Even though different people respond to stents in different ways, I suspect anyone who’s ever lived with a ureteral stent remembers the experience. I have had two, and both were, indeed, memorable.
Prior to undergoing a pyeloplasty, (a surgical procedure to correct a urinary tract obstruction) I was informed that a stent would be in place for about seven weeks. I also recall being told, or perhaps reading, that such stents cause “discomfort” in some patients. In my mind the term “discomfort” equates to nothing more than an annoyance or a nuisance, so going into the surgery I was not overly concerned. For the first couple of days following surgery, perhaps because of post-surgical pain killers, it seemed the stent would be absolutely no problem. I could hardly feel it. “This will be a piece of cake,” I thought.
Then, shortly after going home, I became increasingly aware that some apparently sharp object was attempting to drill a hole through the wall of my bladder. In fact, the image of a shish-kabob skewer came to mind. At the same time, there was the sensation that something was tugging on my right kidney, trying to pull it down from its usual location. It was difficult to find comfortable positions…and it felt as though gravity was becoming my worst enemy. Urination was frequent and painful, and my urine continued to be bloody for the entire seven weeks. Involuntary tears came to my eyes and waves of nausea were common. Finally, I discovered that sitting in a recliner and tipping it back approximately half way seemed to relieve the worst of the pain, and that allowed me to get a little sleep at night.
After seven long weeks, I welcomed the removal of that first stent. A generous application of lidocaine made the procedure entirely tolerable, and I watched on the monitor as the stent was grabbed and the upper curly-cue began its descent down through the ureter. Once I was free of the stent, the relief I felt far surpassed the minor discomfort associated with its removal.
About a month later, I accepted a second stent with guarded optimism. This one was placed following lithotripsy for a 1+ cm stone in my left kidney. It seemed logical to me, since this ureter was not compromised or swollen, that this stent should not hurt nearly as much as the first. Unfortunately, I was wrong about that. Once again, the same familiar painful and distressing physical sensations returned. And once again I sought relief in the recliner. The stent allowed stone fragments to pass, but I was elated to be rid of it after only three weeks.
The second stent experience left me with a new determination to do everything I could to prevent future stone formation. If making a few adjustments, such as drinking much more water each day, can prevent new stones and another stent placement sometime down the road, then I was ready to change old habits. Accepting the inevitability of new stones, then treating them as they become problematic, is no longer acceptable. My new plan is to be well-informed and pro-active and do all I can to discourage new stone formation. In fact, it’s the vivid memory of previous painful stents that continues to be the most powerful motivator. In a way, then, those stents are still serving a most valuable purpose, and I should remain grateful for them.
Editors note: Bonnie writes about her experiences as a stone patient in her posts. If you have experiences as a patient you would like to share, feel free to add a comment or send her an email at: ask@kidneystoners.org
Home just 3 hrs ago from what was supposed to be a lithrotripsy, but ended up using a laser because my 5mm stone had moved. So grateful for this site and these posts as I am terrified to go to the bathroom. I am assuming the horrible pain I feel when I urinate (feels like broken glass someone said) is from my stent? Currently I don’t have pulling sensations or pain anywhere else, but my bladder is killing me, even on hydrocodone. I am lucky and only have to have the stent in 5 days, but I am wondering how I will go back to work on Monday. They told me in front of my husband that it would be mildly uncomfortable. That really makes me mad because it is much worse than mild discomfort and now I will seem like a drama queen when I complain. I pray that it gets better because right now I am having panic attacks right before I go to the bathroom because I know how much it’s going to hurt! I was given instructions on how to take the stent out myself. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCE TAKING OUT THEIR OWN STENT? Advice, dos/dont’s…or should I insist on an appointment to have them do it?
God Bless all who deal with stones and kideny issues. The only real sympathy comes from those who have experienced it first hand. Take care of yourselves and demand the support you deserve.
Omg. Had kidney stones in July and passed one while in the ER. I ended back up in the ER 2 weeks ago with another stone ; this time lodged in the ureter. They gave me oxycosone, fentanyl , and 2 doses of morphine and nothing helped the pain. . I was admitted and spent 2 days in the hospital. They put a Stent in which while not as painful as the stones is unbearable. Constant pain and pressure and have to urinate. I yell out in pain when I do go. The antibiotics I was put on I was allergic to and broke out in hives. I have surgery on the 16th to remove the stone and will have another stent put in for a few more weeks. This is by far the worst experience -stones pain stent. I just want this over and feel somewhat good again.
