits.  This tells us how to approach treating it.  The pain before I went to her was soo bad at times I thought I was losing it!  The doctors wrote all my pain issues to the issues above!  

I would highly advice anyone going through chronic pain issue, that don't show on a CT scan to see a physical therapist.... they consistantly have been able to give me the tools to get some of my life back!

Shelly