Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Nervous about kidney stone surgery. I have a uric acid stone and have to have surgery to remove it.?
   The stone is not causing pain, but it needs to come out. I have had surgeries before but for some reason I am really nervous about having a tube put into my kidney through my back. I think it is the part where they put the tube in that is making me nervous because they don't knock me out until after that. Anyone have a similar happy ending story to share?

   • ANSWER:
     no lol sry i dont but all i can say is it might feel wierd but it will all turn out ok in the end dont be nervous it will be fine. hope i was of some help

2. QUESTION:
   does eating fruits & veges with seeds like strawberries, tomatoes cause kidney stones and uric acid?

   • ANSWER:
     No. Some doctors profess to dietary habits as the cause, but many studies show that some people have kidney stone with no link to diet.

3. QUESTION:
   What can cause elevated serum uric acid?
   Elevated serum uric acid (hyperuricemia) can result from high intake of purine-rich foods, and/or impaired excretion by the kidneys. Saturation levels of uric acid in blood may result in one form of kidney stones when the urate crystallizes in the kidney. These uric acid stones are radiolucent and so do not appear on an abdominal plain x-ray or CT scan. Their presence must be diagnosed by ultrasound for this reason. Very large stones may be detected on x-ray by their displacement of the surrounding kidney tissues. Some patients with gout eventually get uric kidney stones
   ===========================================

   What do you mean by uric acid stones are radiolucent and so do not appear on an abdominal plain x-ray or CT ? Where doo these stones take place in the human body.

   • ANSWER:
     That means that these crystallized kidney stone (which is caused by elevated serum uric acid) is not likely to be seen on a general abdominal x-ray where other kind of kidney stone will.

     Kidney stones are usually found in kidneys.

4. QUESTION:
   Can taking Creatine Monohydrate cause me to get kidney stones later in life?
   I took about 25 grams of creatine monohydrate per day (four times a day in 5 gram doses) for 5 days as a loading period, then cut down to about 2.5 grams a day to maintain healthy levels, but I was following directions of my personal trainer and have no personal knowledge of this substance.

   I recently read online that the unused creatine in your system turns to creatinine, which is supposedly similar to uric acid, which causes kidney stones if high amounts run through your system.

   I'm wondering if this is true, or if it's unverified nonsense.

   • ANSWER:

5. QUESTION:
   Need help with figuring out kidney stones?
   Ok so I have kidney stones, MANY kidney stones, last exam they lost count of how many I had in each kidney. We have done blood test, and the analyzed a stone and it is an oxalate stone (calcium). My blood says I have high uric acid , normal is 2.5 to 6 for woman and I am at a 6.5 and it also shows up in my urine. My calcium levels are normal. So..... Uric acid would cause uric acid stones and would never have calcium stones. Why is my uric acid somewhat high and where are the calcium stones coming from if my calcium levels are fine??? sooooo confused!

   • ANSWER:
     There are things that you may be eating or drinking that depletes the body of calcium. When too much calcium is pulled out of the body it goes into the kidneys and this can form stones - calcium oxalate.

     For instance, soda can deplete the body of calcium, meaning if you are taking supplements or getting calcium in your food, it will pull it out of the body. THere are different foods that do this.

6. QUESTION:
   chronic kidney stone problems?
   for the past year ive had a few small kidney stones made up of uric acid in my kidneys and they cause pain quite frequently and there is always microscopic blood in my urine. like i think there is a stone permanently stuck in one of those tubes (whatever they are called) or in a bad place in a kidney. im really worried this will cause cancer eventually or something. ive had so many tests but tests and treatments arent good for uric acid stones. any advice please? will this cause cancer? thanks

   • ANSWER:
     I hope that you are seeing a urologist! If you have a painful stone stuck your doc might try an ultra sound method to break down the stone.

     Those kidney stones are one of the most painful things on the plante to experience. Both myself and my boys have had them. One thing we have in common is not drinking water or enough water. My oldest son has water with him all of the time he never wants another kidney stone in his life.

     Try drinking purified water. Purified is important. You might have well water where you live that contributes to your stones.
     Don't just buy any bottle water. Some are straight out of a pipe or a tap somewhere not so desirable. Make sure it is purified.

     I have never heard of stones causing cancer. Too many stones can really compermise the health and effectivness of your urinary system.

     http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/kidneystones/KS_prevention.html check out this site. It will give you information. Important to learn how to eat to prevent the buildup of the stones. And bottom line.........water water water water.