I feel ur pain I’m here crying because I have 1 and I’m tired of this . I can barely move or pee without yelling in pain. I have to go have my stone blasted, then another stent put in. I’m to the point where I might reject it. This is my 3 rd stent and I know what comes after this
I am so sorry to hear of the suffering many of you have had. I feel truly blessed. Two + weeks ago I developed pyelonephritis with fever and chills. A Ct scan showed two joined stones, the larger 8mm, causing gross enlargement of the kidney and ureter. Apparently they passed without symptoms and had been there quite awhile causing frequent utis. I was admitted because the doc feared sepsis. After two days of iv antibiotics the surgeon lasered the stones under ga and placed a stent. I did not require more than regular tylenol before or after. The stent causes some bladder pressure that is mostly relieved by reclining and I’ve avoided being on my feet for long periods but have not needed otc pain relievers. I am waiting on a call from a surgicenter for cystoscopy and removal of the stent. I look forward to returning to life as usual except for increasing my clear fluids. I encourage all who are seeking info here that there are easier outcomes than some of the posts indicate. My prayers and sympathy to all who suffer from kidney stones and their treatment. Thank Jesus we are not alone but he remains with us through our trials and our joys and will use our sufferings to bring about good in our lives and those of others. Without suffering we do not develop compassion for others whatever the cause.
I’m so glad I came across this. I had emergency surgery to remove a 1cm stone that was stuck and blocking my left kidney from draining. I have had the stent in for 7and a half weeks. I find the longer it’s in the worse the pain. I feel worse now than I did with the stone. I have been back to emergency twice and they just give me different pain meds and the send me on my way. Today I have this thing taken out. I’m so excited. I hope I can finally be pain free.
I had a Ureteroscopy and a Lithotripsy on the 20th. Long story short I kept having severe pain in my lower left abdomen. In and out of the doctors office since July with blood in my urine on my UA’s. Finally my doctor ordered a CT scan on the 12th and found that I had a 5mm kidney stone. She scheduled a Urologist appt for the 19th. I originally had a CT scan appointment for the 18th but they wanted to bump it up. At this time I was not told which side it was. Following the days after I started seeing a lot of blood everytime i went to the bathroom. On the 18th there was a lot of pain on my left side as well as blood so I waited until the 19th. That morning my Urologist said that the graphs he had been given showed the stone to be on my right but I have only had pain on my left. He wanted to do the surgery on my right side no matter what. He discharged me and the receptionist and I scheduled the surgery for the very next day. I instantly had a panic attack x10. I cried all the way to my doctors office to find out what was going on. There was no report given to my urologist and none of the doctors explained what was happening to me. I ended up seeing a different doctor on the 19th who gave me better pain killers. He sat me down and explained to me that I dont have a kidney stone on my left side and that I might have endometriosis, which by the way is something that my OB and I have been looking at since August,(Yayyy another scope) :/ Anyways so the 20th I go in to the KMC to have this procedure done and I have another panic attack. Procedure goes fine. About 5 minutes after I am fully awake I start vomiting from the anesthesia. I have words written on my sides. I find out i have a foot long stent in my right side because the Lithotripsy didnt work. I am now scheduled for the 10th to have it removed. I am on 9 different medications and 5 vitamins. All of this started July 2nd. I hope this never happens again. I couldnt talk for atleast 4 days afterwards from the breathing tube scratching my throat. Good news is he was able to go in and get the stone and that was the only one he found. Now as for the pain afterwards….It feels like I have a UTI. The pain is enough to make you go cross-eyed. Tears start forming in your eyes. Constantly feeling like you have to pee. I was constipated for 5 days because of the pain killers. Food was nothing but oatmeal with coconut oil and applesauce. Sprite made me nauseous. Couldnt drink anything but water. I ended up losing 9.5lbs. Now a week later I feel like I have something sticking out of my urethra(which by the way i dont). Still dont drink anything but water and cranberry juice….THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING!
And forgot to mention. Yesterday I was given 2 more prescriptions. One of them turned my urine orange….which is awesome to me because I am an Oklahoma State fan and my blood is O+ lol jk.
