Jo,
I'm sorry for your troubles! I have had kidneys stones several years ago, as Christine mentioned. At the time, besides back pain, which I thought was due to weight lifting strain, my hemoglobin had dropped to 6, creatinine levels rose much higher than my normally higher levels from CKD, I think to 11, and was admitted to the hospital for blood transfusion, and ultimately found the cause were kidney stones via ultrasound and or CT scan, but they probably had an idea by my blood work, and symptoms. My doctors; Nephrologist, Urologist and Hemotogist/Oncologist waited to see if they would pass, but before I went septic since my bloodlevels were still abnormal they did laser surgery via urinary tract to break them, and needed several blood transfusions too, I believe was due to the erythropoietin disruption with the kidneys. If I wasn't already under two doctors care, someone else would probably have put me on dialysis as was suggested, but my nephrologist said he knew me, and my kidneys would recover, at least to my new stable levels, and did.
The urologist said the stones were uric acid, which he said were probably from chemo, and had broken easily. My chemo's were Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5-FU in '09, and Taxotere and
Erbitux in '12. I'm not sure if other medical conditions, diet and dehydration contributed to such, but probably did. After this, I had a few visits with the urologist, who saw a small stone, but said it would probably pass, and continue to see my other doctors for close monitoring of other conditions too.
As mentioned, there are different types of kidney stones, maybe 5 are more common, as well as different possible causes for each, so maybe that could give you an idea what yours were from by speaking with your doctor, and possibly seeing other specialists.
I wasn't instructed to follow any specific diet or other restrictions, but I do try to keep adequately hydrated, and ask my doctors, as Christine suggested, before adding any protein drinks, some which are chemically enhanced, it's best to stick with basic ones, I believe.
I usually try to keep records of most my procedures, but haven't for the hospitalization in '13, except for the blood work before and after, so I can't refer to any notes, and just what I recall.
Forgot to mention they put a stent in to help pass the stones after lasered, which was taken out a week later in the doctors office.
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/kidney-stones/print.htmlGood luck.
