“People who have kidney stones often report the sudden onset of excruciating, cramping pain in their low back and/or side, groin, or abdomen. Changes in body position do not relieve this pain. The abdominal, groin, and/or back pain typically waxes and wanes in severity, characteristic of colicky pain (the pain is sometimes referred to as renal colic). It may be so severe that it is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain has been described by many as the worst pain of their lives, even worse than the pain of childbirth or broken bones. “
The hot bath helped only a little, but now overwhelmed with pain I lean over and throw up violently into the draining tub. And again. And again. Aware I might not have an appetite for the meal I’m rejecting. It smells foul but not as bad as the benign and delicious confectionery I’d smelled a few minutes before, just as I felt myself getting violently ill and when the nausea began. Vomiting is constructive and briefly supersedes the pain. Sick, dizzy, and in breathtaking pain, now, all my evening plans dashed. For the moment. I ask my daughter to bring me a towel and I wrap myself up and lie on the couch and pray.
I never know when I’m going to have just a little ache, a distraction that leaves me slightly breathless, or whether soon I’ll be sweating and my blood pressure up and then, vomiting. The vomiting at least relieves the nausea, or so it seems. Sadly I’m watching my pain meds leave my body, not that they make enough of a dent to make it all go away, but they help a bit.
It goes on and on for seemingly forever, but it’s only about two and a half hours of horror.
A friend gave me a book today and when finally the pain eases of to being only minorly-distracting I can read. Gratefully. Then, get dressed. Slowly. I remain on the couch and finish this good book; Hutch pads over and lets me give him good scritchinz. Ralph and the kids take him for a walk as I am too sick, already thinking of earlier today when I took my dog on his first off-leash walk, which was awesome, and I was irritated I didn’t have sunglasses, but I didn’t think I’d be going through this crap tonight.
“It has been said that kidney stones are the worst pain imaginable.” You know I’ve been through labor pain and I’d rather do that. At least with labor pain you get a break. And as my daughter reminds me, “you get a baby too.”
By the way I hope a reader can send me a graphic old-timey rendition of kidney stones, like my old favorite, “the gout”. Maybe you have to go through it to understand.
Another day, and hoping for a night where I don’t wake up gasping in pain.
Oh man – I’m so sorry you’re having another bout of this. I don’t have kidney stones but I just had a huge gallstone attack about 2 weeks ago and it sounds like the pain is quite similar. I was lucky, though, since I got to have surgery to have my gallbladder removed. So I’m sending you healing thoughts and hoping that your pain takes a major hiatus so you can get back to doing the things you love to do. In the meantime, take it easy and let the others take care of you – I know they will. And get lots of lovin’ from the canine companion – it might not take the pain away but it’ll probably take your mind off of it. Feel better soon!
@Jen
LOL, I had gallstones too – from Sept. 2001 to May 2002. Horrible. I had my gallbladder taken out too. Wow, ten years ago. The memories are still fresh.
Thanks for your well-wishes. I am grateful for friends, family, cats & a dog who all give me lots of TLC.
So sorry you’re still having to deal with this. Is there some sort of end-date or is it ongoing? 🙁 *hugs*
@hsofia
The specialist said, “give it time, your kidney will correct”, but it is also a birth defect so… I really don’t know. I think it’s one of those things I’ll have to manage the rest of my life. I’m grateful my management plan isn’t too invasive or horrid. Or most days I’m grateful. Some days I’m pissy about it all.
Thank you for asking!