I suspect I have a Kidney Stone trying to pass.  Lots of sharp, left lower back pains.  I can barely stand to walk.

What does the Ultrasound treatment crushing the stone with sound waves generally cost locally?  Any experiences welcome.  Was overnight required?

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok costs around 140,000 baht - but there’s no guarantee it will be effective. (In my experience, it didn’t work) - that cost is likely the very high end of the scale, other hospitals will likely be cheaper - I would suspect as low as 60,000 baht but you'd need to ring around.

 

Phayathai 2 is 99,000 baht.

https://phyathai2international.com/programs-and-promotions/Extracorporeal%2BShock%2BWave%2BLithotripsy%2B(ESWL)/695/en?

 

First, it’s crucial to determine the type of kidney stone you have. Uric acid stones can sometimes be dissolved over time with medication or dietary adjustments, such as daily consumption of a urine-alkalising agent like Urelite, which can help slowly break down the stone. Calcified (calcium) stones, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved and will need to either pass naturally, be surgically removed, or be broken up using lithotripsy so they can pass.

 

If you are experiencing severe pain, prompt intervention may be necessary. Options include lithotripsy, which uses focused ultrasonic waves to fragment stones, or, in more extreme cases, minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery. The appropriate treatment depends on the size, type, and location of the stone, as well as the urgency of the symptoms.

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok costs around 140,000 baht - but there’s no guarantee it will be effective. (In my experience, it didn’t work) - that cost is likely the very high end of the scale, other hospitals will likely be cheaper - I would suspect as low as 60,000 baht but you'd need to ring around.

 

Phayathai 2 is 99,000 baht.

 

First, it’s crucial to determine the type of kidney stone you have. Uric acid stones can sometimes be dissolved over time with medication or dietary adjustments, such as daily consumption of a urine-alkalising agent like Urelite, which can help slowly break down the stone. Calcified (calcium) stones, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved and will need to either pass naturally, be surgically removed, or be broken up using lithotripsy so they can pass.

 

If you are experiencing severe pain, prompt intervention may be necessary. Options include lithotripsy, which uses focused ultrasonic waves to fragment stones, or, in more extreme cases, minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery. The appropriate treatment depends on the size, type, and location of the stone, as well as the urgency of the symptoms.

 

 

 

Thanks for your really helpful information and for posting so quickly.

Size and location of  stone(s) is critical information. With smaller stones  pain killers plus extra hydration may be enough to enable you to pass them. 

 

Larger stones may need to be broken up ny lithottopsy and/or surgically removed, especially if lodged in the ureter.  

 

It is also possible the pain is from other than kidney stone, e.g. a spinal priblem or muscle spasm

 

Simple ultrasound (few thousan baht) would be first step if Dr agrees renal stone a possibility. This eill dhow stone*s), size and location. 

 

 

 

 

I have had lithotripsy twice, the first time in 2011 and again in 2019.

 

As has been said, it depends on the type and location of the stones. 
 

My treatment was for stones in the ureter ( the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder) so the treatment was effective.

 

But I still have a stone in my bladder and declined treatment for it.

 

The first time as an emergency it was In- Patient treatment at Chiang Mai Ram and was over 100K.

Second time as an Out Patient at Nakornping Hospital ( Government) and the price was less than a quarter of CMR ( Private).

 

Some Urologists work at both Private and Government hospitals. I checked.

 

A third time in 2019 I managed to pass the stone using buscopan and diclophenac. You will notice a blood stain colour urine.

 

But as Sheryl said, you may need to rule our other causes.  But kidney stone pain is said to be the worst pain you can experience. You will know if it’s that, I think!

 

You will need advice on your diet and make the necessary adjustments.

 

 

I’ve had a friend go through this recently, and from what I know, the procedure lithotripsy usually costs a few thousand dollars depending on the hospital or clinic, and most of the time you don’t need to stay overnight. It’s done as a day procedure, though if the stone is big or there are complications, they might keep you for observation. Afterward, you’ll likely pass small fragments for a few days, which can still be uncomfortable. Honestly, if your pain is really bad like you describe, it’s worth heading to the ER first just to make sure nothing more urgent is going on and they can manage the pain.
 

