Going home after your visit
Kidney stones — advice for adults
How to manage the pain of a kidney stone at home, and when to come back.
You have renal colic — pain caused by a kidney stone. Many small stones pass on their own within a few weeks. Here is how to manage at home, and when to come back.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back to A&E — or call 999 if you are very unwell — if any of these happen
A blocked kidney that becomes infected is an emergency and needs treating quickly.
- A high temperature, shivering, or feeling very unwell
- Pain that is not controlled by your pain relief
- Being unable to keep fluids down, or repeated vomiting
- Passing little or no urine
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or very unwell
CALL 999 Call 999 if you are too unwell to get to hospital, or you collapse.
Caring for yourself
- Take the pain relief you were given regularly. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen work well, if you can take them.
- Drink normally to stay hydrated — you do not need to force down large amounts.
- Keep moving about when you can, which may help the stone to pass.
- You may be asked to sieve your urine to catch the stone for testing.
- Keep any scan or urology follow-up appointment.
What to expect
As the stone moves down, you may notice:
Pain that comes in wavesPain moving to the groinBlood in the urineNeeding to wee often
Small stones often pass on their own within a few weeks.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above