No matter how you look at it, ureteral stents suck; pardon my colloquialism. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your personal experiences, one stent will almost always feel different from the next. One doctor can place one type and size of stent in you several times, with the string in or out each time, and for whatever reason each experience will be different, and by "experience" I mean pain.
One stent may have you reeling in pain every time your bladder has been fully emptied, another will leave you with a constant burning feeling in your urethra, one will feel like it stabs you everytime you sit down, and yet another will cause only a slight burning sensation when you pee, but it will be totally tolerable.
Then of course people with cystinuria have the added burden of having cystine crystals encrust the stent if left in too long (a.k.a normal length of time for most people), which will eventually increase the daily pain, and add pain upon removal. The only cure for this is leaving it in for a shorter amount of time, which your doc might not like.
Many doctors are quick to prescribe narcotic pain medication to patients who just underwent a procedure that called for a stent placement after, such as stone removals, but the truth is, you shouldn't need strong pain medication for more than the first 24 hours. There are other medications that are quick to take 80%+ of the pain away, but not all urologists prescribe these medications. Self education is hugely important in this area, especially in times when we only have fellow stent users to rely upon.
Before you undergo surgery for a stent placement, ask your doctor for two medications: Pyridium and Detrol LA. These two drugs affect two different points of pain.
Pyridium is a dye that comes in pill form. When introduced into the urinary tract, it acts as a numbing substance, and while it doesn't completely deaden the stinging, it makes a huge difference. In fact, it's almost inhumane to not take it. After my last stent, my nurse said I could take it up to three times a day. I started at three, and once the irritation died down (by the end of the first day) I went down to two pills. By the next day I realized that two wasn't enough. Three pills allowed me to go through the day in relative comfort.
While on Pyridium, your urine will turn into the color of slightly diluted iodine if taken three times a day. Like iodine, your urine will stain anything it touches, including porcelin, underwear, your fingers if you go a hunting for a stone in a pee bucket (Don't judge me - it happens!), so be sure to thoroughly clean the toilet and anything your urine touches after each use. You will need a cleaner with bleach to help re-whiten the toilet. For women; be sure to use a thin pad because vaginal secretions will be effected the same way. I didn't experience any negative side effects on Pyridium.
Detrol LA is normally prescribed for women who deal with incontinence or the need to urinate frequently. In this case, it keeps our bladders from spasming constantly due to the stent. This drug kills two birds with one stone; the pain that comes with bladder spasms will lessen dramatically, and you won't feel the urge to pee every 15 minutes. When you do urinate, the Pyridum will come into effect and the stinging won't be as bad. That's why these two drugs are great to take together.
Detrol LA did cause irritating side effects on the first day I took it. First, my eyes felt like they were heavy and it hurt to move them naturally. My vision was also a little blurry. They didn't necessarially feel dry like the pamphlet from the drug store warned. Also I got one heck of a headache, but not a total migraine. Lastly, I experienced slight nausea. All of these are noted side effects. Despite the comfort issue with the side effects, it did its job and within hours the bladder spasms were gone.
All of the drugs in the world won't stop you from accidentially tugging on a stent string! You can have the urologist cut the string off after it is placed. This is especially handy if you are a female due to wiping after urination. Also, there's no risk of tugging on the string, thereby shifting the stent, causing severe pain a million times worse than any stone.
The only drawback to having the string taken out is that the urologist will have to remove the stent using a cystoscope instead of just pulling it out. In all honesty, your urethra is numbed up beforehand, and you can hardly feel the scope going in. When it comes out, the pain is no better or worse than having your doc pull it out by the string. Trust me - I've had eight stents, and only two had strings. I'd rather deal with the minor discomfort of a cystoscopic removal than have to constantly worry about patting dry after peeing, and accidentially yanking on it in the shower.
When all else fails and you're still in pain, try taking a hot bath. Do not use bubble bath or oils as it may cause an infection in your already irritated urethra. The warm water does wonders for stent pain and your stress level.
Stents are never fun, but they are a necessary evil after stone removals. The one time I didn't receive a stent, I had extreme pain, nausea, a fever and went into acute kidney failure quicker than a wink all thanks to a post-op blood clot in my ureter that wouldn't pass.
