Has anyone had issues with kidney stones...

Last tuesday through sunday I felt like dieing. My primary doctor states there is nothing to do. Just walk and drink water. But after going to a different hospital the doctors said I have several stones on my left side blocking which was confirmed after they gave me a ct scan and 3 bags of IV with pain meds. I feel a little better now but it comes and goes tomorrow I go back to see with a new ct scan.l If need to they will be blasting those stones out of me. I was wondering has anyone been told to watch there input of artificial sweetners like crystal light powder you make your drinks out of. I do drink alot of crystal light lemonade, fruit punch, tea sometimes more then water. I know Water is better. But in my head i need flavor........ Wishing everyone loads of fun in Vegas........Looking forward to seeing those pictures...... Hugs Suzan

I had kidney stones twice before surgery. mine were calcium kidney stones. They're very very painful. Mine passed on there own.. My doctor told me they could come back at any time..some people are just prone to them. Anna

Hey Suzan I'm sorrry to hear about pain your having. I have never been told to watch my intake of artifical sweetners. Do they effect your kidneys? What have you been told? I'm now curious because I drink walmart brand SF Koolaid everyday... Lots of it. Like you, I need flavor. Hope you feel better soon, Kay

Pre-op I have been there, done that, got the t-shirt! My primary keeps me supplied with pain meds in case of a kidney stone attack. He told me the best way to pass a stone is take the pain meds and drink, drink, drink. He said a gallon of water is not too much if you are trying to pass a stone. I just have to make sure I am going to the bathroom at least every 4 hours. If I can't pee or if I can't keep the pain meds down, I know it's time to head to the ER. I've had lithotripsy twice and the worst part is the stent afterwards. My urologist did tell me that lemon juice in water (real lemon juice) will help prevent stones for most people. The most important thing is to get in all of your fluids. He never said anything about avoiding artificial sweeteners. Hope you feel better soon! Susan

Suzan, I have passed a small rock quarry of stones, all preop. I was told to be careful of tea, the tartaric acid in it can make them bigger and more painful, I was never told about artificial sweeteners though. Mine were caused mainly from all the tums that I used to chew, but I gave those up for pepcid and the stones have never come back. Good luck, I hope yours pass soon!! Steph

Thank You everyone for posting... My results are back....They were caused by calcium.........huh Well my primary doctor says to drink at least 95 to 100 oz a day of water. ugh i get about 75 to 90 and a lot of that is crystal light. They told me sugar free drinks aren't bad but you should not just live on them you need to actually drink the water to help filter the kidneys. And sometimes the sugar free sweetners can form rocks such as kidney stones. They told me to make a crystal light drink up and leave it in a water bottle after a couple of days on the bottom of the bottle you can see filtered items....So that is why water water is so much more important. My dietician even gave me these cute little happy face stickers with numbers on them. Believe it or not I feel like a little kid. Everyday I have to get at least "6 to 8" 16.9 water bottles. No less then 6 they say.......I'm feeling better now....... My hours and days off have changed at work so I will be off Thursdays and Fridays. About to pick up my son and let him drive me around.....eck.... He just got his learners permit about 1 1/2 weeks ago....Talk later....Wishing everyone a very nice weekend....suzan