We know that the prospect of needing to have a stent removed is a big source of anxiety for patients. While almost everyone can’t wait to have his or her stent out, not knowing what to expect during the removal procedure can be just as bad. To better prepare you for your procedure and perhaps relieve some of your concerns, we asked visitors to the website who have already gone through the process to share their experiences with you. The results of our stent removal survey follows. Thanks to everyone who replied and let us know what you think in the comments below.
How are people having their stents removed?
575 of you have responded to the survey over the last 3 months that it has been up. The most common method of stent removal was through the use of a flexible camera placed in the urethra (cystoscopy) in the doctor’s office, with almost half of respondents reporting this approach (45%). 17% instead had their stents removed using cystoscopy in the operating room. 12% removed their stents themselves by pulling on a stent string while the last remaining 26% had their stents removed by having their doctor’s office pull on the string. Our post on stent removal describes these techniques in more detail.
How much pain should I expect?
Out of a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain ever and 1 being no pain at all, the overall average amount of pain reported was 4.8 or a moderate amount of discomfort. However, it may surprise you to hear that the most common rating given was 1, or no pain at all, chosen by 18%. So while some patients do report a high amount of pain with their stent removal, many had no pain or only mild pain. If we look at pain by method of stent removal, average pain was relatively higher for those who had their stent removed by office cystoscopy (5.4 out of a scale of 1 to 10) followed by doctor’s office string removal (4.9), operating room cystoscopy (3.9), and self string removal which had the lowest reported amount of pain (3.8). However, these differences between method of removal are not dramatic given that the scale goes from 1 to 10.
Will I experience pain afterwards?
Most patients had no pain or only mild pain after their stent removal. Unfortunately, a third of patients (33%) did experience a severe attack of pain after their stent removal, including an unfortunate 9% who required a return trip to the emergency room for their pain. When comparing recurrent pain by method of stent removal, severe pain occurring after stent removal was more common in the self string removal group (43%) and less likely in the doctor’s office string removal group, office cystoscopy, and operating room cystoscopy groups (26%, 33%, and 33%, respectively). It’s not clear why those who pulled out their own stents were more likely to report a severe episode of pain afterwards. There is some evidence that taking a tablet of an NSAID medication (naproxen) before removing your stent can help reduce the chance of experiencing a severe episode of pain.
How did the experience compare to what you expected?
Overall, 35% felt the actual stent removal experience was not as bad or not nearly as bad as they expected. 27% reported that their experience was about what they expected. 15% felt it was a bit worse and 23% felt it was a much worse. Reporting the pain as much worse than expected occurred in 27% of those who underwent office cystoscopy, 24% of those who had their stents pulled out by the clinic, 20% of those who pulled out the stent themselves, and 15% of those who had a cystoscopy in the operating room.
If you had a choice, would you choose this option again?
Those who underwent operating room cystoscopy to remove their stents were most likely to choose the same technique again (65% replying probably or definitely would choose this method again) followed by self string removal (59%), doctor’s office string removal (55%), and office cystoscopy (50%).
While we asked respondents whether they would choose the same method for stent removal the next time, not all options for stent removal may always be available to you. For example, your doctor may choose not to use a string if he or she feels that your stent needs to remain in longer than a few days because the string can easily get snagged and the stent might accidentally be removed too early. Secondly, stent removal in the operating room is not always an option because: time in the operating room may not be available, the risk to you of undergoing anesthesia again may outweigh the benefit of having the procedure done in this fashion, the costs to you in terms of time and money involved in scheduling and preparing for an operating room procedure may not be worth it. We recommend that you talk to your doctor to go over the best option for stent removal in your particular case.
Priorities as a patient:
We asked respondents how much of a priority certain things were to them as a patient with a stent. Being informed why a stent was placed was the biggest priority for respondents (4.7 on an importance scale of 1-5). Being informed about what was actually involved in the stent removal procedure was also a high priority (4.5). Being able to have general anesthesia was a moderate priority (3.1) while being able to see a video/diagram of the process was a lower priority (2.9).
Okay, what’s the bottom line?
Most patients reported an average amount of discomfort with stent removal by any technique. Many patients actually reported no or minimal pain but about a third reported significant pain. Removal by office cystoscopy was associated with more pain on average and removing a stent yourself by pulling on the stent string was associated with less pain on average. A third of patients may experience a delayed attack of severe pain after their stent removal. Overall, about 62% reported that the experience was not as bad or about what they expected but 38% said it was a bit worse or much worse than they expected.
