If you have Chronic Kidney Stones Try This

submitted by cottoneyejoe from self.offbeat

I had chronic, painful kidney stones from age 16 to 30. I saw urologist after urologist. No help at all. Removing kidney stones is a big part of what they do.

I saw an Australian Nephrologist (kidney specialist) at a major medical center in Cincinnati, who had me collect my urine in a jug for 24 hours and analyzed. Said urine was too concentrated and that calcium oxalate was precipitating out as stones. He said if urine was more dilute this would not happen. Treated me with 25 mg HCTZ / day. No more kidney stones. That was more than 20 years ago. HCTZ is a very mild diuretic with no side effects (me) and its very inexpensive.

The relief was almost immediate. EDIT: No stones since starting this therapy.

HTH You

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[–]Zapped 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I have a friend who started getting kidney stones after catching meningitis. Surgery (either invasive or non-invasive) about twice a year now. He's tried most everything, but I don't know about the HCTZ. He does drink about 2 gallons of water a day.

[–]cottoneyejoe[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

HTCZ is just hydrochlorothiazide. I'm no doctor but this works great for me.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (11 children)

I have a bottle of Hydrochlorothiazide, makes my nose bleed uncontrollably, drops my BP too much with my other meds, and of course diuretics can cause the need to urinate at inconvenient times.

Interestingly though, diuretics are supposed to be the first line treatment for hypertension. Never seen a doctor actually follow those guidelines.

[–]jet199 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I heard on a podcast that insulin causes the body to store more water so possibly a low carb diet could also help.

This might be why some people find their BP falls on low carb even though doctors think the opposite should happen.

[–]Zapped 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I know this is true for me.

[–]Zapped 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (8 children)

I was given that and lisinopril for a jump in blood pressure last year due to stress and diet, and maybe genetics. I had to quit the HCZT because I got tired of my bladder being full every 4 hours. I would go from nothing to "I can't find a bathroom fast enough" within minutes.

[–]cottoneyejoe[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I just take a 25mg tablet in the morning and that's it.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

Pretty similar to me. I take benazepril that's an ace inhibitor like Lisinopril. They might not be so great for our kidneys, btw.

[–]Zapped 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Wow. Do you ever take a break and see how your BP reacts? I quit taking mine when I got Covid last month and mine stayed around 120/80 until last week, so I started taking the Lisinopril again. I've been under a lot of stress lately and I'm trying to fix that.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

I forget my meds sometimes, but I hit stage 2 & even 3 hypertension. In addition to the ACE inhibitor I take a beta blocker, metaprolol, it blocks adrenaline receptors. I find it absolutely amazing for anxiety, better than the Klonopin I used to take.

under a lot of stress lately

Tea has a significant impact on my BP, particularly the Jin Xuan oolongs, have to be careful of fakes though. There's a chemical in tea called theanine which is responsible for tea's calming effect. It's why drinking lots of tea doesn't make you jittery like coffee does.

If tea isn't your thing, theanine is available in supplement form. It's one of the only supplements I've taken that actually has a noticeable effect.

[–]Zapped 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I like tea. I'll start drinking it. How do I avoid the fakes? Is it oolong that has the theanine or the Jin Xuan variety?

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Recent research indicates the most L-theanine is found in more oxidized teas. It goes from least to most oxidized: white, green, oolong, black, puerh. I like oolongs because for their taste, and Jin Xuan seems to help my BP more than other oolong varieties.

How do I avoid the fakes?

Order from a tea store with a good reputation and not Amazon. Like Yunnansourcing.com or I like dragonteahouse.biz

[–]Zapped 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Thanks.

[–]Dashing-Dove 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Yunnan Sourcing is my preference for black tea, and I've sampled almost everything they offer. Black Gold Bi Luo Chun is delightful. Mountain Tea Co's Jin Xuan is ideal for bulk purchases, and Eco-Cha's for smaller samples. However, studies on type of tea and impact on blood pressure vary in their results. Given the inconsistency, I would focus on finding a tea you truly enjoy, and to treat it more as a relaxing daily ritual than a health supplement. The act of sitting down and quietly savoring a warm beverage has its own benefit, especially if you're stressed out.