7. QUESTION:
   Can lemonade and olive oil dissolve kidney stones?
   And I'm referring to the stones caused by uric acid. I knew that there are differnet kind of stones and some people find some remedy, depending on what kind of kidney stones so I asked. I know there is that shockwave treatment to break up the stones but I was wondering if those two products are known to work. Lemonade has a lot of citrit acid in it, right?
   actually yes it can, I just found this out and this does have testimonials.
   http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/kidney_stones.html

   By the way, I meant lemon juice, not lemonade. Sorry.

   • ANSWER:
     Yes! Uric acid stones are the only stones that can be dissolved. Lemonade is excellent for preventing stones, but I am honeslty not sure if it will desolve them. You can get a prescription from your doctor for "Potassium Citrate" and that will even out the acid in your urine and then dissolve the stones by making your urine basic, or "normal". The procedure you are speaking of is ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy). It breaks up the stone and turns it into gravel (smaller peices that are easier to pass). Hope this helps you out! Good luck and take care!

8. QUESTION:
   Is it bad if your kidney bleeds everyday for over a year?
   I have small kidney stones in my right kidney and for over the past year every time ive urinated there have been miscroscopic amounts of blood in it. My kidney is in pain quite often as well. I'd like to know if this can cause kidney cancer? My kidney stones are made up of uric acid and there is no hope of treatment for them. thanks

   • ANSWER:
     yes, it is.

9. QUESTION:
   My URIC acid level is anywhere from 9-11 over the past 7 years. I just had the worst gout attack of all time?
   Now I feel lower back pain and testicular pain with a touch of abdominal. I am wondering if it is kidney stones. I often have to force my urine, sometimes I go so much more than I have drank water in that recent time frame, all I drink is water and I have a very limited diet that strays to cheap potato chips twice a month maybe. What is causing this pain? I only take (0.6) mg of colchicine the past few days and only taking one pill a day doesnt normally cause me this much discomfort. I have the "dull tooth ache" feeling in my back with throbbing teste.

   Kidney stone or what?
   God Alan, ACAI berry is on the avoids for gout.

   • ANSWER:
     Sure sounds like it. You may well have uric acid stones. Most stones are calcium oxylate, but with your history, uric acid stones are a real possibility.

     Ask your doctor about a CT scan to look for stones.

10. QUESTION:
    Help! I have been in hospital 2 times with "kidney stone pains", nausea, and now heartburn! Need to know cause
    I have been in the hospital before, due to kidney stones. But the past two weeks have been very strange for me. I have been in the ER twice for "kidney stone pain", I was incredibly nauseated, and puked in the hospital parking lot, I was prescribed "Ciprofloxacin" because I also had a Urinary track infection, & it's been over a week since I was in the hospital. I keep having themost intense heartburn/chest pains, but I want to wait it out at home. I have also been more anxious this week, more than any other week in my life, & I have no idea why. I am not sure if the medicine causes this? I have also switched my diet, as i am now a vegan, & do not eat meat, though I used to eat Pizza Hut chicken wings like there was no tomorrow, so maybe the uric acid has something to do with this. I have a yeast infection now because of taking the "cipro" but my heartburn lasts for about 12 hours, non stop, and hurts & makes me short of breath. I take tums, senna laxitive, and advil pm, nothing helps!!

    • ANSWER:
      Have you read the pamphlet that comes with the pills? My experience has been that anti-b's cause a lot of side effects. If the side effect is something to worry about, it'll tell you.

      In either case, I would mention it to the doctor.

      I took Levaquin and it made me very jumpy, I had trouble getting to sleep, and my sleep was restless.

      It's good that you've gone veg - animal proteins are believed to contribute to stones.

11. QUESTION:
    How to get enough calcium and protein in my diet?
    Hello to everyone reading.

    My husband and I are both healthy eaters. We both enjoy a healthy, balanced diet and exercise. However, I have an issue. While I love most fruits and vegetables, and get my daily intake, I absolutely hate milk, and most dairy products. Also, meat turns my stomach a lot of the times, because I am have the Mirena, and I take an estrogen supplement, because of my Endmitriosis.

    The estrogen seems to give me a bit of nausea sometimes, mostly concerning meat and eggs. The smell of them cooking causes my stomach to turn. I know that beans, and peas, and other vegetables contain protein, and iron. However, because of the Endomitriosis, I tend to be a bit anemic, so meat is a necessity for me. I cannot take iron pills, because I also have an issue with my kidneys, I make uric acid stones, and iron pills can make them worse, as can soy.