Editors note: Post updated on August 29th with additional survey results.
I had the procedure Lithtripsk about 13 gays ago with a stent inserted that day. The stent was removed about 2 days ago. I felt a slight burning when tool was inserted. Nothing I couldn’t stand. It’s now over 2+ days later and I have this burning, need to go feeling all the time. I have passed 2-3 stones in my urine container. I have this “misable” feeling at present. I hope this helps—I need to goooo.
I had endometrial cancer and was operated on September 3rd. The tumor was pressing against a kidney so I have an external kidney stent. However, the Dr.
now wants to remove it and give me an internal. Why do I need an internal if
the tumor is gone? Reading online about how painful they can be, I do not
want one if I do not need it. Thank You
This forum helped ease some of my fears so here my brief story goes.
I had lithotripsy and a stent placed. Passed the fragmented pieces and 12 days later got the stent removed. I was VERY, VERY, VERY anxious about the stent removal. I lost sleep as it weighed on my mind a lot. I even considered asking them to give me something to relax me or put me out. I decided to just prepare myself by reading the positive stories and relaxing. I had a driver, so I decided to take a pain pill to help relax me and ease any pain afterward. When I got there, they did another x-ray to ensure the stone was gone. The nurse then applied the numbing gel which felt weird, but wasn’t horrible. The insertion of the scope pinched and burnt a little but before I could panic he had the stent out. Some have said it takes 30 seconds, well it took my doctor about 10 seconds (not sure why). Not a bad procedure and you will be glad once the stent is out. I had instant relief. I have had minor burning when urinating but no blood or extreme pain. Also, haven’t had post kidney/flank pain like some have experienced and I had the procedure 6 hours ago.
I hope my story helps ease some of the anxiousness that any of you may have!
Thank you so so so much for sharing your story. I am going to stop reading responses now because you put my mind at ease. I too have a driver so I will take a pain pill before hand.
Ive, been in pain for going on 3 weeks now the girls in the, drs office tell me to go to the, er which I have but they treat me like I have 2 heads because I’m taking pain meds for this insane pain. The dr put in a Stent during an emergency visit he told me that I have a 6mm stone and that he would take out the Stent and break up the stone in a few days. So here I am 3 weeks later with a surgery date, for 2 more weeks of this pain. The drs made me pass a 5.5 mm some on my own which was to say the least ,worse than giving natural child birth. That was on the left side this stone is on the right side and I’ve been suffering due to the Stent and the stone still sitting there with more stones in my kidney moving around. The girls in the drs office won’t try and get me a better appt they just tell me that he is too busy and I will need to wait. There is blood in my urine pain all the time and when I pee my right side feels like I’m being stabbed with a large knife over and over. I was told that I should try another urologist to take out the Stent and break up the stone but I’m not sure if another dr would go there since he didn’t put it in. This is plain malpractice if you want to know how I see it. His girls in the office won’t even be nice and talk to the dr. He sure didn’t have a problem getting me to the hospital to put in the Stent but getting it out seems to be an issue? Does anybody else agree or am I being a baby? I’ve been doing this for 20 plus years never had a Stent before they just broke them up and got them out. That was in TN I haven’t had any issues in 12 years now I’m having stones again and I live in Florida. I just think they are raping my insurance but I’m told this is the new way. I’m in pain and the dr won’t do anything any ideas?
Lawsuit probably but I wouldn’t b/c then all docs would hate you.
Ive, been in pain for going on 3 weeks now the girls in the, drs office tell me to go to the, er which I have but they treat me like I have 2 heads because I’m taking pain meds for this insane pain. The dr put in a Stent during an emergency visit he told me thst I have a 6mm stone and that he would take out the Stent and break up the stone in a few days. Do here I am 3 weeks later with a surgery date, for 2 more weeks of this pain. The drs made me pass a 5.5 mm some on my own which was to dry the least worse than giving natural child birth. That was on the left side this stone is on the right side and I’ve been suffering due to the Stent and the stone still sitting there with more stones in my kidney moving around. The girls in the drs office won’t try and get me a better appt they just tell me that he is too busy and I will need to wait. There is blood in my urine pain all the time and when I pee my right side feels like I’m being stabbed with a large knife over and over. I was told that I should try another urologist to take out the Stent and break up the stone but I’m not sure if another dr would go there since he didn’t put it in. This is plain malpractice if you want to know how I see it. His girls in the office won’t even be nice and talk to the dr. He sure didn’t have a problem getting me to the hospital to put in the Stent but getting it out seems to be an issue? Does anybody else agree or am I being a baby? I’ve been doing this for 20 plus years never had a Stent before they just broke them up and got them out. That was in TN I haven’t had any issues in 12 years now I’m having stones again and I live in Florida. I just think they are raping my insurance but I’m told this is the new way. I’m in pain and the dr won’t do anything any ideas?