OMG. Glad to see I’m not by myself on this. I had a ureteroscopy with lithotripsy on Wednesday to remove what they thought were two stones. it turned out I had “alot” more. I’ve had this procedure 2x before…in.02 & 07. The first time my. body couldn’t handle the stent. I ended up in the hospital for 5 days on morphine. Second time I made it through. This time I was good the first 24hrs. The second 24… I’ve had fevers from 99.9-100.9. Sweating them out like you wouldn’t imagine. It’s been about 10 hrs without fever now so that’s good but I truly feel like I’ve been beat with a bat on my flank and now getting lower back pain too. Not to mention an intense headache for the last 2 days as well. I’m supposed to have the stent until the 25th. IDK if I can make it. And to think I’m having another surgery to repair the kidney in the next month or two. ugh. I’m trying to be strong!
How did yesterday go?
I have 4 kidney stones and had 2 stents inserted 2 weeks ago and have been in terrible pain everytime I urinate. So much so that I can cry in pain from it! The pain doesn’t leave straight away either, sometimes not at all! Got the terrible things in for another 6 weeks!!
So thankfull to have found this forum and to know that Im not alone! Wishing much luck to anyone else with a stent! God bless!
Ask your Dr to prescribe Pyridium! It numbs the urinary tract so you dont feel the burning when you pee. Its been my saving grace with my stent!
You can also buy Azo over-the-counter and it helps tremendously with burning an urgency.
Had a hestorectomy and they clipped my uterter. 2% it happens to and I’m the 2 %. Weakness can’t get stronger. Any advice? Is this normal? Anyone’s eles?
Hi Leeann,
I hope you have recuperated since your post but on 10/4/17, I became a part of that 2%.
An attempt to correct this was placing a Stent in the affected ureter. I feel nauseated, and I have to been on tablets to counteract the awful bladder spasms as a result of the stent.
Did yours heal within the stipulated 6 weeks?
I feel for all of you prayers and hope your all doing better. I had a kidney repair surgery done last year ureruter repair. Those stents are enough to drive you crazy. But my problem is weakness I’m so weak and cannot get my strength back. I’m wondering if I have a stone or something. Don’t think my kidney ius in good shape. I’m trying to get better but not sure. List my father to before all this. So sorry for all of you.
I have stents for both kidneys since July 17th due to many stones in both kidneys and also fluid was backing up into my kidneys. The stents are there currently to drain the fluid and to keep the many stones from moving. I’m waiting to hear when the procedures will be scheduled to take care of the stones. I am so uncomfortable and unable to do much of anything because I can’t do very much walking or moving. I’m so tired of hurting and feeling like an invalid. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. On top of that, at the same time I was having the initial pain from the stones, I also had severe pain from what was finally discovered to be acute inflammation of the small intestine. I can’t even begin to describe the pain I was in from both issues happening at the same time. Since June 27th I’ve had 4 ER visits, 2 hospital stays totalling 11 days, 3 cat scans, an MRI, an endoscopy, the procedure to place the stents. Still need 2 orthodoxies and an additional endoscopy! Whew, thanks for letting me vent!
Lol lithotripsies, not orthodoxies!
had a lithotripsy weird
Hi Traci!!
I hear you! I have had my stent in only for a week and I am tired of it!!! Best of luck… I have three weeks to go
I had my stent placed 3 days ago and its been torture. Finally today I don’t feel like I’m peeing knives but the bladder pressure is enough to give one a nervous breakdown….much worse than a c section. No one tells you how horrible it is. I don’t know how anyone could work with thing inside you. Best of luck and GOD BLESS.
Use a site bath it helps relax me when I get to the point that I can’t stand it. It is July 15th I have had the stint in since May 26th and was told by doctor on July 14th that I will go in Aug.1st to have the crushed stones flushed/taken out (had lithotripsy on June 29th) he will take the stint out but put Another stint in for two more weeks. I felt like crying at the news of another month of this. I can’t stand for long or walk without the pain.
