by John Kenyon, CNA » Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:12 pm
Hello-
There are a number of ways to eliminate a calculus, depending on its size. I assume your doctor had been hoping you would be able to pass this on your own, but at 54 grams it sounds like it is pretty good sized. While there are several substances that are sometimes used to try and dissolve the stone, these aren't always effective and one can even, sometimes, cause calcium to collect on the stone, making it even larger.
There are three differect surgical approaches, and the least invasive one which seems most workable is usually the one chosen. All three are, by now, fairly minor, so if the stone becomes problematic (and it sounds as though that's happening now), and the stone can't be dissolved by use of substances to shrink or totally dissolve it, you may need to have a minor surgical procedure to remove the thing once and for all.
I hope this is helpful to you. Good luck with this.
John Kenyon, EMT, CCT
Non-invasive cardiology tech, Emergency and Critical Care technician, Critical Incident Stress Mgmt. specialist