    Also, I despise milk. I do not like the taste of it at all, so I bought some chai syrup, which I love. I add a tablespoon of it to my milk, and I can drink it. Though, it is quite sugary. Is that completely ruining the benefits of drinking milk? I force myself to eat yogurt, but I am not a huge fan of it. I do take a calcium supplement, but with my hormonal issues, I need my bones to be in the best shape they can be, for my old age, lol.

    So, my questions are...

    1) How can I make sure I get enough protein and iron?
    2) Does the sugar in the chai syrup completely cancel out the benefit of drinking the milk?
    3) What other ways can I make sure I get enough calcium?

    BQ: Any women out there who have insane hormonal issues, who might be reading this. Have you ever had your hormonal supplements make you sick, and unable to eat certain things? If so, how did you get past it?

    Thank you to everyone who reads. Please, do not tell me to talk to a doctor, I have already obviously done that, I am just looking for new/other ideas.

    Please and Thank you!

    • ANSWER:
      try a Whey protein supplement. The bioavailabilty of it is approximately 98% as where a chicken egg is approximately 90 when cooked. Soy tends to upset the stomach any way. But soy does have its benefits for menopausal women such as helping with hormone levels. Daily recommended intake for calcium is 700 to upwards of 3000mg a day. I would recommend no more than 1500-2000 really cause you can develop kidney stones. As for the syrup in your milk its a great alternative to Chocolate syrup. And its probably sucrose based which is better than fructose. besides milk there are supplemental pills that range from 100-250 mg. A daily mumultivitamin specifically for women is also available. I recommend the GNC women's one to all my female personal ttraining clients because of the slow disintegration rate so it gives you a constant influx of vitamins and minerals.
      You can try supplementing with soy isoflavone too to help with hot flashes and what not.

12. QUESTION:
    Is this true? My husband's 2mm kidney stone isn't what's bothering him?
    My husband has had 2 CT scans in the past 3 months both of which show a 2mm kidney stone. He he's been to the ER for the usual symptoms (lower back and flank pain, blood in urine, fever, chills) and the urologist we took him to a few days ago scoffs at him. His blood work was normal and the CT showed that there was nothing else going on. When we gave the urologist the CD of the CT scan he told us he didn't see anything that would be bothering him and he's acting like my husband is just trying to get pain meds (he never asked for them either, I asked them to give him something for the pain). When I told him that I saw the stone on the CT myself, he said, "well yes there's a tiny stone but that wouldn't be causing his symptoms". I'm so frustrated. My husband is not a big baby and what's going on with him looks exactly like what people feel with stones. One of the ER docs said sometimes a stone can move then go back into the kidney over and over and I think that's what is happening. But the urologist is acting like a 2mm isn't big enough to bother him. I'd like to hear about other people's experiences. What can I do for him? He has Lortabs for pain, which don't seem to help much. Does the lemon juice/olive oil mixture really work? Don't know what the stone is made of though, probably calcium or uric acid. He is Japanese and has a family history of stones and gout if that makes a difference. Is a 2mm stone really too small for him to feel? Please help.

    • ANSWER:
      The ureter would differ in its diameter down its length and a 2mm stone may become stuck or slowly scrape down causing alot of pain.
      Mine was fairly small, yet I passed out several times from the pain(and I was fine with natural, drug-free childbirth).
      The stone ended up becoming stuck half way down so I tried the olive oil/lemon juice concoction which was fairly foul and drank lots of water afterwards. All that happened was that I became very bloated and didn't pass much urine. I then tried Coke(as it has caffeine-diuretic) and after drinking a few litres, I ended up passing the stone which by then had broken up into tiny sand-like pieces.

13. QUESTION:
    I am having some health issues and my doctors can't figure it out. Any good doctors to email questions to?
    I am 15 years old, male, 6 foot, 200 lbs, and over the past month or so have been experiencing excruciating pain in my flanks. At first we thought I had kidney stones, as the pain seemed to move from my kidneys to my bladder. However, we were unable to visualize any stones on CTs, MRIs, ultrasound, or X-ray. I have had multiple of each scan, and the only finding was a few flecks on the kidneys in one ultrasound. This is the second episode of this intense pain. All blood and urine tests have come back normal. A new urologist that I saw last week said that he thought this pain was being caused by fecal impaction, but a few days of laxatives and bowel movements at least twice a day have not changed the pain. The constipation he saw on an x-ray was probably caused by large doses of percocet, which is the strongest painkiller I am allowed to have (this only helps slightly).