I had a sudden stone attack one week ago; went to the ER in great pain and blood pressure through the roof…2 large stones, one 11 mm and the other 10 mm…it blocking the ureter opening from my right kidney, leaving me unable to urinate. Oh yeah, I only have the one kidney, having the other removed 2 1/2 years ago due to chronic stones and loss of function. Rushed me into surgery to insert a stent (I live in a small town and the urologist informed me that due to having only the one kidney, he will be referring me to a much larger hospital for the stone removal). I have an appointment with him tomorrow to have him set up my appointment at the large hospital…have not stopped with the bloody urine since the stent was put in. Like others, I can feel it in the kidney… a pulling sensation, that is anywhere from mild to moderate pain….the constant need to urinate; the bladder spasms….I am treating it with Tylenol and hope to God that I get in to get these damn things removed soon…I know I will no doubt get another stent post surgery, and I just hope it won’t be as bothersome as this one…..keeping you all in my thoughts for speedy recoveries.
Kris I have the same identical issue, only one kidney and lost the other kidney due to a kidney stone that was obstructed. My left kidney, and only kidney has an estimated 30 stones. I’ve had a stent in my urreter for a month or longer. It seems I’ve lost weight due to loosing so much blood in my urine.
I have a kidney stone 1 inch in size no way to pass it 1! I came down with it 9 days ago 07/03. oxecodyn on a regular schedule does help…I take 05 every 5 hours. I get a stent put in on the 25th.. they will break half of it up then the next week go under again and they will break up the remainder of the stone so I can pass the rest of it. I’m reading all the posts about the stents.. so am not looking forward to it.. I have a very high pain tolerance. and as the day draws near my fear grows more and more. Is there anything I should or should not be drinking??? I’m drinking a lot of water and today drank a 1/2 gallon of orange juice and 8 bottles of water. can any one suggest any think else ?? that may make this easier ??
I had my kidney stone removed two days ago, and was told that the stent would be inserted. A friend told me that I would experience discomfort. This was not just discomfort – it was intense, tear inducing pain. When sitting quietly, I’m OK – but when I feel the urge to urinate, I feel panic as I know the pain that I’m about to endure. The pain is similar to the pain experienced when a kidney stone moves – it’s the intense pain that starts in your back and wraps around your side all the way to the front. Except, this pain comes every single time you urinate. Today – I’m having the stent removed, and I feel for all those above who talk about experiencing the stent for weeks and months. I can’t imagine that. I’m nervous about the stent removal – but I’m convinced that nothing equates to the pain I’ve already endured. From the stories of others, it seems like my pain is not quite as bad as what others have experienced. It is comforting to know that there are others who understand what this feels like, and that it is indeed debilitating. Peace to you all.
bless you Ray
Same experince here. I just wish doc had told me to be prepared for this. 1r days til stent removal. I have found an ice pack on my back by kidney and from abdomen by bladder reduce the pain
Oblivious to what a kidney stent was, I agreed for one to be placed in my left kidney to relieve a 6mm stone that caused renal colic.
That was on 17/5. I have managed up until last week with mild discomfort. However every time I now pass urine, it is burning like passing broken glass. Called urologist department, to be told it could be a further 11 weeks before they remove the stone, as there are other more urgent cases.
I have only ever been offered paracetamol for pain relief, so have been unsure if there is any other pain relief that I would benefit from.
My writing this is two fold
1. When kidney stones are present why do they insert stent under GA, but don’t remove the stone straight away, therefore saving both time and money? As in my case I will now need a second operation under GA, to remove the stent and laser the stone. No doubt the lunatics will insist on a further torture stent to be inserted.
2. My hospital gave me no information at all after inserting the stent in what to expect, so I was left to trawl the internet looking for the truth. So I agree with many other comments why in 2017 haven’t the stent manufacturers come up with a suitable solution, as it is not as if the stent has only just been invented!
I await patiently for the next phase and I wish everyone of my fellow sufferers a speedy recovery
Percoset has been a God send for me for my pain .05m every 5 hours.
I had severe hydronephrosis caused by a 1.2CX 1.0cm stone at the UPJ right kidney- lithotripsy resistant X3. I had ureteroscopic laser lithotomy done by our overworked, talented and underpaid doctors here in Toronto and a stent placed. Some pain the first 24 hours but now not so bad – cut down on my oxycodone the second day but importantly to me I cut down on the pain by also using Tamsulosin every day. Some bloody urine comes and goes but I am so grateful to have this stone out so my kidney can heal. I also drink 4 litres of water a day which is probably why I didn’t get this first stone til now at 59 years of age. Immediate post op pee was like razor blades but it is getting better.
my stone is 18mm big.
