Getting ESWL for kidney stones: what to expect?

Hello,
My urologist recommended ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) because I have a stone in my ureter, positioned close to the kidney.
The stone is about 6mm, and it’s been sitting in that same spot for months now.
I ended up in the ER three months ago due to the pain, but things have been quiet since then—I only feel it occasionally.

So, here is what I want to know: has anyone actually gone through this procedure?
Specifically, if anyone has experience with ESWL at Mount Sinai... that’s where my appointment is scheduled.
Also, I’ve come across information suggesting that ESWL might increase the risk of diabetes.
http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?x=9339
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3024.htm

If that risk is real, why am I being sent for it when I already have diabetes?
I’ve worked hard to stabilize my blood sugar levels. They are actually back to normal now, and I’m off all medication thanks to diet and fitness. I really don't want to end up back on meds.
I assume the risk is lower than the danger of a complete ureteral obstruction, but still...
On the bright side, ESWL seems like a much more tolerable option compared to other methods.

ESWL isn't going to spike his diabetes risk—at most, it’s just some temporary stress, which happens with everything. But look, you probably already know the deal: kidney stones have a nasty habit of coming back. Wouldn't it be better to just let him get it over with before the stones decide to take him out instead? Of course, he'd still need to stay on top of things with regular ultrasounds every six months. 🙂

So, you've got a stone stuck in your ureter—though you didn't specify where exactly, like if it's up near the renal pelvis or something. Honestly, you probably need to get it dealt with because those things don't just vanish on their own. If you've already tried the whole "chug a gallon of water" approach and nothing happened, then going for ESWL is definitely a solid move.
I’ve honestly never heard anyone link that procedure to diabetes; I can't for the life of me think of any way one would affect the other.
At the end of the day, your urologist is the only one who can really give you the lowdown on your specific situation.
Just a heads-up on what to expect: ESWL can sometimes trigger those intense kidney stone attacks. Basically, the shock waves shatter the stone into tiny little fragments, which then get flushed out through your urine.
The most important thing is finding a real "sharpshooter"—an ESWL specialist who knows how to aim precisely at the stone itself rather than blasting the surrounding tissue. I mean, this is pretty routine stuff nowadays, but still... just make sure your "mechanic" hasn't had a few too many drinks before they start hammering away at your kidney!

I doubt I’ll have any say in who they pick for the "shooter." As for the pain, I'm not worried—I've already had my fair share, and I have Ketorolac and Spasfon on hand.
The connection between diabetes and ESWL isn't clear to me either; I just happened to come across those studies.
The stone is located at the L1-L2 level in the bladder area.

After digging through this article, I’m feeling a lot less enthusiastic about this method. They’re basically playing a high-stakes game of chance with blood pressure issues and heart conditions!

Essentially, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy involves using a specialized machine under radiological guidance to locate the stone along a dual axis. It then hits the target roughly 3,000 times via a water balloon, which acts as the medium or conductor for the shock waves. While there are potential complications, they are significantly less severe than the risks associated with leaving a stone untreated. I can't speak definitively on every single complication that might arise from neglect, but if a stone is positioned high up and is large enough to completely block the ureter, you’re looking at serious issues like megaureter proximal to the obstruction, dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces, hydronephrosis, and ultimately, total kidney failure requiring a nephrectomy. So, if your urologist recommends lithotripsy, I highly suggest moving forward with the procedure.

This "procedure" is only useful if you're delusional about
how you can "painlessly get rid of kidney stones"!

http://www.selfhealth.co.uk/images/s...in-24-hour.pdf

p.s.
Some scammer is actually trying to sell this method online for $40.😁

So, I’ve got a treatment scheduled for tomorrow... and honestly, I'm pretty freaked out because nobody will give me a straight answer about whether it actually hurts. Every time I ask someone, they just dodge the question or give me some vague, useless response. So, I'm checking here—has anyone actually gone through this (sadly)? Is it as bad as people say? Thanks in advance..😢

Kenneth Chase6 said:So, I’ve got a treatment scheduled for tomorrow... and honestly, I'm pretty freaked out because nobody will give me a straight answer about whether it actually hurts. Every time I ask someone, they just dodge the question or give me some vague, useless response. So, I'm checking here—has anyone actually gone through this (sadly)? Is it as bad as people say? Thanks in advance..😢

It mentions something about that here... you should probably take some painkillers. The discomfort can happen because those little stone fragments are moving through the ureter—it’s all part of the process, I suppose.
I was reading through some clinical details regarding ESWL—you know, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy—and it got me thinking about how much medical technology has shifted in just the last decade or two. It’s one thing to read the technical specs on a website, but quite another to actually sit there and process what that means for someone dealing with a kidney stone. The process itself is fascinatingly precise—using focused shock waves to break down those stones into smaller fragments. It sounds almost surgical, though it's non-invasive, which is the part most people find relieving. I remember an old acquaintance of mine back in Chicago who had to go through a similar procedure; he was convinced he’d need major surgery, only to find out that the lithotripsy worked like a charm—though the recovery period involves a bit more "passing" discomfort than the brochures usually care to mention. It's worth noting that while ESWL is a standard, highly effective option, it isn't a magic wand for every single case. The size and location of the stone dictate whether you go this route or if the doctors suggest something more aggressive. It really comes down to that delicate balance between the patient's comfort and the physical reality of the stone's position. Just a thought for anyone currently navigating the labyrinth of urological options—it's a lot to digest, but having the right information makes the path a little less daunting.

I was originally slated to undergo ESWL, but—after much deliberation—it looks like they’ve pivoted toward a ureteroscopic stone removal instead.
Grin and bear it—just keep pushing forward. 🙂

nimblepanther14 said:It mentions something about that here... you should probably take some painkillers. The discomfort can happen because those little stone fragments are moving through the ureter—it’s all part of the process, I suppose.
I was reading through some clinical details regarding ESWL—you know, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy—and it got me thinking about how much medical technology has shifted in just the last decade or two. It’s one thing to read the technical specs on a website, but quite another to actually sit there and process what that means for someone dealing with a kidney stone. The process itself is fascinatingly precise—using focused shock waves to break down those stones into smaller fragments. It sounds almost surgical, though it's non-invasive, which is the part most people find relieving. I remember an old acquaintance of mine back in Chicago who had to go through a similar procedure; he was convinced he’d need major surgery, only to find out that the lithotripsy worked like a charm—though the recovery period involves a bit more "passing" discomfort than the brochures usually care to mention. It's worth noting that while ESWL is a standard, highly effective option, it isn't a magic wand for every single case. The size and location of the stone dictate whether you go this route or if the doctors suggest something more aggressive. It really comes down to that delicate balance between the patient's comfort and the physical reality of the stone's position. Just a thought for anyone currently navigating the labyrinth of urological options—it's a lot to digest, but having the right information makes the path a little less daunting.

I was originally slated to undergo ESWL, but—after much deliberation—it looks like they’ve pivoted toward a ureteroscopic stone removal instead.
Grin and bear it—just keep pushing forward. 🙂

They told me I needed the ureteroscopic removal too... if anyone knows how that actually goes or what it's like... please give me some details