Stones Treatment FAQ's
Coming Into Hospital
1. If you have a morning appointment, have no more than tea /coffee and toast for breakfast. If you have an afternoon appointment you must have finished your breakfast by 8:00 am.
Please take any medication as normal unless asked otherwise.
(A sip of water is permitted.)
2. Do not drive or take public transport. Arrange for a responsible person to bring you in and take you home.
3. Do not bring any valuables with you.
Note: If you are over 135 Kg / 21 Stone, are, or think you may be pregnant, take Warfarin, Heparin, Plavix or any other 'blood thinning' drugs, have a urine infection or are diabetic, please let us know before your treatment day.
What Do I Need to Bring?
1. Nothing other than any routine medication you may need to take during your visit
What Will Happen?
After reporting to the reception area, the nurse will escort you to the patient's area. A simple checklist will be completed and you may be asked to sign a consent form. Any further questions you may have will be answered.
You may be sent for a simple abdominal X-ray prior to treatment. After changing into a Hospital gown you will be given some pre-medication, this will probably take the form of a pain-relieving suppository. You will then be escorted into the treatment area where you will meet the Senior Radiographer, who will position you on the table (this may be on your front, back or side depending on the position of the stone). Gel or water will be applied to your skin and care will be taken to ensure that you are comfortable.
From this point it is very important to keep quite still and to breathe as gently as you can. Focusing on the stone may take a few minutes before treatment begins. Each pressure wave is accompanied by a 'clicking' sound and the sensation is often described as though you were being flicked on the skin with an elastic band. Treatment normally lasts about 30-40 minutes, being structured to your individual needs.
Most patients describe treatment as being only slightly uncomfortable.
After your treatment, you will be taken to the recovery area. There you may rest and you will be asked to drink plenty of fluids.
The nursing staff will inform you of a safe time for you to be discharged and give you details of your follow-up clinic appointment.
Before leaving you may be given some pain killers/antibiotics in case you should feel any discomfort.
What to Expect After Treatment
1. You may experience slight bruising over the treatment area. This is quite normal and is nothing to be concerned about.
2. It is also normal to see some blood in your urine for a couple of days after your treatment.
Please continue to drink plenty of fluids and this will pass.
3. If you experience any discomfort, please take some of the pain relief as prescribed. Do not take Aspirin unless specifically instructed.
4. IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY FEVER OR SHIVERING OR YOU FEEL UNWELL, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR G.P. OR THE DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY IMMEDIATELY.
5. It is sometimes necessary with larger stones for you to undergo further treatment.
Advice Following Your Treatment
1. It is essential that you drink plenty of fluids. At least 2 litres /3.5 pints per day until your follow-up clinic appointment.
2. It is advisable that you rest for the day following treatment, after which if you feel well, you may return to normal activities and to work.
3. After the first couple of days following your treatment it is important for you to keep as active as you can as this will aid the passage of the fine stone fragments.
4. You may notice some small particles of stone fragments in your urine, but in many cases the fragments are very difficult to see.