I had my stent put in few days ago. Few hours after the procedure i end up in ER with laborlike pain.screeming like a crazy woman. The doctor put me on morphi e and kept over night at the hospital. I don’t pass the day without pain medications. It’s a nightmare !!!! Tomorrow i have a stone ( 11mm) removal procedure ( ultrasounds) . If i knew hiw much it hurts, i would never agreed to uteral stent .
I had my stent put in few days ago. Few hiurs after the procedure i end up in ER with laborlike pain.screeming like a crazy woman. The doctor put me on morphi e and kept over night at the hospital. I don’t pass the day without pain medications. It’s a nightmare !!!! Tomorrow i have a stone ( 11mm) removal procedure ( ultrasounds) . If i knew hiw much it hurts, i would never agreed to uteral stent .
My Dr removed a 6mm stone 4 days ago and placed a stent. The first two days were really bad, when I pee I feel like sharp broken glass were coming out with blood. With drinking more water i start feeling a little better, but I have to make sure I take my oxycodone every 4 hrs or I will be in pain. Monday I will go for the stent removal and I don’t know what to expect. Lying down is really difficult with the stent. I will do all I can not to go through this again. I am really surprised that they don’t have a better way of managing the pain. I wish you all the best.
.
My mind is at a world spin….. I don’t know if I can handle anymore. I lost my father in January my heart is broken….I miss him terribly…… I get sick in march. I go in the hospital the end of march with kidney stones and sepsis.i get a Stent put in and schedule surgery for June 5. I’ve been in pain for 2 months…. I go in the hospital on June 5 for surgery. .all prepped and ready to go for them to say nope your urine/blood came back positive. .so I have to go 2 days later for blood work to see if I’m pregnant or going through metapause. It’s now June 9th and I’m still waiting on the results…..I’m so sad and feel sooooooo lost. No one knows how I feel inside I’m lost and my heart is broken. My life has been pained and I’m breaking.
….
So SORRY TO HEAR YOUR PAIN. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I, TOO HAVE HAD A REAL TOUGH PATH SINCE 2010. MY DAD PASSED ON IN OCTOBER, THEN I RETIRED IN MARCH, A REAL ADJUSTMENT, HAD KIDNEY STONES REMOVED IN 2010, (STINT UNCOMFORTABLE BUT NOT TERRIBLE) HAD A LIPOMA ON SIDE REMOVED 2013, TURNED OUT IT WAS SARCOMA (CANCER CELLS), ANOTHER SURGERY ON SARCOMA, RESULTED IN PNEUMONIA IN HOSPITAL. WENT THROUGH A LOT OF WEAKNESS AND DIDN’T WANT TO DO A THING BUT SLEEP. HAD A KNEE REPLACEMENT 2014 AND ENDED UP WITH EMERGENCY OPERATION ON 2 KIDNEY STONES THAT POPPED UP FROM NO WHERE. STILL NOT FEELING WELL BUT MANAGING WITH VICODIN WHICH THE DOCTORS HAD A FIT FOR WANTING IT. HAD STENOSIS OF THE SPINE AND WENT THROUGH HELL TO GET THE DOCTORS TO PAY ATTENTION. I KEPT PUSHING TO GET NOTICED. FINALLY FOUND A GOOD DOCTOR AND HAD SURGERY ( THE BEST THING I EVER DID, NO PAIN AFTER 3 MONTHS). THOUGHT THAT WAS IT, JUST HAD KIDNEY STONES AGAIN AND WAS REALLY LET DOWN. HAVE A STINT IN AND AM IN PAIN AND THEY SAY TAKE IBUOROFEN.FINALLY, LAYING IN PAIN AND TEARS I WENT TO A WALK IN EMERGENCY CENTER WHICH HELPED ME BEFORE. GOT VICODIN AND AM TRYING TO TAKE IT SPARINGLY, SO IT LASTS TILL I GET THE STINT OUT IN 4 WEEKS. I AM A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN WHO KNOWS JESUS LOVES US BUT COME ON GOD GIVE ME A BREAK. ANYWAY, YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS. DO ALL YOU CAN TO EASE THE PAIN, IT WILL GET BETTER ONCE THE STINT IS OUT. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. GOD HEARS. I, TOO AM LONELY AND FEEL NO ONE CARES, BUT GREIF TAKES TIME. ALLOW YOUSELF ALL THE TIME YOU NEED. DON’T LET PEOPLE MAKE YOU FEEL YOU ARE A BABY, THEY AREN’T IN YOUR SHOES. GET A COUNCELOR OR TALK TO A GOOD FRIEND. WE ALL NEED SOMEBODY TO CARRY OUR LOAD WHEN WE ARE WEAK. WILL PRAY FOR YOU. READ PSALM 91. THIS TOO WILL PASS.