27 comments:
Hello-
I am a 40 year old female and just had a kidney stone removal and a stent.
I have to say I have never been in so much pain and discomfort EVER! I think my body was rejecting the stent. If even a drop of urine tried to pass, my whole lower body would contract so hard I thought I was giving birth. And it felt like the muscles were squeazing the stint which felt sharp.
I had blood in my urine every day. ALOT. I did have the Puridym, but there was blood also. I had to have the doctor take the stent out early. I couldn't even stand up straight, sit or lay down on my side at all. To wipe, I had to dab dab dab. The slightest touch on that string was like a 9 Volt battery zinging the other end on the insde.
When the doctor took it out, there was no numbing agents or anything. He just had me lay back and he pulled the string like he was starting a motor boat. I almsot passed out.
Afterwards, I had severe pain in my left flank all the way down to my lower back. The doctor didn't mention that. So when I called the office he said it was normal pain and I would have it for probably 2 days and that I could take Advil. Well, two Percocets, 4 Motrins and 11 hours later, I got to get some sleep and the pain minimized. Only to return the next evening. SOOOOO uncomfortable!!!
I am pretty certain that unless my life is at risk, I will keep my kidney stones in the future.
I am still healing, I hope. I am not up to par and still ahve pain in my very low abdominal area. It's like my insides have been turned inside out.
Thanks for starting this blog. I have been searching for a real person's information on the stent and all.
Good luck to everyone!
Please tell me this mightmare will go away. I had lithotripsy and stent removal yesterday morning. I can't lie down or sleep. I am taking vicodin but it doesn't seem to touch the pain for very long. I am weak, shaky, nauseous and feel terribly overall.
I'm a little confused as to whether you had a stent removal or a stent placement yesterday.
With stent removals, *usually* the pain is instantly gone. With placements, unfortunately that's not the case - it will hurt until it's taken out. 2 vicodin helped me when the pain was at its worst, but be sure to take them on the schedule written in your prescription, or the pain will come back sooner than you expected, and you'll have to wait for the meds to start working all over again.
If you still have the stent in, try to get a prescription for pyridium - it really does help...tons. Just try to lay down as much as possible until the really bad stuff goes away. For me, even sitting was painful.
If you're starting to get nauseous and shaky, please monitor your temperature as well as your urine output. Anything less than 30ml an hour means you're going into acute kidney failure, probably due to a bloackage caused by a blood clot if the lithotripsy was very recent, an infection, or a swollen kidney. It's common and is easily reversed with bolus IVs at the ER. If your temp goes to 100, call your doc, and if it goes to 101, go to the ER if your doc isn't available.
I'm sorry you're in so much pain. If you had your stent removed, I too have experienced "unexplainable" post-stent pain, but only once or twice. It will go away in time.
I'm not a doc, so I'm not trying to pass any of this off as actual medical advice, so if you have any questions, be sure to call your doctor.
Feel better! :)
Yes... I just had kidney surgery and stent placement... the kind with the curly's on both ends. I do feel as though I could cheerfully die. I feel bad for my family because I am walking around like a zombie and staring off into the distance. I have no idea what I am going to do at work. I can not sleep, cant sit long enough to eat really. The only comfort i had before the stent was sitting on the toilet and pushing until my muscles litterally fell asleep on me. Now, i cant do that because it hurts so much to pee and I am afraid of accidently allowing the channels to open. There has to be something better than this, there just has to be. I am desperately trying not to overdose. I have been prescribed ultira and hydrcodone. I have been sneaking double doses of pyridium. It is day one and i am afraid of losing my mind. my doc says i cant have the stent out for another 8 days. Honestly, i am afraid i wont make it and will do something stupid. I dont know how you have done it so many times, i am a wuss. but your blog lets me know i am not alone and most likely not crazy. Thanks for presenting a bit of hope for us first timers. I heard stones are like giving birth... well, my legs are crossed sister!
all i can say is arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhh pain stent
So sorry it's hurting so badly! Be sure to try the Pyridium! It makes your urine messy, but it's worth it!!
