Twelve Days Post-Kidney Stone: Lingering Pain Persists
It's now been twelve days since I expelled a 4mm kidney stone, yet I'm still experiencing discomfort. Over the past month, I've been plagued by abdominal pain that varies in location—from my bladder and both kidneys to a new discomfort in my upper chest, rated between 2 and 6 on a pain scale. The episodes come and go at unpredictable times during the day, but I've noticed they've become more frequent and intense over the last week. Interestingly, the pain seems to subside temporarily after eating. I had a CT urogram performed recently, and according to my urologist, everything in my urinary system appears normal—no stones, no infections indicated by lab tests, and no swelling present. Currently, I'm on Bactrim antibiotics, while taking extra-strength Tylenol, which only provides minimal relief. Since my kidney stone diagnosis, I have dramatically increased my water intake to around three liters daily, and my dietary habits have shifted to focus on low sugar, low salt, low oxalates, and low caffeine. As a result, I've lost approximately five pounds. My healthcare provider, along with insights from various discussions on Reddit, suggests that this could be residual pain; however, I anticipated that it would resolve within one to two days. What might be the cause of this ongoing discomfort?
Answers (1)
4/2/2025, 12:40:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing lingering discomfort after expelling a kidney stone, and it's understandable to feel concerned, especially since the pain has become more frequent and intense. Given the information you provided, it’s possible that your ongoing symptoms could be related to residual irritation from the stone passage, dietary changes, or even gastrointestinal factors, as your pain seems to improve temporarily after eating.
Explanation:
- Residual Pain: After passing a kidney stone, it’s common to experience some residual discomfort as your body heals. This can be due to irritation in the urinary tract.
- Dietary Changes: Shifting your diet can affect digestion and may lead to changes in bowel habits, which could also cause abdominal or chest discomfort.
- Gastrointestinal Factors: The fact that your pain subsides after eating might suggest that your discomfort could be gut-related, such as gastritis or acid reflux, particularly if you're consuming different types of foods now.
- Anxiety/Stress: After such an experience, anxiety about the pain can also amplify your perception of discomfort.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of when your pain occurs, its intensity, what you eat, and any other accompanying symptoms. This information could help identify patterns or triggers.
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Pain Management: Since Tylenol provides minimal relief, try to use a combination of over-the-counter medications intermittently as directed (consider discussing options with your provider), or explore other pain-relief options like topical treatments or heat pads on the abdomen.
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Dietary Assessment: Continue your balanced diet but pay attention to how specific foods affect your pain. You might want to consider keeping a food diary to identify any specific triggers.
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Stay Hydrated: Maintaining your hydration level is excellent for preventing future kidney stones and promoting overall kidney health.
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Follow-up: If your discomfort persists or worsens, especially if you develop new symptoms such as fever, vomiting, changes in urination, or if you have concerns about digestive issues, it’s important to seek a follow-up assessment to rule out other conditions.
Please remember that while this advice aims to address your current concerns, a healthcare professional can provide tailored recommendations based on your specific situation. You're not alone in this, and many people experience ongoing symptoms after kidney stone passage. It’s important to be patient and attentive to your body during this healing process.
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