Oh, sweetie I do know how lost and heartbroken you feel. I won’t lament about my issues. I just wanted you to know that you aren’t alone.
Jesus loves you Rose and knows exactly how you feel inside! He hears your words and thoughts. Call upon His name for the Peace that passes ALL understanding! Praying for you!
I had Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy on May 29th (keyhole surgery). Two large stones were removed, one of them half the size of my kidney. I woke up in Recovery crying for pain meds and was told my heart rate was too low and they couldn’t give me more. On reflection I think it was the Stent in my kidney that was causing most of the pain.
I was told that a Stent may be left in for up to one week. I now find out it will be one month.
I too have a variety of problems with the Stent ranging from a strong and sudden urge to pee to pressure on various organs and pain in my kidney and back. Sometimes I feel fine and can walk around and suddenly I am lying flat on my back weeping with the pain. Forget bending over or trying to sleep on my side.
Prior to the procedure I indicated to my surgeon I was concerned about the Stent because I had been told it was quite painful. She dismissed my comment and said that most of her patients had no problem with it. Interestingly, she would only sign my sick benefits form for 2 weeks, despite the fact I will have the Stent for 1 month and I can’t see getting over this pain anytime soon.
I took my self off the opioids 1 week after surgery and now handle the pain with extra strength Tylenol when I need it, but it doesn’t take the discomfort away. I also increased the amount of water I drink thinking that maybe it will help the Stent ‘float’ and take pressure off the surrounding organs.
Good Luck everyone.
Second time with a stent for me. It does feel like you are peeing “knives”. My doctor told me that it is counter intuitive to fear drinking a lot of water because you become afraid to pee. I increased my water intake and it did help. It supposedly helps the stent to “float” in the ureter and decrease the discomfort. Peeing every 5 minutes is a pain, though.
I only have one kidney too; I was born with only one kidney.
I have trouble with taking narcotics as they make me nauseous, even with taking antinausea medication.
I am drinking water but also 7-up with cranberry juice.
My thoughts go out to all who are suffering these various problems. It will pass. You will feel better eventually.
I have been lucky enough to have suffered from chronic calcium oxalate stones for the last 12 years. My first stone was 11mm and jammed in my right renal pelvis causing obstruction and Hydronephrosis. I live in a small town in central western NSW and was transported to a larger regional hospital for a pyeloscopic procedure. This was done successfully; I was stented up and sent on my merry way without complications. I guess being an otherwise healthy 23 year old male made recovery fairly quick. Fast forward 12 years, hundreds more stones and 6 endoscopic procedures later, I have an entirely different opinion of stents.
Just three days ago, I was struck down with that all too familiar pain in my lower left side and groin area. I knew that I had a 5mm stone there waiting to come out (had imaging done a week or two prior) so I drove myself to emergency at 4.00am and was given the usual pain meds and hydration. By 10.00am, I started to feel pain in my upper right side too. It seemed that both my kidney wanted to release stones from everywhere. A CT scan confirmed that I was passing a 4mm stone from my right kidney too.
As I had been in pain for weeks from the left kidney stone and now the oncoming right one, I asked my dr if he could arrange surgery for me asap. My dr is awesome and arranged a surgery for me within hours in the neighbouring town.
As I couldn’t drive from the pain meds (fentanyl), I arranged a lift to the neighbouring town and booked in to hospital. I expressed my concerns regarding stent placement to my surgeon prior to the procedure. I had been in surgery 6 months beforehand for a ureteroscopy and had a stent placed in my left ureter that essentially left me completely incapacitated from pain. Had the same experience with stents 2 times before also. My surgeon reassured me that all would be fine and that a stent was required for this round of surgery.
I went in for the pyeloscopy and woke up with the usual discomfort. I was given IV pain meds and admitted as a precaution due to my previous stent disasters.
All seemed fine until about 2 hours after surgery.
