Question:
What is causing my kidney stones??????

I have never had any problems in the past with kidney or bladder problems. Im 3 months post op (rny) and tonight im passing my third one. I am drinking PLENTY of fluids, so what is happening that my body has decided to make these all of a sudden. I had my first one at 8 weeks post op.    — darlene N. (posted on March 15, 2002)

March 14, 2002
Hi! I am pre-op RNY but I am a kidney stone former and in fact had to have surgery last May to remove a large one. Its important that you retrieve the stones and have them tested to find out what kind they are. If it is uric acid then they are easier to prevent and possibly dissolve. If calcium then its more difficult. Since I form them also I have really researched what I need to do. You tend to form them on high protein low carb diets so its critical that you have lots and lots of water. Your surgeon or PCP might also look into taking allopurinol which helps to dissolve and keeps others forming. A key I've been told is if urine is dark...drink water...if its almost clear, your water level is good. Good luck to you.
   — AJC750

March 14, 2002
Are you eating a lot of soy products? They contain oxcylate<sp> which can form stones. You might try drinking MORE water, if you can. Good Luck
   — Robert L.

March 14, 2002
The reasons for forming stones are vast Darlene. To find out the cause, it helps to have the stones analyzed. Calcium oxylate stones can also be formed from hyperparathyroidism. No, you don't necessarily have this, but there really isn't a sure fire way to tell without knowing what the composition of your stones is. I was initially told my kidney stones were "gout" stones, pyruvate stones. Then, after having one sent off for analysis, it was discovered that mine were calcium oxylate. Then, many years later, it was discovered that I had hyperparathyroidism. So, get a strainer from your physician's office or a lab, strain all your urine, and get a stone in for analysis. Once they fond out what it is, they can tell how to treat it and prevent them. Good Luck!
   — NicoleG

March 15, 2002
Are you taking Tums or anything with calcium carbonate in it for calcium? This could be the cause, especially if you aren't getting in much water. I was taking about eight Tums a day at one point because of severe heartburn. Little did I know that could cause kidney stones! They should put a warning label on those things, because that is some serious pain. If you are taking calcium carbonate, make sure you switch to calcium citrate which doesn't cause kidney stones. I hear you can get it at GNC.
   — Jennifer Y.

March 15, 2002
As everyone said, if they are oxalate stones, #1 is calcium carbonate, then "brown liquids", such as coffee or tea or colas, caf or decaf, same, same. And even green tea! HERBAL teas are usually OK. The next offender is green leafies, like spinach & kale. I got my stone for Christmas 3 yrs post-op. But my husband just spent several days in the hospital with his GROUP of them. All too large to pass, he required 2 surgeries & the "blasting" of the remainder. Cost him 5 days off work! You know, like childbirth, the pain of mine sort of faded away and I went right back to my diet colas. BUT, after watching him writhe in agony for a day, I have cleaned up my act. Nothing "brown" any more. He's not completely there, but he's MUCH closer than he was a month ago! The "treatment of choice" for oxalate stones (per both urologists) was calcium citrate and WATER. Regular, boring ol' water.
   — vitalady