Need comfort: Stent to be removed following kidney stone surgery

[RedStripe]

Hello to any fellow kidney stone sufferers out there. I've had about a dozen of them removed/blasted/scoped/lasered since I was 16 years old until present day @ 29 years old. I had my latest one scoped/removed this past Tuesday following entrance to the ER on Monday morning. If you haven't experienced one, then words can't describe the pain. Unbearable, to your knees, makes a grown man cry. Anyhow - I've been able to completely avoid the placement of a stent all of these times until now- as I know type this as I have a rubber tube (catheter basically) that now lay inside my right ureter or the natural tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. It is 26" long, and has a string attached to the end of it that continues out the tip of my peen. Since it does have the string, I was given the choice of removing it at home, or to make an appointment with the urologist to have them remove it. The kicker is - either way, this is a non-sedation procedure. I've got a call out to the Nurse to see if they can fit me in tomorrow (Friday) to allow me to come in to remove it, as I just don't think I can bear doing it myself, or even having my wife do so. I've kicked around the idea of having a health-professional friend of mine do it - but he's not to hot to trot about putting me through that either. So - regardless, I've actually gone ahead and requested some sort of anxiety-relief medication by way of a benzodiazipene (Valium, Xanax, etc) no matter where it's done, but Im not holding my breath for that to be granted - as it's not something they seem to regularly prescribe for the removal of the stent. Urologists are jaded when it comes to removing stents - and pay to mind to the ridiculous pain that removing it can incur, despite the fact that it can be over with in a matter of 5-10 seconds. What I imagine though, will be the longest 5 seconds of my life. Has any MALE (females have much shorter anatomy - causing much less discomfort) gone through a stent removal, and can provide something? I'm looking for comfort, but I'll even appreciate a honest description of what I'm in for. The only blessing is that I do have the string attached to it -- some don't have the string, and require a scope first be inserted up inside the peen, up into the bladder - only to fish for the stent before then removing it. So, in my case - what's in there just has to come OUT, and nothing has to go IN prior to . Regardless -- all the work that was done by way of removing the kidney stone which involved moving things in/out of me was all done under IV sedation -- and for some reason they think it's cool to do this last part with nothing at all. Im just short of terrified. I'm all ears.

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[sammydragon3]

a stent are caused by a poor diet and canned food...even if its been happending all your life...

stay away from processed foods and canned food

[glocati]

Whoa, C ! I can offer no anecdotal info for comfort. However, i wish you the best on this. Sounds rough. Be strong.

Best, Greg

[Hogger]

Good luck! I have relatives that have gone through the stone zapping, but no stent. Wish you the best.

[RedStripe]

Originally Posted by sammydragon3

a stent are caused by a poor diet and canned food...even if its been happending all your life...

stay away from processed foods and canned food

Do you have a clue what it is that you are saying?
No, because that statement makes ZERO sense.

"A" stent "are" caused by?

The stent in place is a plastic catheter tube protecting the walls of my ureter from the inflammation and scar tissue caused by the kidney stone itself.

And in my case, my kidney stones are from a genetic predisposition. My father has had them since he was 25, and same goes for his father as well as every one of my father's 8 siblings.

So, for me - it doesn't matter what my diet consists of. And canned food? Are you kidding me?
You heard it hear folks, avoid canned fruits and vegetables.

LOL

That was good.

Oh, and thanks for the support jackamo.

[RedStripe]

Originally Posted by glocati

Whoa, C ! I can offer no anecdotal info for comfort. However, i wish you the best on this. Sounds rough. Be strong.

Best, Greg

haha, thanks Greg ;-) It's just nice to see you reply. I'm going in tomorrow morning at 945AM CST for it to be removed. I guess it can't be any worse than the kidney stone, hell, having the stent in place is almost as bad as the stone itself. So, removing it should be a relief!

