Info on kidney stone removal pls

Hi There. Can anybody help i had my duel PM 6 months ago, now my kidney is playing up i have a stone too big to pass, i believe there is a treatment that blasts the stone so you can then pass, rather than have surgery, im seeing the urologist nx week so will ask but in the mean time can anyone tell me is it safe to have this treatment ? I would have thought not but of course would rather than have a operation , has anyone any experience on this matter ?? Would be really greatful for any help/info. Thanks Kat.

6 Comments

Don't worry

by Sunnydaze - 2014-05-01 02:05:22

Hi, Katz....I had to have kidney stone surgery twice after the implantation of my PM. Once laser for a golf ball size stone and several smaller stones, and once a regular lithotripsy, the guided blasts of air to break up the stone so they will pass easily. At the time, I had all the same concerns you have now. I don't know if you're PM dependent, or not...I am paced 80-95% of the time, but I am not PM dependent. During both procedures a large magnet was put over my PM to turn it off. I wasn't awake during either procedures, but I was told afterwards that I had several short lived A-fib episodes, and several strings of palpitations. Eight years later I don't recall exactly what was done to stop these episodes, but I do know they were able to get them under control. I'm sure your urologist can tell you, and can set your mind at ease.

I hope you find my answer helpful. Sunny

katz

by Bevof NC - 2014-05-01 09:05:29

I was also a little worried. I asked all our knowlegable friends n cheerleaders here...even though the Doc assured me all would be fine. I had lithotripsy ..I DON't have a p.m. I have an icd so that is different. Just be absolutely sure that the Doc and Anesthatist know. They will probably talk to your E.P. since yours is a pacemaker..Best of luck to you! Bev of NC

Stone removal

by Sunnydaze - 2014-05-02 01:05:34

Hi, Karen....the most common procedure for the removal of kidney stones is a lithotripsy, which are blasts of air directed at the stone(s) to break them up so they will pass easily. An X-Ray is done minutes before the lithotripsy using a contrast medium, so the urologist knows exactly where the stone(s) are located. A stent is put into place following the lithotripsy procedure so the stones, now sand, will easily pass. Larger stones, or the hard variety stones, that can't be broken down by air lithotripsy, can be removed by the Urologist using a laser, no incisions made, the laser, and believe it, or not, a small camera, is guided into the kidney through the ureter. The laser breaks up the stone. Again, a stent is put into place to help with the removal of any sand, and larger pieces of leftover stone.

I have undergone both procedures. My pacemaker was stopped with a large magnet, which, as I stated in my first post, my heart didn't like. But, I had a great anesthesiologist who kept everything under control.

Kidney stones can be painful, to say the least. Passing a kidney stone is the most painful thing I have ever been put through...I'd rather give birth without anesthesia, which I did three times!!!

Thank you for comments

by katz - 2014-05-02 02:05:05

Hi sunnydaze , this is the worry ' switching the PM off ' while having the procidure, like you said your heart diddent like it , it cant do your heart much good being switched off can it, ? Anyway thanks Everyone for the comments ill see what the Urologist has to say on wed. Thanks

Good Luck!!

by Sunnydaze - 2014-05-02 03:05:08

Yes, please do discuss your concerns at length with the Urologist, and if you feel more comfortable discuss it with your Cardiologist, or EP. I was giving you my experience. I had all the concerns you said you were having concerning your PM. All I can tell you is my experience.

I wish you e best of luck with your procedure. Sunny

Hi

by Karen - 2014-05-02 12:05:31

Thanks for posting as I have kidney stones and a pm. I am also wondering what can be done for the stones.

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A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.