Stent discomfort

[Bobalu]

Hi ladies any tips for relieving the discomfort of a kidney stent. I am on my

fourth infusion of caelyx . Does anyone know if this stent will be permanent ,

It gets worse all the time and I really dont know if I can tolerate it.

The stent has been changed and is still the same .

[Elaine13]

Hello, I have two kidney stents, placed in November last year. They were changed a couple of weeks ago and although I have asked if they can be removed I have disease around my small bowel which makes them necessary.

I have had a fair bit of discomfort on and off. I find that any increased activity such as walking or gardening 'sets them off' and sometimes they bleed. I find that keeping very well hydrated helps and if I know I going to be moving around I take paracetemol in advance and keep it topped up. You can get special meds to reduce the pain of urination but I gave up very quickly as they made me feel dizzy.

Over time I guess I have adapted to the stents a bit but I know most people seem to have some discomfort. I hope yours improve or can be managed. Keep asking if they can come out as I suspect leaving them in is a bit of a default position sometimes.

By the way, do watch for urinary tract infections. I have had two and did not catch them early enough. Symptoms were flank pain, shivering, high temperature. As soon as my GP got on the case the infections cleared very quickly.

Wishing you all the best

Elaine x

[Bobalu in reply to Elaine13]

Thanks Elaine I have just had this one changed on Monday then had my chemo on Tuesday . I have taken to bed and hoping for some relief tomorrow . I shall try paracetamol , anything ! Like you I have disease there but I think the alternative is to have an incision in your back and enter the kidney that way. Sounds a bit drastic but I can't bear this. Poor you having two. Bobbie

[Whippit]

Hi Bobbie and Elaine, I'm really grateful to you both for this post and comments as my centre has talked about a kidney stent. I'd heard there are two ways of inserting them and the hospital did an ultrasound which was going to help them decide which was best. So far the chemotherapy has improved kidney function so the idea of the stent has been put on the back boiler.

If it's mentioned again I'll most certainly ask now about pain and bleeding or other problems with stents. I had no idea they could play up and cause pain.

Thank you both for sharing information. I'm sorry to hear you've both suffering with them. Your comments have certainly helped me to formulate some questions and I'm really grateful to you both. xx love Annie

[Bobalu in reply to Whippit]

Hi Annie take my advice and only have this procedure if really necessary.

I have had 2 hospital appointments to have this one replaced . The surgeon would not operate because of my blood counts, first of all the platelets were low, then the white cells . I cannot see as long as I am on chemo that

they are going to be satisfactory for them. Oncologists have a totally different view of blood counts than do surgeons, they will take no chances.

Eventually I had the operation but only after consultation with my oncologist on the third occassion. I am going to ask if I have it permanently

once the chemo is finished, just a break would be nice, I also think caelyx , which I am having plays havoc with your urinary tract, urethra etc. I have taken Elaine's advice and tried paracetamol and it does give a little relief

Anyway it may not be necessary for you, fingers crossed. Bobbie

[Elaine13]

Annie and Bobbie,

I certainly agree with Bobbie that if one can avoid having stents then that's the best option but sometimes they are necessary to keep the kidneys working and I would not wish to worry anyone unnecessarily. I had mine replaced on the 4th Aug and I have to say that after a few days of discomfort they seem better than the last ones. The consultant Urologist said that most people are aware of the stents at least some of the time and for some people this means varying degrees of discomfort. As I mentioned before, activity does seem to make them worse which is a nuisance. For me personally it's not unbearable but everyone is different.

Mine were replaced via the ureters ( from the bottom as it were!) but when I first had them one side was inserted through the kidney because the blockage was preventing access. This procedure was carried out with a local and was pain free.

Elaine xxx

[Bobalu]

Hi Elaine. You were very brave, I had mine done by general anaesthetic . I don't mind what is done when I am asleep. I wouldn't like to put any one off either if it's necessary, I just didn't go into the details at the time. I have an appointment to replace this one in December so it's obviously a permanent fixture as my chemo finishes in October . Seeing my onc early next month so will go into it more. Bobbie

[Elaine13]

I hope it goes well for you Bobbie. This disease is difficult enough without extras like stents to cope with. I feel I ought not to speak too soon and jinx myself but these latest ones do seem better- I hope yours are too when you get them. I am starting on Carbo/Caelyx in September so I guess the kidneys need to be as effective as poss.

Elaine xx

[Bobalu]

Thanks Elaine . Good luck with your chemo, as I have said I have had number 4 of carbon and caelyx and have not found it too bad so hope it's the same for you Bobbie