Originally Posted by Hogger

Good luck! I have relatives that have gone through the stone zapping, but no stent. Wish you the best.

lol!
Maybe a shot of Knob Creek, or maybe the occasion should call for some Bookers!

The nurse laughed at me on the phone today for requesting something for anxiety. She said it's over with too fast. Her words: "like a band-aid".

I'm holding her to that. Otherwise, I'm tracking her down and putting my dirty stent up her ureter, and ripping it out myself.

Then again - I've never even liked removing band-aids. The medical tape around the IV hurts worse coming off than the IV going in does! So, applying that feeling to my "insides"... still doesn't seem to bring me any comfort. ODD!!!

[TruTaing]

When you said need comfort, I thought you needed softer suspension and higher ground clearance... This is a lil worse than that.

Good luck buddy.

[RedStripe]

Originally Posted by TruTaing

When you said need comfort, I thought you needed softer suspension and higher ground clearance... This is a lil worse than that.

Good luck buddy.

ha ha ha!!!

THIS is exactly what I needed

softer suspension and ground clearance, omg Im absolutely rolling!

[ABlatzheim]

good luck bro... My girl friends mom just had to get surgery to remove a kidney stone a little smaller then a golf ball.. So big that they went in to do the surgery and were only able to remove 60% of it.. Obviously they are trying to save the kidney.. She has about a six week recovery time. Today she found out that they thought they were going to be able to remove the remainder of it with lazers and medication. Turns out she now has to let her kidney completely heal and then she has to go back in for another surgery on the top lobe of her Kidney, to remove the rest... Apparently the first surgery went to the bottom lobe and they can't do both a the same time.. Anyway, she came home with a cathider too, but it was straight from her kidney out her side to a bag? Maybe it is different for males and females?

If you can drink, do it like the civil war guys did.. If they could drink some whisky and bite on a stick while someone sawed there leg full of gang green off, it should work for you.. Obviously I think you may be in a little more pain!! Best of luck..

[ABlatzheim]

By the way, if you have any unused coilovers or a nice set of rims and tires.. I am sure someone on here would probably be willing to trade a kidney for them.. Worst case scenario that is...

[ncmudbug]

Stripe, you have my sympathies. I know it's got to be excruciating. I've never had them myself. A neighbor (lady) had a very large stone and had to be operated on to remove it. No fun for her either.

I wish I could offer advice or comfort, but as I say, I'm personally (and happily) ignorant of what you're going through. My best idea is maybe to become more acquainted with Mr. Daniels, Mr. Beam, or any of their pals.

Good luck. Hopefully, any nurses you have will attractive enough to help lessen the pain.

[RedStripe]

Hey fellas! Appreciate you all chimin' in.

Some folks do get struck with stones the size of acorns or larger -- and those ARENT to be messed around with. That's less of a traditional "kidney stone" and more of like a partial organ removal! As you described, Ablatz, they go in surgically from the side and literally cut into the kidney.

This one in particular was right at about 5mm in diameter - enough to get stuck inside the ureter (tube from kidney to bladder), and thus cause the gut-wrenching pain as they are literally little ***** with spikes protruding in all directions. An evil concoction made in the depths of hell, no doubt. The devil snuck this one in God's physiology textbook when he wasnt lookin.

I agree with the MBWorld Dr's on call, including you last two - that I'll have to consider consulting with the Gentlemen of the bourbon roundtable on this one. I give it to those soldiers for having limbs amputated, but I reckon even they had some Morhpine and a hypodermic syringe somewhere nearby I think they might be hard pressed to trade me spots, having this 26" long tube ganked from deep within the inner workings of my man-hood.

945am CST tomorrow (Friday 27th) gentlemen. Take a look at your clocks, and say a brief word for me - and hold onto yer own - and thank it for not doing you wrong.

[splinter]

No marginal medical advice to offer, although I do wish you a speedy recovery.

