What is a stent?
Ureteral stents are soft, hollow, plastic tubes placed temporarily into the ureter to allow drainage around a stone or to speed healing after a stone surgery
When are they needed?
Stents are used for various reasons in patients with kidney stones. They may be placed in patients to help reduce pain from a stone, when infection is present to allow drainage, or when a stone is preventing a kidney from working adequately. Stents are also commonly placed after surgeries for stones, as in ureteroscopy, to allow healing and prevent swelling of the ureter.
How is a stent placed?
Stents are placed during surgery by sliding them over a soft “guidewire” which is placed up the ureter, which is the tube draining the kidney. See a video below of a stent being placed.
How is a stent removed?
Stents can be removed in two different ways. Sometimes, a string is left attached to the end of the stent. This string is allowed to come out of the patient’s urethra, the tube where he or she urinates. The string can be used to pull on the stent and remove it. In cases where a string is not left attached, a small camera called a cystoscope is inserted into the patient’s urethra after numbing medication has usually been administered. The cystoscope is then advanced into the bladder and the stent is grasped with an instrument and removed. See our post on stent removal for a video and more details.
How long can a stent stay in?
In general, most stents should only remain in for no longer than 3 or so months. If a stent is left in too long, it can form stones directly on it, making removal difficult.
What are the symptoms of having a stent?
While some patients with stents have minimal discomfort related to them, other patients will report symptoms that can range from being annoying to being severe enough that the stent has to be removed. These symptoms can include:
- Sensation of needing to urinate
- Seeing blood in the urine
- Bladder spasms
- Burning sensation during urination
- Pain in the back during urination or when moving
- Pain in the bladder
Is there anything that can help reduce the discomfort of a stent?
Different medications may be given to help reduce the discomfort of a stent. The most effective appears to be those from the alpha blocker class of medications including tamsulosin (Flomax) and Alfuzosin (Uroxatral). Other types of medications commonly given for stent discomfort, such as oxybutynin (Ditropan) or phenazopyridine (Pyridium), do not appear to be successful at reducing stent related discomfort in placebo controlled studies. Traditional pain medications are also less successful at reducing stent discomfort.
Hasn’t anyone come up with a better stent?
Research into improving stent designs will hopefully reduce the discomfort associated with them. Innovative stent designs currently being tested include stents embedded with medications to reduce discomfort and stents that dissolve by themselves.
Had a stone removed from the right distal ureter 9/22 via uretoscopy and a stent placed . The stent was removed yesterday. The stent was a bother in that it gave me similar symptoms of the stone, frequent urination, urgency, groin ache. The dr. said the
urinary urgency feeling would most likely resolve in 24-48 hrs. after removal. What are your experiences with urgency after stent removal? I’m not feeling very optimistic right now.
I’m still having right hip/flank pain 3 years after the 2 kidney stone surgeries. I sometimes have painful urination & pain during morning intercourse which has affected my relationship. I asked the urologist a month or 2 after the last procedure if the stent was removed and he said yes. He didn’t know why I was still in pain & seemed to disregard my concerns. I have had many, many issues since those 2 surgeries & I feel it’s caused me to develop several allergies or intolerance to foods.
