May I ask what triggered them for you? As someone prone to them, I'm curious if I'm doing everything possible to avoid these nasty things.

Vitamin fizzy / soluble pills can cause it for some people.

I narrowed it down to grapefruit. At least that's what I suspect. I avoid them now.

grapefruits should usually help, as they're high in citric acid.

most citrus fruits help to reduce kidney stones, but not grapefruit. grapefruit has different weird interaction with medication and does increase risk of kidney stones, contrary to other citrus fruits.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-oxalates

I don't know what to believe any more because that article says kale is a low oxalate food, but https://blog.swedish.org/swedish-blog/kale-causes-kidney-sto... says the opposite (and was on the list I got at discharge)

Nutrition science does change at a surprising rate. In case of doubt... drink plenty of water!

As far as I understand it, the interaction of Grapefruits with for example statins is because it has Furocumarine, but that isn't unique to it. Other citrus fruits have it as well. It's just that Grapefruit isn't as sour and it's consumed in much higher doses compared to say lemon juice.

If you get one, try to catch it and have it analyzed. I had a calcium oxalate stone. My urologist suggested adding some milk to my coffee (I had been drinking it black). Haven’t had another in 10 years.

You have to get your stones analyzed and they'll make suggestions based on what the composition is.

I've had several kidney stones - usually at about one year intervals.

The first was the worst because you don't know what it is. Subsequent stones didn't seem to be as bad, since I knew I was going to survive.

The emerg doc told me that some ladies say the pain worse than childbirth.

In the same boat, and agree that the first one was the worst because of the unknowns and associated pain.

That does not mean the later ones were less painful, but knowing what to expect, recognizing the symptoms early, and getting mentally ready go a long way. A well stocked medical cabinet with potent pain killers is a must, and I don't take long trips without them either.

Unfortunately, not all will pass naturally, depending on size and shape, so I'm looking forward to having this option available when needed.

If you've not had it, I cannot more highly recommend ESWL. In my case, it just felt like some light bruising for a day or two, and otherwise an 8mm stone in my kidney was obliterated with no effects.

Had it a couple times. I usually try to let the stones pass naturally, unless of course they get stuck. Success rate for the targeted stone has been 100%. Recovery has been quick with minimal bruising, first day getting up was a bit painful without painkillers. I do have a bit of concern about the impact of ESWL on the long term health of my kidneys.