Looking for guidance

Hi fellow stone formers. I’m a day old into this group and had a few general questions to hone in on your collective experience. I’m hitting the urologist later today but I’m preparing myself :)

Background - I have a 5.9 mm and a 2 mm stone. Passed one nearly 20 years ago and hardly know it (small guy). My questions:

- I’ve seen here and there that some are passing a 6mm naturally. Is this more exception or the rule?
- I’ve seen that these stents are super painful, but also read on some searches that the more common is that they are more helpful than hurt. Which is more common? Reddit makes me think it’s going to be jihad in my torso soon.
- Can these things decrease in size ever?
- I know alcohol and energy drinks and tea make you dehydrated and that leads to stones. But is it the collective advice that we have to give those drinks up or just chase them with loads of water?

Thanks for the help.