Info sharing - ESWL (treatment for kidney/ureter stones)

ESWL - Extracorporeal ShockWave Lithotripsy; is the most frequently used treatment procedure for kidney/ureter stones. ESWL uses shockwaves that are created outside of the body to travel through the skin and body tissues until the waves hit the dense stones. The stones become sand-like and are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine. In some cases, ESWL may be done on an outpatient basis. Recovery time is short, and most people can resume normal activities in few days time.

Complications may occur with ESWL. Most patients have blood in the urine for few days after treatment. Bruising and minor discomfort on the back/abdomen due to shockwaves are also common. To reduce the chances of complications, doctors usually tell patients to avoid taking aspirin and other drugs that affect blood clotting for several weeks before treatment.

In addition, the shattered stone fragments may cause discomfort as they pass through the urinary tract in the urine. In some cases, the doctor will insert a small tube called a stent, through the bladder into the ureter to help the fragments pass. Sometimes the stone is not completely shattered with one treatment and additional treatments may be required.


I came to know ESWL when my dad was diagnosed with ureter stone few weeks back. Main objective I want to share here is to enquire the ESWL fees from different hospitals. There was 1 hospital in PG island that charges RM3.2k for 1st treatment alone, and RM850 for 2nd treatment. I call the treatment 'blasting' as it is some sort of blasting the stone with shockwaves. Anyhow, I came to know another hospital that offers a package ~RM2.9k that consists of 1st blasting, day-care and necessary medicines. 2nd/3rd blastings would be covered, but with only additional RM20/blast. These are private hospitals... I only have knowledge of 2 of them. Pls be wise to ask around for the fees... I have financial concerns as my dad does not have medical insurance coverage at all!

Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)

Hi all. I would like to share on this topic "Hypoglycemia" that actually took my mother's life 2.5yr ago.

My mom had diabetic, and she also undergone surgery and chemotherapy for her breast cancer. There was no doctor that educated my family about possibility of hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar. All the while, our common understanding is that high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) IS the only major concern.

There are many other complications she suffered, but here I would only like to educate on the symptoms she suffered that was linked to hypoglycemia. One morning, we (dad & I) found my mom still sleeping until near afternoon. We tried to wake her up many times, but we finally managed to. We did not seek any doctor consulation over that as we thought there's nothing serious. She was "normal" throughout the day and I had even fed her a scope of ice cream during dinner.

The following morning, again she could not wake up and we could not wake her up as well. We tried and tried and failed, thus we had her sent to hospital. She was warded few days, connected to a machine....I don't know it was for. She never woke up at all... And one unfortunate morning, we received the bad news from hospital that my mom had passed away. The COD was hypoglycemia! I surfed the net for info and learnt of it.

Until today, I still feel slight anger that no medical experts educated my family of potential hypoglycemia. We thought there possibility of hyperglycemia is under control as my mom was taking medicine for diabetic.

Anyway, the key message here is for those with family member(s) having diabetic, and without any family doctor, to get educated on all potential difficulties that could occur and how to prevent them. Feel free to go to the links I am sharing here and learn more, if applicable.

Thanks for your time to read my post, appreciate it.