The six month repeat x-ray shows no changes in the size or position of the stones. Good news, I guess, but I am a little disappointed, hoping that some the changes that I've made would have made a difference.
Mainly, I'm trying to drink more water, easier said than done. I've been taking low dose hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a mild diuretic that in higher doses is used as an anti-hypertensive. HCTZ also decreases calcium concentration in urine, which I hope also means increased calcium availability for my bones.
I added a magnesium supplement that has been associated with decreased kidney stone formation, and greatly decreased drinking sodas with phosphoric acid (root beers, colas, dr pepper).
For the new year, I will try to add 4oz of lemon juice to my drinking water every day because its high levels of citrate may even dissolve stones already present (though I should think of it as more of a preventative strategy.
I don't think I'll try to decrease dietary levels of oxalic acid (my stones are probably calcium oxalate); high oxalic acid foods include chocolate, nuts, berries, grapes, and leafy greens, all of which have advantages that I think outweigh the oxalate factor.
