Kidney Stone

*disclaimer- I am not a writer and I can’t spell so please over look it and try to get my point
I am not one to really complain- (K- I really try not too). Mike must be rolling his eyes about right now. I don’t feel it is helpful to dwell on my “problems” and I am a bit on the “prideful side”. I don’t like anyone to tell me I can’t do anything- if a doctor says not to do something then I say, “Oh I will show you that I can”- this is one thing Mike just loves about me (K- I mean HATES). I know that is not always smart but I know that I am a strong woman and for someone to tell me that I have limitations, well- I don’t like it and it can get to me. So this is my intro to my posting.

I get many calls from friend, family members, strangers, neighbors of neighbors - I am not an “expert” on kidneys stones by any means but I do get calls almost weekly about so and so hurts here and so and so has these systems do you think they are stones. Usually my answer is “yes”, and usually they have stones but at this point in my life I feel the ER is worse than passing a stone- that’s my advice But the pain is scary so go to the ER!
Many of you know that I have “chronic” kidneys stones. I am only posting this so those that are close to me and especially related (because you can pretty much count on getting them too at some point in your life) can understand a little bit more about this annoying little issue. I have stones about every 5-6 weeks now. I have had more studies, x-rays, KUB’S, IVP’S, ultrasounds and seen more doctors and specialists than I ever even want to count. There is NO answers as to why I get so many and so often.

I have a true testimony of trials. (I have not looked at this as “my trial” but as the time goes by (my first stone was when I was 17 and now I am 29 for the 3rd time). I am starting to wonder- and this is another reason why I blog about STONES!). I know that we all have trails, we learn what we need to learn, grow and become better people- in the meantime you help others along the way. Well, maybe this is why I feel like I need to post this- maybe someone out there needs to hear this and then I can get on with my next trial and grow even more Obviously, Heavenly Father feels I haven’t learned what I need to yet so maybe this will help

I read a lot about stones. My doctors aren’t very helpful because there aren’t too many young, beautiful, funny, and super nice people out there that get them like I do. I have to do most of my own research- then when I tell the dr what I learned they don’t like me too much because I know more than them (k- or maybe they just don’t really like me). I REFUSE to let these little “rocks in my back”(- as my kids call them”) slow me down so I feel the more I know about them the more powerful I am in dealing with them

K- this is taking forever so I will just touch on a few points. Please feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have anything else to add or if you have some information that you feel would help me out (usparkers@cox.net). One thing- please don’t say you’re sorry that I go threw this. I don’t want anyone to “feel sorry” for me. I have friends that have it way worse and I would pick this over anything else I am doing this for INFORMATION purpose only!!!

Overview
Kidney stones, one of the most painful of the urologic disorders, are not a product of modern life. Scientists have found evidence of kidney stones in a 7,000-year-old Egyptian mummy. Unfortunately, kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. In 2000, patients made 2.7 million visits to health care providers and more than 600,000 patients went to emergency rooms for kidney stone problems. Men tend to be affected more frequently than women.
Most kidney stones pass out of the body without any intervention by a physician. Stones that cause lasting symptoms or other complications may be treated by various techniques

What is a kidney stone?
A kidney stone is a hard mass developed from crystals that separate from the urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. Normally, urine contains chemicals that prevent or inhibit the crystals from forming. These inhibitors do not seem to work for everyone (my dr says this might be my prob), however, so some people form stones. If the crystals remain tiny enough, they will travel through the urinary tract and pass out of the body in the urine without being noticed (uh- who wrote that one??? You notice even if it is the size of a grain of salt).
Kidney stones may contain various combinations of chemicals. The most common type of stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate (that’s mine) or phosphate. These chemicals are part of a person's normal diet and make up important parts of the body, such as bones and muscles.

Who gets kidney stones?
For unknown reasons, the number of people in the United States with kidney stones has been increasing (I am betting on bad water but what do I know)?The prevalence of stone-forming disease rose from 3.8 percent in the late 1970s to 5.2 percent in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Stones occur more frequently in men. The prevalence of kidney stones rises dramatically as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the prevalence of kidney stones peaks in their 50s. Once a person gets more than one stone, others are likely to develop.

What causes kidney stones?
Doctors do not always know what causes a stone to form. While certain foods may promote stone formation in people who are susceptible, scientists do not believe that eating any specific food causes stones to form in people who are not susceptible.
A person with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop stones. Urinary tract infections, kidney disorders such as cystic kidney diseases, and certain metabolic disorders (another thing my dr thinks is my prob) such as hyperparathyroidism are also linked to stone formation.
What are the symptoms?
Kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms (WHAT? I know the day it is coming). Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which occurs when a stone acutely blocks the flow of urine. The pain often begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract, causing irritation or blockage. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. (This is usually my first sign that its coming- and I get insomnia). Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin. Then the pain starts
If the stone is too large to pass easily, pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the tiny ureter try to squeeze the stone along into the bladder. As a stone grows or moves, blood may appear in the urine (this is why after you run to tend to get more stones and bleed more- they break off the walls of your kidneys). As the stone moves down the ureter closer to the bladder, you may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination. (or I like to describe it as being in a ball on the floor holding yourself)
The First Step: Prevention
If you've had more than one kidney stone, you are likely to form another; so prevention is very important. To prevent stones from forming, your doctor must determine their cause (uh- not really, my doctor says to call him because I am too young to go on the medication for prevention).
Lifestyle Changes – this is my challenge
A simple and most important lifestyle change to prevent stones is to drink more liquids—water is best (I drink so much Mike is sure that I am going to die of over hydration). If you tend to form stones, you should try to drink enough liquids throughout the day to produce at least 2 quarts of urine in every 24-hour period.
People who form calcium stones used to be told to avoid dairy products and other foods with high calcium content. But recent studies have shown that foods high in calcium, including dairy products, may help prevent calcium stones. Taking calcium in pill form, however, may increase the risk of developing stones- I don’t even take vitamins.
Foods and Drinks Containing Oxalate- this is the one that I have and if you share my blood then it’s most likely that you have this one too.
People prone to forming calcium oxalate stones may be asked by their doctor to cut back on certain foods if their urine contains an excess of oxalate:

• Beets- not a temptation
• Chocolate- I am sure this is my main problem
• Coffee- thank goodness for the WOW
• Cola- not a temptation
• Nuts- this is about 50% of my diet. I need them to run
• Rhubarb- sick
• Spinach- this is a major temptation but only eat it on special occasions
• Strawberries-mmmmmmmmmmmmmm I only eat them in the form of my yummy jam
• Tea- again, thanks to the WOW not a prob
• Wheat bran – I do make sure all our bread has this because I don’t feed my kids white bread- it is pointless.

People should not give up or avoid eating these foods without talking to their doctor first. In most cases, these foods can be eaten in limited amounts.

K- that is that. This took forever and I hope that it can help someone so I didn’t just waste a ton of time. I have felt that I really needed to post this. Maybe so when you know someone who is going threw this you can in some way help or avoid any unnecessary pain, hours in the ER or CO-PAYS!!!!

Again- this is my own research- I am not a doctor! I am just a cute mom to 4 of the most darling kids on this planet (except for yours of course) and wonderful loving wife (right Mike?)