Source
r/KidneyStones•
blinxi

Had a 4mm stone that just wouldn't move on it's own. Had it removed 10 hours ago; stent in place

And I'm on night one...

Holy hell I think I've only had an hour of sleep. Laying down with it sucks. I'm currently sitting up and feeling fine. Standing isn't that bad either. I was originally just going to have a basket retrieve it, but it was so lodged in the ureter that they had to lase it out. Turns out it had tissue buildup around it, so it's been in there for a few years.

Luckily for me I've already peed most if not all of it out, and even managed to catch them in a strainer. You bet I'm going to keep those suckers.

Now I'm worried about the stent removal. Found out I'm getting it removed on Thursday (bit of a quick turnaround time don't you think?). It's the one with the string, so I can't imagine it being too complicated. Takes a minute or two right? I mean the string is a little irritating. Which part actually hurts during removal?

I know 4mm doesn't sound like much, and perhaps I was being a baby about it. But my god did it hurt.

A few things I didn't really expect prior to removal -- Flank pain from the stent can be almost as severe as a kidney stone moving, but it happens in waves. -- Laying down hurts more than sitting up (could be just me) -- After urinating 10'ish times, the pain from actual voiding goes away -- The string attached to the stent is a mild annoyance.

Sorry for the random post. Figured I would share my experience with it. I know some of y'all have had crazier stones/recoveries, so I'm thankful :P

Posted Oct 29, 2019, 5:42 AM UTC

310
Chips6037•

I used a recliner or propped myself with pillows when I had a stent, it was way more comfortable.

The stent removal is fast and with a string so it’s even easier. They had to remove mine with the scope.. and the scope was what caused discomfort, the actual stent coming out was just pressure and then relief since my urologist was fast.

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blinxiOP•

I appreciate the quick response! I would do anything to have a recliner right about now, because that sounds amazing.

So the stent removal will be instant relief? Was there any post-stent effects? I've heard swelling can be an issue, but I'm not sure if my short timeline between placement and removal would have any negative effect.

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Chips6037•

I had mine for 2 weeks and went for an ultrasound a month later and had no swelling. Which my kidneys needed about a week of healing before the stent hurt less and so once it was out at 2 weeks I didn’t have any problems. I had occasional ureteral spasms after the removal, which caused pain, but thinking about it idk when the last time I had them was. It’s been almost 2 months since stent removal.

Plenty of people only have the stent in for a few days and are fine, it’s really up to the urologist on how long it stays. I had swelling before my surgery so that contributed to the length of stent placement.

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Sabra_kayee•

You're not a baby for a 4mm. I had a 4mm about a year and a half ago and it was the worst pain and 5 months of my life trying to pass. Finally got it removed with basket retrieval (no stent thank God). Found out I had another 4 mm about a month ago and I told my urologist to just get it out now before I have to go through that pain again. Had that done via Lithotripsy about 2 weeks ago (no stent, again thank God). Hope the stent removal isn't too bad for you. I've heard that that with the string attached is less uncomfortable than them having to go up in you.

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blinxiOP•

Update: Just got out of the ER. Sorry for the lack of replies. Turns out I had a bad infection from the removal, and my pain level was much worse than having a stone.

What a day lol.

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JonBrownie•

Oh man, hang in there. Just had my surgery to remove a 3mm, have a stent, but overall pretty comfortable.

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blinxiOP•

I appreciate it. You as well. I'm having my stent removed in about 12 hours. Not like I'm counting down or anything lol.

I'm hoping the cramping up while voiding goes away, that part has been the worst since the ER visit. I hope yours remains comfortable through the entire duration! I wouldn't wish this pain on anybody.

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JonBrownie•

Thanks, good luck let me know how it’s goes.

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blinxiOP•

The removal went well. The after-swelling is excruciating. Still battling it with ibuprofen (which works amazingly well).

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Pbandj7•

I had a stent for 2 months. It was miserable.

Mine was removed using a scope. It was quick (less than 2 minutes) and almost painless. The most painful part was the moment the stent actually exited my body. But it was over so quickly I barely noticed. And the relief was instant. I went to the bathroom immediately afterward and actually thought for a moment that something was wrong because, for the first time in 2 months, I didn’t feel anything.

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