From Diagnosis to Recovery: My Journey with Staghorn Calculus

When I was first diagnosed with Staghorn Calculus, a type of kidney stone that can be especially difficult to treat, I felt like my world had crumbled. For months, I struggled with excruciating pain and the fear that this condition would never get better. But through perseverance and a lot of support from loved ones and medical professionals, I finally found my way back to health. In this blog post, I'll take you on a journey through my experience with Staghorn Calculus – from the moments of diagnosis to the highs and lows of recovery. It's not always an easy road, but it's one that's worth sharing in hopes that others facing similar challenges will find comfort and inspiration along the way.

What is staghorn calculus?

Staghorn calculus is a type of kidney stone that is large and shaped like a antler. It is one of the most difficult types of kidney stones to treat.

I was diagnosed with staghorn calculus in May 2016. I had been having pain in my side for a few weeks, but I didn't think much of it since I had just started working out again. But the pain got worse and worse until I could barely walk.They did a CT scan to confirm that it was a staghorn calculus and referred me to a urologist.

The urologist told me that the only way to treat staghorn calculus is through surgery. He said that there are two options: partial nephrectomy or complete nephrectomy. Partial nephrectomy involves removing the part of the kidney containing the calculus while leaving the rest of the kidney intact. Complete nephrectomy involves removing the entire kidney. The urologist recommended partial nephrectomy because it has a lower risk of complications and because I am young and otherwise healthy.

How to Prevent Staghorn Calculus

If you have staghorn calculus, it is important to take measures to prevent the formation of new stones and growth of existing stones. Prevention involves reducing the amount of stone-forming minerals in your urine and increasing the amount of water you drink each day.

Reduce stone-forming minerals: Calcium, oxalate, and phosphate are common minerals that can form stones. 

Increase water intake: Drinking more water helps dilute the concentration of stone-forming minerals in your urine and also helps flush out small stones before they grow larger. The ideal amount of water intake is eight glasses per day.

Conclusion

Overall, my journey with staghorn calculus has been a difficult yet rewarding experience. It has taught me to remain patient and resilient through the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery processes. Although I still have some residual pain from time to time, my overall health is much improved from where it was before. I am so grateful for the foundation that this experience has provided; not just in terms of physical resilience but emotional and mental fortitude as well. My story serves as an example of how even the most challenging situations can be overcome with perseverance and dedication to getting better every day.