Kidney Stones & Working Out

Eunified

Hey All,

Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a kidney stone yesterday.. =(
I haven't passed it yet and am on medications to help with the pain.
I feel pretty crappy but not horrible.. Do you think it's safe to work out?

Eleisabelle

When I had a stone, I didn't have a problem getting exercise, but I did take it easy. Let your body tell you how far you can go, and be careful with the medication.

And drink your cranberry juice--it helps!

MrsPike07

Actually it could help work it out of there. I had a kidney stone a few months back so I can relate. I would try a little at a time but you should probably ask your doctor just to be safe.

lockef

I don't think it's safe to work out while on pain meds.

Drink lots of fluids. Depending on what kind of stone it is, drinking cranberry juice or lemonade can help with passing it.

mjh5141

My experience with stones is very different, as I had no idea I had one until I was passing it. I'm not a doctor (and you should absolutely consult one), but from what I've been told by my doctors/my own experience, you don't know when/if you're going to pass the stone. You can't stop your life just because you feel like you have this time bomb inside. So the best advice I can give is that unless you feel painful or your doctor believes you are on the verge of passing it, work out like you normally would. But make sure to stay very hydrated. Drink water before, DURING, and after your workout. At least 2 liters of water a day, closer to 3 if you can manage it. That being said, know your body. If you start feeling sudden twinges of back/abdominal pain, stop. Don't push yourself through a work out if you're thinking, "This might be it..."

My urologist also told me to lower my sodium intake and meat-based proteins. Granted, I knew what kind of stone I'd had when he passed on that advice. My regular urologist, however, told me that the "anti-kidney stone diet" would include all of my favorite foods, and as long as I drank a ton of water, I'd likely be okay.

I know people who have had stones for years but never passed them. If you do start passing one, please have someone come and stay with you. My experience was horrible because I didn't know what was happening and ended up having to call an ambulance because I thought my appendix was exploding.

rileysowner

As long as the meds are not narcotics there should be no problem working out if you feel up to it. I have had kidney stones several times, and the key to passing them seems to be drinking lots of water, even more than MFP would suggest. The more you pee, the more likely the stone will pass if it is going to. The first one I had didn't pass and had to be removed. The second one passed in about 3 days. I'm not sure which experience was worse.

thomasdyre

I am prone to the evil kidney stone also. Very painful. I can't imagine be able to work out. If you can go for it, and I am impressed you are even thinking about, and the others are able to complete any exercise.

Hodar

I've had them, they start with a pain in the kidney area - like a dull backache.

If you are on meds, for pain - then it's on the way down. Drinking lots of water will help flush it down, and excercise will help it 'jiggle' it's way down that tube. They aren't much fun - but when they finally pass, you will know it.

Really no reason not to work-out; just go for the leisure work-out; with pain-killers you could really hurt yourself by over-doing something and not realize it. So, nice jogs, long walk, stationary bike ... take it easy.

They just aren't much fun - be glad you are a girlie - us guys get to enjoy them even more. I've rifled my poor willie.

jacksonpt

Depends on the meds you are on. If you can work out safely, then go for it. Overhydrating is the biggest thing you need to do while trying to pass one.

Cranberry juice isn't good for all stones, depends on the make-up of them.

mjh5141

I've had them, they start with a pain in the kidney area - like a dull backache.

Not necessarily. Mine started as sharp abdominal pain to the right of my belly button, thus the appendicitis scare. It actually didn't turn into back pain for hours, and when it did, "dull" is not the word I would personally choose to describe it. Not trying to scare anyone who hasn't experienced it yet, but depending on the size of the stone, you may need to go to the hospital. Thus my advice for having someone with you once you feel it's started.

Eunified

I've had them, they start with a pain in the kidney area - like a dull backache.

Not necessarily. Mine started as sharp abdominal pain to the right of my belly button, thus the appendicitis scare. It actually didn't turn into back pain for hours, and when it did, "dull" is not the word I would personally choose to describe it. Not trying to scare anyone who hasn't experienced it yet, but depending on the size of the stone, you may need to go to the hospital. Thus my advice for having someone with you once you feel it's started.

