Sorry for asking so much about this! So, if you've had multiple kidney stones, what was the cause and how was it determined. I found out I have multiple stones and lots more in my kidneys. What could be causing this? I've had stones in the past too.
It is my understanding that it is has a lot to do with how much water you drink and what you drink. If you drink a lot of soda, diet drinks, or alcohol it can add to it. I had also seen a case in my family where my sister-in-law takes a lot of pain meds for her back problems and it creates stones for her (she also drinks a lot of Mountain Dew).
In short, drink LOTS of water, and eat healthy. (Don't ya just hate hearing that?)
Good luck
I have had kidney stones since I was 17 and seem to get them every year and a half. I have been to many specialists and when I first got them they told me mine were made of calcium oxcylate (not sure on the correct spelling) but you can get that from sodas and teas. I was advised to cut all sodas, teas, red meat, and calcium and of course drink a lot of water. I did all of this and guess what still got kidney stones. I have had some stuck where I had to have lithotripsy, where they blast them out, some passed on their own, and some that had to be pulled out and had a stent put up. This was the worst, and I feel for anyone who has to go through it. In the past years I have had doctors now tell me that it isn't that my body gets too much calcium, but not enough. I have also been told I had a magnesium and zinc deficiency and I guess this can help in breaking down calcium so stones don't crystalize. This has helped, didn't get one for over 2 years. In my case they do run in my family too: mom, uncles, and sister all get them. I went to a urologist and a nephrologist and they tested the stones that I was able to catch to determine what they were made of and I had a blood work up to see what my body had too much of or was deficient in. Good Luck I know how painful they can be! My doctors have told me it is the closest that men will ever get to experiencing what child birth is like!
My mum's are caused by too much calcium. Every few years she breaks down and eats a bunch of icecream or spinach without checking her calcium levels, (blood CA++ and Urine CA++, she has hypercalciremia & Hypercalciuria) and ends up in the hospital not long after. Most of her stones are too large to pass, so they have to be broken up.
The cause for her was determined via trial and error & a lot of empirical testing over the years.
Ironically, although she has had nearly NO calcium in her diet for the past 20 years and is past menopause, she has suffered no bone loss, and her bone density is that of a 20 year old. But as soon as she eats foods high in calcium, her body rejects it and they form into stones in her kidneys.
I have had multiple kidney stones over the years and I FINALLY had my urologist refer me to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) who has worked with me to determine what kind of stones I create and how to modify my diet to prevent them. There are 2 different types of stones and they need to analyze the stone to determine what is causing them. Some doctors just say "cut down on calcium, drink more water, etc.", but that is not the answer for everyone. Mine are due to how my body processes calcium and so I can't take calcium supplements and have to watch foods with too much oxalate (and of course drink lots of water). She has also put me on a couple of medications to help. But I still need a diet rich in calcium. It all depends on your body. I think the urologists don't like to worry too much about what causes them as they make more money when you have one (sorry, cynical I know, but I think it's true with a lot of the urologists) So, since you have had multiple stones, it's likely that they'll continue and you really should find out what to do to prevent them. See a nephrologist!
I know of a simple cleanse you can do for 3 days to break any up and pass then without pain. It is while taking 'dr. christophers' herbs. I did it and feel great. good luck
I have had stones twice and both times during pregnancy. I've heard that too much salt can cause them? Not sure if that is correct or not.
Try staying away from calcium for a while. Even in things like chocolate and strawberries.
I have passed about fifteen stones (that I know of) in the past 25 years and there are more stones in my kidneys. My last stone about a year and a half ago, was pretty bad and miserable and I ended up hospitalized for a few days bc it just wouldn't pass. Once it did, I went to the urologist ready and armed to do whatever he said; if he said "drink 4 gallons of water everyday" I was ready to make the sacrifice. But this is what he said, "Live your life". Yes, you can increase water intake, but if you drink too much, you will be peeing all the time having to stop in the car to go to the bathroom and what quality of life is that? He basically told me to "manage the stones when they come" - which typically means a trip to the emergency department, IV pain meds, x-ray, and a couple hours stay there; fortunately, my stones seem to come every other year or so, but when they do it IS a big deal because of the intense pain they cause. I have had urine studies done without any true revelation. My conclusion is that as long as they are small enough to pass, to let it happen and pray it's not when I am on vacation in Mexico. I don't know how else to manage it.
Fortunately, my child-bearing years are behind me, but I did have one when I was nursing a baby and because of my commitment to the baby, I chose to stay home and grin and bear it practicing my Lamaze breathing - that was really hard.....guess it was the right decision at the time, but not sure I could do that now. Now, as soon as I have that pain that starts as a twinge, I immediately begin to watch it and if it gets worse I get myself right into the Emergency Dept hoping to ward off all the pain and vomiting that goes with it. If you hear of "causes" that can be corrected, I would be interested in knowing that.
There is only one commoncause of kidney stones.( I had my first one at the age of 13 and had one every two years until 6 years ago.....)
Your stomach is not digesting your food properly. Kidneys collect things that are not being broken down properly. If you are on, have been on any kind of med or take any kind of antacid you could be causing this. Stomachs are meant to be acidic to break food down. I had been on so many meds in my life that my stomach had to relearn how to make stomach acid. I actually took Beataine HCL (stomach acid) for about a year until them. Kidney stones are not inevitable. They can be prevented!
M.
I have had kidney stones 3 times in the past. i havent had them for probably 6 or7 years now, but i was told to avoid drinking to much pop and calcium. My doc said they are a calcium build up and when you mix that with a bunch of pop it causes the little spikes on them that make it mainful. I used to drink a lot of pop, especially mountain dew. I cut that out and now still drink pop but not everyday. Just a couple cans a week and i do drink a lot of milk yet. Im due anyday with our second and have craved milk. Just drink a lot of water to keep your system flushed out. some people can get them more than others, and if you get them to often they may refer you to a specialist for further testing. Good luck, i know they are not fun!
Here's a website for you. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults/...
Doctors used to say that too much calcium caused them. But clinical nutritionists say the opposite. Calcium binds with oxalates to keep it from entering the urinary track.
I can recommend a good calcium supplement if you determine you need it.
Victoria
