No symptoms and random 3mm kidney stone findings

I had pain, but thought it was something else too - I have spinal Osteoarthritis, and thought my pain was due to a worsening of that from about 2007, but when I was getting no relief at all from Chiropractic manipulation, I just put up with it. As it happens I do have worsening arthritis too, but it did hide the real problem and it was only 3 years ago after sudden severe pain and blood in the urine that I underwent tests for kidney problems, although that took months before the bleeding obvious (to me) was confirmed, Ultra sound showed only kidneys cysts not the stones in both sides, it took a CT scan some months later to show them fully. By that time it had also completely blocked teh ureter for a temporoary period which was excruciating.

At least you know now what some of your problems are due to and can get things looked at before those sorts of problems happen!

Arrange to see a Urologist who specialises in Stone Disease and then decide on action - He might suggest leaving it alone; or go for Shockwave Lithotripsy or Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy,, They are the usual options depending on circumstances. 

Expulsion therapy using Tamsulosin might help you expel it seeing as it is still small. It has done nothing for me (my new 2.5mm stone), but has reduced the pain I get (renal colic), although I get Strong Opiates due to my skeletal problems and Arthritis so that helps me too.

I have had one 11mm stone removed by Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy (it had moved right down into the ureter, so this was the oly option), but one has returned after just 2 years, even though I have adapted my diet and drink 3 Litres of water daily! Unfiortunately that surgery has also left me with permanent pain, especially when I need to pee or when the seat presses on that part of my back.

I am hoping to have Shockwave Lithotripsy on the other side (7mm) soon, it does give me some pain at varying levels. I am dreading this treatmtent because it is not particularly effective and therefore usually needs multiple painful (and bloody) treatments, (or even full surgery afterwards), and has other potentially serious side effects too - no surprise as it is the surgical equivalent of being beaten with a baseball bat, so it can cause similar injuries!  :-(

Try to stop them getting any bigger by being well hydrated. If your urine gets concentrated then this would be a good opportunity for the stones to crystallise into larger stones so you won't want that to happen.

Your doc will possibly recommend a wait and see strategy, and you might even pass them without medical intervention.

I've had 4 stones to my knowledge over the past year. I past one in excruitiating pain in the hospital (was causing me so much pain I called an ambulance) at that time though I didn't realise I had stones. It was missed diagnosed as a kidney infection and then the pain came back when I was on holiday in Florida in the summer. A doc over there instantly said it was stones, came back and my doctor told me he thought it was stones. Went for an ultrasound and a few stones were revealed - although it wasn't clear how many so they booked me for a CT scan. I then passed three 4mm stones which didn't hurt in the slightest thank God. 

Anyway, my CT scan is tomorrow and I'm a big wimp when it comes to hospitals and the like and it's causing me to worry a lot as I've never had one before. Was it alright?

Thanks in advance.

Ben