I have been dealing with pain related to a huge kidney stone stuck in my ureter since July and I hopefully had my last surgery yesterday. (laser -no sound waves) I even had to have a nephrostomy tube in for about a month. I am on my last stent till 3 weeks from now. I am either in discomfort, severe pain or high on pain medicines. No in-between, if I start feeling okay and then start walking or moving around too much I am back to the pain. I will be ensuring follow up Urology appoint’s to avoid any further occurrences of this pain. I can’t wash dishes, walk dog, exercise, and no shopping. I had one doctor tell me “I should not be in any pain”. I wish I can stick some tubes/stents in him 🙂
Hi. Had a stent placed after stone removal on 9/19/14 & it will be removed 9/29/14. Here’s the thing: I have a ureterceole (ceole for short). After removal of stent how will my ceole react? Since it shacked up with a foreign object for over week, will my ceole be swollen, pained? I have a predisposition for UTIs, but getting antibiotics from my urologist is like pulling teeth. I only had one ER visit during this stent fandango. Should I be worried? Am I to expect healing time from ceole reaction towards stent & stent removal? have a duplicated system for what its worth. Anyone else has gone through stenting & ceole? Right kidney woes
I’m 65 and in shape and I got my stent the day after I ended up in the emergency room for severe back pain–six weeks ago. I have a congenital blockage. The stent itself was an annoyance–couldn’t drain my bladder, severe burning, blood in the urine, urges to pee immeidately and other irritating sensations. Fact is, I could feel the stint in my bladder and back. And, I was constipated for 3-4 days and felt like everytime I wanted to empty my bladder I want to pooo. However, the annoyance was better than the pain and did leave me fully functional most of the time. It couldn’t have occurred at a worse time, one week before scheduled vacations–11 days of backpacking in the WInd River Mountains, followed by a week of rest and an 8 day climbing trip. I got through the backpacking trip with relatively minor discomfort but 2 days after I returned I had a major flareup of pain that completely immobilized me mentalllity–too much pain to function. The medication (narcotic) seem to cut it and after a day I was ok again and went to work without being medicated. After the 8 days of climbing, I had another flareup of pain which lasted two days and required medication intervention. For the next two weeks, things calmed down though I was working out 2 days a week for a couple of hours. I was tring some moderation now that the vacotiosn were over. I still had all the annoying irritation, infrequent blood in my urine, urges to pee immediately, burning in my penis and something invading my body. I had the stent removed yesterday to prepare for surgery in 10 days. My relief was immediae of syptoms of irritation, pressure to pee, feeling the stint was immediate though I have been told to expect some sside effects. Except, It did again traumatize my urethra so the buring was intense and the urge to pee immediate but today, everything feels normal–amazing. Not looking forward to the surgery (robotic pyeloplasty) and having hte stent put back in for a month.
Oh my 🙁 I’m so glad that I did not read any of your comments before I had my left ureter ‘re-bored’ and a stent inserted last Friday! I was awake during the whole procedure, having had a spinal anaesthetic, and I must say I found the whole thing utterly fascinating. There my love affair ends…………
I can no longer pee without vomiting, due to the excruciating pain and the feeling that the entire contents of my pelvis is going to ‘follow through’ with the urine trickle 🙁 And although I feel as though my bladder is fit to burst, my total output is never anymore than 100ml! I am drinking loads of fluids to ‘flush’ my system through, but due to the pain/vomit problem, not much of the fluid is actually getting to its intended destination 🙁 I am using Diclofenac pessaries and paracetamol/codeine capsules for pain relief with not a lot of success. The only thing that really had any effect was the morphine they gave me in hospital. I have got some to use at home, but don’t really want to get dependent on it so am trying to manage without it, but am in so much pain! Am I being silly not to take it? Advice please……….
Honestly I would take whatever pain medication you can to manage it! I’ve had a stent in for 3 weeks, but since I am pregnant my pain management options are very limited and I would kill to be able to take something stronger to take this pain away. Or at least take the edge off a little. Just take the Morphine as prescribed, and if you were given a large dose, talk to your doctors about how to taper is off once you start running out if you are worried about dependence. If you can help your pain, you should 🙂
One thing that has helped is a heating pad c
I had sugery For days ago and the stent is the worst part. I feel like im passing a stone all the time and walking makes it even worse. The doc only did one side. I get the stent taken out in 7 more day and have to scheduled surgery for the right side. So i get to have a stent for another two weeks.
Had a stone stuck in my left ureter about six weeks ago. Had to go to ER and have a stent put in. Then had to go have lythotripsi again. Dr went to pull the stent and found another stone so could not pull it. Had to go back to the hospital, have the stent removed, had the stone laser blasted and removed, and another stent put in. He put in one with a string this time although the string did not hang out, I could feel it in there and it wicked fluid out. Went in the day after the laser work and the doctor found the string inside “the tip” and pulled it out. Hurt like crap for about three seconds but then was all over. I was out stone cold for all stent insertions and the laser work. I could feel the stent in there the whole time though. I didn’t even know they could get the tools they used into the places they got them using the only available opening until it happened. Most interesting for sure. I am stone and pain free now and hopefully for a long time to come.
