[kimmydawn]

Can one at that age be more dangerous?

Hubby just took his dad out to ER for bad pain. they think it's a kidney stone and are doing a cat scan as I'm writing this.

I was just curious if it's something I should be getting concerned about now?

I'm afraid it might be something else/more. He's not felt good for a long while...

KD

[bebop]

I have no idea hon but please take care. keep us posted on what they find out. I know some can be very painful.

[kimmydawn]

thanks ((((((((((((((( be )))))))))))))))))

they gave him a shot of toradal and phenergan to help with pain and it took a bit but it did and he's resting, hubby said.

they haven't come in with the results yet.

KD

[lenjan]

Kidney stones these days can be zapped painlessly with a laser and broken up into a million-billion pieces. They hurt like (insert worst thing you can possibly imagine -- I usually barf my guts out too when I have one), but they aren't going to kill anyone, even someone who's 72.

[ErinBear]

Hi KimmyDawn,

I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law's kidney stone. I had this past winter and it was the pits! I feel for him. They aren't necessarily dangerous in and of themselves, even though they feel horrible; the doctors have to figure out where the kidney stone is and what is going on. Many times, they pass on their own without any problem. Sometimes, if the stone is big, they can use lithotripsy to break it into smaller pieces so that it will pass better, but not every stone qualifies for lithotripsy. As long as he doesn't have an infection, it's even possible they could send him home again, as they did with me....on pain medication, with the recommendation to drink lots of fluid, and instructions to keep straining your urine to try to catch the stone if it passes. If he is sent home, he would probably be seeing a urologist for followup soon afterwards, and regularly until the situation resolves. Hopefully it will exit soon - for most people I know who've had one, it's left within a few days. I wasn't that lucky but my case was pretty unusual.

Take care,
Erin

[bebop]

3 yrs ago I had one that covered the entire kidney. no empty space at all in there. it never once hurt me. they did think though I would lose the kidney since we had no idea how long it had been in there. if there had been deminished kidney function they would have taken it. it was called a staghorn and I guess they latch on and don't move and that is why it never hurt.
I am praying for your father in law. it's gotta be rough!