Lithotripsey
Posted , 4 users are following.
I am having lithotripsy next week for 6mm kidney stone . I am petryified after reading other people's experience of this treatment and the after effects . Any help please
0 likes, 14 replies
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Notes on Lithotripsey
sheffnet sheila78428
Posted
My experience of lithotripsy is that it's a simple procedure that causes only a little discomfort.
I was given some strong painkillers at the beginning and they put the machine on slow pulse until the painkillers kicked in and then they up the frequency of pulses. I think it lasted for about 20/25 minutes.
The main discomfort that I felt was that I was feeling a little sickly towards the end but it stopped when the procedure stopped and the aftermath was fine - no residual problems (if there are, you can take painkillers - make sure they offer you some in case they are needed).
Get the operator to keep telling you how long there is to go and it gives you something to look forward to.
It's like tapping yourself repeatedly on the same spot. It can get annoying after a bit but it's not what I would call painful. I'd say it's easier than having dental treatment.
You might need more than one session but at least you'll be reassured by the first treatment and will know what to expect next time. They keep an eye on the stone as it worked on by the machine and tell you if it is breaking up (and whether a further treatment is required).
I was told that my stone did reduce at the first lithotripsy but that it hadn't disappeared and I was scheduled for another session. When I went back for that session, the stone had completely gone. I think that I know when it passed because there was slight burning for a day or so on passing water but I never saw or heard the remnants passing.
I am sure that you will sail through the treatment without problem. Remember, it's a non-invasive procedure and is therefore a lot less risky than the next potential set of treatment.
Let us know how you get on.
sheila78428 sheffnet
Posted
Fred_Flintstone sheila78428
Posted
Are you able to pin point me to some of these horrendous stories that you mention here? I only ask as I am experiencing issues after a supposedly sucessful lithotripsy treatment.
sheffnet Fred_Flintstone
Posted
Could it be that the remains of the stone are passing and this is what you are feeling?
Lithotripsy shatters the stone to small pieces, but those pieces still need to pass albeit with much less pain than a single large stone.
Fred_Flintstone sheffnet
Posted
Lithotripsy was seven days ago, I have already passed several pieces during this period although I haven't passed any for at least the last four days.
I'm experiencing discomfort around the bladder area in that after urination I still feel that the bladder isn't empty, also I feel that my output isn't as it should be, apart from if I have slept a number of hours I normally fill 250ml, yes, that isn't much but I've been told I have a small bladder capacity, but what worries me is if I drink say water and say I consume a pint, normally I would expect to void most of that pint if held in for say an hour, but no, when I get the urge each time my output is minimal, and this can occur even when the urine isn't concentrated, in other words when I'm not dehydrated.
Been given a five day course of Trimethoprim to help if there is indeed and infection.
hazel_70543 sheila78428
Posted
sheila78428 hazel_70543
Posted
sheila78428
Posted
Fred_Flintstone sheila78428
Posted
Unfortunately I had no choice regarding lithotripsy as the renal colic pain was really painful and I managed to get it done within days of the initial pain
They told me it had been successful but I should have asked them more about it, especially as I hadn't taken any sedation or pain killers prior and would have remembered what they would have said.
I go back to lithotripsy soon for some stones on the left kidney but will refuse this until they can give me more info regarding the earlier treatment.
sheila78428
Posted
Fred_Flintstone sheila78428
Posted
I'll just be glad when I can urinate normally.
Fred_Flintstone sheila78428
Posted
I could actually feel the bladder muscle contract as it led it into the urethra then ultimately out through urination.
sheffnet Fred_Flintstone
Posted
You may have an enlarged prostate which is common as men get older and is something that squashes the bladder so that the capacity is less.
I am 65 and pass about 200-250 mls at a time. I know I have an enlarged prostate and am taking pills to stop it getting bigger (Finasteride).
This could be an entirely different condition to kidney stones and you might want to get it checked out to rule out anything worse than BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). An early diagnosis is best.
Fred_Flintstone sheffnet
Posted
A few years ago I had an invasive check of my bladder, urethra, and the dx was inflammation around the trigone area, so when stones pass through it causes this condition that gives me discomfort, this time I hope it clears now that I've passed the majority of the stones.So therefore I require to keep drinking to keep that area clean if possible.