I have suffered from chronic, recurrent kidney stoned for over 4 years. About 3 1/2 years ago my urologist decided that the large and frequent stones were damaging my kidneys and ureters so it was decided that I would have stents for the rest of my life. Every 6 months I have lithotripsy, a cystoscopy and a new stent reinserted. My last surgery (my 7th stent to date) was at the end of July. After each surgery, the pain caused from the stent varies greatly, from no pain; manageable pain; to extreme pain that limits my quality of life greatly. My current stent is by far, the most painful one to date. I am unable to walk even a short distance, vomit several times a day due to the pain and have large quantities of blood in my urine. Last week it got so bad that I had a clot form in the stent ( I must also note that I suffer from a blood clotting disorder that makes me prone to clot formation) and had to be admitted to the hospital for several days. I truly wish that there was another option, as the pain is unbearable and pain meds do nothing except add to the already present nausea and vomiting.
Well, after reading your post, I have officially decided to stop whining and feeling sorry for myself. My stint is one of the uncomfortable ones like your new one. I think it’s rubbing inside my bladder and I think that might be the difference from one to another (position against the bladder wall). My urologist is going after the 10 mm stone in another 9 days but it’s been a LONG few weeks. I’m sure you’ve been worked up for a parathyroid tumor but thought I’d throw that out there just in case. Reading a bit of vegetarianism and the 50% reduction in stones. I think it’s worth a try. I have about 15 stones right now and no idea why I’m forming.
A few weeks ago, I ended up in hospital with awful flank pain, that turned out to be kidney stones. I have three 8mm stones that cannot be passed without surgery/blasting, so they inserted a stent to relieve the swelling for the time being. However, I am pregnant, and they can’t do anything about the stones until I give birth (which could be 1-4 weeks from now).
Unfortunately, I am struggling a bit here wondering when I should go back to the hospital, because my pain has gotten worse. I know the stent wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, and I was told upfront it would be uncomfortable, but the symptoms mimicking a UTI (was tested just yesterday for one, came back negative) are awful. The constant urge to pee, the pain while urinating, the burning and stinging right at my urethra, I can’t deal with this for another few weeks. I feel like I can’t even leave the house, I stand up and have to pee, I finish peeing and walk out of the bathroom and my urethra is burning and I go sit back on the toilet.
Is this normal? I don’t want to waste my time going back to emerg (I say that because my Urologist isn’t able to take me in for 2 weeks, so this way he would see me at least in emerg at the local hospital) if they end up telling me it’s all normal and I just have to live with it. But my fear is maybe it’s dislodged somehow, or something is wrong with the stent, but it’s been in 3 weeks now and the past week pain as gotten a lot worse than it ever was.
The baby also kicks and presses up against my bladder/ureter, and the pain is excruciating when he does this, so perhaps he has dislodged the stent somehow?
If anyone can tell me if this is normal or not to be so incredibly uncomfortable 24/7, that would be great!
I don’t know if you have had any responses to your post but I have had stents on a number of occasions and, unfortunately, what you describe is what I’ve experienced 24/7. I went back to my urologist about a week or so after having my last stent inserted as the pain and needing to urinate urgently and frequently was very distressing and I too thought maybe the stent had displaced but it hadn’t. I pleaded to have it removed but consultant said no as it was a necessary evil. That said you should, of course, have it checked out, especially as you’re pregnant. Will the stent be in situ during labour? Hope all is well.
Thank you for your reply Denise!
I did go back to the doctors and unfortunately, as you know, it is just “normal” to be in this much pain with these stents. It’s been 3 weeks now, and often feels like it is getting worse. The burning and stinging sensation after urination is the worst part for me. I definitely heard the same thing, that is a “necessary evil”!
So the stent should be removed once the baby arrives according to the doctors, they are trying to plan it so during the csection, the urologist can come in after and remove the stent and then blast the remaining stones! So hopefully it all works out, but sadly I think it’ll be a few more weeks of pain dealing with this.
I also find that when I walk too much, when I decide to venture out for a bit (barely a two block walk for instance), it becomes worse and more unbearable and results in more blood in my urine. Damn these things!
I have had a kidney stent for 1 month now, and it is so uncomfortable, both sitting and standing. I feel like my insides are falling out. Urination is horrible, stinging, burning. Can’t get comfortable. Can’t walk very far without pain. Constant urge to urinate. Blood in urine. Supposed to get it out on Sept 26, 8 more days to go. If I could pull it out myself, I would. I really need relief. Any comments on what to do? I can’t take anything with aspirin as I need another surgery on the 26th. I feel like I am going crazy!
Did you find anything that helped ? I hope you’re feeling better . I have a lot of pain and I feel like I can’t do anything without feeling sharp pain .
My dad suffers from kidney stones. He is hospitalized right now. Lithotripsy will be done sometime this week. A stent is being placed in before then. What does the stent do?