[samaritrey]

Wow that sucks I would not want to be in your shoes.
My father had them when I was a kid and I hope I never have to deal with them. I believe a hot nurse could make it worse lol

[RedStripe]

Thanks Trey & Spliner

Trey - if you're Dad had them, you prolly shouldn't discount yourself from carrying on the predisposition. My family has proven to show it carries on the father's side. My mom hasn't had a single one her entire life.

Agreed on the hot nurse! I know it's a chic already too. I think I want a nasty burly nurse who will rip that thing out so fast I won't know what happened. I just hope my right eyeball doesn't come with it :-o

[Moviela]

Were you able to pass the stone? The stent is usually used to allow the tissue to rest for a short period, and to allow sand to pass without pain. If your stones are acid, you can hold them back with medications and diet to lower your pH. A couple of tenths can cause the stones to be dissolved. Diet is the tough part. Wave goodbye to red meats, sugar, soft drinks and the like. Ask for a diet sheet when you are there. Better to cut the stones off at the pass, than to allow folks peeping and poking inside.

Now about the removal. It is more than a Band-Aid because somebody will have your penilsula in one hand and tugging with the other. Anexiety? Hell yes. Painful? Not really. More of an unusual sensation, not pleasant, but you won't need to suck wind.

It will be done before you know.

No Alcohol! Your kidney needs to rest. Drink a lot of water, it will heal faster. For some reason juice from a lemon once a day helps. Just squeeze into a glass of cold water.

If you are experiencing kidney pain when urinating, it will diminish quickly and go away.

Good luck, and I wish you continued good health.

[amx1397]

stripe, I really feel bad for you,,,April 11 just over a week ago, I had a kidney stone,, wow! the pain was so bad my wife called 911 all i could say in the ER was somebody give me something to knock me out,, I idd not have any pain on the 13th Friday, so i went home,, Sat the 14 was good met up with all the guys at Eurocharged for the tune day,,, then Sunday the 15 , i had eggs and bacon
what pain again,,, I did not know that pork agitates the kidney stone. but the Dr. confirmed that it does, anyway with meds and i don't know how but i must have passed it ., Oh my was 2mm in size, glad it wasn't bigger. it has been aweek and 3 days now without pain.
they told me about the stent, now i am so glad i passed it ,,I do not want a stent of any sorts.

thanks for posting this thd, now ""you know the rest of the story"" jim

[RedStripe]

Moviela:
Finally, a man who's been through the stent removal! I'm somewhat pleased to read what you've offered me. Obviously it being taken out is better than it being in, as it's only causing continued ache in my lower right flank and inner thigh/groin. I am happy to hear that it's more of just an unpleasant sensation that wide-open-throttle pain as it comes out. I guess I'll know first hand in short of 12 hours. Gosh I'm so nervous about it :-( I don't have any anxiety medication but do have a Lunesta, which acts similarly - so may opt to bite off half of one.

No I didn't pass the stone on my own. It was removed with a scope under IV sedation. I've yet to be able to pass any on my own aside from after lithotripsy in the past. However whenever I have one get stuck - they never pass on their own. I've had probably half a dozen of them removed via scope. Several more via lithotripsy as a preventative measure before they got stuck.

In my case, the stent was not placed to allow more particles to drain - rather was placed to prevent scar tissue formation and ureter closure due to inflammation from the stone being lodged in my ureter, which had managed to cause an infection. I accepted about 6 bags of Ciproflaxin during my 36+ hr stay at the hospital to help combat the infection as well.

The talk about using alcohol was merely for humor - no way would I throw alcohol on top of this kind of discomfort! I dread it would only make it worse. Peeing nothing but red blood for the past 5 days has kept me from putting any extra undue stress unto my organs.

I've had my stones processed in the past, as well as done the 24 hr urine cultures. Basically the "oil analysis" equivalent in the world of urology . Basically you're right - the only thing I can do to help prevent them is with a strong daily dose of lemon juice due to the acid. However any other methods of prevention (diet to uric acid inhibitors) are of no use to my gene pool. Even during the 5 healthiest years of my life, which ended a couple years ago, I still managed to produce a couple that managed to wreak havok. Really is an unfortunate situation. That said - if I'm ever introduced to a prevention therapy that may work beyond the lemon juice - I'll be the first to try it.

