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ESWL, what does it feel like? Anaesthesia?

Stone Fighter #914ACEApr 13, 2026👁️ 990❤️ 102

Strategy: Patient journey

Hi All,

I'm having my first shockwave lithotripsy procedure next week for a 7mm stone in my kidney. I've previously had two ureteroscopies but those were for stones in my ureter.

I've been reading about the shockwave lithotripsy procedure on here, but most people seem to have been put under a general anaesthetic?

I'm not having any form of anaesthesia. My urologist told me they don't use any anaesthesia for shockwave lithotripsy in the UK. He said I should just take a painkiller beforehand.

It seems odd that some countries use a full general anaesthetic for a procedure that apparently doesn't require any anaesthesia at all?

Anyone had it without anaesthesia? What does it feel like?

Comments (6)

Stone Fighter #CF1570Apr 13, 2026

So here in the states they do that treatment under anesthesia, I've woken up with little to no pain after about an hour or so. My thought is the actual procedure probably only takes about a half hour and then spend the majority of that time waking you up after. That being said, I imagine you're getting hit in the same spot thousands of times with sound waves so you better have something decently strong. Paracetamol isn't going to cover it

Stone Fighter #CF1570Apr 13, 2026

I would also like to point out as an American I attempted to ask for my last ESWL back in November of 25 without Anaesthesia, however they strongly recommended me to go under.

Stone Fighter #B1DB2BApr 14, 2026

In France it’s either a light GA (you are awake and normal, so you can call it a sedation but technically it’s a GA) or nothing/OTC pain pill (depends on the machine, older ones make more damage). I felt basically almost nothing, more like someone strikes me very gently with an elastic band. So more like a 0.25/10 « pain » and in fact only at the beginning then 0. Mine did not work so I felt nothing after, no blood etc.

Stone Fighter #9CC827Apr 14, 2026

It’s totally normal in the UK, it has been since they ditched the baths which they immersed you in several decades ago. It’s a very North American thing to get anaesthesia, outcomes are just as good in the UK compared to over the other side of the Atlantic. It’s just a session of irritating mild “thumps” over the flank.

Stone Fighter #5FDF1CApr 14, 2026

Okay, 25 years ago I had ESWL without anesthesia here in the US. They just gave me something to calm me down. It was fine, after the first minute your back goes numb. Last year I had it again for a 1.4cm stone. They wouldn't do it without anesthesia. They said that the machines are more powerful now, with more focused pinpoint placement, so they can't have you moving around because it makes there job more difficult. Also something about adjusting the power up if it's not busting it up...

Stone Fighter #55983EApr 14, 2026

I had ESWL a little over two weeks ago for a 7mm stone in my right kidney, I was under twilight, so in and out of sleep, I woke up towards the end of the procedure when they had the shockwaves turned up, didn’t hurt that bad just felt like I was cramping on my right side.

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