The Summer of 2015: My First Ambulance Ride

One day in the summer of 2015, my terrible habit of rarely drinking water finally caught up with me in the most disastrous way. A dull ache in my flank and lower back rapidly escalated into the most excruciating, agonizing pain I have ever experienced. Within minutes, I was rolling on the floor, drenched in a cold sweat, unable to breathe or find a comfortable position. That day marked the first time in my life I ever had to call an ambulance to rush me to the ER.

I was diagnosed with Urolithiasis (Kidney/Ureteral Stones). The medical community often ranks this pain alongside childbirth. In the ER, painkillers barely took the edge off. I was quickly scheduled for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). This non-invasive procedure uses high-energy shock waves generated outside the body to target and smash the stone inside the ureter into sand-like particles, which are then passed naturally through urine. The procedure itself was intense, feeling like deep thumps against my back, but the absolute relief that washed over me once the stone fragments passed is something I will never forget.

Kidney stones have a notoriously high recurrence rate—up to 50% within five years. Terrified of ever experiencing that hellish pain again, I radically overhauled my lifestyle and completely understood the science behind why stones form.

1. Why Do Stones Form, and Why Does it Hurt So Much?

Your kidneys filter waste products from your blood to create urine. When certain substances—like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid—become too highly concentrated in your urine, they crystalize and bind together to form hard mineral masses (stones).

The unimaginable pain is not actually caused by the stone “scratching” the ureter walls. It happens because the stone completely blocks the narrow ureter tube. Urine backs up, causing the kidney to swell massively, and the ureter begins to violently spasm and contract in a desperate attempt to push the blockage out. Your brain interprets this intense pressure and spasming as pure agony.

2. Foods to Avoid: The Stone-Forming Villains

About 80% of all kidney stones are calcium oxalate stones. To prevent them, you must manage your sodium and oxalate intake.

• High Sodium (Salty Foods): A high-sodium diet is a kidney stone factory. When your kidneys filter excess sodium into your urine, the sodium drags calcium along with it. High calcium levels in your urine drastically increase the chances of stones forming.
• Oxalate-Rich Foods: Many “healthy” foods are incredibly high in oxalates. Spinach, almonds, peanuts, sweet potatoes, chocolate, and black tea are packed with oxalates. If you have a history of stones, binging on a spinach and nut salad is a terrible idea.
• Excessive Animal Protein: High consumption of red meat, pork, and poultry increases the amount of uric acid in your urine and makes your urine more acidic, creating the perfect environment for uric acid stones to form.
• Vitamin C Megadosing: When your body metabolizes Vitamin C, it converts it into oxalate. Taking massive doses of Vitamin C supplements (over 1,000mg a day) is highly discouraged for stone formers.

3. The Saviors: Habits to Keep You Stone-Free

This is the defensive protocol that has kept me out of the ambulance for 11 years.

• Adequate Hydration (The Ultimate Rule): No supplement beats drinking plenty of water. In the past, people were often told to force down 2.5 to 3 liters a day, but there is no need to stress over exact measurements. The goal is simply to drink enough water throughout the day so that your urine remains consistently clear or pale yellow. You must constantly flush the system so that crystals never have the time or concentration to stick together.
• The Magic of Citric Acid: Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits are your best friends. Citric acid binds with calcium in the urine, chemically preventing stones from forming. Swapping some of your plain water for lemon water is an excellent prevention hack.
• Adequate Calcium Intake (The Paradox): Since most stones are “calcium” stones, people logically think they should avoid calcium. This is a dangerous myth. If your diet is too low in calcium, your oxalate levels spike. You must consume normal amounts of dietary calcium (milk, cheese). When you eat calcium-rich foods alongside oxalate-rich foods, they bind together safely in your stomach and intestines and are excreted in your stool, before they ever reach your kidneys.

Conclusion: A Flowing River Never Gathers Debris

While genetics play a role, urolithiasis is largely a disease of lifestyle and dehydration. Since my treatment in 2015, I deeply regretted my past habit of avoiding water. I completely changed my ways and made it a daily habit to drink plenty of water. Thankfully, as of August 2026, I am doing incredibly well with zero recurrences.

That excruciating, hellish pain in the emergency room is something I never, ever want to experience again in my life. If you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your flank, do not wait—go to the ER immediately. And once the stone is gone, ditch the salty snacks, keep a tumbler of water on your desk, and keep your internal river flowing.