Living with Kidney Stones

Had my first encounter with kidney stones when I was 12…yes 12. After months of antibiotics, pain, being very sick & investigative procedures the hospital, unexpectedly for a 12 year old, found 5 large kidney stones in my left kidney. These were removed leaving a scar about 8 inches long around my left side & I was in hospital for just over a week.

Once home my ureter blocked & I was rushed back into hospital again. I don’t remember much as I was hallucinating due to very high temperatures & very sick. The blockage was surgically removed & I was in hospital for a few days.

Due to the old way of operating (ie opening you right up) It took 6 months recovery, learning to walk again etc. So all in all the entire illness lasted about a year & a half.

I’m now 39: At the end of October last year I was given antibiotics for a kidney infection & I highlighted my previous history to my doctor. The infection repeatedly returned after a week or so of finishing each course of tablets so I was given double doses of antibiotics.

A few months passed & I feared my other symptoms; the bruised ache under my ribs & dull ache in my back which I’d been applying heat packs to thinking it was muscular pain, occasional nausea, feeling more tired by the day which I’d put down to the number of hours I was working & the occasional hot/cold flushes.

In March my doctor referred me to the hospital. Mid April I seen a consultant who was very thorough & did every kind of test, x-rays, CT scan, blood test, urine tests. I was then given an apt for an ultrasound at the end of May in which they found at least 3 stones in my right kidney.

Next apt with the consultant is mid July which I did try to bring forward but was told I’ve to have a camera inserted into my bladder & the first apt available for that is the beginning of July.

It’s now mid June, I’m tired after the slightest bit of activity. I’m hot/cold flushing a lot, the pain in my back is no longer a dull ache more of a kick in the spine & have sporadic unexpected hot iron rod shooting pains that travel along my groin, tummy & up my back. Thankfully I’m not being sick.

I was on co-codamol pain killers, which just made me nauseous & not much else. Last week my doctor gave me Tramadol & WOW the relief after 7 months of varying intensity of back pain is such a welcome.

I’m signed of work now as I’m tired most of the time, get a bit giddy on the tramadol, still have regular hot/cold flushes & have to pee through a tea strainer in case I pass any stones but at least the pain is controlled.
Roll on July when I find out what the next stage is & when I’ll feel normal again.