How many lithotripsies for stones?

[Wonka]

I had a lithotripsy (a shock procedure to break up kidney stones) on 12/11, it didn't work. None broke up. So, my Urologist scheduled another for tomorrow morning. I have 3 stones, he said he can only try to break up one at a time. At $15,000 a procedure, this could get very expensive.

Has anyone else experienced this procedure? What about multiple procedures?

 

[Jestjoan]

Good luck

Holy cow that's an amazing price. I sure hope it works.

 

[wackymother]

I just looked it up on Wikipedia. I feel a little dizzy. You poor guy! I sure hope it works next time. It doesn't sound like much fun....

 

[glenmore]

My brother has had 12 stones, and originally had surgery many years ago to remove the stone(s). Next, he tried the lithotripy - didn't work too well. Now, he just has them go in and get it - immediate relief and much faster. I'm not sure how it works - but it seems to be faster, simpler, and less expensive. My sister-in-law is an RN and she believes in most cases, this is the best and fastest relief.

My son had his first one this summer - too large to pass so they suggested lithotripy. Didn't work too well and caused him much pain. He will also only have them go in and take it out in the future.

If possible, discuss that option with your doctor - much quicker and I believe - less expensive, than the lithotripy.

 

[Wonka]

My brother has had 12 stones, and originally had surgery many years ago to remove the stone(s). Next, he tried the lithotripy - didn't work too well. Now, he just has them go in and get it - immediate relief and much faster. I'm not sure how it works - but it seems to be faster, simpler, and less expensive. My sister-in-law is an RN and she believes in most cases, this is the best and fastest relief.

My son had his first one this summer - too large to pass so they suggested lithotripy. Didn't work too well and caused him much pain. He will also only have them go in and take it out in the future.

If possible, discuss that option with your doctor - much quicker and I believe - less expensive, than the lithotripy.

I asked my Doctor about alternatives this morning. He indicated the next suggestion would be some kind of surgery using a scope through the uretha (at least that's what I think he said...but it didn't sound like fun), he said nobody even considers general surgery to remove kidney stones any more.

My kidney stones haven't bothered me for more than two months and I feel fine.

Tomorrow I won't. The worst part was the breathing tube caused my uvula (that dangly thing in the back of the throat) to swell and I couldn't hardly swallow for three days after the Lithotripsy. I'll ask him the Anesthesia Doc not to use a tube this time. Also, my throat hurt for several days. Other than the sore throat from the breathing tube, Lithotripsy's require a general anesthesia so I'll sleep thru the ordeal.

If it doesn't work this time, I'm not sure what to do. Apparently, can only work on one using this method because of the location of the other two.

 

[DeniseM]

With general anesthesia I think you may have to be intubated, but I don't think everyone has the problems you did. I have had general anesthesia twice with zero sore throat problems. Be sure you talk to the anesthesiologist about it.

I just looked it up and according to this website 25% of people have a sore throat, so hopefully, you won't have one this time.

 

[1950bing]

I have had to deal with KS all my adult life. My first one at age 23 was remove by surgery because that was the only method at that time. It was the size of a small walnut. Up until it was removed I had no problems. Then it was two weeks in the hospital. Try that now.
My second one, 19 years later, was blown up on the table. I had problems afterwards because all the broken stones plugged up everything. Then two days later everything broke loose. Boy did that feel good! That stone was not as big as the first. All were in the left kidney.
Then in July of '08 one was discovered ( no problems ) in my right that was the size of a golf ball. Eight stones in total was discovered between both kidneys.The local docs said it was bigger than they could blast at one time and would take two or three blasts. So, they sent me to U.V.A. because they have a "big bad blaster", the H2o type that could do it in one sitting.
They put in a stint that had to stay for a week.:annoyed: It was to make sure that I would not get stopped up again. Let me say this. It was the worst week I spent of my life. I made a joke by saying, what woman came up with that thing? Not everyone has the discomfort that I had,it was just me. The Drs. said some people have no trouble at all. For the most part I had to just sit around for the whole week. It felt like crap. When they took it out it felt as it the Hoover dam brooke loose. I still have a few small KS here and there between both kidneys and I will have them all my life. They won't kill me but I will die with them. They said to stay away from dark soft drinks but it is more of my filtering system than anything else. I do drink a lot of water, always have.
I'm sure I'll have to be blasted again and so be it. No stint please! There are many types of stones. Every case is different. They can go through your back and suck them out but not everyone can have that done because of various conditions. I would have loved that for my last one to avoid the stint.
It may sound strange, I have never passed a stone. They are always too big by the time they are discovered. I have passed a ton of broken up chunks, I keep them in a jar. They keep a few to see what they are made of.
So, for thoes who deal with KS hang in there. For people like me,you will have them as long as you are here. For some one is all you will deal with. Whichever, hang in there.

 

[kewanee]

I had a lithotripsy (a shock procedure to break up kidney stones) on 12/11, it didn't work. None broke up. So, my Urologist scheduled another for tomorrow morning. I have 3 stones, he said he can only try to break up one at a time. At $15,000 a procedure, this could get very expensive.

Has anyone else experienced this procedure? What about multiple procedures?

I had this done on Nov. 11 for 1 large stone. They did the shock wave 2000 times. It sounds like maybe your shock waves were missing the stones? They did put a ureter stent in. I went back in a month to have the stent removed, which was a huge relief. Before they removed it, they did another xray to make sure the stone was gone and it was. I did pass some tiny grains that were painful, but most of it must have turned to powder.
Regarding cost, the bills submitted to the insurance company were $19,500 for the surge center, $5765 for the urologist, and another $1,153 for the urologist when he removed the stent. The negotiated rate paid by the insurance company was $5925, $1902, and $970 respectively for those 3 bills. This doesn't include the initial office visit or the ct scan and xrays.
I hope your next one goes better than the first. I had a very sore throat the first day, but sucked on some Riccola which helped immensely.

 

[Wonka]

They put in a stint that had to stay for a week.:annoyed: It was to make sure that I would not get stopped up again. Let me say this. It was the worst week I spent of my life. I

Geesh! I sure hope I don't have to go the stint route. None this time. Did they get the stone broke-up, who knows? Nobody told me anything. I suppose I'll have to wait for the next C-Scan (which isn't scheduled yet).

I sure don't like the alternatives if this didn't work. My throat isn't as bad...just a little sore. The Anesthetist used a smaller tube. But, I do feel like I was in a bar fight, and lost (LOL)...kinda sore all over.

 

[normab]

This sounds familiar....

DH had some large stones a few years back (2002?). He had 2 or 3 lithotropsies to break them up. The stones eventually all passed. Don't recall the cost, it was same-day surgery. At that time our insurance covered a good portion of the procedure, about 90%, so we were lucky. (Wouldn't be so lucky in 2009, co insurance and deductibles are insanely high now.)

For some reason I thought there were some medications that help with kidney stones now? Maybe I am confused!!?