Thanks in advance for your response.
Had a stent placed this past Tuesday (9.9) after two stones were removed. It just fell out! I am delighted. Most uncomfortable 5 days I have ever spent. Bladder spasms and frequency and pain at the kidney area. I will NEVER have one inserted again…..this was my first experience with stones and I hope my last.
I just had my kidney stone removed 6 hrs ago i was told it was 6.4 in size and got released from hospital and have a appt in 5 days to have my stent removed is it normal when siting to feel like you always have to pee and peeing blood urine alot ? if so how.long does the bloody urine last for ?
I had a stent put in my right kidney down to the bladder. First night was uncomfortable but pain meds made it tolerable. Was also given rx to help with painful, burning urination, but it gave me bad headache so I stopped taking it. On antibiotics for a few days, stent comes out in two weeks. I am a little tired…..not much energy, but able to go about my day without too much pain. I take extra strength Tylenol and that seems to work. I will be glad when this comes out, but not looking forward to the actual removal. All things considered……I can handle it. Sorry for those who have had such pain.
I had a stent placed after I had surgery to remove a kidney stone I couldn’t pass. (14 yrs ago I had surgery to remove kidney stones that were too large for me to pass & a stent placed, everything went fine back then). This time around it was horrible. After surgery to remove the stones & a stent placed I was released from the hospital 2 days later (I was told I had scar tissue that made passing stones nearly impossible. I hadn’t known once you’ve had stones you’re more likely to get them). Anyway, when I got home the pain was terrible (I had my 1st daughter natural & this pain was worse). Even with the pain meds, I couldn’t get comfy, the feeling of needing to urinate was constantly there & when I managed to, only a little bit would come out & the pain had me gasping. I started feeling worse, the pain got to be too much & started running a low fever. I was taken back to the hospital where the urologist immediately had the stent removed. For some reason my body didn’t “cope w/a foreign object in my body.” They ended up having tO do a nephrostomy tube placement (a tube is inserted into your kidney & ran to the outside of my back to a collecting bag to drain urine from my kidney), I spent 5 days in the hospital for this. The tube was removed on the 5th day & now 6 days from being discharged I feel great. The few days after being discharged, I got winded easily & urinating was a TINY bit uncomfortable.
All I can say is that my urologist said it was a good thing I came in when I did. My right kidney should heal well. I’m so sorry for all the pain several of you have gone through or currently going through. IF you have a stent placement, the pain gets worse or you get flu like symptoms, PLEASE go straight to the ER. I truly hope those that have left comments & who are dealing w/kidney stones, I hope you have a safe & speedy recovery.
I have Two stents in one urter .they was replacing them that one had stones so He waited to do in two weeks In offce but missed apt.have to wait another week .will I be ok? Will I get sick?
I have two stints in one cause during surgery had stones .he said would take out in week but its been more then two weeks will I get sick or will I be ok?
I required a stent recently because of a small narrow section in my ureter. The surgery to remove the narrow section was the day after the insertion, but the day OF the insertion was really awful. I was very very sick, throwing up my pills and having to retake them, unable to urinate or make bowel movements, and stuck with terrible pain. Luckily, after the surgery, life with the stent was generally okay except for the inability to walk longer than a few minutes without uncomfortable tingling in the penis, and the same tingling when finishing urinating.
I wanted to ask though, how does everybody else feel about the insertion and removal of the stent? It seems for many people it’s overshadowed by the pain of having the stent and they don’t even mention it. But by far the worst part of the process for me was having that camera-tube inserted and pushed through my bladder. The doctors all said that I would feel “a little discomfort” when that happened. A little discomfort, my ass. It is the single most painful thing I have ever experienced, and I cannot BELIEVE they only give you local anesthetic for it. Which, by the way, hardly seemed to help, but I don’t want to imagine what it would feel like if it WAS working and I’m just ignorant of what it would feel like otherwise…Even the following surgery was hardly anything compared to it, because of course, I was asleep the whole time! The four scars on my belly never gave me even a fraction of a fraction of the pain of stent insertion/removal. If I ever have to have it done again, I’m going to insist being put under. Does anyone else hate this procedure as much as I’ve come to despise it?
