Experiences with insertion & removal of stents (as relates to kidney stones) - Kidney Disorders Message Board

tyler7 · 09-02-2004, 09:48 PM

Hey Everyone,

I've been meaning to get some feedback on this situation for awhile. Amazingly, despite having endured about 6 different kidney stone episodes in the last 3 years (I'm 28yo male), it was only during my recent one where I had to have a stent.

When it was implanted (right side), I went into the hospital surgical unit, got put all the way under, and upon recovery was given a total of I think 100mgs of Fentynal and some Pyridium pills for the stinging urination pain. But all in all, as I was asleep, the insertion of it was a breeze.

When I went to have it removed less than 2 weeks later (something I DEMANDED since I was having even more pain with it, despite 2 separate xrays showing that its placement was fine), much to my surprise the procedure was done right in the Urologist's office, using only lidocaine down the shaft of the penis. My Uro and 1 nurse being present. Even with the lido, this was EXTREMELY uncomfortable.

I'm just wondering, with anyone else's stent experiences, is this common, to be put under for its insertion but to have only a local when it's removed? Like I said, I had simply assumed that the removal would be a surgical procedure as well. Boy, was THAT not a fun day.... Thank you

Fannie Yoder1 · 09-04-2004, 12:06 AM

Hi Tyler7...I can answer your questions about kidney stents. It is 1:30 am and I just brought my 14 yr. old daughter home from Wake Forest Baptist Hospital about 30 minutes ago. She has passed 34 kidney stones in the last 4 yrs. As of tonight, she has several more in each kidney. We have been doctoring at Vanderbilt and Kosair Louiseville KY, but just relocated to NC. She has had stent placement 3 times. Yes every time she was under sedation for the placement and for the removal except one, which came with a "line" to remove it ourselves, in case of repeat hemoraging. This did happen and I removed it. She said it hurt worse having it in than having it taken out.
Do you have other health problems as well? My daughter has multiple renal cysts that have not increased in size or number in 2 yrs. In Feb this year she was diagnosed with a brain cyst/tumor and we are getting ready to start her drug therapy for elavated prolactin though there is no visual tumor on her Pituitary Gland .The other cyst/tumor is on her Pineal Gland. She is no longer taking Allopurinol,potassium citrate or H.C.T.Z.
for her calcium stones. It did'nt change anything for her in a yr. and a half. She is in excruciating pain often, but she is a cheerful girl leaving behind a good testimony wherever she goes. I can sympythise with you on your pain because I see what she goes through. My question for anybody is .....have you read of any corrolation between kidney, pituitary, and pineal disease? Her doctors say there is no connection but I'm not convinced of that. All her disorders are serious enough in themselves.
How are you coping with this? Are you able to work? My daughter has'nt been to school in 4 yrs. I would be glad to answer any other questions you have about your kidney stones. What are yours made of? Thank you, Fannie Yoder

maclac · 09-10-2004, 07:48 PM

I started having problems with stones 1 1/2 years ago. I had lithotripsy (sp?) in June 2003 - and again in June 2004. After the second procedure, i did not pass any stones, but had sooo much pain. turns out that the broken up stones got stuck and clumped together causing blockage. i was scheduled for a procedure to put in a stent. The procedure, just like you, was in the hospital and i was totally out (i demanded that). They had to do the lithotripsy again, from inside, to break up the clump and then gave me a stent - it was the most awful experience ever! i will never do that again! i had so much more pain and discomfort. my bladder was spasming, it was bad. they gave me pain pills, but that didn't work. they gave me some other pills to stop the spasm, those helped temporarily. i called their office several times so upset and begging to get this thing out of me. i was vomiting constantly, i couldn't work. it was awful. I demanded, just like you, to get this out of me after less than 2 weeks also. They did the procedure in their office, just as you described - and it was painful for me also! i don't ask alot of questions, but since i just had to have a third surgery this year (4th total) for another stone that got stuck, i think i'd better start asking more questions!

checkmate · 09-11-2004, 06:46 AM

One year ago I had a stent inserted following removal of stone in ureter. Like you, I was also "out" for the entire procedure. As far as removal of stent, it was a piece of cake compared to what I thought it would be. Penis was numbed and the only real pain was very short lived. Dr told me to take a deep breath after scope had been inserted 4-5 inches and as I did he finished inserting it into the bladder. Pain was over before I had completed my deep breath. I would definatly say that it was uncomfortable, but not nearly as bad as the discomfort I felt while stent was in place.