Anyone here ever had a Lithotripsy?

[ClintonTyree]

I'm going in tomorrow morning to have my 12mm. Kidney Stone blasted to dust (hopefully). Has anyone here ever had it done? What can I expect? Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

[crimson333]

1. I have had it

They sedated me and it took about 1 hour. I felt the poping on my back from the sonic waves or whatever it is. It wasn't that bad. I had a harder time afterwords from the stint/pipe they put in tokeep the urinary tract open so that the fragments pass easier

also the bad part was having someone pound on my kidney the next few days to keep the fragments from settling

[ClintonTyree]

4. They didn't say................

anything about a stent being placed in there. Maybe that's something they don't tell you until it's too late.
Did they give you a general anesthetic or just sedate you? They said they might give me a general or an Epidural. They'll decide after I've talked to the Anesthesiologist tomorrow.

[crimson333]

7. Everyone doesn't get a stint

they would have already told you if they were going to do that I would think

I had an IV so the sedated me. Actually, I forget, I just know that I could hear them when they spoke to me and I woke up off and one during the hour.

my side hurts just talking about kidney stones. I think I have two yet to break loose

[LMG]

2. my Husband has had two done

They sedate you and put you in a pool of water
sonic waves break up the stones
It takes about 45 Minutes
At the hospital about 4 hours total
hope this helps some

[crimson333]

3. I had to lie on a table for mine

that had an opening for the water under my kidney

[ClintonTyree]

5. That's what I' having.............

the other way sounds nicer though. :)

[ClintonTyree]

6. I hope it helps too...................

Kidney Stones are one painful MoFo. I've had to sleep in the recliner for 3 weeks now, the pain is too great lying down. In fact I've spent just about the entire last 3 weeks in the recliner. Life sucks with that mother in there.

[crimson333]

8. yep I stopped counting after my 18th one

[ClintonTyree]

9. 18!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have they found out what's causing them? They want to analyze the pieces so they can find out what it's made of. Maybe there's something in my diet etc. that can be adjusted to prevent them from reappearing. I fell so sorry for you. I just have one and I'm at wits end. I can't imagine going through it 18 times. You're one strong human being.

[crimson333]

10. Not all of them were as bad

some I just took asprin for. I get them in one kidney and they don't know why. I have only had to have surgery 3 times since 1985

there are others who have had way more than me.

[REP]

15. Stopped Counting After 250

My stones only get to about 8mm, and I get them every 30-45 days, 'cause I'm special.

[Liberty Belle]

11. My husband had it done.

They floated a yellow rubber duck in the water tub, which he thought was funny. He had a quick recovery except for nausea. Ask the doc to prescribe anti-nausea meds, or drink chamomile tea for a queasy stomach.

It's been 12 or 13 years now, and he hasn't had another one.

[Dilligent]

12. Take the pain medication!

I had it done on a 8mm stone and didn't take the Vicodin the first day except when I had pain. WRONG! The instructions said to take it every 4 hours but by the time I read the instructions the worst was over. It doesn't get "blasted to dust" just small pieces and you will pass these after you come home so take the meds and avoid the pain. Definitely strain your urine so the doctor can analyze the stones.

[Pied Piper]

13. I've had 4 lithotripsies in 10 years

and each was a different experience.

The first was in 1992. I was sedated, but not unconscious. I have a very high tolerance for pain, but that one was a bit too much. I spent the next week flat on my back, floating happily with Percoset. I found that the drugs didn't really help the pain, but I was so relaxed that the pain wasn't uncomfortable, merely annoying. Although I did throw up a few times the first day. The Percoset is very upsetting to the tummy - I've found that a "traditional herbal remedy" helps to settle the stomach before you take the prescribed pills.

The second time was a breeze. The procedure was done in the early evening. My roommate picked me up at the hospital, and I went right home to bed. The next day we went Christmas shopping, and I had absolutely no symptoms.

The third time was not so pleasant. The used some sort of roto-rooter and went up through my urethra. If you're male, like me, that's not so good. I was completely out for the procedure, but the last thing you want to do is pee afterwards.

The fourth one was the worst. Not only did they use Mr. Roto-Rooter (I was completely out for the procedure), but they also installed a stent, which is a rubber tube that is anchored between the kidney and the bladder. Its purpose is to hold the ureter open so that stones may pass. The end which is anchored in your bladder is attached to a string which extends to the outside, get it?

Here's what to prepare for: they may or may not completely knock you out. You will probably lie on a table with a removable section under your back. They will put jelly on your back, and a dome will come up from under the table. You will feel some "pinging" as they send the sound waves through your body. It feels like someone is snapping a rubber band against your back, not much to worry about. As they increase the pressure, you may actually feel it against your kidney. If it gets to be too much, they will increase the sedative.

If they need to use the roto-rooter thingy, they will put you completely under - you won't feel a thing.

In the recovery room, they will give you some orange juice and saltines. You will be woozy. Once you are somewhat steady, someone will escort you to the bathroom. This is the hard part; all I can say is close your eyes and push hard, it will soon be over. Do not be alarmed - the toilet will be full of blood - this is completely normal.

When you get home, grab a blanket and get comfortable on the couch - you will be there a while. Drink lots and lots of water. I usually drank 1/2 cranberry juice and 1/2 water. You should plan on drinking about a gallon a day - no kidding - the more you drink - the sooner it will be over. Take the drugs they give you. If you get an upset stomach, remember the herbal remedy - it does wonders. I hate to tell you this, but the first day home is the worst, but don't worry, if you make it through that first day, it's all downhill after that.

Best of luck to you - I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Sorry to be so graphic, but forwarned is forarmed. You'll feel better in a day or two, if not back in tip-top shape. Besides, the lithotripsy is nothing compared to actually suffering a kidney stone. I've passed about 20 including 5 that were bigger than a pencil erasure. Changes in my diet and drinking lots of water have kept me clean for the last four years.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. I have a soft spot for anyone who is going through this.

[crimson333]

14. yeah your explanation was better than mine

:-) I have had to have the stent twice once like you with the string and one time it was plastick tube that needed a scope to pull it out, and I was awake for that one. yep I am a guy too so that sucked and I told them they were nazis

[really-looney]

16. Good news, Bad news

The good news is that Lithotripsy ia a pretty painless procedure, the bad news is after the procedure, you have to pass the stones. The passing of the stones is the hard part. You will get a little paper strainer, and you will have to pee in it trying to strain out the stones. There is very little pain in the Lithotripsy procedure. Take the pain pills and drink lots to flush out the system. The sooner you flush the system(while on Pain Pills) the better.

It worked for me two times and did not work one time. That is when you go to the next step which has been described above incorrectly as Lithotripsy. The term I understood was basket extraction and it sucks. There is a more medical term for it but I don't recall what it is. If the Lithotripsy works and I hope it does than you will never get to this stage.

[crimson333]

17. yep I had the basket and it sucked

thats the one they left the plastic stent in after using the basket, and had to go back a few days later and use a scope that had a wheel he kept turning to make it go up the tract to pull out while I was awake

[really-looney]

19. I feel your pain

Nothing like a tube and some fishing string around your pecker to make you feel like shit.

[Qanisqineq]

18. I had it two weeks ago!

Second time I've had it done. It isn't very painful, just feels like you were punched in the kidney area. This one was without water. The first one I had several years ago was with water and they made an incision in my back. Much, much more painful.

After this last one, I did end up in the hospital from excrutiating pain -- but it had nothing to do with the actual procedure itself. A larger fragment got stuck in my kidney and it was horrible.