Hi Peter,
I was under anesthetic for the insertion of the stent, so I can’t comment there. My stent had a string attached and the removal was truly no problem. The doctor asked me to cough three times, and by the third cough, it was out! There was no pulling or tearing, it seemed to slip out easily as she pulled the string. I felt some immediate relief from the constant pressure of the stent, but still had residual back pain.
HOWEVER, your’s is the first comment I have read to mention CONSTIPATION. I was struggling with constipation from the day one of the surgery to remove the kidney stones and insert the stent. I took some mild laxatives from about day 3 through day 7, post-surgery, with no relief. On day 7, about 12 hours after my stent was removed, I was able to move my bowels three times in about an hour with some straining. After that, I had about 3 hours of pain that was more intense than any that had preceded. In retrospect, perhaps the straining triggered spasms. If so, they were intense.
Thank God I had prescription Norco. I took one, which seemed to have no effect. After 45 minutes I took another as well as 3 Ibuprofen. Relief started to take place about 2 hours later, and I finally was able to fall asleep. Today, it’s 24 hours past stent removal and I feel good. I think everyone should be prepared for the CONSTIPATION that may accompany a procedure and add to the pain factor. Good luck to you. Susan D.
I just removed my stent a few hours ago after having had surgery to remove a large stone in my left kidney last Thursday. I was fortunate as my surgeon put me completely under for the procedure. The string hanging out of my penis for 5 days was probably the most annoying thing I have ever had to deal with. My pain meds that I took just prior to pulling it out have worn off and my left kidney hurts a great deal. Waiting for a new round of meds to kick in. If the pain stays this severe through the remaining 4 hours of my shift, I will likely be going to the ER (VA hospital ER functions as a walk-in clinic here).
Removing the stent itself did not hurt. It was just a very unique sensation that I don’t ever want to repeat. Doing it myself left me with a feeling of severe accomplishment. Everyone that I knew that was aware of the stent having to come out said they’d never do it themselves.
I just got my stent out today and what a relief! Sadly, this is not the first time for me but the first time I was awake for the removal. I was prepared for massive pain and took a Percocet about 90 minutes before I got there. Surprisingly, it was not a big deal. I had a tether and, confirming what Shaun said, it was annoying as hell for the 5 days it was in….getting it caught and tugged by clothing or zippers is not fun…hurts and a little scary too.
A medical student did the removal (probably the hundredth person to see my penis in the last week) and, while it wasn’t painful at all, as Shaun said, it was “a very unique sensation that I don’t ever want to repeat”. I told the clinicians that if there was something that was the opposite of a bucket list, then this was on it. I was so relieved, I decided to celebrate and stopped for one beer on the way back from the doctor’s office (the perc had long since worn off). Bad idea! Even though I used the rest room before I left, I ended up peeing myself on the short drive home…so the urge to pee is still strong and sudden…a compulsion, as it were…and there was no place to stop and deal with it. I should have known better. Thank goodness I was alone and no one saw me…I would have never heard the end of it from my “sympathetic” family, lol.
Anyway, the first time I had the stent which was 4 years ago, I had it in for almost 3 months. I had forgotten how unpleasant it was. In a nutshell, “constant, frequent, painful, compulsive, urination” as well as a constant 24/7 painful pinching/rubbing feeling in my side. I was fortunately able to work from home otherwise I would have been on medical leave as I needed to be close to a rest room and have immediate access…when you have to go you HAVE TO GO!
I also needed to be on painkillers 24/7 just to get through the day and get some sleep at night. As soon as that stent was out, I thought, great, no need for these anymore and stopped cold turkey. Another big mistake.. Even though all they did was make me feel almost normal, I apparently developed a physiological addiction. Didn’t realize why I was being such a jerk, irritable, etc. and also constantly bouncing my leg, etc. but after a few days I figured it out (well, actually my wife did, she was ready to throw me out). I went back on the painkillers and then just tapered off on my own, halving the dose every 2nd or third day until I was done. If you are in the same situation, long term on painkillers, be aware that you will need to deal with it once the stent is out…and your doctor may or may not remember to tell you. Also, my cost per bottle was less than a dollar (my Rx plan is pretty good, I guess) and they were almost giving them out like candy. Crazy. Anyway, I guess I realized that the reason people get hooked on them isn’t because they get you high (at least it didn’t work that way for me) but because it is so hard to stop taking them and go through the withdrawal process. So please be careful.
