Kidney Stones

lindsiswatchingyou
lindsiswatchingyou Posts: 114 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I ended up in the emergency room last week due to a 2mm kidney stone (calculus). There was no family history and I did not have any risk factors prior to actually having one. Recommendations are to change my diet by cutting back on animal protein and sodium among some other foods that are very healthy. Has anyone else been through this? Any suggestions on vegetarian meals that are low in sodium?

Replies

  • missyjg99
    missyjg99 Posts: 246 Member
    First off, I'm so sorry. I'd take labor for days over kidney stones. I have chronic kidney stones. I've never heard of the animal protein causing them. I drink at least 1/2 a gallon of water a day. I add lemon juice bc my nephrologist said the lemons help prevent them in some studies. Sodium is a main cause bc it dehydrates you. Did they tell you what type it was? If it was clacium based then you might want to make sure you don't overdo dairy but be sure you get enough. I also take vitamin D bc it is needed for calcium absorption. Good luck.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    First of all, no one, and I mean no one can give you any advice. There are about 5 different types, I think. You need to listen to your doctor. If they say stop eating meat, stop eating meat. They are not all the same, and one person might have a different type so they will be on a different nutrition plan.

    I grow them the size of golf balls. I have one right now I am going in to take a look at because it hurts really bad. I actually think I have one on the other side too, but I'm not telling my doctor. I can't afford this, so hopefully I can get through this year, and hit it next year. And, don't tell me I need to. I know. But, I can't. so, that's that. if I have to die, then I'll die. I don't have the money. It's getting to where I can't do certain excercises, especailly yoga. But, they don't think it's dangerous because they aren't seeing blockage. But, still, depending on what the CT Scan says, it will need to be removed. It is a very unpleasant thing to have done. The last time was horrible. Probably the most horrible experience I ever had.

    I'm not sure why yours was such an emergency. Mine never have been. Even though it hurts really bad all the time, they don't think it's an emergency.

    I don't know what causes mine. But, they are huge. My doctor, the first time, said it was the biggest one he's ever seen. He wanted to use it in a publication. LOL. Hopefully this time it wont be as bad.

    I have a theory on what is causing them. But, we'll see as time ticks by.
  • lindsiswatchingyou
    lindsiswatchingyou Posts: 114 Member
    More Info:

    This took me completely by surprise- no family history, no warning symptoms. I was woken in the middle of the night with the most extreme pain I've ever felt. I didn't know if it was my appendix or gall bladder...I'm not a medical professional! Off to the ER to see if some organ was about to explode and it turns out the stone was already entering my bladder. Before this, I didn't know anything about kidney stones; they weren't on my radar.

    It is a Calcium Stone. My water intake was fine at about 60-80 ounces of water a day (although I've upped it). My diet seems to be the problem. I do not drink sodas but I consume too much sodium. Some of the other items on the list of foods to avoid are in my diet, but are healthful. I'll need to find a balance for those items (certain nuts, fruits and dark greens). The hard part for me is the sodium. I watch it in my food diary, so at least I have a way of tracking it.

    I'm really not looking for medical advice, just some good suggestions.
  • sukatx
    sukatx Posts: 103
    My husband used to get agonizing kidney stones when he was younger. He made one change to his diet, and he hasn't had one since. It's been over ten years.

    He eliminated high oxalate foods (I'm sure I'm spelling that wrong) from his diet.

    A kidney stone is made of calcium deposits, as you said. Oxalates is what holds the calcium together to form the stone.

    This is not an easy change. I tease him all the time by saying, "Is that something delicious that you want to eat? Then it's probably high in oxalates". He can't have coffee, dark berries (such as raspberries or strawberries), chocolate, or dark green vegetables. But it seems to have cured a chronic, painful condition so it's been worth it for him.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member


    A kidney stone is made of calcium deposits, as you said.

    Again, mis-information. This is ONE TYPE. There are other types. Since the OP apparently had this type, I'll let it go. But, there are more than just calcium kidney stones. There are at least 5 or 6 different types that I know of.
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