This is my story of two different types of stent removal. It’s long but I tried to make it fun to read 🙂
I recently had bilateral stents placed following removal of my bladder, which was replaced by a “neobladder” made out of some of my intestines, then hooked back up to my urethra. Nobody would know it wasn’t the system I was born with unless I told them. (If they looked at the bonkers scars on my belly they might think I’d been abducted and probed by aliens, though!) I spent nearly a month at the hospital, a size able chunk of it in the ICU, having all manner of painful yuck, so honestly, when I finally came home with my stents, I really didn’t give them a second thought. I was on enough pain meds to kill a rhino anyhow, couldn’t feel them, and they sounded very helpful and tidy. Go team.
SO. . . of course they wreaked all manner of hell. I’ve been home two weeks. Last week I thought I had a kidney stone, but *really* didn’t feel like spending any more time at a hospital, so I figured I’d just “monitor” it. My hubby is a doctor; I have pain meds; what could go wrong? Brawhahahahaha! The kidney, back, and side pain continued all day and through an entire night. I just paced and tried to read a book. Sometime the next morning I went to pee, and as I finished, I felt a strange sensation, as though something was caught and trying to come out.
*(I don’t just have analgesics; I’m still on a boatload of them 24/7. My pain
doctor tells me that it is enough to OD & kill a 250 lb man who hasn’t developed
the “tolerance” I have over years of this disease. That breakthrough pain from
this kidney stone existed at all, considering the post operative dosages I’m still
on, should’ve given me a clue. Listen to your gut and to logic; tell the voice in
your head insisting that you are just being a wimp to shut up. Pain is useful and
exists for a reason: it’s how our bodies talk to us to tell us something’s wrong.)
By this point I was standing up, and since I thought it must be the stone which 1) must be huge and need a little help, and 2) since my urologist wants them and I didn’t want to have to retrieve it once it splashed into the toilet bowl, I reached down to grab it. You all know exactly what happened, right? I thought, “What a weird texture for a kidney stone!” Then, while still standing up and thus at the worst possible angle, gave what I’d grabbed a sharp tug, and felt the *rest* of my entire stent follow the escaped front loop as it whipped around my side and came popping out, dangling from my hand like a bloody and pain-inducing piece of linguini. I am still quite gratefull I didn’t make matters worse by fainting and smacking my head on the toilet.
STENTS CAN MIGRATE ON THEIR OWN.
We called our nephew, a surgical urologist. “Yeah, that can happen.” Really? Wow! Nobody warned me! Sure, I’ve tried to write this so it’s fun(ny) to read, but The Big Lesson I got, and I think everybody should know, is: Sometimes when a stent causes a sudden dramatic increase in pain or type of pain, it isn’t just being quirky. Something could be wrong. I got lucky. Ureters are pretty delicate, but my whiplash-zoom extrication of the already-partly-out stent didn’t damage it. I could have. Badly. Be aware that your stents can move on their own and tell your doc if you suspect it, even if it annoys her/him. Better that than bloody toilet linguini.
STENT TWO
Yesterday my nephew’s partner removed my other stent in their office, aided by a bit of numbing gel, a tiny scope, and teeny tweeter thingies. It was painless, though both when he inserted the scope and when he pulled everything out I felt a “full and foreign” sensation. Didn’t hurt–just weird. In fact, it was so pain free that I asked if he’d take a tour with the little camera so I could see what my new fake bladder looked like from the inside. We got a really good look at how the stent was fixed, too–and how the body responds to it. The tissue around it was red and inflamed and there was tons of disgusting mucus (which a real bladder probably doesn’t make, but definitely indicates that my body knew darned well the stent was a foreign object and didn’t like it.
