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shock wave lithotripty

Wonka

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I have a 8mm Kidney Stone, and my physician has scheduled a Shock Wave Lithotripy for 9/4/08.

The procedure if $15,000. My current insurance will pay all but $2,000.

On 10/1/08, I qualify for Medicare and purchased an AARP Supplement that will pay the entire cost if I can wait until 10/1/08.

The pain can be intense, but comes and goes. I've been controlling the pain with Oxycodone prescribed by my Urologist.

I'd sure like to wait and avoid the cost, if possible. I have a call in to my physician to discuss this. But, I'm wondering how long others have had a kidney stone before they opted for this type of procedure?
 

ttt

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Stones can last for years and the pain only comes when the stone is on the move. I don't see a problem waiting if you can control the pain & the stone is not causing an infection.
 

glenmore

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Also consider that lithtripy is about 50% successful according to most studies and most kidney doctors. . my son had this done last month. He went through two weeks of intense - very intense - - nausea and pain after the procedure until all the particles had passed and his stone was larger than yours. At first they thought he still had a 5mm stone left after the lithotripy and they were planning on going in and getting it, but when he went for that procedure and they x-rayed him again, it was either gone or he had passed it.

He has said in the future, he will tell them to just go and get it. The relief is immediate. My brother has had about 12 kidney stones, and has been through all the methods over the years; he, and my sister-in-law have also said to avoid the lithotripy and have them just go in and take it out.

So you may want to consider you alternatives carefully and realize you may still have a lot of pain after this procedures . . .
 

Wonka

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Also consider that lithtripy is about 50% successful according to most studies and most kidney doctors. . my son had this done last month. He went through two weeks of intense - very intense - - nausea and pain after the procedure until all the particles had passed and his stone was larger than yours. At first they thought he still had a 5mm stone left after the lithotripy and they were planning on going in and getting it, but when he went for that procedure and they x-rayed him again, it was either gone or he had passed it.

He has said in the future, he will tell them to just go and get it. The relief is immediate. My brother has had about 12 kidney stones, and has been through all the methods over the years; he, and my sister-in-law have also said to avoid the lithotripy and have them just go in and take it out.

So you may want to consider you alternatives carefully and realize you may still have a lot of pain after this procedures . . .

Thanks for the information.

That's a side of the story I haven't heard. My Urologist didn't talk about any of the side affects, or the low success rate. Why not?

I'd like to wait until 10/1 when I'll have 100% coverage. I'll have to do a little more research, so that gives me another good reason to postpone this procedure.

I've been considering seeing another Urologist 10/1 mostly because I don't care for the choice of hospitals where he practices. But, I'll stick with him for the pain medication until I get closer to the 10/1 date.
 

JudyH

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Years ago I had my son with natural childbirth, no painkillers, NOT my idea.

Two years ago I had a kidney stone, 10 times worse than childbirth.

You have my heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery.

I have now added potent painkillers to the list of things I take when traveling.
 

Wonka

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Two years ago I had a kidney stone, 10 times worse than childbirth.

Wow! I guess that'll give me some lopsided "bragging" rights at the old folks home. I seem to be fading fast.
 

davesdog

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I had about 10 stones so far. My first one they went in, and took it out. (this was the worst of the treatments I had.)
I had the litho treatment 5 times, worked every time, and worst part was inserting the IV.
4 I just passed, and 3 were horrible, but 2 of those passed while waiting for treatment. The other one got stuck, and became infected. I had a temp of 103, they put me in the hospital, inserted a stent (ouch), and gave me antibiotics for 2 days.:bawl:

Almost everybody on my moms side of the family gets them too!!!
 
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