I went in the shower, ran hottish water on my back for 3 minutes and with a gentle tug, the whole thing came out. No pain, no blood and I feel great. It sounds a little scary, but when it comes out, what a great feeling. I jumped for joy (which I couldn't do yesterday). If your doctor says take it out, just go for it. Too much internet research isn't a great thing. Your doctor or his nurse will give you the best advice. And to all you stent removers - Feel well!
Thanks to all for the comments here. Helped to read about your experiences.
The stent I removed today was the second ureter stent I have had. Both kidney stone-related. FWIW, this time the doctor lasered out 5 stones. Last time the urologist yanked the stent out without warning or explanation. Ow. So this time I figured I'd do it myself.
Based on info from the doctor and this site, I took Cipro, AZO, and 800mg ibuprofen (4 Advil) two hours before the event. I took 2mg dilaudid an hour before. I filled the bathtub with hot water. I drank a fair amount of water. I downed an espresso (what the heck). I got in, unwrapped the bandages, and started pulling gently (LOVED the "suggestion" of yanking like starting a lawn mower- LOL). At first I was surprised at all the thread. Then suddenly there it was. Took maybe 15 seconds all told to get it out. A tiny bit of blood and mucus. It wasn't painful (or interesting) at all, except at the exit point (I'm a guy). A bit later I felt pin-point pains at the kidney and ureter. Now, an hour and a half later I have flank pain like bad gas. But I sure am happy to have it out!
Just prepare and go for it! You know you want it out!
Removing the stent did not turn out to be the difficult part. Perhaps that is in some way reassuring?
Everyone who said the best way to do it is take pain meds, get in a hot shower with a full bladder, and start pulling as soon as you start peeing is telling the absolute truth. It took less than 10 seconds and no pain after at all. Thanks!!!
Thanks again
Let me tell you the story about my pregnant daughter.she was 5 month pregnant , got a bad kidney stone , they had to place a stent up her to urine ate after the broke the stone ,for thepeice to come out, well when it was time to pull stent the string broke and part of the stent broke off whichis as bog as a straw, so then two days later in pain they placed a tube in her to drain her kidney bladder, this broke off they cannot get tube out because it coiled , she has to leave tube in until baby is born , then operate, so this tube can be bad folks if not researched and done by the right doctors.
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