Kidney Pain - stones and mass

[cq48455]

I have a few questions - Been diagnosed with multiple kidney stones in both kidneys - left side largest is 5 mm.  I  have a 2.5 cm solid mass in right kidney. I also have constant microscopic hematuria. I have a lot of pain mainly on my left side, alot of time enough to make be bend over . Urologist said can't be from kidney stones since they are still in my kidney. I may have passed something but nothing big enough to see since I have been watching when I urinate and have symptons.  This has been going on since end of April - doctor said looking to remove them would be like looking for needle in haystack. Not showing on ultrasound.  Have had only a few days where I haven't had to take major pain meds.  Mass in kidney - said it is benign but will be watched by tests every three monthes.  I am scheduled to have TVT done in two weeks.  I had hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid removed 4 years ago. I had a stone that blocked my kidney and even after blasting would not come out without being scooped out.  This was in my left kidney. Kidneys were both checked out thoroughly for damage and other stones - neither of which was found. Questions are...Since it has been two months and I haven't passed any stones are they likely to just stay put?  If the larger one gets stuck after I have my surgery will they be able to go in and get it out without cutting me or screwing up the TVT? Would gravel show up on the CT Scans , Xrays or Ultrasounds that were done?  Pain that I am having - it is the same pain that  have when I have had infections and when I have stones which is why I went to my reg doctor and they found all of this so how can it not be from the stones even though they are still in the kidney?  What causes multiple stones in both kidneys?  I did have ionized calcuim and PTH blood work done again - not sure they tested it in the time frame needed but it came back normal.  Could this be left overs from the last time even though they checked out everything and it all came back stone free?  What would cause multiple stones in both kidneys?  With the mass is this the right thing to do - wait and see or should I be doing something more?  Is a urologist who I should be seeing or a neuphorologist(?)?  If I could get past the pain I would probably not worry but it is disrupting my life - I am very limited on what pain meds I can take because of stomach problems - cannot take aspirin, ibuprohin, nsaids etc - tylenol doesn't work and tylenol 3 tears up my stomach -  so it is vicodin - I only take it when I can't stand it any longer but I can't nor don't want to take it forever.

[cq48455]

update.  Stones still there - went to ER with pain - meds didn't help. Thought I was passing stones but still in kidney.  CT taken shows have more stones in both kidneys.  Mass is just birth defect.  Am going back to urologist on Wednesday- he was gone for the week.  Pain has been pretty bad - there most of the time - varies in intensity.  Bones are screaming again and stomach is hurting like did when had the hyperparathyroidism.  Worse when the stones move around.  If any ones says they don't hurt when they are still in the kidney I would love to donate them. Have been going to Rheumatologist for evaulation of constant pain - had bone scan MRI and multiple blood tests. Blood tests have been goofed on and off but nothing consistant. Nothing to show cause.  All started with Kidney stones.  Went to Physical therapy - helped loosen and strengthen back muscles, flexibility is back but didn't help the bone pain.  Am getting really frustrated as is my husband. Last time it took 10 years to figure out the hyperparathryoidism - regular dr thinks it is something probably off the wall just will take time to figure it out.  I can handle alot of pain - am real good at pushing it back but am at the breaking point. Regular doctor wants to put me on meds to prevent more stones but if we don't know what kind of stones - why add more meds and am worried to start before any more tests are done on the ones I already have.  Also off work until see urologist am pretty much maxing out on Vicodin each day which I don't like taking but at this point can't get by without.  Any one have any ideas?????  

[kidney877]

Please get a second opinion.  Solid masses are not normal for kidney.  While I am not trying to scare you solid masses in the kidneys can be cancerous.  I was diagnosed with kidney stones and they were going to break them up, but I decided to get a second opinion and it turned out that I had kidney tumors.

[Dr Santos]

How are you? Kidney stones may form when the normal balance of water, salts, minerals, and other substances found in urine changes.Kidney stones can run in families.They may stay in your kidneys or travel out of your body through the urinary tract. Kidney stones often cause no pain while they are in the kidneys, but they can cause sudden, severe pain as they travel from the kidneys to the bladder. Most small stones  which are less than 5mm move out of the body without the need for any treatment other than drinking extra fluids and taking pain medicine.The average time a stone takes to pass ranges between 1 and 3 weeks. If your pain is too severe, if the stones are blocking the urinary tract, or if you also have an infection, your doctor will probably suggest medical or surgical treatment. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most commonly used medical treatment for kidney stones. It uses shock waves that pass easily through the body but are strong enough to break up a kidney stone.  If ESWL does not work or if you have a very large stone, Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy is done. The surgeon puts a narrow telescope into the kidney through a cut in your back. He or she then removes the stone  or breaks it up and removes it.
  
After you have had kidney stones, you are more likely to have them again. You can help prevent them by drinking enough water to keep your urine clear, about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. You may have to eat less of certain foods. Your doctor may also give you medicine that helps prevent stones from forming.

For the mass in your kidney, it is good to see the nephrologist. Did your doctor say what kind it is? Good luck on your next appointment. Take care and keep us posted.