Kidney Stones
I was four years old when I passed my first kidney stone. I remember standing over the toilet and while I was urinating this tiny, jagged, metallic, silver piece (what reminded me of a nickel or quarter) came out of me, hitting the edge of the bowl (I distinctly remember the ping). I wasn’t scared, but I remember feeling weird, what I now would call freakish. Needless to say, I immediately yelled for my mother. I recall telling her I was peeing money – that’s all I could equate it, too. That was just the beginning.
As years passed, I would have 18 more stones. Yikes! There was no pre/post pain with the first one, and neither my mother, pediatrician nor I thought much of it. (So what? I have kidney stones.)
During my early childhood and teenage years, I would continue to pass stones – still, no pain and no big deal. It was only when I reached adulthood things changed.
I was sitting in English 101 at Essex Community College when I started having this excruciating pain in my back. I had never experienced anything like it before. I bolted from the classroom, scaring my fellow students in the process. I managed to make my way to the nearby emergency room. There I would receive my first pain medication ever, and you can’t imagine – well, maybe you can, just how happy I was because the intensity of my torment was off the charts. Ultimately, an x-ray would reveal what I never suspected, another kidney stone.
I spent two weeks battling with my body, praying in earnest I would pass the stone because my doctor was sure he would have to perform surgery. Perhaps it was the prayers or maybe just luck, but that stone came out on its own accord, what I would term as natural progression.
Over time I learned the symptoms of my kidney stones – back/flank pain, discolored urine, sweating, cramps and dehydration. I also mastered treatments that worked for me during the mild stages – heating pad, Epsom salt baths and Midol (yes, Midol – it’s not just for women), because when I get stones, I go full-throttle!
Something I hate to admit, my kidney stones are an event, dramatic in every sense of the word. My stones were responsible for a plane forced to make an abrupt landing and a car accident (no, I wasn’t the driver). I’ve had kidney stone attacks in Mexico, Florida and California. I’ve had eight surgeries, extreme reactions to drugs and stints, and countless embarrassing moments, to say the least. I put the cost of this pre-existing condition somewhere in the ballpark of $100,000 (if you have health insurance, you have everything). Surprisingly, my work never suffered (always the perfect employee).
Kidney stones produce the most horrific pain, and when it gets out of control you’ll be in trouble, mark my words. I am fortunate because I’ve had the best people nearby during those horrific times. More often that not, I’ve had the best healthcare workers around me too, but there were a few times when things went awry… Never have a stint removed in a doctor’s office, especially with only 4 mg of Valium in your system. Never remove your own urinary catheter at home (What were you thinking, Dr. K?!). There is a difference between referred pain and pain from a botched procedure. Lastly, when a nephrologist says, "The patients we see with this many stones are usually retarded," – find another physician… Immediately!
I am sharing this here because of an article I read on NPR (To Prevent Kidney Stones: Go Easy On Soda And Drink Lots Of Water) and because I want others to know there is something to be learned with every situation. No matter what goes on in our lives, we must take something away from the experience that will grow our hearts and minds.
I am a healthcare professional, working with a variety of different patients over the years, mostly in a research setting. I have always been sympathetic to their needs. Only until I experienced my first extreme kidney stone attack could I really comprehend what many patients go through. I can now relate to their challenges even better. (I sometimes notice people’s willingness to be helpful comes with a dose of condescension. As I always say, know your audience. No one is the same. Canned responses don’t help people heal. It’s important for all of us to know the difference between sympathy and empathy – apply appropriately).
Something else I preach – keep a journal. Be diligent with your entries. Keep track of your food intake, medications, mood, treatments, etc. Be descriptive as possible. I have learned so much about my body and all because of my journal entries.
I want everyone to know I’ve gone from having a kidney stone attack every two to three years to not having any in the past ten years, and I contribute this to a gluten-free diet, two shots of apple cider vinegar twice daily and drinking plenty of lemon water throughout the day. I’m sure the latter has more to do with my decrease than the gluten-free diet, but you never know. (Urologists and nephrologists have instructed me to avoid high oxalate foods – spinach, cranberries, garbanzo beans, etc. Common sense tells me avoidance leads to stress. Why do that to yourself?! A better instruction would be, choose balance and moderation. I eat what I want because I am a mindful eater.)
Something else worth noting, one of my urologists said don’t drink too much water when you’re experiencing a stone because it increases the pain. It’s not going to make the stone pass any quicker. He also said to drink beer in moderation because it helps slightly numb the area (ureter). He’s right on both counts. These were very helpful tips.
Lastly, I most certainly am a believer of mind over matter, and that stress can exacerbate any situation. A healthy mind and body go hand-in-hand.
It’s important we not lose sight of longevity. The average life span is 75 years! Be kind to your body now, because as you gain age it’s definitely going to get harder.
I communicate differently with everyone, and I am never ashamed to tell those who care to listen about my journey, because it was a mandate to preserve my future. I discovered things about myself I never knew before, thus my ugly moments were not in vain.
Most people know how to eat well. Regrettably, too many make the wrong choices, and I do believe much of that has to do with stress, sadness and depression. Never make the latter your excuse for not getting help.
You are what you eat. As I always say, effort is everything. You only have the one body, so treat it well or suffer the consequences. It’s never too late to make better choices. In some cases, you may not be able to turn back the hands of time, but you can certainly control disease through mindfulness (proper nutrition, simple exercise – a daily walk is so beneficial, meditation, etc.). Large or small, thick or thin, we are all beautiful. Take care of your body. Control it before it controls you.
