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3 mm kidney stone won't come out

I am a 70-year-old female in the midst of a kidney stone episode:
10 days ago, sudden onset of an episode of excruciating pain on right side of abdomen, accompanied by nausea and vomiting and bloody urine.  2 days later:  An episode of painless gross hematuria.
CAT Scan reveals 3 mm. distal right ureteral calculus just proximal to the UVJ causing minimal fullness of the right ureter. Ever since:  constant pressure in the lower abdomen (pelvis and groin), and a constant urge to urinate that makes me practically home bound.  On Flomax 0.4 mg. and hydration.   I use a strainer, and thus far – no stone.
1.  Is a 3 mm stone likely to pass on its own, if it has not passed already?
2.  How long can it take for a stone to pass?
3.  Anything I can do to expedite the process?
4.  How much fluids should I consume?
Please, advise...  
28 Responses
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Avatar universal
The 7-8 mm stone at the right renal would eventually put you in discomfort  with pain when the stone stuck on the wall of the right ureter. You better closely seek your urologist to give some pain reliever to relief to some extend. If the pain is really intolerable, your urologist may suggest a "shockwave" or "surgical" procedure by which you have to choose based on your situation.

In my case, I had 7-8 mm stone at the right mid-ureter last year at age of 54 and I underwent twice for the "shockwave" that finally broken down the stone into 12 pieces which I passed out with the aid of drinking 4-5 liters of water every morning (taken between 8am-12nn). That's all I can share with you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good night everyone.  I have a 7mm to 8mm non-obstructing right renal stone.  What should I do to prevent it becoming obstructing.  Awaiting your replies.  Thanks.

Flasher2006
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Glad you're better. I'm in same situation, but with even larger stone. Trying to avoid  the surgery. Have been given Flomax, but afraid to use because I already have low blood pressure and am a woman. It's not approved by the FDA for use in women. Did you have side side effects from the Flomax? And how was the stent? That scares me.

Thanks!
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Avatar universal
I discovered a kidney stone on my left side 5 days ago and it was most pain the I ever had before .first couple days it was so painful then the third day just had the pain st the morning and I didn't have any pain since and also I'm watching my urinating and didn't see any stone comes out yet and I have to go work tomorrow and can't decide what to do .?
Helpful - 0
263988 tn?1281954296
Prazosin does the same thing as Flomax and is okay for women to take. The class drug is called alpha blockers. The other name for these drugs is mini press and they are sometimes used for high blood pressure.

Prazosin is also used for PTSD/nightmares and it works for most people.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Sorry to hear that you are going through a very rough time at the moment because of your kidney stone.

I do hope that you are under the direction of your doctor or a urologist.

You will probably have realised that when you are in this extreme pain, the stone is likely to be moving.  

Cranberry juice is known to help if you have a bladder infection (Cystitis).  I have not heard of cranberry juice helping to dissolve or get rid of stones.
I would suggest that you stop drinking the cranberry juice and stick to plain water.  Some time ago on the kidney stone forum someone did mention drinking lemon juice to help dissolve the stones.  I do not know if that works or not, but drinking lots of water 2-3 litres per day will help to move the stone unless it has got lodged in the urinary tubes and cannot move.

As you are so severely in pain, I would suggest you contact your doctor or go to the hospital so that you can be monitored where the stone is and if it is lodged you may need to have urgent surgery to remove it.

If you are passing blood, or any other discoloured rubbish, and have a fever and as you are in such severe pain even though you are taking your meds, do contact your doctor urgently.  

If you do have the symptoms I mentioned, you will also need an antibiotic.  As stones move they aggravate the inside lining of the tubes and this in turn can lead to infection.

Unfortunately, even with such severe pain there is no guarantee when the stone or parts of it will come out.  Urinate in a clean jar and look at the urine so that you will be able to see if anything does come out.  If you see blood and green mucus you will need an antibiotic.

Telephone your doctor and explain the situation to him, he will probably make a home visit and determine if you need to hospitalized.  Alternatively, you can go to hospital ER.

Hope you get relief soon.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a kidney stone that is 3.5mm it hurts so bad I'm in so much pain Monday will b the 8th day an I cannot pass it I'm taking my meds and drinking plenty of water an cranberry juice I need help..I don't know wat else to do I've been out of work for 7 whole days today.I can barely walk..I keep laying in the bed everyday I want to go on with my life but I can't someone please help me....
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Thanks for the info.

Sorry to hear of your problem.  And yes even a stone as small as a grain of sand can cause of lot of problems.

Use of stents seem to the new thing these days.
I didn't have any stent, but my problem was 22 years ago and it was probably not a procedure that was used or know about then.

Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
I think there is info on low oxalite diets here in our health pages

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=185

I'm so glad you are doing better.  I've had a stent and obstruction/infection from a 3.0mm stone .. it doesn't make sense something so small can be so invasive!

C~
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Thanks.
As you have access to a computer, you can find low oxalate diet recipes online too.

Writing to you about those foods, also reminded me the foods that I should not be eating.  Especially, the grapes, celery, strawberries, peanut butter and chocolate,  - no wonder I had a problem with my kidneys and produced a lot of sediment over the last few months!  Things have now settled down for me and my unltrasound did not detect any stones, only a cyst.

Best wishes
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you very much for the information.  Stone is currently being analyzed.  Stent removed on Monday.  Still looking for a good book with information on Low Oxalate Diet...  Be well and best regards.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Great that you did not to have an incision to remove the stone.  And wishing you a speedy recovery.