Yea, I had extremely sharp stabbing pain yesterday morning on my right lower side.. Went to hospital and doc said I have small kidney stone & just have to wait to pass it.. =/ Hopefully it goes ok, I have a urologist appointment today to follow-up.
Tonight I'll probably head to the gym but just walk. I took percoset and it has me feeling all kinds of funny. LOL At least not in pain for now!

Eunified

Thanks for all the advice everyone! :flowerforyou:

mjh5141

If you're actively passing the stone as it sounds/taking percocets, I really recommend you just rest. Your body is going through hell right now, and you don't want to do anything that might worsen the pain. Monitor your pain levels, chug that water, and if you start to feel like things are going south, get to a doctor. The one stone I passed ended up getting lodged in my ureter and I had to have a stent placed.

Take care of yourself!!!

shellshell43

I have had many stones and my doctor recommends walking to help pass the stone. I'm sure with your discomfort you are not looking to do a boot camp type work out right now any way..but do keep walking...I have been told that it helps..I walked through trails while passing my kidney stone while on vacation, it didn't hurt or cause more discomfort and I was assured by my doctor it would be better to be active while passing than it would by staying in bed or sitting on the sofa...take care with the meds and drink lots of water...good luck they are no fun and I hope it passes soon.

Eunified

Hey All.. Just wanted to give an update!


I spoke to my doctor and he let me know that I should walk.. but nothing that would "push my limits". So I just hit the treadmill yesterday and felt fine. Thanks for allllll your great advice! I appreciate it!!!!
:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

bdawg274

I am experiencing slight kidney stone/calcium build-up right now--mine is the dull back-ache that someone described. I'm waiting on the stabbing pain. I'm also vontinuing my training, because I have a race next weekend that was more expensive than usual--if I feel good, I'm still all for it! I'm a 28 yr old healthy female, and my dad has a history of severe stones, so it's something that genetics can definitely dictate.

My doctor told me to actually drink the normal amounts of fluid as I usually would--according to her, going crazy with water might create the "bottleneck effect" because tubes in the tract aren't made to stretch. For me, however, that normal amount is the 2-3 liters that many of you discussed. She told me to add lemon to my water, because the citric acid would help dissolve the stones potentially. She also told me to drink a couple of beers! There something about the specific gravity of beers that makes it metabolize differently than water, so it helps to ease the pain and helps move the stone into passing. Anyone else ever heard the beer method?

rileysowner

I am experiencing slight kidney stone/calcium build-up right now--mine is the dull back-ache that someone described. I'm waiting on the stabbing pain. I'm also vontinuing my training, because I have a race next weekend that was more expensive than usual--if I feel good, I'm still all for it! I'm a 28 yr old healthy female, and my dad has a history of severe stones, so it's something that genetics can definitely dictate.

My doctor told me to actually drink the normal amounts of fluid as I usually would--according to her, going crazy with water might create the "bottleneck effect" because tubes in the tract aren't made to stretch. For me, however, that normal amount is the 2-3 liters that many of you discussed. She told me to add lemon to my water, because the citric acid would help dissolve the stones potentially. She also told me to drink a couple of beers! There something about the specific gravity of beers that makes it metabolize differently than water, so it helps to ease the pain and helps move the stone into passing. Anyone else ever heard the beer method?

I don't know if it is so much a method, but there is evidence beer will help a stone pass.

pawsnpurrs

not beer method but lemon juice method works, cranberry juice, I had a 12 hour flare up this morning, no more beef, no coffee, no ice tea , no chocolate, lots of water,,bland diet for a few days..Az has the highest rate of patients with kidney stones due to our 5 months of triple digits and everyone is parched..dehydrated.. Its like clockwork 12 hours of being sicker then a dog, passing stones mild backache for a few days..yep medical records already show kidney liver damage..to talking too much OTC pain pills..