I know different people’s bodies react differently, but the office setting w/o the added stress of anesthesia (which tells your brain “Ah! Ah! This is a huge ordeal and I will be miserable!) worked great for me. Had I not wanted the camera tour, the urologist could have finished in about a minute.
Today, as with the day after I yanked the other one, though definitely not as severe, I sort of feel like the loser in a game of dodgeball where everyone used fast-pitch softballs and hit me between the knees and the waist. My back and pelvis are very, very sore despite all my painkillers. Honestly, heating pads help more than pills. Hot baths, epsom salts, mindfulness meditation, and the pointed focus on knowing the pain is temporary all help immensely. However your stents are removed, I wish you the very, very best. Life has some bumpy roads, and any detours involving stents aren’t fun. May you feel as little pain as possible and feel comforted that you aren’t alone in whatever pain you have. To Life!
I am 29 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with hydronephrosis. I was told they had to put a stent in so the urologist and his team put me under anesthesia and placed the stent. I was told that that I should be up and walking around be next day. Nope. Not only was the pain worse than childbirth, but I was hospitalized for 4 days after the procedure to manage my pain and the constant bleeding. Iwas given no length of time to have the stent in either. When I finally got home I felt this overwhelming sense of burning and urgency to go pee. When I did go urinate, I got this shooting pain up my right side where my kidney is. I made a follow up appt with the urologist after me and my obgyn felt the stent was causing me more harm than good and she didnt want me to go into labor due to my body being in such distress. I got to my urologists office and he told me he would remove the stent right then and there and just apply a topical numbing cream before inserting the camera to remove the stent. Again, I asked if it would hurt and he said “you will feel slight discomfort during the removal but all your symptoms you’ve been experiencing with the stent will go away immediately .” So I opted to do the removal that day. Given it was uncomfortable , I felt ok until an hour later when I got home. The pain I felt the day after surgery was back! It was unbearable. My husband drove me to the ER. They gave me some pain meds and the ER dr called my urologist. Who said this ” tell her I apologize, I should’ve warned her that there was a high risk she would feel pain a couple hours after the removal.” He also automatically assumed I had pain meds left over from the stent placement so that’s why he didn’t bother giving me anything during the removal. Uhh. Anyway, I wouldn’t recommened getting a stent unless it is deemed medically necessary. Nor would I trust any dr that says it doesn’t hurt. Hot Epsom salt baths, suppositorys, pain meds, and pyridum will be your best friend if you do go through the process. But being pregnant with a stent is the most uncomfortable and painful thing I have ever experienced in my life. I just hope after the baby is born and they can do a full work up on my kidney it won’t be so bad. I am definitely getting a new urologist.
OK had my stent removed the . Night before I prepared myself mentally and physically by taking some pain and volume medicine and reading some of the positive stories and experiences other’s had shared the morning of I took some anxiety medicine to help the anxiety the time finally arrived got into the doctors office and I was quickly ushered to the little room where the procedure was to take place the nurse explained the procedure and told me to drop the drawers and get county on the table as she applied the local anistethic numbing gel into my urethra this part was quick and pain free she left and returned with the doctor a few minutes later he explained what was going to occur without sugar coating he said it would be quick which it was but I would feel some pain while penetrating through an area to retrieve the stent it would hurt as though being punched in the face with that said he proceeded to enter my penis with the scope that was painless as I was numbed but but a few seconds later there was a very discomforting pain at that point he said that’s the part I was telling you about so knowing that was to be expected helped to know that there would be and end to the brief pain the pain happened once again briefly on the way out of the same area then it was over in under 30 seconds the pain was together about 8 seconds of those 30 seconds once the stent was removed there was some minor blood in the urine which was relieved by fluid intake the kidney and the ureatur had some healing to do so there was some discomfort associated but tolerable at the least.