I started to feel like I was being stabbed in the back and felt this intense pressure in my kidney, all the way down the right side of my flank and my lower abdomen. The pain made me pant and wrythe around like a wounded animal. The pain became more and more intense until all I could do was scream and sob hysterically. I couldn’t take any more IV meds as the nursing staff had pretty much loaded me up with all that they could without killing me.
I ended up literally screaming for 2 hours. While this was happening, the nursing staff called my surgeon who recommended that the stent be removed. A wonderful and sweet young nurse (who was an amazing person to boot) stayed with me the whole time while I had a pain melt down and rubbed my back for me. She eventually helped me get into a hot shower to ease the discomfort of the stent. I’m a fairly private person and have never needed help showering but I didn’t care…the stent made me lose all inhibitions and I ripped everything off like a mad man.
The lovely young nurse asked me if I wanted to remove the stent myself or if I wanted help. Trying to hold on to the last shreds of dignity I had left, I insisted that I would give it a try. I removed the tape that was securing the string of the stent around my “old fella” and gave it a gentle pull……darkness……I realize that I’m losing consciousness from the pain. I come to enough to ask the nurse to take the stent out for me.
The poor lady grabs a hold of the string and starts pulling. It’s like lava, daggers, barbed wire and a swarm of bees is coming out my urethra. I scream and hold on to the shower rail like a busted old man. As the stent came out I felt like I was peeing. I see clots of blood and chunky bits come out with the stent. There is some relief but still not much.
The lovely young nurse suggests that I try and pee. I joke that I usually don’t pee in the shower; it’s not the type of guy that I am. I also joke about having “stage fright.” The nurse says that she’s going to dispose of the stent and will be back in a moment.
I take this opportunity to try and pee whilst squatting down in the shower. I feel this pressure inside me but nothing is coming out. I push as hard as I could without crapping myself…..sweet mercy! Thick, long and gelatinous blood clots erupt from my urethra……scream……more clots…..scream again……
It’s like Satan had possessed my man parts and was giving me the most painful and disturbing ejaculation possible. The spasming from the stent was still going and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
I am not a man who cries easily but this pain turned me into a blubbering three year old. I ended up being put on a fentanyl drip and sobbed for hours.
I have no idea why my body does not like stents. This was probably the most painful experience I have ever endured. Like I said earlier, I have passed hundreds of kidney stones before but I have never experienced anything quite as painful as stents.
I ended up apologizing to all the nursing staff and my surgeon for turning into a babbling mess during the stent incident. They all seemed to feel pretty bad for me.
Long story short, I would rather stick broken glass in my eyeballs than have another stent.
You are confusing stent with a catherter.
You are confusing stent with a catheter.
Nah I’m pretty sure he meant stent. Some stents have a sting attached to it in order to let the patient or doctor remove it without having to be scoped again. I’ve had my stent in for a week and it’s being removed tomorrow. At first when I found out I had a stent put in I was nervous about not being able to get knocked out when they remove it. Now I can’t wait for it to be removed. For the last three days I’ve felt like my bladder is being scratched or gouged with a rusty nail. It’s like I’m peeing shards of glass. My sister and mother are pill addicts and I told the doctor not to get me anything stronger than Tylenol 3. I really regret that decision.
Have you ever considered being a writer? You have a way with words. I know it is a sad story but you made me laugh and forget about my problems for a minute. I hope you feel better now.
about 2 years ago I had a stent inserted at VA Hospital which liked to drove me crazy pain and agony.
2 weeks ago I had a stent inserted at a civilian hospital and have had no discomfort
what so ever, I think there is a right way and a wrong way for placing these stents since
the first one was horrible and this one no problem.
I’m having 5 kidney stones removed tomorrow and I, too, will be getting a Stent. I remember having one many years ago when I had stones removed. NOTHING compares to the pain, discomfort and utter torture of these “things” they deem absolute necessary. I called my dr. today to ask him if a Stent was really necessary. He said YES and pain meds help with the discomfort. NO THEY DON’T. NOTHING helps if one of the many people whose body seems to reject them These things (torture devices) don’t belong in us anymore than the damn stones do. It’s 2017 and this is still all they can do after removal of a kidney stone? I agree most doctors don’t understand unless they’ve LIVED it. They talk a good game but NOHTING beats first hand experience when it comes to Stents. I’m dreading this whole thing and having anxiety attacks so bad I’m considering NOT showing up tomorrow to have my stones removed. It’s terrible and I feel for each and everyone of you who’ve lived this nightmare.