Anyone here ever have a kidney stone. Seriously, how painful is it?
Do you think working out and being dehydrated was in any way a cause? My friend just had one last summer and told me that he thinks it was caused by racing in hot weather and drinking draught beer. Somehow (he says) draught beer can cause them.
Dehydration a definite factor in almost all types of kidney stones. Beyond that, best to know what type of stone (e.g., chemical makeup) to understand underlying factors.
There are many different kinds of kidney stones- with different causes.
That being said, when I was doing tri’s (I am now roadie) I got a kidney stone from what they believed to be dehydration. At the time, I had also increased my calcium consumption quite a bit and was eating a lot (a few a day) of Balance bars and things like that with out a lot of fluids. It hurt like a bitch and felt like someone was sticking a knife in my lower back at a certain interval (wasnt’ constant).
One of many reasons to stay hydrated, in my opinion.
So yes, this is possible, been there done that. Not sure about the beer part?
I am a girl, so I think the sharp pains I had may differ from the sharp pains a guy might have, I am guessing.
Have had 8, 3 surgeries, all related to training dehydrated. Pain is like no other. Mine were 100% calcium oxalate which is in everything from strawberries to peanut butter to spinnach. “so why do you let yourself get dehydrated” good question.
Funny you mention it. My wife just had one on Christmas Eve day in the morning. The pain was so bad, I had to carry her to the car. It’s been said that if you can withstand a kidney stone, you can withstand childbirth.
I think the biggest thing that leads to them is a genetic disposition to them. As well, she had one about 10 years ago. I can tell you she doesn’t drink enough water in general, though,
I had a kidney stone back in 2000, and was told by the doctor that this is the male equivalent to child-birth in terms of level of pain. I was also told several things can cause them:
not enough water
too much chocolate
too much soy
etc…
As my water and chocolate in take were good but unchanged, I could rule them both out. I had tried a vegetarian diet for about 6 months and apparently I overdid on the soy, as I was eating soy-based cheese, meats, tofu… And the symptoms of the kidney stone happened VERY quickly. I went from running a 5:01 minute mile on the track with the soccer team I was coaching, to an hour later in the emergency room. I was hunched over and in absolute agony. I believe it is genetic for some people (i.e. the people who experience numerous stones), but in general they occur when you ignore the moderation principle. This can be too much of something (soy in my case) or too little of something (water). I’m no doctor, but I would guess that the stone could only form after several months of being dehydrated or overeating a certain food. All I know is, I am now a true believer of moderation as I never want to experience that pain again!!!
Same here. Had my first one this past summer, but I didn’t know it was a kidney stone. I was going through a lot of stress at work and thought it was stress related. Next one was in October - the worst pain I ever had. Went to the ER and they confirmed it. The CT found 3 more waiting to be hatched. I had them “blasted” with ultra sound and I feel much better. I gave up coffee, substantially reduced cheese and milk, and drink a lot more water. I had…
Wait a minute, I’m going on too much. I don’t want to become one of those old guys saying “Let me tell you about my operation!”
Drink more water.
Coffee is not the culprit, its tea. In fact you kind find articles that link coffee to keeping stones from froming.
Slim,
I am the unproud “father” of 6 kidney stones before and after I started training. Common to popular belief…they are not caused by soda, coffee, tea or other drink related items but can be related to genetics…(not to say they always are)…my father had them and so did my grandfather (those bastards) and now I have them and if I ever have a child, I feel sorry for them. Yes they are painful, very, very painful…I have fallen off a cliff (broken arm and leg), got hit in the head with a shovel (22 stitches and lots of blood and headaches), and smashed my finger while building a bridge in the military (second close in pain) but nothing, I mean nothing can compare to the pain of a kidney stone…
Prevent them by drinking lots and lots of water, and occassionaly taking a cranberry pill (see your local OSCO) Trust me, you do not want one. The worst part is everytime I get any sort of pain in my side, I am worried about it being a kidney stone…funny how your mind plays tricks on you.
I got kidney stones last year … it hurt like a bi$@* !!! Mine was from dehydration … you would think I would have learned my lesson but now that I am reading this post I realized I need to start drinking water again!
Wrong on some parts there. Cranberries and tea are LOADED with Calcium Oxalate…if your stones are comprised of that, these foods should be avoided. Cranberries have a antibiotic effect on the urinary tract, but have only ill affects on stones.
Had 4 bouts over 20 years and yes - pain, childbirth, name-your-hurt-like-nothing-else analogy. My doc says no one sure about exact cause(s) but genetic disposition strongest indicator. I drink water ALL THE TIME and keep pain meds close. The ONLY way to keep from putting a bullet thru your brain is to get medicated and get to the hospital asap.
You could try to be like Captain Kirk if you develop one.