Is my pain normal after stent placement?

I sure can relate! I had my first kidney stone blasted three months ago (a 7mm) and had to leave that stent in for two weeks. I was told I'd need two days off work. Ha! I missed a lot more then that those two weeks. I could barely stand up straight most days. That stent was removed (removal wasnt too bad) but Dr. said my bladder was very inflamed.....then just two weeks later I had to go back to get the other kidney done (9mm and a 4mm). Stent again. My dr.said this stent would have to be in for two weeks. So I braced myself for it best I could. A week later xrays showed they did not get it all and Dr. wants to do the surgery again....but can't schedule it for three weeks. Oh ya...and lets leave the stent in until then. I am now finally waiting on surgery again this week where I will get yet another stent in to replace this one. By the time it's all said and done I wil have spent most of three months with a stent. Why is that such a big deal? Because being in constant pain has run me down beyond belief. It's affected my job by needing so many sick days (I'm a teacher, taking off work isnt't easy) and my moral and performance are limited when I'm there. My house is in shambles because I can not keep up with normal housework. Thank God my husband is patient because our sex life is well, very limited. These things have been a nightmare and it's terrible that Dr.s don't tell you the truth before you get it done.

Hello "Fed Up"...So sorry to here that you are experiencing such pain. Kidney stone surgery stinks, but what do you do right? Although I did have a lot of trouble with my stent, I was very pleased with the outcome of my surgery. I would highly suggest getting a ureteroscopy next time if you are able. It's more invasive than the "blasting", but the success rate is much higher which means you won't have to have repeat procedures...You poor dear, you've been through a lot. I was fortunate enough to have my surgery done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Mn. The procedure was a success, and my 8mm stone was removed without any fragments leftover. Know that I'll be praying for you, and please send an update! God love you!

Love from Mn

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This forum really helped me! Especially the advice quoted. I had my stones removed on the left side last week and a stent put in. I was absolutely not prepared for the kidney pain while peeing. I was given percocet, which helped minimally; phenazopyridine which really helped with the irritation and burning. Yes, it really makes your urine turn orange. And an antibiotic. With all the meds, I will still in so much pain when I peed. My fiance even had hold my hand in the bathroom. That's when I turned to this forum.

The motrin helped tremendously. The heating pad and warm bath worked wonders too. Just sitting on the toilet and letting the urine come out was so much better than pushing it out. And not waiting until the bladder was full. I went every chance that I felt I had to go-which was a lot, but I found it was less painful than when I had a full bladder. Thank you for suggesting those!

The first few days were definitely the worst. The doctor told me I could go back to work the next day. I am not sure how. I ended up taking the full week off. The kidney pain was still there every time I peed, but it lessened each day, and I was fine after sitting and breathing a few minutes later. I continued taking the motrin every several hours each day. When I got the stent out, it did burn a bit but the kidney pain is very minimal.

I hope this helps. Best of luck to everyone!

After reading all of these stories, I am horrified. I went to the ER on April 10th due to severe pain. I knew it was a kidney stone as I have had them in the past. Mt stone measures 12 mm and 17.2. The Dr put a Stent in. On May 1st the Dr. did Lithotripsy. Went back two weeks ago...stone has not budged. This Friday he will do the Ureter scope to remove the stone and wants to input a new stent. I am ready for the stone to be out but not looking forward to another stent.

This is the fourth time I have the Ureteroscopy done and this has been the worst. This go round I had a 7mm stone removed. It's a week and I still have not returned to work and I am in my first year of teaching :(. I am experiencing pain like I was having before the surgery was done. My pain is in my right kidney, my back, when I urinate and so much more. I am throwing up everyday. I can't keep anything down. Something is not right this go round. 

My heart goes out to everyone who has posted here in pain. I was unaware of ureteral stents until my gastroenterologist (of all docs) noticed an obstruction in my left ureter on a scan. He referred me to a urologist last Thursday and I was in surgery Friday morning. Tw stents were placed. My issue, however, is not kidney stoness. 30 years ago I was treated with high dose external and internal radiation after an inoperable cancer diagnosis. As a result, my ureters are full of scar tissue and the obstructions caused a 50% reduction in my kidney function over time. I will not get that back. I'm not sure why, but my pain and discomfort was well controlled with medication. I don't know what the permanent fix will be but I may have to live with stents for a very long time. I don't have cancer which is a blessing but the damage done by the radiation will last a lifetime and I don't know what part of me is next but I am alive. That is a gift I never take for granted. I know my grand kids and I try to do good work. I hope all of you who suffer through these awful procedures will one day be cured. Hopefully you can aim for that 

What a wonderful post! I just had my stent placed today - I can't tell you how helpful your advice was! Thank you!

I had a Urethrascopy done 6 days ago.   Before they wheeled me in the OR, the Dr. said I would have a stent which I knew.  He said I would go home with a Catheter too.  Did not know that.   At the time I thought it was horrible.  But the pain I was feeling was the Stent and not the Catheter.    The Dr. said the stent would make it feel like I would have to run to the bathroom because of pressure.  I told him I had that everyday already.  He said it would be worse.   It was.  My stone was 1.3 Centimeters.   I had a 2 and 3 mm stones pass in 2013 and July 2014.  The cat scan showed the big stone in my left kidney still.  It was wedge in there.   

He only got about half of it out.  The Ultrasound shows it is now a 7 millimeter stone.  I get to do it all over again in two weeks.   The stent stays in until the next procedure.  Then he said he takes it out and puts in a new one.   That should be in a week.  I have to make it clear to him that I am not going in for a third procedure so he better get it all.  He said one drop of blood and his view is ruined.  He worked on me for over an hour and got what he could.  