I am able to go on them for very short periods with out getting addicted and had to take them this time..but just for 5 days. I had completely forgotten all about what a bad experience it was…I guess it is similar to what women experience with childbirth…selective amnesia about the pain (otherwise there would be a lot of one-child households out there, lol). I went through what I experienced the first time but shorter term…which included only getting short periods of sleep before I had to get up and urinate (and whimper from the pain). Fortunately I was able to get back to sleep and also that I took the week off and could lie around and recuperate during the day too if I was tired.
Anyway, this is no picnic and I wish all of you the best. I hope not to join your ranks again but this is my third trip down this path and each time the change of recurrence gets even higher. Be strong!
Hi Peter,
I was put under general anesthesia for the insertion of my stent (Thank God!!) It was put in on Wed 09/11/14 and I still have it and the pain is UNBEARABLE!!!! I can’t eat, the nausea is awful and just the smell of food makes me gag. I have been on clear liquids since the day after my admission for my kidney stone on 09/09/14 and you are correct I spend more time retaking meds because of vomiting then I would like.
I seem to have this awful feeling of “fullness” in my belly and chest and I cannot have a BM to save my life! The last one was just before being discharged. I have tried everything from MOM, to softeners, so I don’t know if it it a common thing or not but it sucks and I get so winded just from walking from one end of the house to the other. I baffels me how this is all supposed to be “normal”
I’m supposed to have lipthotripsy some time in the next few days or possibly next week but I don’t know how much longer I can take being this uncomfortable. I can’t sleep, eat, poop and the meds they give you doesn’t even begin to make a dent in the pain. So, you are definitaly not alone in how you were feeling because I’m going thru it right now 🙁 ….
I hope it all just goes away when they finally put me back out and pull this damn thing out!!!!
Hi Peter and Barbara, I had my stent placed on 9/12 for a stricture of my ureter. I to had troubles with constipation and the awful fullness feeling hated it. Wasn’t able to work as walking for any distance was horrible and wore me out.
Had my stent removed today and was told that I could get spasms as a result. They weren’t kidding. Have had 3 different episodes of so much pain its unreal. Last one took 2 norco and 2 advil and a hot shower to finally tame it down. Hope this goes away soon. Another one like that might send me to the ER. Good luck..
i had 2 splint put in yesterday, had no idea was getting into. This my first experience other than having children, with any emergency medical procedure or kidney stones.
The natural need for my body to continue to try and push this item makes sense. I am surprised that there isn’t a muscle relaxer or something that they could suggest to prevent the body from trying to push this out. Or just the cramping alone. I would try a hot water bottle but don’t want any pressure on my stomach. I’ll be glad to get these out.
What’s the length of a stent?
Mine looked to be about 18″ total. I guess it would vary depending the size of the individual in question.
Is it normal to be in constant agony in my back and front? I am struggling to cope with the pain of the stent
I suppose that depends on your pain level (1-10 with 10 being the most amount of pain you’ve ever endured). Mine hurt but not so much that I was in agony. Granted, I was pretty well medicated between having had surgery and my normal pain medication regimen.
I would consult with your Urologist.
Kate, I understand. It’s not easy.
I have bi-lateral disease and when a child I passed stones but no one knew it and the doctor told my parents I had the flu. I had to pass stones and deal with the pain with no pain meds. 🙁
I am an adult now and I currently have one of my bazillion stones stuck in my right ureter it is 1.8 cm in length and .8 cm in height. Pretty big stone– size of a dime. I am currently waiting for a surgeon since it was the holiday weekend.
I have had stents with no pain and stents with horrific backlash pain after urinating. I am not looking forward to the stent. Sometimes they remove the stone and other times they break it up first and then remove it depending on the size of it.
I hope you feel better!
Sherry,
I am sorry that you’re in so much pain. I’ve just recently had a very similar size stone removed from my left kidney last Thursday. They went in via my Urethra with a laser to break the stone up, used another tool that my Urologist described as a net to remove the pieces and the other stones in that kidney, and then put a stent in.
I am feeling more pain now that the stent is out (removed it myself about 6 hours ago) than I did with one.
hii.. my mom got 2 ureter calculi of size 0.7cm on right side and 2 ureter calculi of size 0.9 cm on left side.. she underwent a procedure 5 days back on her right side and stents were placed in both right and left ureters.. is it possible to place a stent in the left ureter without removing the calculi in it ?????
