Question re: Kidney Stones

debsuztx · May 5, 2006

Typically yes; but personally I've had a kidney stone and I eventually felt pain in the abdominal area. Apparently, the stone was moving. The nausea and vomiting came from the INTENSE pain I was having. I was told when I went to the ER that it's the same pain intensity as having a baby and having a heart attack. I told the ER nurse, well it didn't hurt this much when I had a baby, and I haven't had nor want to have a heart attack. :nurse:

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 5, 2006

Nope, not everybody has N/V or flank pain, although I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of kidney stone sufferers (and I mean that in EVERY sense of the word:uhoh21: ) present a pathetic picture in the doctor's office or ER. Most will report that the pain is the worst they've ever endured; it usually begins on the affected side, and often radiates to the groin and even the genitalia. It can also be accompanied by chills and fever as well as nausea and/or vomiting (although I have to say I've never been ill enough to vomit during any of my bouts with stones so far), and even bladder spasms as the stone passes through the GU tract.

The danger is when stones get stuck somewhere---they can cause kidney damage and urinary obstruction, both of which are medical emergencies that require surgical intervention. Otherwise, they generally pass out of the body without incident.......it just hurts like the devil while they're doing it. :madface:

debsuztx · May 5, 2006

mjlrn97-

I totally agree with you; you're right, not everyone has the same symptoms with a kidney stone. The problem that I had was the stone (which was the size of a peanut) was stuck in the ureter and wasn't going to be anywhere anytime soon. Had lithotripsy done, and was the best money I ever spent.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · May 5, 2006

And keep in mind that presentation not only varies in terms of pain intensity and presence/absense of certain symptoms, but some patients may not 'present' at all. Not uncommon for stones to be identified while looking for something unrelated.

mommy2boys · May 5, 2006

I have passes more stones than I can count and usually I have n/v and severe pain. Those are the times that I have to go to the ER to have my pain under control. I have passed a few were there were no n/v and mild to moderate pain. Those stones were smaller than the rest and I just went to my urologist and he could get the pain under control w/ pills. (you can also have a silent stone, where you pass a stone w/o knowing it)

SO to answer your question. Not all patients will present with the same s/s. Depending on the size of the stone and the person, one time they could be curled up in a ball and the other time they can normal. Each person and kidney stone attack present differently.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 5, 2006

We had a doctor one time say its as close to childbirth as a male will EVER get. This while he was getting pain med for his stones.

Usually we dont worry to much about the ones who are having pain,, medicate and observe is about it, strain all urine. If your in pain its because the stone is moving (usually good thing). Its the ones that present with pain and then the pain stops. Usually because the stone has passed or its stuck. So another KUB is in order usually. Increased temp over 100.5 with a positive KUB usually gets them a trip to OR at my facility.