u/RainbowJack2021

I’m scheduled for ureteroscopy/laser lithotripsy for an 8mm stone just outside my kidney.

I found out many days late that my PCP prescribed flomax for me - before I was scheduled for this procedure. My urologist said it was up to me if I wanted to take it, knowing there’s a very small likelihood of passing the stone before Friday.

Should I take it tomorrow and Thursday? Is it worth it? I’m assuming they’d prescribe it for after the procedure too.

Thanks

31F with a history of kidney stones. In 2022 I had a ureteral stone that required ureteroscopy/lithotripsy and a stent. I was also told at the time that I had multiple very small (~2 mm, if I remember correctly) kidney stones that may have been left alone.

For the past few weeks I’ve had left-sided pain that started in my flank/kidney area and gradually moved lower into my back/hip and then toward the front of my lower pelvis. Recently the pain has gotten significantly better — currently around 0.5/10 without pain medication — although I’ve had some nausea.

I just had a renal/bladder ultrasound. The impression says:

•	Left-sided hydronephrosis and hydroureter

•	Left ureter dilated into the pelvis, suggesting a distal ureteral stone

•	Bilateral echogenic renal stones

•	The report doesn’t give the number or size of the stones

•	Bladder emptied well (427 mL pre-void, 7.9 mL post-void)

My UA showed:

•	Large blood

•	21–50 RBC/HPF

•	Negative leukocyte esterase

•	Negative nitrites

•	WBC 0–4

•	Negative protein

•	No clear evidence of UTI/infection

I also found an old renal ultrasound from 2024. At that time there was no hydronephrosis and normal cortical thickness/echogenicity. Interestingly, my kidney sizes are basically unchanged:

2024: Right 10.9 cm / Left 12.9 cm

2026: Right 10.9 cm / Left 12.7 cm

My PCP reviewed the new ultrasound and wrote that I need to see urology ASAP. I already have an appointment Thursday. Do you think the results point to anything more concerning than stones??

I’m mainly curious about other people’s experiences:

Did you have hydronephrosis/hydroureter from a ureteral stone? Did your urologist order a noncontrast CT to determine the stone’s size/location? Did the hydronephrosis resolve after passing/removing the stone? And if you had stones sitting in both kidneys, did your urologist leave the non-obstructing ones alone or treat them too?