Had my stent placed in yesterday after a cysocope proceedure to remove a large stone for me the operation was quick and pain free thanks to a good Dr. and staff my most moderate discomfort or significant pain was during my first two urination sessions a burning sensation was followed along with the simultaneous back discomfort due to the swollen kidney overall it was tolerable after I consumed more fluids the burning sensation continued to lessened however the kidney ache that accompanied seemed to have out lasted the burning sensation but eventually it to lessened as the fluid intake and the day progressed. I was prescribed pain and infection medications that may have helped. My suggestion is to get the urine flowing regular do not pound down large amounts of liquids or you may irritate the kidney and keep in mind the kidney must recover just have one to two 8 oz of fluids every hour to keep things moving nicely despite the burning trust me it gets easier the more you urinate but if you are to afraid and do not take in fluids you may make it worse because your risking that the blood will not dilute and may clog and become infected thus causing a higher level of pain or discomfort and you will have to urinate sooner or later anyways. Another thing try not to empty your kidney just cause you have the urge to pee wait until you have a full bladder that way it will dilute your blood quicker and thus lessen the discomfort or pain as it’s the blood that stings coming out as for the kidney after the swelling calms down it will be more tolerable. Tomorrow my stent is going to be removed in clinic using the small camera and clamp device I have read lot’s of horror stories not many positives so do a prayer in my direction and I shall let you know how it turns out best wishes to all of you and hope this helps someone.
Had my stent placed in yesterday after my endoscopy to remove a large stone for me the operation was quick and pain free thanks to a good Dr. and staff my most moderate discomfort or significant pain was during my first two urinations a burning sensation along with the simultaneous back discomfort due to the swollen kidney overall it was tolerable after I consumed more fluids the burning sensation continued to lessened however the kidney ache that accompanied seemed to have out lasted the burning sensation but eventually it to lessened as the day progressed. I was prescribed pain and infection medications that may have helped. My suggestion is to get the urine flowing regular do not pound down liquids just have one to two 8 oz of fluids every hour to keep things moving despite the burning trust me it gets easier the more you urinate if you are to afraid and do not take in fluids you will make it worse because your risking that the blood will not dilute and may clog and become infected thus causing you a higher level of pain or discomfort and you will have to urinate sooner or later anyways. Another thing try not to empty your kidney just cause you have the urge to pee wait until you have a full bladder that way it will dilute your blood quicker and thus lessen the discomfort or pain as it’s the blood that stings coming out as for the kidney after the swelling calms down it will be more tolerable. Tomorrow my stent is going to be removed in clinic using the small camera and clamp device I have read lot’s of horror stories not many positives so do a prayer in my direction and I shall let you know how it turns out best wishes to all of you and hope this helps someone.
just had the lithotripsy surgery last Friday. they put a stent in place with the dangle string. I am horrified to go to the doc office to have it taken out. I had the cystoscopy in the doc office prior and that was extreme pain and discomfort. I asked to be put out and he said no. so now I am horrified that I have to have this stent pulled out in the office with no anesthesia. I have always handled pain as well as any, but this seems over the hill for me. maybe I just demand that they use anesthesia???
I feel exactly as you do. I had the stent removed today and it was somewhat painful. What I’m struggling with is I’m in pain and quite a bit of it after I urinate for too long in my opinion. Was wondering if the same for you also. I know it’s a process but I’m concerned of my maybe an infection or something else.-Ed
hello
i had a big stone – 15.3 mm which is almost size of 1.6 cm stone and i had the procedure done – after the procedure had some pain while pee… and saw some blood for first couple for days but after that the pain was moderate and only little discomfort while pee… my stent was removed in 10 days and removal was just on he fly… no pain at all – between 1-10 scale i will say 1-2 thats it… it all depends on who is the doctor and how he is dealing with….
I just had a 3.5cm x 1 cm stone removed yesterday and i have a string stent in. I’m not in allot of pain right now but this stent is so irritating. I’m suppose too leave it in till Monday … I really want to pull it out now…. Did anyone go against drs orders and pull theres out sooner?
Hi,
i just had a stent put in yesterday an the removal isnt till thursday. the pain iam experiencing is extreme. iam already urinating blood clots an alot of blood an extreme pain/burning in the very tip when i urinate. I want it out i cant sleep, i wake up every few hours when the pain pills wear off. if i walk or move an especially when i urinate it feels like a knife is being twisted thru my back. Is this normal? i have the string an i have been debating taking it out. any suggestions? i cant go to work like this an i cant afford to miss work.
