How to preserve bladder stone?

[Beartracks]

I had the joy and discomfort of passing a bladder stone (not a kidney stone, thank God!) and I'm sure my doc would like to see it. What's the best way to keep a bladder stone safe -- keep it dry? Or keep it in water?

[sl8]

1. Interesting question. Mayo Clinic's advice regarding kidney stones:

I know you said bladder stone, not kidney stone, but this is the closest I've found. They say to dry it and keep it dry:

https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/~/media/it-mmfiles/special-instructions/StoneCollect0809.pdf [pdf]

I'm curious to see what folks more knowledgable than I have to say.

[LoisB]

2. Hope this helps:

For Bladder Stones (if you can collect it):
Collection: If you are able to collect the stone, do so in a clean, dry container.
Drying: Allow the stone to air dry completely for 24 hours at room temperature on a clean surface like a paper towel or tissue.
Storage: Place the dried stone in the clean, dry container provided, Mayo Clinic.
Transport: Keep the container at room temperature and place it in the bag provided, Mayo Clinic.

[sl8]

3. Do you happen to have a link to that?

Thanks.

[LoisB]

5. I don't know how to do it without getting a long string of stuff. I just Googled "how to

preserve bladder stones for the doctor." It's a Google AI answer that purports to be per the Mayo Clinic. Sorry.

[sl8]

6. Ah, OK. I did find that, too.

When I followed the Google AI's link to their source, it was to a pdf about kidney stones, not bladder stones, which I posted in an earlier reply.

It probably makes no practical difference in this case, but I've found that Google's AI frequently mistates or misrepresents the information it's getting from its sources.

Thanks for the reply.

[LoisB]

7. Thank you. I usually try to scroll past the AI answer but it's good to know that it is

frequently unreliable. It will make me more diligent when doing searches.

[Beartracks]

4. Well, so far so good.

Last edited Sat Jun 7, 2025, 04:07 PM - Edit history (1)

I was already letting it air dry on some folded toilet paper. Figured I'd put it in a clean pill bottle after that, so it seems I'm going about things properly. Thanks!

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