    Two weeks after the first episode of this pain, which temporarily resolved itself, I began having headaches in the temples and behind the eyes. These headaches have not stopped since then, and I have had them for over a month. These headaches were diagnosed as cluster headaches, and while it is probably not related, I have included this info in case there is a possibility that one issue is causing the other.

    Two weeks into the headaches, I began feeling the flank, pain again. This pain radiates into my testicles, and increases with urination I have seen multiple urologists, a nephrologist, a neurologist, and other ER doctors. My primary has not been much help with this issue, but I have another appointment with him tomorrow. Each doctor I have seen has said that because the blood-work and urine came back fine, they can't and won't treat me.

    I really need help, any conditions you can find or think of that may be causing this pain, please let me know as soon as possible. My doctors are treating the lab-work, not the symptoms. Please get back to me, this is interfering with my schoolwork, and I will not finish out the year on time already because of what is going on.

    Thank you

    P.S. just some history-
    My grandfather has gout and high uric acid, but none of the tests have shown the same for me so far.

    Last February, I was sick for two weeks before I was diagnosed with appendicitis and had it removed. The morning after the surgery, I was diagnosed with lymphoma in my kidneys because of lesions seen on the CT scan with contrast (They couldn't see anything on the scans without contrast later). A biopsy guided by ultrasound-on which they could not see the lesions- revealed acute tubular necrosis. They gave no explanation, and after an MRI three weeks later, I was told that whatever was going on was resolving itself, and that all lesions on one kidney were gone, and most on the other were too, but not all of them. With the last MRI, the lesions could only be seen with contrast. Again, I am not sure if this is related, but it might be. My biggest question here is: should I do another scan with contrast and risk the radiation and damage? PLEASE help me.

    • ANSWER:
      Wow! That is quite something!

      To answer your biggest question - YES. The amount of radiation is minimal and the contrast material won't hurt you.

      What I would do is get one doctor to coordinate all the tests and send them to the nearest Mayo Clinic Diagnostic lab. You've heard the expression Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth? If you had a coordinate to send off everything, then you would have some of the best minds to diagnose what your problem is.

      I am so sorry to hear about your pain. It really absorbs your whole mind, doesn't it?

      Please let me know what happens - I am truly interested.

14. QUESTION:
    I get alot of ....?
    I get yeast infections once a month after my period. I also have had alot of bladder infections, 10 in one year. My boyfriend and I are sexually active. We have both been tested for STDs and they were negative. We use condoms cause he got the yeast infections. I am scared half to death that I might have HPV. I go see my OBGYN in April, earliest appointment. I have been tested for Kidney problems,stones,bladder problems. I was diagnosed with acalculous chloecysistis and need surgery. Could that be the reason. I also have high uric acid in the blood and have gout. I am a bit overweight. I am really scared and need some insignt on why I get so many infections. Please no poking fun as I am really stressed about this. My stomach hurts lots and I get alot of gas. Heartburn just started.
    needed to add that sometimes it hurts to have sex and to urinate after. I also have a numbing sensation in my vagina opening, no sores. when I pee it hurts when I am almost done.
    also had to add I am only 30 with two kids and this started last year!!

    • ANSWER:
      have you been tested for intersititial cystitis? IC is only tested by doing a cystoscopy with hydrositention (you are knocked out for it). To me it sounds like IC. I have IC and was undiagnosed for a while. Do you take antibiotics for the bladder issues? If so can cause yeast infection. I also suggest eating yogert to help with the yeast infections. Adds back good bacteria into the body to help balance out the excess yeast. If it is IC eat a low acid diet (no coffee, pop, juices -except pear, no spicey foods etc), try the meds (elmiron - worked for me). Also try prelief - OTC drug you take before you eat to reduce acid. Most drug stores will order it for you if they don't carry it. Ask the doctor for some pyridium to help with the pain as well

      Stess can cause the stomach and gas issues. I find pop can too so I cut it out.

      I have hpv. In fact 80% of people have had hpv. there are over 100 strains but only a handful can lead to cervical cancer. i wouldn't worry about it as much as you are. Most cases of HPV resolve on their own within a year or you can get cryo surgery (burn it off) to help expedite the curing. I had it - no big deal.

