Kidney stones and kidney stone pain: what to do now

How does stone pain usually feel?

Most people describe a deep, sharp pain in the side or back, between the lower ribs and the hip, that comes in waves and can move toward the belly or groin. Others notice something quieter.

• Pain that rises and falls in intensity
• A constant urge to pee, often passing small amounts
• Pink, red or brown urine
• Burning when you urinate
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine, or a fever, which can signal infection

Is it the ER or the office?

Go to the emergency room for pain you can’t control, fever or chills, vomiting that won’t stop, or if you can’t urinate. A stone blocking the kidney with infection behind it needs urgent care.

If the pain is manageable, you’re keeping fluids down and you have no fever, call us. Our team will find the soonest visit we can offer in Snellville or Conyers. If you’ve already been to an ER, bring your scan results and discharge papers.

What else could the pain be?

Pain in the side can come from other problems too, so we don’t assume. Imaging and a urine test confirm whether a stone is there, where it is and how big it is.

What happens at your visit?

1. We ask where the pain is, how long it has lasted, and about earlier stones.
2. A urine test checks for blood and infection, and imaging shows the stone’s size and position.
3. We decide together whether the stone can be given time to pass, with fluids and pain control, or needs a procedure.
4. If you’ve had stones before, we plan a prevention visit.

Which treatments do we offer?

When a stone won’t pass, Advanced Urology offers:

• Shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): shock waves break the stone from outside the body while you’re asleep under anesthesia
• Ureteroscopy with laser: a thin scope through the urinary tract finds and breaks the stone, with no cuts; a stent is placed and usually removed about a week later
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): for very large stones, through a small opening in the back, in a hospital

ESWL and ureteroscopy are done at our Snellville surgery center, and follow-up can be in Conyers.

How do we help stop the next one?

Once you’ve had a stone, another is common. A stone prevention visit looks at the reason: how much you drink, salt and protein in your diet, and conditions such as gout, diabetes or a parathyroid problem. Blood and urine tests and an analysis of the stone guide changes that fit your life.

Where can I be seen?

For stone care, visits happen in Snellville or Conyers. Phone (678) 344-8900 and tell us it’s a stone.

Who will I see?

Urologists who treat kidney stones at our offices: meet the whole team.

Is there a video on this?

Dr. Marc Greenstein, who sees patients in Conyers, talks through stones.

What do people ask us?

Where can I read more?

• Kidney stone care
• Guide: blood in the urine
• What happens at a first visit and what to bring
• All symptom pages