Before my routine FU visit to check the status of actual or potential kidney stones, the urologist prescribed both a KUB ultrasound and X-ray. The 2 tests should complement each other and narrow the status of any stones. However, the doctor appeared a little nonplussed about the findings, which were several small stones, left side oriented. One test indicated the presence of uric acid stones and the doctor said he was prepared to prescribe something for them. But the other test, (and I forget which was which) indicated the stones were calcium oxalate, for which there is no prescription except dietary restrictions. And who eats rhubarb anyway? The stones are "non-obstructive" and as long as they remain so pose no problem. I do have twinges from time to time, and I told the doc that if they became obstructive, I could definitely tell and would let him know.
The office was fairly busy, but the good doctor seemed in no hurry. Even though my intake report indicated no new procedures since my last visit, he looked further back in my records and asked how my knee surgery went. Since that's the first time since last July anyone has mentioned it, I was a little surprised by his question. It has been 6 months. He seemed kindly interested and I wondered if he or someone in his family was considering knee surgery. Somewhere else in the conversation, he told me that when he recently underwent a routine colonoscopy he was concerned about a burning in his chest area down to his stomach, tracing the path of the burning pain. He thought it might have been because he mixed the cleansing solution with Gatorade. He than re-traced the path of his discomfort. I said Gatorade is made up of a lot of citric acid and other chemicals so I hope he was somewhat reassured. I do my best.
