Just a little note...this was originally posted at writingup and I've since passed 2 more on my own and I'm currently working on yet another. No narcotics, nothing but lots of fluid!

So I think I've got another kidney stone. The last one was in October, right after I found out I was knocked up. Had 2 ER trips and spent 2 days in the hospital with that one. Before that, it was July. The previous May, I'd had lithotripsy for a giant one. Prior to all of those, I'd had multiple instances of mysterious pain that would suddenly disappear after a lot of frequent urination, typically with some blood in my urine.

This one isn't too bad, yet. But I've learned a few tricks to prevent a trip to the ER. As soon as I start feeling suspicious pain (once you've had a few, you recognize the early symptoms pretty quickly) I start "flushing" my kidneys and urinary tract. I drink 16 oz of Gatorade or water every half hour to hour. Some people use cranberry juice -- this is also a good choice since it may help to prevent an infection, but personally I don't care for the taste.

If I have leftover pyridium, I take that. (I believe this medication is contraindicated in pregnancy, so right now I'm skipping it. If you're pregnant, check with your OB before taking it.) OTC AZO Urinary Pain Relief is essentially the same thing, just in a lower dose than I get via prescription. This is the stuff that turns your pee bright orange, so don't be alarmed if this is what happens. This drug can reduce bladder and ureter spasms that might keep the stone from moving or otherwise cause pain.

In some cases this works. If you have a urine strainer (anyone who's been to the ER for a stone should have been given one) use it. If you see a lot of "sand" or a small stone, you may want to save it for a urologist to analyze. If this doesn't work within 12-24 hours and the pain continues or worsens, go to the ER or call your doctor. They can order good drugs and X-rays and such to see what the status of the stone is. If you are pregnant, you'll want to be evaluated ASAP for a UTI as an infection could cause miscarriage or preterm labor. Even if not pregnant, it is always wise to see a doctor to be sure the problem is cleared up. I strongly suggest seeing a urologist for treatment and evaluation of recurring stones. It wasn't until I decided that I seemed to be having a lot of UTIs that I called a urologist and found out I had a monster stone that would never pass on it's own. Once he did lithotripsy, those frequent "UTIs" went away and I now *know* when I have a stone.

And since I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on the net, I recommend seeing a doctor immediately if you've never been diagnosed with a stone. If you have any other illness (UTI, interstitial cystitis, diabetes, or anything else) then none of this will help you and in fact could hurt. Remember, use common sense anytime you are experiencing anything out of the ordinary. Listen to your body and trust your instincts. You know better than anyone else when something is truly wrong.