I had kidney failure. A few months after I got out of the hospital my right kidney started hurting so bad. I moved to TN to stay with my mom bc I was basically bed ridden. I saw a Nephrologist there for a couple months who told me the pain was all in my head even though my urine had microscopic blood and I had an infection every visit. Finally, he referred me to a Urologist, thank god. The first visit w/ the Urologist I just met with him. He asked me straight up, “Do you want pain management or I can look with a scope and see what’s going on”. I wanted to be out of pain, not managing it, so I went with the scope/surgery. The next time I saw that doctor, I was receiving anesthesia and going out. When I woke up, I had 2 stents down there and my kidney hurt soooo bad. They had to give me extra medicine and finally they just wouldn’t give me anything b/c they said I had too much. They didn’t give me a RX for anything. I was okay until about 30 minutes after I pulled my stents out. I did it myself and the pulling out wasn’t bad-it was peeing afterwards. Every time I urinated, my kidney hurt sooo bad and there was a lot of blood. Oh the URologist said there was a lot of scar tissue in my right ureter. So about 30 mins after I pulled the stent I had the worst pain ever come through my right kidney. IT felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife over and over again. This pain lasted about 8 hours. My mom slept in the bed with me and massaged me. I kept getting in and out of the bath. I was rolling with pain b/c it was horrible. I couldn’t even cry tears-it was BAD. So, the pain subsided for about 4 hours then came back with a vengeance late that night, early am. My mom lives in rural TN. She didn’t have any gas and all the gas stations were closed. I would have risked it, but she is a worry wart. Nobody took my pain seriously. Finally, when morning came I asked my sister’s husband to please give me a ride to the ER. It was horrible b/c as soon as he started the car, that horrible pain started again. I was doubling up in pain, and he said to me, “just try to ignore it”. Okay, Kidney pain is by far the worst type of pain I have ever had, and you guys will all understand, however it’s so hard when you have to go through real awful pain and people think your just overreacting. So, they gave me morphine, dilaudid, and finally a shot of tramadol I think and that worked. They gave me a prescription of that and my pain was gone. Now it’s been a couple of years and I feel flank pain again. Anyone ever had this happen? Let me know. Thanks.
I feel ur frustration. No one can explain the pain unless you’ve had kidney stones. My partner produced kidney stones due to overactive parathyroids. I found out after 20 operations over 3 years when I sought a 2nd opinion. Sad how the hospital system judges a book by it’s cover. Today he had surgery removing stent. It kills the after trauma. A camera, a hose and stones have scarred downstairs and kidney pain is real and painful. Stay strong. The urologist is a plumber that makes good dollars but may not fix the problem
I recently found out that I also have a parathyroid problem. I have had a history of stones over the past 6 years, but never knew why. The worst pain was in my kidneys, as I would get stones in either or. Then when passing them, a millisecond of intense agony. And everything seemed fine. Finally two weeks ago I had one. I waited 3 days thinking it would pass. Finally after not being able to eat, and only urinating blood, I went to the ER. The ran all the test, and discovered I had a 8mm stone in my right kidney. They gave me antibiotics, dilauded and fluids. After 2 nights in the hospital, they brought me to the OR. Performed a uertorscopic laser lithotripsy, and left a stent in there to help pass the broken stone. Now here I am after two weeks, hating every time I use the restroom. Pain before I start urinating and severe pain after I am done. Also burst of shooting pain randomly throughout the day. Mine doesn’t have the string, so it has to be removed by the Dr. And have to wait two weeks to get it removed. I decided to return to work after a weekend break. Pain level from 1-10 day to day 5. While peeing 30.
[…] NOTE 3/13/14- our previous survey on stent removal has been closed. You can see the results here. Look for future surveys on other pages on this […]
Unfortunately I am one of the folks that had horrible pain after stent removal. The procedure itself was not painful – just a bit uncomfortable because the doc had some trouble snagging the stent. About an hour afterwards I had flank and bladder pain that was as bad as the pain from the actual stone. A couple of vicodin and a two hour nap later, I feel better. The doc said I might feel pain for another day or so, so I am prepared to be cranky tomorrow too 🙂
Hello everyone I had my stint removed about 3 days now and im in so much pain should I go back to the hospital I’ve been thinking I should I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this pain..
My doctor told me if you get it removed or remove it by your self and it hurts almost as bad as when you actually had the stone or whatever that it’s possible the bladder or kidney was punctured and you should always definitely get this checked right away! So for future reference to other people with the same problem go to the ER after like 2 says of severe pain!
