How often is it safe to have a CT scan for kidney stones?

I have a kidney with 20+ stones that is much larger than my other, and also kidney pain in the morning.?

• I have had Kidney stones for the last 5 almost 6 years. It all started when i was pregnant. I had a ct scan done in either late 07 or early 08 and was told i had "multiple calculi" in my right kidney. I recently had another ct scan done and was now told that i have 20+ stones in my right kidney. I have a copy of the report and also a copy of the disk. I have looked at it on my computer (i have a fairly decent knowledge of human anatomy), and my right kidney is much larger than my left. I have never had a stone in my left kidney, only my right. In the mornings when i wake up, even after i pee, my kidneys just throb with a dull achy pain. It eventually goes away. is this normal? Why would stones form in only one kidney and not another? i ponder these questions a lot lol. I have an appointment with a urologist, but it got rescheduled due to some bad weather we recently had. Any answers would be greatly appreciated!

• Answer:

  Typically, kidney stones form in only one kidney; the majority of sufferers have unilateral (one side) kidney stones. The stones can cause pain and even nausea and rarely vomiting. Your urologist may 'zap' them with a laser or recommend surgery. The pain of passing kidney stones is one of the worst pains know to man and rival that of childbirth as far as some women claim. People who have one kidney stone are more likely to form others in their lifetime. Has your doctor told you to drink plenty of water? Limit your salt intake? Reduce the amount of red meat and protein in your diet? These are ways to help prevent more stones from forming in the future.