Okay. Well for the past week or so, I've felt like my stent has dislodged itself somewhat and is now dipping its tip into my urethra. It hurts to walk - it burns and I feel it moving. I'm so done with this damn thing. I want to live and do stuff while the weather is still nice.

So, just for poops and giggles I went to the urology section of justanswer.com, to see if it's okay for women to pull their own stents out. After posting my question, a young board-certified urologist from Columbia University Medical Center, NY, tried to answer my question. Here's how it went down (for $15):

Me:

Can women pull their own ureteral stents out without any complications? When ever my docs did it, I was always lying down, so it seems like it would be awkward. I'm so done with this thing! I have cystinuria and had this stent placed Aug 19th after an ESWL. It's been killing me the entire time (it hurts to walk). I'm no longer passing fragments, so I think I'm good. My doc wants be to wait until Sept 21st, and he doesn't have any appointments until then.

Optional Information:
Gender: Female
Age: 32

Already Tried:
Diagnosed with cystinuria in 2004. 7 stone removals and stent placements since. Last procedure Aug 19th - 7 stones in left kidney with 11mm stone in renal pelvis.

Doctor:

You could if he left a string attached to the stent. Otherwise it would be impossible because the curl of the stent is inside your bladder. Tell them you are miserable with it and you can't wait- they will live your appointment up. Good luck.

Me:

My doc knows about my discomfort and had me get an x-ray to check for stent placement, which was fine. He's adamant on me obtaining a new ct-scan prior to removal, but none of my urologists in the past had me get one prior to the removal.

This guy is a Stanford doc who has a very busy schedule and has been speaking to me by phone since the pain got really bad. I'll call back on Monday again, to see if I can get it out ASAP. Meanwhile, I'm on detrol and pyridium but it's not dealing with the stabbing sensation I feel while sitting, or the burning sensation I feel when walking.

But, if I decide to take it out on my own, which position would be the best for removing it, or does it not matter? My stents tend to get encrusted with cystine crystals, so I'm guessing it will be a bit stiffer than a fresh one. Thanks.

Doctor:

You won't be able to reach into your urethra and bladder and grab the stent out. He probably wants a Ct to make sure there are no fragments of stones left that will require further treatment.

(Nooooo. Really? This is the problem with male docs messing with womens bits by the way...)

Me:

I realize that - the string is out and taped to my upper thigh. This is my 7th or 8th stent...while most were left in without the string, my new doc left the string attached.

Doctor:

Yes, you could pull it out if the string is still attached-I would do it with your doctors permission- lying down with your legs frog legged.

Me:
Okay - I will discuss with him first.


Fin.


What a complete idiot! I checked this guy out online and he's a very young doc who works on men and women with voiding issues. My question about how to best position myself for the removal was sincere, but I've always wanted to try out this service. I'm not fond of my current urologist, but he makes this other guy look like he grabbed his medical license from a box of Wheaties.

Here's what I've learned today:
1. Stay away from justanswer.com if you have urology questions, and
2. Yes, it's true! You can't stick your fingers up your urethra, on up into your bladder. (Damn.)

Gonna call my doctor on Monday to ask the same damn thing...not that he's at all reachable. :/