15. QUESTION:
    why do I get?
    I get yeast infections once a month after my period. I also have had alot of bladder infections, 10 in one year. My boyfriend and I are sexually active. We have both been tested for STDs and they were negative. We use condoms cause he got the yeast infections. I am scared half to death that I might have HPV. I go see my OBGYN in April, earliest appointment. I have been tested for Kidney problems,stones,bladder problems. I was diagnosed with acalculous chloecysistis and need surgery. Could that be the reason. I also have high uric acid in the blood and have gout. I am a bit overweight. I am really scared and need some insignt on why I get so many infections. Please no poking fun as I am really stressed about this. My stomach hurts lots and I get alot of gas. Heartburn just started.
    needed to add that sometimes it hurts to have sex and to urinate after. I also have a numbing sensation in my vagina opening, no sores. when I pee it hurts when I am almost done.
    also had to add I am only 30 with two kids and this started last year!!
    for Mari- no I have not been tested for HIV, no night sweats and only a bit of weight loss!!

    • ANSWER:
      Sounds like cystitis the burning sensation... (Sorry if that is spelt wrong) You can get an easy over the counter remedy to this which you put into water... it's rather nice actually... the drink. I got it once from drinking to much Orange juice... the acids in it aren't good for you in large doses, maybe you are the same or have a large quantity of somthing similar.
      With the reast i think you really just need to wait to see you OBGYN and see you're doctor to ge the answer to many unanswered questions.

16. QUESTION:
    What can I do to reduce?
    Uric acid in my body.
    I had a problem with it causing stones in my kidneys and now it it is causing gout.

    • ANSWER:
      Drink a lot more water.

17. QUESTION:
    How can I reduce????????
    Uric acid in my body.
    I had a problem with it causing stones in my kidneys and now it it is causing gout.

    • ANSWER:
      Lemon juice every day will help as it, to some extent, dissolves uric acid.

      An alkaline diet also helps as it, to some extent, neutralizes uric acid.

18. QUESTION:
    Urinary review question?
    Urinary System Review

    1. The main function of the urinrary system is:
    a. absorb nutrients
    b. remove waste products form the blood
    c. make blood cells
    d. remove carbon dioxide

    2. The outer portion of the kidney is called the:
    a. cortex c. medulla
    b. hilus d. pleura

    3. The structural and functional unit of the kidney is called:
    a. renal tubule c. nephron
    b. renal corpuscle d. Bowman’s capsule

    4. A cup like, double walled structure with an inner filtering membrane best
    describes the
    a. glomerulus c. renal tubule
    b. Bowman’s capsule d. loop of Henle

    5. The composition of the filtrate can be altered by the
    a. glomerulus c. renal tubule
    b. Bowman’s capsule d. renal corpuscle

    6. The process of filtration occurs at the
    a. convoluted tubule c. loop of Henle
    b. Bowman’s capsule d. renal tubule

    7. Reabsorption of filtrate is carried out by the
    a. convoluted tubule c. renal tubule
    b loop of Henle d. glomerulus

    8. Which of the following is not normally found in urine?
    a. urea c. water
    b. uric acid d. glucose

    9. Occasionally, renal ______develop and disrupt normal flow.
    a. calculi c. distension
    b. stones d. a and b
    10. The ureter carries urine from the
    a. bladder to urethra c. kidney to bladder
    b. bladder to kidney d. ureters to urethra

    11. Women have more problems than men with urinary tract infections due to the fact the
    a. ureter is so short and close to the anus
    b. bladder is so small
    c. urethra is so short and close to the anus
    d. bladder is larger

    12. The hormone ADH works on the:
    a. distal convoluted tubule to promote water loss
    b. distal convoluted tubule to promote water reabsorption
    c. on the loop of Henle to promote water reabsorption
    d. Bowman’s capsule to promote water reabsorption

    13. Inflammation of the renal pelvis is called
    a. leptospirosis c. pyelitis
    b. nephritis d. renalitis

    14. Diuretics will cause body fluids to become
    a. hypertonic c. hypotonic
    b. hypoosmotic d. isotonic

    15. The basic principle behind dialysis is:
    a. passive diffusion across selectively permeable membranes
    b. active diffusion across selectively permeable membranes
    c. active diffusion across impermeable membranes

    16. Blood volume and pressure increase due to a series of changes initiated by the enzyme
    a. ADH c. rennin
    b. angiotensin II d. carbonic acid

    • ANSWER:
      It's so funny when people try to cheat on assignments. You should be able to find everything in there on wikipedia. Why are you asking someone else to do it for you?

19. QUESTION:
    Is it bad if your kidney bleeds everyday for over a year?
    I have small kidney stones in my right kidney and for over the past year every time ive urinated there have been miscroscopic amounts of blood in it. My kidney is in pain quite often as well. I'd like to know if this can cause kidney cancer? My kidney stones are made up of uric acid and there is no hope of treatment for them. thanks

    • ANSWER:
      yes, it is bad.