I went to the urologist and he has decided that I might have a blockage and I am scheduled for a ureteroscopy. What can you tell me about it? I know it is out patient,and that I will be given a general anes. How will I feel afterwards? When will I be able to return to work-I am a teacher? I know I may have a stent as well-I've read that these can be pretty uncomfortable. I've searched the internet and have not found a whole lot to answer my questions-the dr. office will be closed until Monday, but I am curious now. Thanks for any help. MJ

Hi...I've had over 30 ureteroscopies done (you can read my story titled "newbie here---but extremely familiar with kidney stones"...it's on this page). You will be under a general anesthetic so you won't feel anything until you wake up. More than likely, you will be nauseated from the general anesthetic. Don't hesitate to ask the nurse for some medicine to help with that feeling. It's a little hard to describe, but I'll try my best to tell you what you will experience. Just remember, everyone is different and will interpret things differently. But, here's a generel ideal of what will happen. It's very uncomfortable just from the instruments being used. The doc will scope your entire ureter from the bladder all the way up to the kidney. Is the doc doing both sides? If so, double the pain.

You will definitely feel a great deal of pressure and urgency, like you have to urinate extremely badly and you cannot fully empty your bladder. It's very frustrating. You will also have pain, especially due to the stent. I cannot tolerate a stent at all. It doesn't bother some people and they can have their stent left in for months at a time, due to certain conditions. Yours will probably only need to be left in for 4-5 days and then the doc will put the stent out in his office. It only takes about 5 seconds and it's not that bad coming out. Just take a pain pill before you go to the office for the stent removal. I always have to tell the doc to pull my stent after 24 hrs. because it is so painful! So, you may or may not feel pain from the stent. Don't be alarmed when you first urinate after the procedure. It will be pure blood. The blood will continue for about a day or so, but it will lessen in the amount of blood present.

Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds while you are in the recovery room. You will need them!! They will be given to you through your I.V. and then you will be discharged home with some oral pain meds. You should be cleared to go back to work within a week or so. Just don't push yourself. If the doc clears you for work and you don't feel up to it, please, do yourself a favor, and stay home and rest!! You will just make yourself miserable if you attempt to go back to work too soon. Feel free to ask my anymore questions and I will do my best to answer them. Good luck and please post after your procedure (whenever you feel up to it) ok??

Thanks for the info. I won't have the ureteroscopy until December 6th so I have a little bit of time. How difficult/uncomfortable will it be to walk? I know with other surgeries-gallbladder, hysterectomy-I was told to walk a lot. I have a feeling I will be very uncomfortable from this procedure to do much walking. With all 30+ of your ureteroscopies did you have any other meds besides pain medication? I read about bladder spasms and other possibles issues after the procedure and that some medications can be given to help. I already take Ditropan XL.
What is frustrating is that my dr. is not sure that I have a blockage-it does not come up on the ultrasound or ct scan. I have a simple renal cyst but the urologist and the nephrologist do not think the cyst is the cause of my flank pain. I'm having this ureterscopy because my kidneys can not tolerate the dye from other tests to look for blockage. I just hope something is found-the constant flank pain is very uncomfortable.
Typically, how long have you been at the hospital for the procedure? I'd like to give my husband a ballpark figure on time. Mine is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.
Thanks again for all of your input. MJ

I had my ureteroscopy today-not too bad. I was at the hospital at 7:00 and home by 11:00. Loratabs have kept the pain away. I am hoping to be able to return to work on Thursday. I imagine I will be a bit mor uncomfortable tomorrow so we will see. Fortunately/Unfortunately they did not find any blockage, so the drs. still do not know the reason for my right flank pain. I go see the urologist next Tuesday and will see what he suggests. It is frustrating having this pain all of the time. It is not debilitating just very uncomfortable. Just thought I'd let y'all know. MJ

Sorry to hear that they didn't find a reason for your flank pain. That is so frustrating! :rolleyes: I hope that they can discover the cause soon as I know what you're thru - and it's NO FUN!

I hope that you continue to feel better...sending lots of gentle (((((HUGS)))))

Liz