Calcium and Kidney Stones after WLS

Ooouch JP! Sorry for your pain. Taking Calcium Supplements (if you don’t need them) Is never a good idea. Several other problems could crop up from that. But, to the Stones Question? --- An excerpt from some of the info I had on my hard drive on Kidney Stones- From the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kidney stones are more common than one would think. One in 10 Americans (with out WLS) will have at least one kidney stone some time in their life. Not all kidney stones cause symptoms. Stones that have been present for some time are often discovered when you have X-rays for an unrelated condition. The pain that one typically associates with Kidney stones only becomes evident when a stone breaks loose and begins to work its way down from your kidneys to your bladder. Kidney stones usually form when your urine becomes too concentrated. This causes minerals and other substances in urine to form crystals on the inner surfaces of your kidneys. Over a period months to years these crystals may combine to form a small, hard mass, or stone. In many cases, you can prevent kidney stones simply by drinking more water and making a few dietary changes. The Causes: The crystals that lead to kidney stones are most likely to form when your urine contains a high concentration of certain substances especially calcium, oxalate, uric acid and cystine — Or low levels of substances that help prevent crystal formation, such as citrate and magnesium. Crystals also may form if your urine becomes too concentrated or is too acidic or too alkaline over a Long Period of Time. Could be several other reasons beyond "Too Much Calcium." A number of factors can cause changes in your urine, including the effects of heredity, diet, drugs, climate, lifestyle factors, etc… There are 4 main types of kidney stones and each have a different causes: Calcium stones- 75 to 85 % of all kidney stones are this type. Composed of a combination of calcium and oxalate. Excess calcium in the urine is often caused from ingesting large amounts of vitamin D, from treatment with thyroid hormones or certain diuretics, and from some cancers and kidney conditions. You may also have high levels of calcium if your parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium metabolism, are overactive (hyperparathyroidism). On the other hand, certain genetic factors, intestinal bypass surgery and a diet high in oxalic acid may cause excess amounts of oxalate in your body. Uric acid stones. These stones are formed of uric acid, a byproduct of protein metabolism. You're more likely to develop uric acid stones if you've undergone chemotherapy, you eat a high-protein diet or you have certain genetic factors that predispose you to the condition. Struvite stones. Found more often in women than in men, struvite stones are almost always the result of chronic urinary tract infections caused by bacteria that produce specific enzymes. These enzymes increase the amount of ammonia in the urine, which is incorporated in the crystals of struvite stones. These stones are often large and have a characteristic stag's horn shape that can seriously damage your kidneys. Cystine stones. These stones represent only about 1 percent of kidney stones. They form in people with a hereditary disorder that causes the kidneys to excrete excessive amounts of certain amino acids (cystinuria). Risk factors: These factors may increase your risk of developing kidney stones: Lack of fluids. If you don't drink enough fluids, especially water, your urine is likely to have higher concentrations of substances that can form stones. That's also why you're more likely to form kidney stones if you live in a hot, dry climate, work in a hot environment such as a commercial kitchen or exercise strenuously without replacing lost fluids. Family or personal history. If someone in your family has kidney stones, you're more likely to develop stones too. And if you've already had one or more kidney stones, you're at increased risk of developing another. Age, sex and race. Most people who develop kidney stones are between 20 and 40 years of age. Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women are, although for unknown reasons the number of women with kidney stones is increasing. In addition, white Americans are at higher risk of kidney stones than are black Americans. Certain medications. Medications can have variable effects on stone formation. For example, diuretics may increase your risk of developing kidney stones in some situations and decrease it in others. If you're at risk, check with your doctor or pharmacist about any medications you take. Diet. A diet that's high in protein (meat, chicken and fish) and low in fiber (fruits, vegetables and whole grains) may increase your risk of some types of kidney stones. Limited activity. You're more prone to develop kidney stones if you're bedridden or very sedentary for a period of time. That's because limited activity can cause your bones to release more calcium. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- It may or may not have anything to do with your WLS. Also, if your doc hasn’t directed you to "take Calcium supplements," Then Don’t. Good to hear your painful week has passed… The "Bad News?" Most people, who have one "kidney Stone Episode," Will have another. Follow Doc’s recommendations to the Letter- And get in some more water. Best Wishes- Dx