Hi, my name is Karey. As we speak its 5am and im laying in bed waiting for my pain meds to kick in, I have yet to sleep.1pm couldn't get here quick enough. I have an appt with my urologist to have my stent removed from the left side. This. is my 2nd stent this summer. The last one was on the rifht side and was removed June 1st. This is by far one of the most uncomfortable things i have ever gone through. My body tried passing my last stent and it was hanging parkway in the bladder which made it feel like a knife stabbing my bladder every time I moved. This time I've had a ton of spasms and Sharp stabbing pain only occasionally. I've also had a tremendous amount of blood in my urine this time. Pain is finally subsiding a bit. Gonna try to get some rest before my appt. Wish me luck!
Hi Karey,
Hopefully your pain meds have kicked in by now, and you're getting a little rest! Ugh, waiting for those meds to kick in is the absolute worst!
The pain in the bladder that you experienced last time is horrible. Like the top that curls up in the kidney, the bottom part curls up in the bladder, and that is its natural resting place. That alone gives me stabbing pain, especially when I sit on a chair, but when it shifts out of place like you said...*shudder*.
Next time you get a stent (hopefully you won't need one!) definitely ask your doctor for a Detrol LA prescription. It's only job is to stop the bladder spasms. The only bad part is you might have to retrain your bladder once you're off the medicine, meaning you'll have to try to pee every 2 hours whether you feel like you need to or not. Then in a week or less, you should feel normal again. Sorry, I can't remember why it needs to be retrained - might have been an incontinence thing, but it's been a year or so since I've needed that med.
Best of luck - hope you get that thing out soon!
Hi,
F/40 with a 7mm kidney stone. Two weeks ago I went to the Emergency Deparment in severe pain down one side, found out I had the stone. Morphine/endone, over night stay and I was fine the next day.
2 Weeks later i went in to get the stone removed/blasted while under a general anasthetic. Unfortunately during the operation the Doctors could not grasp the stone and pushed it up from the Ureter to the Kidney. I had a stent that was left in.
I am getting a stabbing pain in my bladder-most times bearable but I can not walk properly. I am told the next step is the lithotripsy. Hope it works.
I have not read any feedback where the initial operation did not work. Anyone have any feed back on this? The doctors say 'it happens sometimes'. I am peed off as I still have to recover for an op that did not have a positive end result. :-(
Hi ..
I have had several stents in the past due to kidney stone lithotrpsy. I've kept them for 10 days and it was the worst. Last month I went in for another lithotrpsy and it couldn't be done because I have a ureteral stricture ( narrowing / scarring of the ureter) and a stent was placed and I've had it for the past 32 days!
I am COMPLETELY MISERABLE. I don't care what meds I take, Topiaz, Ditropan, Pyridium, Flomax, pain killers, ect... they help minimally.
I would rather be put to sleep for the entire time and woken upon removal. I can't walk, can't sit, can't stand up straight. It feels like i'm giving birth to a knife every time I pee -- which by the way is every minute, when I can pee. There are also times, the pee doesn't come out but a drip and it feels like my bladder is full and someone is sitting on it. My kidney kills me everyday, every minute.
This is the ultimate worst in every way. I'm disgusted and if there was a string attached, I'd pull it out myself at this point. I guess that's why they opted not to put a string. in any event, i am scheduled for a cystoscopy tomorrow and I'm praying they take this knife out of me. I've had enough!!!!
Hi,
I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this pain. You know, I don't know which state you live in, but I truly think that times like this call for medical marijuana if you have nothing to do for a couple hours - like if you're staying home from work because of this.
I never tried marijuana, or any other drugs other than alcohol, until I moved back to California. I have facet joint disease, and other prescription pain meds make me hurl. I had grown up in the Regan era with conservative views on drugs until I couldn't handle the pain any more - that's when I had a "What the hell" moment.
Certain strains of marijuana will eliminate almost all of your pain within 5 minutes, without any of the nasty side effects like vomiting or constipation. It will put you in a better mood too.