I have a blockage in my right ureter that the radiologist says is not a stone. But possibly a urothelial lesion and I am scheduled for a cystogram with retrograde and my Dr. Is gonna biopsy the lesion and place a stent. Now after reading these stories I’m fearful. :(. Dr. Says maybe couple days of work. I hope I dont have any problems..
Dear Jeri,
Try not to obsess over having the stent. Everybody tolerates them differently. Be sure you get clear instructions from your doc after your procedure as to how to manage pain and what to be aware of. Plan on taking a few days off of work or school. No lifting or heavy activity. Some people are off work until the stent is removed. I went back to work yesterday, with stent in. I have a desk job so it wasn’t bad with Ibuprofen. Today I had stent removed. Some instant relief, but was told I will have spasms for about 24 hours, then it will be all good.
The stent caused me discomfort. Peeing was uncomfortable because of spasms. I was supposed to receive prescription pain meds before I left the hospital, but did not. So, I took 3 Ibuprofen every 4 hours. This helped tremendously to keep the pain at bay. Ask for help, keep your mind occupied, and take pain meds. You will get through it. Susan D.
Thanks Susan, the stent placement wasnt to terrible. They found I had a stricture and needed my stent in place for 10 days. I went back to work for 3 then could not tolerate the walking and constant movement as my job is very physical. My doctor pulled me back out of work until today when he removed the stent. Now I’m dealing with the spasms after removal. I hope they only last no more than 24 hours as they are very painful. Took a hot shower 2 norco and 2 advil to tame the last one. Thanks for your recent reply.
This is the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. Have called an ambulance 2x to take me to the ER for “pain management”. I pray to God that once this is over it never happens again. I have taken alot of unpaid time off of work because of this so it is costing me money and I have financial obligations. That’s why I work! Not cool.
I left out that I current have a stent in my ureter which was put in this past Thursday. I had a sonic thing supposedly breaking up the stone a month ago but a month later still having problems so went under anesthesia again for the stent to be put in a supposed “removal” of the stone. The thing is I heard the urologist after I came out of surgery saying she used a laser on it vs. manually removing it which was what I thought I was going under for. When I talked to her husband who is also a urologist he said “She removed the stone”. So I am not sure who is telling the truth. I just urinated and saw alot of blood. Did some online research and intermittent bleeding is not uncommon with a stent. I go back this Wednesday to have the stent removed and would like some answers re: “She removed the stone” vs. overhearing her tell someone she used a laser on it.
Kate,
I underwent laser lithotripsy yesterday for them to break up the stones in my kidney. I woke up and they told me they had removed them altogether. My guess is that it was an audible once they got in there to do the procedure. I would call your doctor and ask them specifically if they user the laser or took them out.
I also had a stent put in on my left side, and it is excruciating. When I was in recovery yesterday they asked my pain level and I said 10/10 and it was almost as if they didn’t believer. It feels like I’m passing a stone that won’t go away. It’s debilitating and I was told I could go back to work the day after surgery but all that helps is pain meds that make me unable to drive.
Hang in there and it will get better. The good news if they did remove your stone is that it can get analyzed to see what in your diet is creating them so you can avoid that in the future.
Hi Kate,
Had a stent put in 27th July removal surgery 27th Aug was cancelled due to lack of beds. Rebooked for THIS FRIDAY! 12th Sept. I have found that the more pain I’m in the more likely there will be blood in urine. So Yes I’ve had blood in urine most of the time. I’ve also had a bladder infection. Thank god for Curerash cream the pee burns ! Warm baths with 1/4 cup of salt I’ve found gives me some relief I’ve been having a couple a day. My best tip is to use baby wipes every time you pee Johnson & Johnson gentle on skin the coldness of the wipes is a bonus ( or should I say relief) I’ve also been using the wipes to apply the curerash cream makes it easier to rub the cream in. I’m also taking a medication for bladder spasms they have helped greatly. Good luck to you Sue
I’d like to know as well how long is a kidney stent mine feels like a metre long ha ha
Hi I’ve had a stent in from 13th August, I’m not due to have it out till 9th October. I’ve had an infection so had meds, I’ve been in constant pain since I came out of hospital for laser break up of right hand stone. When I go back in I’m having a left hand stone done same way. All I can say is I’ve never had this much pain before and I’m really not looking forward to the left one done. I can’t see me being right till Christmas. It’s a shame that in the 20th century there isn’t a better way of dealing with these stones and also a shame that what ever pain relief we take it doesn’t help.