How do you know if you passed kidney stones?
I've been having really bad pain in my back and side, and my doctor suspects kidney stones. The pain seems to have eased a bit now. How would I know for sure if I've actually passed the stone?
5 answers
6 months ago
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I thought my kidney stone pain stopped because it passed, so I skipped my doctor visit, but it was actually stuck and blocking my urine, which caused a bad infection later. Please don't assume anything just because the pain stopped. Get a follow-up ultrasound to confirm it is actually gone.
6 months ago
Look, if you had a terrible, sharp pain in your back or side that suddenly vanished completely, and you felt a tiny 'plop' or saw a small speck in the toilet, you've probably passed it. But don't just celebrate yet, go get an ultrasound to make sure no more stones are sitting inside.
6 months ago
Since I manage my diabetes, I keep a close eye on my kidneys and hydration. When a stone passes, the intense groin pain suddenly stops and you might see blood in your urine or the stone itself in your pee. Keep drinking plenty of water, but do consult your doctor to confirm everything is clear.
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Consult a neurologist
yrs exp
6 months ago
Exactly, that sudden, complete relief from severe flank pain is the biggest sign. Just make sure to get a repeat scan to confirm no fragments are left.
5 months ago
I was researching this because my dad has kidney stones. Apparently, you feel a sudden, huge relief from that intense back pain once it passes into the bladder, and sometimes you can actually hear it click against the toilet bowl. It sounds intense, but that sudden lack of pain is the main clue.