[MelanyS]

I have a large (8cm) kidney stone in the upper pole of my right kidney and a stone has formed behind it where there is a blockage. It is causing "moderate dilitation of the right pole colllecting system" and mentions it is "hydronephrosis due to a parapelvic cyst". It was discovered by accident when I was having other routine tests. This was a gastroenterologist - he then sent me for an ultrasound and then a CT urogram. I was sent to a urologist by my dr, and it seemed my dr was acting as if it was an urgent matter when he found the situation was creating a blockage. The urologist said he'd never seen this before, and he would consult his colleagues, but thought it should be left alone since I had no symptoms except this dull ache in the lower back. No blood in urine and all labs (taken back in Jan uary with yearly physical) were "good". I also have 2 small cysts in my liver, but was told they were of no concern. One medical person I spoke to said it could be poycystic kidney disease because of the liver cysts...I went to a kidney specialist and he said I definitely do not have PKD, but need to see a urologist! I told him the first urologist was supposed to confer with colleagues and call me back, but never called. The kidney dr said my blood pressure was probably elevated due to the cyst (blood pressure was always 120/70, but for the past year has been creeping up and is now 125/90) , and according to the urine test he did, I had trace blood. While trying to find another urologist, I began having lower back pain and a pain in my right side, above my hip. I got nervous and reluctantly went back to the first urologist (by the way, he was highly recommended by several people, including my primary care physician whom I trust). He said the pain was too low to be a kidney pain, and it was probably muscular. He did a urine test in the office and there was no blood. He said the high blood pressure has nothing to do with the cyst and it's all probably stress! Everything I read about kidney cysts mention high blood pressure He sent me for an ultrasound anyway, and called me, said my ultrasound was "completely negative" - meaning there was nothing going on OTHER THAN the cyst and stone still there. He told me the cyst was 8 cm - I commented on how it grew 2 cm (it was 6 cm last month) and he said the ultrasound was not a reliable measuring tool. He told me if I can't find another cause of this pain, to call him and he would do elective surgery to get the cyst and stone, but he'd rather not if it's not necessary.
I don't know what to do - I feel like since there is an 8 cm (large) cyst in my kidney, with a stone behind it, it should come out because it will probably just get bigger (that is what the kidney guy said) and so let's take care of it now. I am not happy with the urologist's laid back attitude and will get another opinion - but maybe he's right. I'm wondering, does anyone else out there have a similar situation??

[lioness]

IMO, I am surprised that the uro doesnt want to do anything esp if there is a blockage and hydronephrosis where the kidney is extended. That is a uro emergency. I would definitely get a second opinion, you have that right...JMO, but it's your body and I would definitely be concerned with the blockage esp if there is an infection behind the stone (fever & chills) you can go into sepsis and the infection can get into your bloodstream.

I had bilateral stones taken out in the flank 3 yrs ago and to this day 6 treatments later and #7 coming up my kidneys cant take much more...I had PCNL, 3 URS's, and 2 ESWL's...and keep having infections. They don't treat stones in the intraparencymal (tissue) they wait for them to drop into the collecting system who knows when that happens...I have been a stone patient for only 3 yrs feels like 10. Being that I'm female I believe has a lot do to with it...Don't see a lot of women in the waiting room, just old men...