Had my kidney stent removed on Thursday and although the procedure was uncomfortable, the stone blockage was worse. Took pain medication left over from last lithotripsy (under the advice of the doctor) and that has helped, but after a couple of days I thought I was ready to just go without…NOT! It is now Sunday and without the pain medication the pain is pretty bad.
Perhaps more painful because the stent was encrusted with stones and pieces from being in place since June. Have passed large stones and pieces since the removal of the stent. At this point, it’s no longer painful to urinate. Trying to continue to drink at least 2-2 1/2 quarts of liquid daily.
Does anyone out there suffer from feeling bloated and stomach bothering them too? This seems to have been going on since the kidney stone issues have started.
29yo female here! Not a lot of ladies posting on this site so I thought I would share my experience for the worriers like me pre-visit. It took no time at all and was slightly uncomfortable having the stent removed at the urology clinic. I of course went in and put on the gown, cleaned up, and layed on a table. They used a gel lidocane to numb the area, inserted the camera and tiny grips, and pulled the stent out. It took less than a minute when they got down to business and really wasn’t that uncomfortable. Compared to a catheter and a stent i would gage this procedure as the easiest throughout the entire experience. There is an immediate relief when the stent is removed, I could walk easier and didn’t have that intense feeling of needing to use the bathroom all the time. The next couple days i had mild cramping in my lower abdomen and back that would come and go. It went away quickly for me if i downed a couple glasses of water at the first onset of pain.
I have read that taking supplements such as magnesium would aid in stone prevention and was quick to ask my doctor if that was legit. She said absolutely not to the supplements and my best defense for my stone type (calcium) was reduced animal proteins and drink 10 glasses of water/liquids a day.
I hope this was helpful 🙂
I have had the same exact experience. I got my stent removed yesterday and I’ve been having a dull ache that comes and goes in my flank area. Good to know you experienced that too and all was ok.
Thanks!
I am a 27y Male and had my stent removed recently (via string removal). For anyone who is about to go through this/has gone through this believe me when I say yes it’s uncomfortable as hell but it isn’t the pain staking processes some make it out to be (at least with string removal). This is my experience and others may be different but take it as you will and have comfort knowing it will get better.
1) Immediately during and shortly after removal you have a extremely unpleasant ‘hot’ feeling (mostly in your urethra) due to the stent snaking it’s way out of your body.
2) The sensation of having to consistently urinate like a man with a bad prostate will be with you for a good portion of the next 24 hours.
3) Difficulty passing urine and pain during urination will accompany the feeling of frequent urination.
4) No. 2&3 as it turns out are both caused by latent blood clots present as a result of the stent and will subside as these clots pass during urination. If this does not subside or number 3 increases to the point where urination is not possible, report to emerge due to a possible closure of the urethra however this is a rare occurrence and usually only occurs in patients that have preexisting scar tissue present in the urethra.
Drinking lots of water and reducing physical exertion will alleviate these symptoms and allow for quicker healing of the irritated tissues. Finally remember these first few days are the worst and it will get better as time goes on.
Hi Sean, I appreciate your coms. I got my string stent removed yesterday
28th nob 2014 and your experience is just like the same as mine. The only thing I would add is the pain when my penis gets hard (not something I wanted at this point, though)
Reading this has given me the feeling that I’m not alone in this journey of pain hell. We’ll get all well at the end. Regards from Norway from a Chilean guy.
As both a meical professional, and a stone suffer, I “feel” your pain. Most health care workers are very sympathetic, even empathetic, to their patients discomfort. The reality, we don’t live in a pain free world. Concerns of pain can be addressed, lidocaine, and opioids given, but totally pain free surgical care does not , yet, exists! Wish it did! That said, pain is an indicator of change from normal function. It can be appropriately alarming, demanding immediate intervention, ie touching a hot stove resulting in injury, or indicating a non injurious change from normal. Pain is enhanced by emotion. Fear increases pain. Knowledge, and reassurance of non permanent damage, as a result of pain, can help alleviate its intensify. Have you experienced a shot in the arm, or else where , which was not discomforting, following a slap or pinch to the arm just prior to being stuck? Distraction sometimes helps block painful signals. Point. Stuff hurts in life, all pain does not mean injury, knowledge reduces fear and discomfort! But dame the stent does hurt..for a second, Sorry!