He said the stent would be rough the first week.  He just said pressure.   For three days I've been running to the bathroom and all bets are off.   TMI WARING......   I just make it in there and my bladder explodes.   Luckily into the toilet.  I had to send my husband for incontinence pads which came in handy.   I get that same pressure on the rectum when the urine comes out.   It's like it presses against everything.   I wish I knew this and would not have been pushing the first two days.  I'm sure it is so sore and swollen in there.  If not better by October 21st, 2014 I will call the Dr.   I already finished the Pyridum and antibiotocs.   I have Phyridum from last year that is actually stronger so will take them a few more days.  I haven't slept in three days other then little naps.  Going to try now at 6 am.    This pain has to get better and I can't leave the house if I'm going to wet myself.  I'm also disabled with Failed Back Surgery.   So hard to run to the bathroom with a cane.    I just had to wait for my husband to wake up so I can sit in there.  Sitting on the throne does help for some reason.  Leaning forward too.  Sitting here typing is killing me.    Dr. wants to leave it in until the next procedure which is two weeks.  Said it would make the procedure easier and less bloody.   

Thanks for all the info.  Now I know I'm not alone.   

I'm with you. I had two small ones pass in 2013 and this past summer. I had over a centimeter big stone in my left kidney. I had the I had a Ureteroscopy done 6 days ago. Before they wheeled me in the OR, the Dr. said I would have a stent which I knew. He said I would go home with a Catheter too. Did not know that. He only got half. Now it is about 7 mm.

The Ureteroscopy was not bad at all. The stent is what is killing me. You went back for the
Ureteroscopy? How did it go? Did they get it all?

I go back November 4th to have the Ureteroscopy done again. New stent. That is if I survive this stent. LOL I would love to know how you made out.

That is my post in reply to gggone.   Somehow they had me as unregistered.  My user name is hessie 28.  Thanks.

So I had a 4mm stone removed that was lodged where my ureter connects to my bladder.  The pain I experianced leading up to the surgery would come and go, but when it came it was unbearable! I ended up having to spend the night in the hospital after they could not get my pain uner control.  While I am thankful that the stone is gone, I am still having the worst kidney pain.  I do not know if it is the stent or what but everyday it hurts.  3 days after my surgery I had my husband buy me some stool softeners to ease what I thought was constipation. No. I didn't have to take those at all because I have had severe diarrhea for 2 days now.  So not only does my back/kidney hurt, now my stomach is feeling something terrible.  I am suppose to have my stent removed tomorrow and I all I keep thinking is that it will be instant relief but I have a feeling that is not true.  I want all of this pain gone and I NEVER want another Kidney stone. EVER! 

I am surprised to read that people have been off for so long.  My doctor told me I could go back to work the next day so I haven't been off at all but I know I would have been better off taking my pain meds and laying down than being at work.  I feel like I have been suffering all week when I didn't have to! 

Yes, there IS pain with stent placements. Ive had three now due to complications from bladder cancer tumor removals/procedures. They can make you cramp, have spasms, need to urinate often (and painfully) etc.
There isn't alot of good information about the pain associated with cystoscopy's, ureter related procedures etc., but the pain can feel unbearable at times! I took Pyridium and Ditropan..the Ditropan for the bladder spasms, and the Pyridium for the bladder irruption/stinging from the stents. That helped enough for me to be able to go back to work and handle it. That was after a few days of heavier pain medication. I recently read that about 80% of people having these kinds of procedures have a medium to high level of pain afterwards, and, no, doctors don't make that clear to you. They usually say "you may experience some discomfort". That's a joke. You WILL likely have pain but if you take the medication I've noted, it will help. I've had my stents in from 4-6 weeks each time.
The other issue that some have, including myself, is abdominal bloating for some time after the procedure, as well as back pain which is related both the the procedures, and ALSO from the way they lift, move and position your body while under anesthesia during the procedures.
Good luck, and I wish everyone a speedy recovery. Hang in there. The pain and discomfort CAN be managed pretty well, even if it's in the medium to higher levels. Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor and request medication. It's your body and you know your pain is for real. Doctors seem to think patients are exaggerating. Were not!

I have had the same procedure done and have had stents fitted and need to keep them in before my next surgery in 3 weeks time. The pain is unbearable and exactly the same as when I had tme fitted 3 years ago.

Different people are affected different ways, some have no problems, only mild discomfort and others (like me) have a severe reaction. I am signed off work as I cannot walk far without needing to empty my bladder, I cannot drive and am counting the days to getting them out.

Plenty of fluid helps and eases the sensation of burning and I always have a "Hottie" heatpad on the go as I find this really helps. 

Hope you get relief soon.

Thank you for sharing your experience.... I am going on 3 weeks of having the stent in, and it seems the more I am on my feet, the more internal pinching I feel in my bladder..... In a couple of days, I have the surgery for them to go into urethra and laser to break up stone, then stent removal one week after that.... and the communication between doctors and patients is gross, my Dr tells me I will be able to return to work two days after having laser surgery.... True? Also once they break up the stone with the laser, I will still have to pass it? and sounds like it will be painful???? And how did the stent removal go for you? Mine is scheduled to be done in the doctors office with a nurse.... and I don't have the stent with a string on it!! Any advice you could offer would be amazing.... especially as we are the same age, etc..... Thank you again....

Hello I hope your surgery went well, I have had my stent in for almost 4,weeks, my lithro is next week. The pressure from this stent is awful and when I am on my feet it's worse. Doctor looks at me like I am faking the pain. The worst of it is after next week I need a second litho done so stent will be in until March, I don't feel I can get through this.,