CKD stage 3 and kidney stones: what to know

A stone may irritate the urinary tract or obstruct the flow of urine. In someone with stage 3 CKD, the kidneys have less reserve, so a blockage or fluid loss may cause a more meaningful change in kidney function. Symptoms can include severe or wave-like flank or abdominal pain, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, painful urination, or difficulty passing urine. Symptoms are not always typical, and a stone is not confirmed by pain alone.

Contact a GP or kidney team promptly for assessment rather than trying to manage a suspected stone alone. The clinician may review kidney blood tests, urine, medicines, and hydration, and may arrange imaging such as an abdominal ultrasound. Do not sharply increase fluids if you have been given a fluid restriction, have swelling, or cannot pass urine. Avoid taking over-the-counter pain medicines without checking, because some can be unsuitable when kidney function is reduced.

Go to urgent care for fever or chills with flank pain, severe or persistent pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, fainting, inability to pass urine, or a marked reduction in urine. These symptoms can occur with an infected or obstructed urinary system and need rapid assessment. Seek advice sooner if you have one functioning kidney, a recent kidney-function change, or cannot keep prescribed medicines down.

Ask how your current kidney results affect stone treatment, which pain relief is suitable, whether imaging is needed, how much fluid is safe for you, and which symptoms mean you should attend urgent care.