Had the stent removed and wow that was hard. It starts with the nurse pitching your penis and then inserting lidocan a numbing agent it’s kinda weird and cold I have no idea how to say how uncomfortable this is also painful but be strong and breathable lite. You will not die so just go through it easily by relaxing its painful move with a good attitude it’s hard believe me. Just do it. They then stick something inyounand you feel like you have to urante do that and it comes out its again uncomfortable and painful I have know idea how this other guy did it himself what a i can’t believe it I want to look at this guy and maybe see a animal or something how could you do that to your self and say its ok I would have made both of my eyes black and blue. Anyway it’s nuts and become healthy and never have to do this again.
Much love good luck and call me I can guide you through the pain and misery and help you deal. I’m in post stent removal pain right now it hurts and comes in waves take the pain meds and I add a extra over the counter one as well.
I’m so sorry for you and don’t worry we didn’t die so life goes on understand that and respect the pain you’ll be find. Get me on the green mile.
If you have to go through the stent procedure again ask your urologist if instead you can receive a stent with a removal thread. This removes the requirement for a local anesthetic (Lidocan) and is so not invasive it only involves the Dr. gently but quickly pulling the thread in a linear movement and by the time you even realize what is going on it’s over and you can go home. I personally had a longer hello with the Dr. than it took to remove the stent. This process is relatively painless and the only after symptoms are minor and akin to the early symptoms of having the stent inserted (bladder/urethra irritation, pain when urinating, slight amount of blood clots present in urine) all of which pass in as early as an evening.
I just pulled out my stent last night, and while it was not pleasant, it was not as bad as it could have been. Here are a few tips on removing the stent:
1. Take your pain medications before starting to dull the sensation and to help yourself relax.
2. Do it in the shower under warm water to help you relax (and see no. 3).
3. Build up a good full bladder and begin to urinate as you pull out the stent. This was the most important part in my opinion. The relaxation of the sphincter muscles, plus the sensation of the urine flowing through the urethra made the initial pulling pain/discomfort much more tolerable.
4. If you are male, pull it out at a slightly upward angle from horizontal while you are standing. If you google for a cross-section diagram of the path of the urethra inside your body, it seems that pulling horizontally or slightly angled up will minimize bends in your urethra and therefore will minimize the sidewall pressure on the inside of the urethra as the stent and thread are pulled.
Again, No. 3 was probably the biggest help for me. Just begin to urinate, and the tension on the thread/stent will loosen. Just continue to pull at a constant rate, and it should not take more than a few seconds and you’re done!
Hope this helps anyone who is nervous about pulling it out.
That’s just crazy I’m in so much pain I have no idea what you are. Your a machine man wow you should do like ultimate warrior just fight for a living you can take the hardest pain every bow down
I wouldn’t tell people to do it your way go see a doctor. Are you in pain mine is coming in waves call me I would love to talk to you
xxx-xxxx (number removed by editors)
I’m a nice guy and you are just putting my mind and body into shock please contact me
Ok no idea where to start. This is all a very painful experience sorry for the scare but there is good news. Become healthy and work this with action. Until then call fam and friends if you don’t have any call me xxx-xxxx (number removed by editors) I feel for anyone who will or has gone through this . Mine lasted 6 days before removing and it’s not over then. The blood the pain the shakes are only felt by others who have had this. I’m so grateful I was able to read so many cases of pain makes you feel your not alone. I tell people it’s a single tear every time you urinate after its done i can’t believe the uncomfortableness the pain is just while you going the thing after is a whole other response that the body has no idea how to really understand. But be strong. Hears my story and situ
Had the stone attack at 7am. Woke up with a bent back in the most uncomfortable pain. Went to urgent care got flo max pain meds nausea pills and a strong anti inflammatory naproxen.
This whole time I’m waiting to pass stone drinking 2 gallon water with 24 oz of squeezed Lemon juice.
So from Saturday till about Tuesday was hell but I thought it might pass Wednesday
Nope it did not horrible feeling I was me tally prepared too but no sunshine. Talk to the doc and he said let’s give it two more days before surgically removing it.
Now the pain begins but there’s a light but its the last stretch of pain. Plus a stent which is a whole other pain after urinate you can feel it get tight in you lower back as it moves and the blood is just another indicated of how much suffer your in. 1 tear every bathroom session sometimes two. Waiting to get it removed. I’m not a doc or know anything about the medical industry I can just tell you get ready for a life changing experience full of pain and suffering but hopefully you can use this to help make your self healthy.
Truth