Ureteral stents

Hi Wholfmeister
i developed

Hi Wholfmeister

i developed hydroutetonephrosis last year.  My gyne/onc wanted a stent placed.  So I went to a urologidt in March.  He said I didn't need a stent at that time and I didn't need to follow up with him just go back to my gyne/onc.   Well 3 months later my headaches were really bad I was foggy and just feeling yucky. So after s scan it then show that my kidney shrunk snd I dtatted to lose some function.  I went to a different urologist who put my stent in.   I have to have it changed every 3 months.  In fact I am going Wednesday.  I am concerned now that my right kidney is being effected.  My current urologist says it is just working harder as I had mild hydro nephritis on that side now.  I feel it's more than that.  

Anywat the procedure itself is fine.  The way home from hospital I was concerned because it felt like you had to pee.  By the way they also did a brush biopsy so I may have experienced a little more bleeding than you will.  I was prescribed three different mess but only took Tylenol.  I had my husband go get my scripts but the Tylenol seemed to work.  They gave me a prescription Tylenol a script for bladder spasms snd one for stent discomfort.  i didnt take any of these.  The one medicine was mainly for men with prostate problems and I didn't want to take it.  When you pee it is burny until four or five days out when there is no more blood in your urine   

With the replacement of the stent I didn't have any post replacement side effects.  the only inconvenience is that every three months you will need a phydicsl from your PCP an X-ray. EKG and blood work.  I will have to do this forever or until either I have a ureter bypass surgery or removal of the soft tissue mass that I have which is major major surgery. 

Sorry for my typing.  I am on my cellphone.   I hope this helps and if you need any more info let me know and I will try to help.  

 

Kathy

 

ps. My left ureter went through the 6 cm soft tissue mass but that wasn't really the cside of the blockage.  The blockage was really near the bladder and was the result of bracytherapy radiation.  I guess it was one of those long term side effects

Merrily - sorry, no helpful info on stents

I hope this unpleasant bump in the road will soon be taken care of. You are due for a good-looking CT scan.

Warm Hugs,

Alexandra

wholfmeister said:

Update

I had the stent placed early Tuesday morning.  Of course, they took good care of me for the whole 2 1/2 hours I was at the surgery center.  The first hour was paperwork and waiting.  Took two attempts to get the IV started.  I was knocked out for about 15 minutes, and of course, felt nothing of the actual procedure. (Thank goodness!)  The sensation to urinate was very strong the first day...I just wanted to sit on the toilet and dribble at will all afternoon!  I wouldn't say I have pain, but there is a feeling of swelling around the urethra and I definately have quick bladder spasms when I urinate.  I can feel something when I bend over or when I walk.  I went to work the next day, but I'm not saying I was productive.  As far as meds go, I was advised to take Advil and an over-the-counter product called Azo (phenazopyridine hydrochloride).  Today, two days later, I still feel like I need to urinate constantly, but I am able to resist going to the restroom for a couple hours.  I for sure feel better than I did yesterday, and I think I am going to survive.

Thanks to all for your concern!

(Oh, yeah! Got an appoitment to do it all again in 3 months...Yuck!)

Glad it went fine

So glad it went well for you.  I just had my replacement done on February 4th.   This was my second replacement since the original stent placement in August.   You can look at my post on the uterine board if you would like as I put down the whole procedure - lol.   That first time was like you said having to feel the need to pee.   The replacement surgery is much better.  I didn't really have any bleeding and not that sensation as the first time.  Of course, the first time they also did a brush biopsy so it was more irritated.   I am surprised that allowed you to have advil.  I was told only tylenol.   I was given two prescriptions one for bladder spasms and one for stent discomfort but I didn't use either of them.  I didn't want to use the one because it was specifically for men but recently approved for women.   I didn't even go there!

The big pain about the 3 months stuff that they probably didn't tell you is that prior to the replacement, you have to get all that pre-op stuff all over again - every 3 months!   Labs, x-rays, and a history from your PCP.   

Although my most recent procedure went very well, I am feeling this one a bit.   I don't have the burniness but there is still some blood tinge in my urine.  I am also "feeling" the stent in my bladder area.   Its only been a week since my procedure though.

Anyway, enough about me.  I am so glad it went smoothly for you.   Remember to drink a lot of water this week.   

My best to you!

Kathy

 

PS   Sorry if I repeated myself!