The first time I tried it was for my back, but I've had two opportunities to use it for kidney stone pain, and it worked wonders there too.
The people who hate marijuana the loudest are the ones who have never tried it. It's ridiculous really, considering how bad alcohol is for your body...
Anyway, if you live in a state that allows medical marijuana cards, please get one and try out a strong indica for the pain.
I hope you feel better and get that damned thing out soon.
Thanks Kidney Girl.
I live in New York so it's not legal here but available. lol
I actually should do it... I also have Multiple Sclerosis and i'm sure it would help a lot of what's going on right now. I'm praying this thing is gone after my procedure tomorrow. keeping my fingers crossed.
thanks for your advice :)
I'm sure you know about Montel Williams and how the cannabinoids in marijuana has helped slow the effects of MS on his brain and body. I guess there's studies out proving that it can help - especially when using strains that are high in cannabinoids (CBD), but relatively low in THC (the compound that gets you "high"). It's the CBD that has healing effects.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/health&id=7583306
Good luck tomorrow!
Thank you for this blog! I too, know this horrible pain.....sadly, I will most likely have a stent the rest of my life and I'm only 36 yrs old!
I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 33 and because of multiple surgeries, my ureter is blocked due to scar tissue.
I went 4 months with intense lower back pain, visiting the ER multiple times until FINALLY someone figured out the ureter was blocked. Kidney pain is HORRENDOUS!
Then, Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, PA placed a nephrostimy tube--which means I had a tube coming out a hole in my back, draining into a urine bag attached to my leg 24/7......As a 36 yr old junior high school teacher, I was mortified to "hide" a urine bag under my skirts (teenagers think they are self-conscious, but I think I had them beat!)
The shitty urologist in Scranton told me I had NO options and I would have the tube/urine bag forever! So, for the past 4 months I have gone through chemotherapy every Friday, while also having a nephrostimy tube......to summarize: bald, exhausted, nauseas, 36 yrs old, wearing a piss bag on my leg, trying to teach and be a strong role model.
Just a few weeks ago, I went to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA for a second opinion. Dr. Bingham immediately told me he could place a stent and get that awful tube/bag off me......so, YES. I HATE the stent and the feeling of a knife up my crotch BUT I was suicidal with that nephrostimy tube.
Thankfully, it sounds like most of you only have to have the stent for a short time in your overall life......I wish I was that lucky : (
if the affected kidney is removed, would the stone production move to the lone kidney, which to date has only produced 1 stone in 10-15 years
While I'm not a doctor, that's what I've heard, as the remaining kidney would take on twice the work and would be able to filter stone-causing elements less efficiently.
With cystinuria, hypothetically, if you have a kidney transplant, you would be essentially cured as the disease resides fully in the kidney. I'm being obtuse, because we can't just get our kidneys removed, but you know what I mean. :)
Hi I went into premature labor with my daughter on December 30 after severe complications for 2 months caused by kidney stones in both kidneys and a severe bacteria infection that I am still dealing with I had a ureteral stent placed last week and I was not explained much after the procedure I'm extremely concerned because earlier today after going to the hospital nicu to feed my daughter I went to the restroom and had a blood clot bigger than a golf ball come out I called the on call urologist but he didn't seem to concerned and said I just needed to take it easy but I'm still worried I'm not in any pain just the normal burning while urinating and bladder spasms but idk when I should go to the er what do u think
Hi - So sorry you're going through this!
With my experience, I've only had blood clots after procedures, and they were very small and VERY painful. It was just big enough to fully block the thin ureter and I went into acute kidney failure. Seriously...its size was pathetically small.
Again, I'm not a doctor, but I can't imagine a blood clot the size of a golf ball coming out through your urethra. It would make sense if it was long and stringy, en-massing into something the size of a golf ball, but is it possible it's still blood coming from your cervix if you delivered in the past couple weeks? It's normal for blood clots to dislodge and come out through your vagina while you're peeing, because you're vertical and your muscles are relaxed. The blood will pool and clot if you've been laying down. Sorry if I'm off-base. I'm sure you know your body the best!
Ureters are very thin tubes, so I would imagine that a clot that big would cause extreme pain to where you wished you were dead and, if in place long enough, acute kidney failure would show up.