Thanks again!
"unpleasant, anxiety-ridden, awkward band-aid" removal here I come!

[RedStripe]

Originally Posted by amx1397

stripe, I really feel bad for you,,,April 11 just over a week ago, I had a kidney stone,, wow! the pain was so bad my wife called 911 all i could say in the ER was somebody give me something to knock me out,, I idd not have any pain on the 13th Friday, so i went home,, Sat the 14 was good met up with all the guys at Eurocharged for the tune day,,, then Sunday the 15 , i had eggs and bacon
what pain again,,, I did not know that pork agitates the kidney stone. but the Dr. confirmed that it does, anyway with meds and i don't know how but i must have passed it ., Oh my was 2mm in size, glad it wasn't bigger. it has been aweek and 3 days now without pain.
they told me about the stent, now i am so glad i passed it ,,I do not want a stent of any sorts.

thanks for posting this thd, now ""you know the rest of the story"" jim

Jim!
I appreciate the contribution, bud! We've almost got a support group going here!
It certainly and ONLY can take a kidney-stone "survivor" to know what enduring the passing or removal of one truly means, and you now own that badge!

Congrats on passing it yourself, you saved yourself from extra heartache for sure. I first of all wouldn't wish the stone-attack upon my worst enemy, the second wouldn't wish the placement of the stent.

Best of luck that it NEVER Happens again to you!
And you're right, that call to 911 - or in my case, since I'm well-versed in what that particular pain "means", the rushed drop-off at the hospital's ER can't come fast enough. For me, it wasn't just the pain - but the nausea and vomiting that ensued from the pain working over my physiology.

I think we've scared everyone by now

[C230 Sport Coup]

Like yer style man. Is that for him, or us? While we anxiously await the results?
Hang in their red stripe! We got a shot o wiskey for ya when you get out of the hospital!

Originally Posted by Hogger

Good luck! I have relatives that have gone through the stone zapping, but no stent. Wish you the best.

[Moviela]

Originally Posted by amx1397

the pain was so bad my wife called 911

Was Porsche able to help?

[Glyn M Ruck]

Have a friend that suffers in this way. Wish you all the best!!!

[Boom vang]

First thought that this was a BMW story, a stone in their kidney grill, but seriously just trying to figure out how this relates other than a slice of life story in a technical forum, perhaps there is a better place to post life stories?

Painful I am sure and hope you recover but my feeling that this forum is not a Facebook wall and lets keep it focused and why we come here: tech advice, problem solving, issues, ideas, tips and improving our W203. I am not singling out you but in recent times there has been posts that are really off topic IMO

[RedStripe]

Originally Posted by Boom vang

First thought that this was a BMW story, a stone in their kidney grill, but seriously just trying to figure out how this relates other than a slice of life story in a technical forum, perhaps there is a better place to post life stories?

Painful I am sure and hope you recover but my feeling that this forum is not a Facebook wall and lets keep it focused and why we come here: tech advice, problem solving, issues, ideas, tips and improving our W203. I am not singling out you but in recent times there has been posts that are really off topic IMO

Considering 3 of the forum's moderators have posted here to offer me well wishes should be an indicator that you need to ease up.

[RedStripe]

Coup:
I'm ready for that shot! Just home from the urologist's office and I'm officially stent-free!

Glyn - thank you sir

Going out for a Ruth's Chris steak & a Bourbon w/ splash of coke for certain this evening!

The following is not for the faint at heart, but for those with a mild "interest" (we'll call it). The final 3" of string was all that I could "see" prior to it's removal. The rest... well, was in deep/dark places that no man should even considering being in existence. Read: the other end of the "tube", the final "curl" was positioned inside my right kidney.