I've just had a ureteral stent procedure and feel bloody miserable

[AgentFelix]

I'm having my left kidney removed in December due to it being non-functional and having a history of infections. I had a stent procedure on Wednesday to allow the urine to drain out which will make December's surgery easier.

Since the moment I woke up from the surgery I have felt like I need to wee. I go to the toilet, pass a tiny amount, experience agonising bladder spasms, and then feel the urge to wee again. I've had no relief from it at all.

I wish I'd never had the fucking thing thing done.

I haven't had a poo since Tuesday and I've got an ear infection as well

[HansieMom]

Call the surgeon. You likely have a UTI going on. Sounds awful times three!

[AgentFelix]

I'll take a urine sample to the doctor's on Monday, but I don't think it's a UTI. The surgeon did warn me about bladder discomfort and blood in urine but I didn't expect it to be as bad as this.

I'm constipated because of all the pain killers and the ear infection is just bad luck.

[PrincessSymbian]

More pain killers (won't help with the constipation) but will help you not to care that you are!
But do talk to the gp on Monday!

[AgentFelix]

I'm taking maximum amounts of co-dydramol. They were prescribed for something else but the nurse in the recovery room said they were suitable. If my urine sample is clear on Monday I will ask my GP if there's anything better he can prescribe - something to stop the spasms maybe.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Did they give you a number for a ward you can contact for advice? If you are still not getting relief from the maximum dose you can take I don't think it would be unreasonable to call and ask.

[noddyholder]

codeine slows down urine flow which would cause infection if it is too long in the stent. I had a stent and had an infection it was agony!

[AgentFelix]

No, they didn't give me a number for the ward. I'm just going to hang on 'til Monday now when I can see my GP.

Noddy, sorry to hear you had to have a stent too. I didn't know that about codeine. I have nothing else in and don't know whether to continue with it or not. I'll ask DP to pick up some plain paracetamol on his way home from work. I think I read somewhere to avoid ibuprofen, but I'm so tired I may have just imagined that.

[HansieMom]

Monday is a long time away. I think you should call. Drink lots of water too.

[RabbitsMakeGOLDBaubles]

There are medications they can give you to stop bladder spasms. I have supplies of buscopan which can be bought over the counter which offers some mild relief until you can be seen.

[topsi]

I wouldn't wait till monday. When did you have this done? You are post op and if there is excessive discomfort then you should contact some one ASAP. Talk to NHS direct or phone the GP, I wouldn't sit on it so to speak. Phone the hospital and ask to be put through to the urology ward for advice!

[topsi]

Sorry you had it one wednesday. Also treat the constipation with some lactulose.

[noddyholder]

The constipation can cause that pressure feeling and make you feel like you need a constant wee! I have since had the stent out

[topsi]

How are you OP?

[AgentFelix]

Thanks everyone

I feel a lot better today after forcing down loads of liquids yesterday. I've been avoiding drinking much, which I know is stupid in itself, because weeing is so unpleasant. If I did have the beginnings of a UTI hopefully I've flushed it through, but I will still get a sample tested at the dr's tomorrow.

I think maybe my bladder and wee-hole are just sensitive and tender after being prodded about with. I will see for certain tomorrow though. I really hope it isn't a UTI because a course of ABs will give me thrush and I definitely don't want that at the moment.

I also have psoriasis all over my labia (TMI)

[topsi]

oh you poor thing. Anti inflamatory's may help such as diclofenac/ibuprofen, though I seem to remember you can't take diclofenac with kidney problems?

[AgentFelix]

Oh thanks topsi. A bit of sympathy is soothing

I don't know about diclofenac, but I'm sure I read something about ibuprofen. I don't know whether I have kidney 'problems' as such because my right kidney is picking up the slack.

I've been googling but can't find much about my situation. I don't have kidney failure/cancer/stones or anything wrong with me because of my kidney. It makes me worry that all this is a bit unnecessary

[RabbitsMakeGOLDBaubles]

You need to get a doctor to okay anti-inflammatories like NSAIDs because they are broken down through the kidney and can have an adverse affect also. My other kidney picks up the slack too, so my kidney function overall doesn't show as having problems, but I get a lot of protein in my wee and as I said I get infection after infection, plus the pain.