Still, a blood clot means old blood, so if you don't have streams of fresh blood in your urine now, and the clot didn't cause you pain, that's something to think about.
Maybe seek a second opinion on this, or ask for an ultrasound of your kidneys and ureter.
Go to the ER if you experience a fever and chills with or without nausea. Fever means angry kidneys or infection. Dangerous stuff. If you feel relatively fine, go see your urologist when you can. Hope you feel better soon!
How can u tell if the stent has punctured something?
You can't. Only your doctor can tell.
The pain from a well-placed stent is unimaginable to most. It makes you want to pass out, and that's normal. It's normal to feel like something ungodly is going on in there, but as always, pain can mean something bad is going on that you don't know about. Please see your doctor if you're worried about your symptoms, or need better pain control.
I had a stent placed last Sunday and did well till thursday afternoon when the most horrible pain hit. Today is Saturday and I would prefer death at this point. I had been informed that I have a 6.5 stone again but this one blocked my kidney and it had shut down, they needed me on meds till it cleared up then they need to laser the stone, but I don't think I can make it that long. I don't want to go to the ER as they also admit me and feel I can recover better at home but what if something is wrong? Just tired of it all.....thank you for letting me share this as no one can understand the pain unless you gone through it.
I so know how you feel! After any of that - passing a stone, going to the ER/OR, dealing with a stent, the best place to be is home! At least it feels that way. :)
You've had it in for almost a week. Both of my old urologists had me keep it in for a week. Every situation is different, but I don't see why you can't have it taken out now, with a Dr's okay. If you go to the ER, there's usually an on-call urologist. The ER doc will call them, and they urologist can take that stent out right there and you go home. Easy peasy. Don't be afraid to go.
I once had a stent taken out prematurely with this new urologist at the Stanford emergency room, and he really didn't care. My urologist wanted it in for a couple weeks. Ya right. Other than the pain factor, he obviously had no idea that our stents tend to get stiff with cystine crystals (assuming you have cystinuria)and that's why we tend to keep stents in for less time.
Sorry you're going through this. I know it sucks.
The dr did say he needed to do the laser ASAP but then again how long before that is schedule. I don't think they will allow the stent out as the infection was so bad they were surprised it cause me problems sooner and they made me stay in the hospital for 3 days on iv meds. Thank you for letting me talk this out with someone
Sorry I didn't get the entirety of your situation the first time I read your post. It's been a long time since I've been that sick and kinda forgot what it was like. Unfortunately, it sounds like you and the docs have to deal with this ugly waiting game. Be sure to try Pyridium if the doctor will prescribe it. It really takes some of the pain away, and it's not a narcotic. It just takes a while to numb everything up.
The last time my kidneys went into acute failure, I had a moment where I realized it was okay to kinda let go and just let the docs and nurses do their job in the hospital setting. It's not fun because you're woken up all the time, but it's nice having nurses by your side, and it's comforting to know that meds will come to you around the clock. My husband is a great caretaker, and I love my comfy Tempur Pedic bed, but sometimes it's what's best.
I hope the infection clears up and you can get the laser soon. You'll probably have to have a new stent placed after the procedure, but hopefully not for long.
Feel free to write anytime you need to vent! These messages come straight to my e-mail inbox. (^_^)/
Thank you for that.....I told my husband about this site and he thought it great for me. He hates not being able to take the pain away and hates being helpless. I will be calling the doctor if not better tomorrow and I will ask about the med you mentioned. I think you might be seeing me slot while going through this just for comfort of knowing you know what I am going through.
Hi I just had a stent put in yesterday morning after removal of a kidney stone that was blocking my bladder. I have pain meds and vesicare to help w the spasms. However, a new pain developed today in my kidney. My back feels like its going to cramp up every time I breathe. This is constantant, not just when I pee. Anyone else have this issue? If so, what helped?
That's happened to me with some stents - not all. When it gets that bad, the only thing you can really do is take percocet and a hot bath, or see if your doctor can take it out early. Regardless, make sure your doctor knows about the pain asap.
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