Now that you know your kidney stone was made up of calcium oxalate, limit or eliminate foods with significant amounts of oxalate. These are spinach, beets, rhubarb, Swiss chard, beets, wheat germ, chocolate, peanuts, okra, sweet potatoes, liver, grits, grapes, green pepper, celery, strawberries and black tea. Many other foods contain oxalates in lower concentrations, but will not pose much risk.

Although it may seem a little counter-intuitive, you may benefit by moderately increasing your calcium consumption. Free oxalates in the urine increase your tendency to form stones; adequate calcium intake will bind enough of that oxalate to decrease your overall chances of getting stones. Be sure, though, to get your calcium from dietary sources like dairy products as taking calcium supplements can increase your chances of kidney stones.

My stone may years ago was diagnosed as being calcium oxalate, but then the thinking was to avoid all dairy products.  So things have changed a lot since then.  

And of course, the usual of drinking water and not getting dehydrated also is a preventive from stone formation.

Did they let you keep the stone?

Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Had surgery last week (ureteroscopy) + stent which was just removed today.  Quite an ordeal for a small stone, but it was stuck and reportedly edema in the ureter made it narrower, and the stone was not going to pass by itself.  I am now looking for a good book or article with detailed information regarding Low Oxalate diet -- I will do whatever it takes to prevent more stones from coming my way...
Helpful - 0
656452 tn?1332783935
How are you feeling .. it's about a month.  Hoping this passed by now?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Discouraged.  Symptoms back -- intermittently:  pressure in lower abdomen (pelvis and groin) and right side of what feels like bottom part of urinary tract, plus the constant urge to urinate -- aggravated by aggressive fluid hydration.  Just read some studies concluding that aggressive fluid hydration during a kidney stone episode does not necessarily help reduce pain or improve the chances of successful stone passage.   Please, advise.  Thanks!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How have you been working on it?  I know that hydration is critically important, but since my stone is low -- fluid consumption increases the pressure and discomfort.  Anything else that can be done?  (thought I felt better, but the discomfort returned...)  Thanks!
Helpful - 0
2186782 tn?1390581973
Soory I hit done.
The lady I was remodeling for was the sweetest. Avery day she feed us lunch and dinner. Plu showing off the remodeling we did with a big party the next day. Luckily the pain stopped about 4 hours later. Went back and did the finale touchups. Unfortunately that stone didn't come out either. So I was always dropping with shooting pains just below the belly button. After two week more I went to the hospital. The catscan found 2 stones both 2.5mm stuck in the ureter. The first night after taking flowmax I found the now stuck together 5mm square stone. So mine took a month to get out.
  Also the second you feel a stone might be coming  take equal parts real lemon juice and if you have some coconut oil. Works as good as mixing lemon and olive oil. 4 table spoons every 10 minutes until you find little tiny sand particals, if anything at all. For me it take an hour and half from start to finish with some pain in the beginning.  And coconut oil tastes SOOOO much better with lemon then olive oil. Plus it's got more health stuff in it.
Helpful - 0
2186782 tn?1390581973
Last may on my 32 birthday I woke up. Like normally do headed straight to the bathroom. To my surprise and fear (no health insurance) there was blood. Being the smart person I am  ;) I told nobody. Hour later my boss comes by to pick me up for work, finds me squirming around on the garage floor trying to adjust my back. So he waited a while until I sarted getting what I thought was something stabbing out my stomach. Luckily our custumer (a doctor with a past of stones himself) call to see if we where coming. Said stay home or wherever you think might be comfortable.  And flush your body with cranberry juice, to promote urination.  And lots of sugar free clear liquid.
  Two weeks past with the occasional pain, accompanied by blood in my urine. Then suddenly after eating lunch on a tile job. The pain ×5 came back. Finnaly finished what I could because the lady I was remodelling for was
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
PS .. I've been working on a 4.0mm stone since March 2nd .... so far nothing here, either.  
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
I hear ya .. it's the underlying thoughts we share that are on our minds all the time when a stone decides not to make it's way out into the world. (sigh)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, you are right about Flomax, and you are right about the difficulty inherent in waiting.  It is not knowing how long, being unable to plan, needing to be hypervigilant in order to "catch" the tiny stone (how would I know that it passed if I can't catch it?  what if it disintegrates and passes as sand?)  This is superimposed on other medical problems...  Thanks for responding.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Internist prescribed Flomax to help passage of stone by relaxing the muscles of the ureter -- where stone is supposedly currently stuck.  Checked urine -- no infection or blood traces.  Less abdominal pressure, but still constant urge to urinate -- which is at least partially related to water consumption.  Waiting...  Happy, healthy birthday!
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
As I understand, Flomax is off-label for use in women to help passage of kidney stones by smoothing the muscles of the ureter, etc.  I know exactly how you feel ... A 3.0mm stone has a high chance to pass on it's own, but the waiting is the hardest part.  You've gotten terrific advice above.

C~
MSK with Stones
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
In yur posting you say yu are a 70 year old female.  If that is correct, why are you taking Flomax?  This is usually given to men to help them to pass  urine when they have a prostate problem.  

Has the doctor prescribed you with this?

Don't drink more than the 3 litres because it is dangerous to drink too much.  

If you are having the low abdomen pressure, I would suggest you get yur urine checked for Cystitis.

Unfortunately, I had to retire on ill-health grounds at the age of 40, I will be 61 in April.

Helpful - 0
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