Have you had any exploratory procedures to look at your kidneys and such yet?

[AgentFelix]

You sound like you're in the same boat as me Rabbits. Is surgery an option for you as well?

I've had an ultrasound, CT scan and nuclear scan and they all confirm a non-functioning left kidney. I could have opted to leave it in but I developed pyelonephritis this summer and my consultant thinks it will reoccur if I don't have the surgery. Hopefully it will put an end to all the UTIs as well as I am sick of taking ABs and I'm sure I have way too much candida in my system as a result.

Thanks for the advice on NSAIDS. GP has advised that I continue with co-dydramol since the hospital know I'm taking it. My urine sample seems clear but he's sent it for testing at the lab just in case. I'm sure it's fine though.

[RabbitsMakeGOLDBaubles]

I'm 4% off of surgery level still, and with inflammatory arthritis the medications are broken down through my kidneys, so they want to keep as much function there as possible for that. I've actually been sent for a second opinion with a consultant in Leicester to help decide what to do as my case is so borderline that my own consultant couldn't best advise me. I just want it out because it hurts all the time, and it's the worst kind of pain, but obviously there's more than just pain to consider.

[AgentFelix]

That sounds awful Rabbits.

I didn't know there was a cut off percentage. Although my kidney is referred to as non-functioning it does have some function - 7%. What is the cut off?

I don't really have kidney pain generally. I used to but that was about 20 years ago, probably when it first was obstructed, and when I was ill in the summer. I really feel for you having to put up with that plus arthritis. DP has psoriatic arthritis and I know his pain is on a whole different level to mine. Some of the meds he's been on over the years are very serious too, lowering his immunity. It's a shitty combination - kidney issues and arthritis. I'm really sorry to hear about your situation.

I'm sure if I were you I would want the nephrectomy too. I hope the second opinion gives you new options. Good luck for the appt. When are you going?

[RabbitsMakeGOLDBaubles]

7% is pretty low. They said to me cut off is usually 20%, so I am really quite a lot better off than you at 24% function, especially given that the kidney is also about 50% the usual size with gritty deposits and stones.

No idea when, I had to turn down an appointment that was a cancellation due to childcare and health, so I'm on a waiting list now.

[AgentFelix]

Oh, you're kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place with that one. 24% is significant especially when you take DMARDS into consideration. Kidney pain is brutal though and I'm sure I would rather risk my future health than deal with it regularly. When I was ill earlier this year I didn't know what to do with myself. The pain was relentless, on a similar level to labour IMO.

The percentages confuse me a bit and my consultant is not particularly approachable so I haven't asked. Should each kidney be functioning at 100% or 50%?

I have a cousin who had emergency surgery years back for an obstructed kidney. He was left with only 10% function but he's never had it removed; it wasn't an option at the time and it's not given him any problems since. I wonder if his risk of serious infection is lower because he's male and so it's safe to keep it in.

Hope you hear about your appt. soon and good luck . I'd be really interested to hear what comes of this second opinion.

[RabbitsMakeGOLDBaubles]

My understanding is that they achieve 100% between them. Right now my right kidney takes 24% of that load, so my left kidney is under less pressure to perform. Take that away and I could still have 100% function, but it would all have to come from the left kidney, and of course that could result in kidney disease in the future as it naturally ages, potentially faster because it's doing more and because I am on the DMARD medication.

[AgentFelix]

What DMARDs are you on Rabbits?

DP started off on methotrexate but he couldn't handle the side effects so they changed him to leflunomide. He's recently started getting humira injections as well and they are fantastic. He was so ill 3 years ago that his employer retired him and he started receiving his pension (he was only 36) but humira works so well that he's been able to work again. He's only part time and can only do 2 days in succession but it's still an amazing improvement. A year ago he couldn't walk without crutches.

[noddyholder]

I have had 2 transplants and my original kidneys and the first transplant are still in and give me trouble from time to time it is excruciating