On 9/14/2025 at 9:31 PM, richard_smith237 said:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok costs around 140,000 baht - but there’s no guarantee it will be effective. (In my experience, it didn’t work) - that cost is likely the very high end of the scale, other hospitals will likely be cheaper - I would suspect as low as 60,000 baht but you'd need to ring around.

 

Phayathai 2 is 99,000 baht.

https://phyathai2international.com/programs-and-promotions/Extracorporeal%2BShock%2BWave%2BLithotripsy%2B(ESWL)/695/en?

 

First, it’s crucial to determine the type of kidney stone you have. Uric acid stones can sometimes be dissolved over time with medication or dietary adjustments, such as daily consumption of a urine-alkalising agent like Urelite, which can help slowly break down the stone. Calcified (calcium) stones, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved and will need to either pass naturally, be surgically removed, or be broken up using lithotripsy so they can pass.

 

If you are experiencing severe pain, prompt intervention may be necessary. Options include lithotripsy, which uses focused ultrasonic waves to fragment stones, or, in more extreme cases, minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery. The appropriate treatment depends on the size, type, and location of the stone, as well as the urgency of the symptoms.

 

 

 

Good post

 Nothing to add.👍

On 9/15/2025 at 11:17 AM, Sheryl said:

Size and location of  stone(s) is critical information. With smaller stones  pain killers plus extra hydration may be enough to enable you to pass them. 

 

Larger stones may need to be broken up ny lithottopsy and/or surgically removed, especially if lodged in the ureter.  

 

It is also possible the pain is from other than kidney stone, e.g. a spinal priblem or muscle spasm

 

Simple ultrasound (few thousan baht) would be first step if Dr agrees renal stone a possibility. This eill dhow stone*s), size and location. 

 

 

 

 

@richard_smith237 explained it perfectly already

My last stone was around 60k at Bangkok phuket in one morning out after shock wave procedure 

I think I was quoted about 100,000B at Vimut for URS.

You got 3 options depending on the stone.  

PCNL...most invasive....punching a hole in your side or back and removing a stone with a knife.  Big stones probably require this.

Otherwise you have the URS shockwave putting a laser wire up your urinary tract and blasting the stone to sand.

Last option, minimally invasive is ESWL-Lithotripsy.

One thing I thought was a little weird was they asked me which option I wanted....I kind of expected them to recommend the best option?

 

Also I guess some docs will recommend FloMax to try to open up the pathway and see if you can pass on your own.  That never did anything for me.

2x now and I think I'm working on a 3rd.

It is a long time ago now, Walking home from getting a Sunday morning newspaper about 100 meters from my house the pain hit me, literally crawled the last 25 meters. I had an IVP and it was determined that I had granules. While in hospital the Doctor said I should as much water as I take, my urine was filtered. After about two days deposits were decreasing and by the end of a week was totally clear.

Do hospitals still use IVP (intravenous pyelogram) or are other methods preferred these days?

@dddave I hope you recover soon.

On 9/23/2025 at 6:31 PM, cheskakim said:

costs a few thousand dollars

BUT Where is it priced in dollars, of any type?? 

On 9/14/2025 at 9:31 PM, richard_smith237 said:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok costs around 140,000 baht - but there’s no guarantee it will be effective. (In my experience, it didn’t work) - that cost is likely the very high end of the scale, other hospitals will likely be cheaper - I would suspect as low as 60,000 baht but you'd need to ring around.

 

Phayathai 2 is 99,000 baht.

https://phyathai2international.com/programs-and-promotions/Extracorporeal%2BShock%2BWave%2BLithotripsy%2B(ESWL)/695/en?

 

First, it’s crucial to determine the type of kidney stone you have. Uric acid stones can sometimes be dissolved over time with medication or dietary adjustments, such as daily consumption of a urine-alkalising agent like Urelite, which can help slowly break down the stone. Calcified (calcium) stones, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved and will need to either pass naturally, be surgically removed, or be broken up using lithotripsy so they can pass.