The message I want you to get from this post, be proactive in your health. Be a proactive patient. Live balance and moderation. – paerki
As years passed, I would have 18 more stones. Yikes! There was no pre/post pain with the first one, and neither my mother, pediatrician nor I thought much of it. (So what? I have kidney stones.)
During my early childhood and teenage years, I would continue to pass stones – still, no pain and no big deal. It was only when I reached adulthood things changed.
I was sitting in English 101 at Essex Community College when I started having this excruciating pain in my back. I had never experienced anything like it before. I bolted from the classroom, scaring my fellow students in the process. I managed to make my way to the nearby emergency room. There I would receive my first pain medication ever, and you can’t imagine – well, maybe you can, just how happy I was because the intensity of my torment was off the charts. Ultimately, an x-ray would reveal what I never suspected, another kidney stone.
I spent two weeks battling with my body, praying in earnest I would pass the stone because my doctor was sure he would have to perform surgery. Perhaps it was the prayers or maybe just luck, but that stone came out on its own accord, what I would term as natural progression.
Over time I learned the symptoms of my kidney stones – back/flank pain, discolored urine, sweating, cramps and dehydration. I also mastered treatments that worked for me during the mild stages – heating pad, Epsom salt baths and Midol (yes, Midol – it’s not just for women), because when I get stones, I go full-throttle!
Something I hate to admit, my kidney stones are an event, dramatic in every sense of the word. My stones were responsible for a plane forced to make an abrupt landing and a car accident (no, I wasn’t the driver). I’ve had kidney stone attacks in Mexico, Florida and California. I’ve had eight surgeries, extreme reactions to drugs and stints, and countless embarrassing moments, to say the least. I put the cost of this pre-existing condition somewhere in the ballpark of $100,000 (if you have health insurance, you have everything). Surprisingly, my work never suffered (always the perfect employee).
Kidney stones produce the most horrific pain, and when it gets out of control you’ll be in trouble, mark my words. I am fortunate because I’ve had the best people nearby during those horrific times. More often that not, I’ve had the best healthcare workers around me too, but there were a few times when things went awry… Never have a stint removed in a doctor’s office, especially with only 4 mg of Valium in your system. Never remove your own urinary catheter at home (What were you thinking, Dr. K?!). There is a difference between referred pain and pain from a botched procedure. Lastly, when a nephrologist says, "The patients we see with this many stones are usually retarded," – find another physician… Immediately!
I am sharing this here because of an article I read on NPR (To Prevent Kidney Stones: Go Easy On Soda And Drink Lots Of Water) and because I want others to know there is something to be learned with every situation. No matter what goes on in our lives, we must take something away from the experience that will grow our hearts and minds.
I am a healthcare professional, working with a variety of different patients over the years, mostly in a research setting. I have always been sympathetic to their needs. Only until I experienced my first extreme kidney stone attack could I really comprehend what many patients go through. I can now relate to their challenges even better. (I sometimes notice people’s willingness to be helpful comes with a dose of condescension. As I always say, know your audience. No one is the same. Canned responses don’t help people heal. It’s important for all of us to know the difference between sympathy and empathy – apply appropriately).
Something else I preach – keep a journal. Be diligent with your entries. Keep track of your food intake, medications, mood, treatments, etc. Be descriptive as possible. I have learned so much about my body and all because of my journal entries.
I want everyone to know I’ve gone from having a kidney stone attack every two to three years to not having any in the past ten years, and I contribute this to a gluten-free diet, two shots of apple cider vinegar twice daily and drinking plenty of lemon water throughout the day. I’m sure the latter has more to do with my decrease than the gluten-free diet, but you never know. (Urologists and nephrologists have instructed me to avoid high oxalate foods – spinach, cranberries, garbanzo beans, etc. Common sense tells me avoidance leads to stress. Why do that to yourself?! A better instruction would be, choose balance and moderation. I eat what I want because I am a mindful eater.)
Something else worth noting, one of my urologists said don’t drink too much water when you’re experiencing a stone because it increases the pain. It’s not going to make the stone pass any quicker. He also said to drink beer in moderation because it helps slightly numb the area (ureter). He’s right on both counts. These were very helpful tips.
Lastly, I most certainly am a believer of mind over matter, and that stress can exacerbate any situation. A healthy mind and body go hand-in-hand.
It’s important we not lose sight of longevity. The average life span is 75 years! Be kind to your body now, because as you gain age it’s definitely going to get harder.
I communicate differently with everyone, and I am never ashamed to tell those who care to listen about my journey, because it was a mandate to preserve my future. I discovered things about myself I never knew before, thus my ugly moments were not in vain.
Most people know how to eat well. Regrettably, too many make the wrong choices, and I do believe much of that has to do with stress, sadness and depression. Never make the latter your excuse for not getting help.
You are what you eat. As I always say, effort is everything. You only have the one body, so treat it well or suffer the consequences. It’s never too late to make better choices. In some cases, you may not be able to turn back the hands of time, but you can certainly control disease through mindfulness (proper nutrition, simple exercise – a daily walk is so beneficial, meditation, etc.). Large or small, thick or thin, we are all beautiful. Take care of your body. Control it before it controls you.
The message I want you to get from this post, be proactive in your health. Be a proactive patient. Live balance and moderation. – paerki
