Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Urology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Pain/urgency after kidney stone passes
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D. Boston - MA
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.

Pain/urgency after kidney stone passes

by kba0206, Jul 13, 2007 12:00AM
Three weeks ago, I went to the ER with a kidney stone attack.   The CT scan revealed a 4mm kidney stone about to drop into the bladder.   I fell asleep from the medication in the ER and when I woke up, the worst of the pain was gone.  

Since then, though, I continue to experience occasional sharp pangs in my flank and groin, and I have a constant urge to urinate.   A new CT scan - taken yesterday - shows no stone.  My urologist thinks it probably passed at the hospital.   But he doesn't know what's causing my current pangs and urgency.  Urinalysis is normal and shows no infection.  There's nothing remarkable on the new CT scan.  He's hesitant to do further tests because he says they can cause pain and damage and there's nothing on the CT scan to suggest anything serious is wrong.

He told me to take Flomax for three weeks and see if the pain and urgency subsides.   Could a 4mm stone still be causing this much residual pain three weeks later?  And if so, what can I do to get back to normal?  Is there anything that could be causing these symptoms that wouldn't be visible on the CT scan?

Thank you.

by Kevin Pho, MD, Jul 14, 2007 12:00AM
It is possible that the stone is causing residual pain from scarring.  

If the symptoms continue, a cystoscopy can be considered to take a look at the bladder as well as the lower GU tract.  Scarring and interstitial cystitis can be visualized, and may not be seen on the CT scan.  

If the pain continues without a clear cause, a referral to a pain clinic can be considered to help manage the discomfort.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Continue discussion
Expert Activity
World's longest living person passe...
14 hrs ago by Enoch Choi, MD
How To Beat Insomnia Without Medica...
Dec 01 by Steven Y Park, MD
Attention All Mouth Breathers: 5 Im...
Dec 01 by Steven Y Park, MD