 

If you are experiencing severe pain, prompt intervention may be necessary. Options include lithotripsy, which uses focused ultrasonic waves to fragment stones, or, in more extreme cases, minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery. The appropriate treatment depends on the size, type, and location of the stone, as well as the urgency of the symptoms.

 

 

 

Agree with others, a very good post. Just wanted to add a couple of things.

 

I've had it done at Phyathai 1, and it cost about the same as Bumrungrad above. Mine was for uric acid stones inside kidney, and while it worked to break it into smaller but very sharp pieces, the process took close to an hour, and felt like someone took a rubber band and snapped you in the same spot every couple of seconds all that time. It has caused some tissue damage as urine looked like blood for days after that, but eventually recovered, and smaller stone pieces came out naturally. That is however only effective for stones up to 1.5 cm, it cannot be used for larger stones (explained by my urologist).

 

There is however another option available now, for which I don't know the name, but doctor described it as a camera and laser. Basically a laser is sent to the kidney or wherever stone is, and they illuminate area and use camera to navigate to the stone, then use laser to heat it up until it breaks up. It's less invasive and causes far less damage than ESWL to the surrounding tissue. Once done, a catheter is left inside to let the pieces exit over following week or 2. I don't know how much the cost of treatment is, didn't continue conversation.

 

If stones are uric, then there is an option of Uralyt-U - granules to mix with water for not great tasting but less disgusting drink than same product made a decade ago, or Pocitrin pills which are in pills form but with significantly more effect on the stomach and should never be taken on empty stomach unless having ulcer is desired. Both of these can melt uric acid stones in most cases or at least make them smaller, over many months. For uric acid stones, it's also possible to lower the amount of uric being formed in the first place, by replacing solid stones with something very similar to very fine beach sand... But there are possible significant side effects so this should be discussed with doctor - it's anti-gout medicine, called Benarone (Benzbromarone).

 

There are a few ways to identify which of the main 2 types of stones one has. If they show clearly on x-ray, they are likely calcium based. If they don't show or only show as a slight shadow in xray but show in ultrasound, and especially if urine is acidic, and/or if patient has gout - they are most likely uric acid stones. If they are uric, it's not a good idea to have a lot of mineral water with calcium as that can coat the uric stones with calcium. Good to be able to see them in x-rays, but then forget trying to melt them away. Stupidly did that before.

 

Here is also a table of a chance of passing by size and location:

 

 

Good luck!

 

 

OP here.  Thanks to all for the many very informative and thoughtful responses.  I hope this thread will be indexed in a way that it can continue to be a useful resource as time goes on.

 

I am very fortunate that my kidney pain never quite reached the level stones cause and after a week, went away. Perhaps an unrelated kidney inflammation of some sort.  I had a week before been on a 4 day, 1200 km road trip to Isan in a rather bouncy small car so that may have played a role in my discomfort. 

My day probably awaits me at some point. 

I did have an odd and unexplained event 15 years ago.  I was feeling normal and went to take a pee. What came out shocked me as it appeared I was draining the crankcase of an old car...all brown and red and ugly.  I have a good friend who is also a retired physician.  I try not to take advantage of him very often but I was dialing him in a hurry.  When I told him I had no pain and no fever he suggested I wait a day and see what happens.  By the next day my urine was 90% clear and it never happened again.  He suggested it could have been a ruptured blood vessel in the bladder or possibly even a small or several small stones though such a painless passage is unusual.  I will probably never know.

Get an ultra-sound check & make sure its a kidney stone before you do anything.

On 9/14/2025 at 10:23 AM, dddave said:

I suspect I have a Kidney Stone trying to pass.  Lots of sharp, left lower back pains.  I can barely stand to walk.

What does the Ultrasound treatment crushing the stone with sound waves generally cost locally?  Any experiences welcome.  Was overnight required?

.. deleted

I did not see your last post before posting mine.