Kidney Stent Problems During Pregnancy

Updated on October 02, 2012
L.C. asks from Denver, CO
7 answers

I am currently27 weeks pregnant. at 19 weeks I was diagnosed with a large kidney stone and had surgery to put in a stent. It was my understanding that the stone was to big to pass, and blasting it during pregnancy was dangerous, so the stent was to provide relief from the pain and they would take care of it after the baby is born. While the massive pain is gone, I am having some serious issues that I assume are from the stent. Last weekend I thought I might be passing pieces of the stone, so I went in and my uroglogist told me that they were not stone fragments, but from the stent itself. Saying that I have "frequent urge to urinate" is a gross understatement. He doesn't want to remove the stent because he says I will just be back in that constant exruciating pain, and the risk of infection from blockage is to great, and not good for the baby. Starting yesterday things have gotten even worse, which I didn't think was possible. It feels like I am being constantly stabbed in the crotch. It hurts when I sit, whenI stand, when I walk, while I'm urinating, after I'm done, just all the time. I also constantly feel like I have to go, there is no break. I'm trying to take care of my 2 year old twins and I can't move. I was just in last week and told that "discomfort is to be expected" but this is ridiculous. I don't know how I can do this for 13 more weeks. It just feels like my Dr. just nods and says its normal, but nothing feels right. Anyone else have experience with this?

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More Answers

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

It sounds like your stent moved/slipped into a different position.

I have had stents (kidney stone) and did not feel them at all. The kind of pain you have is not normal, and not to be expected.

You need to make a big noise to your urologist and ask him to check the position of the stent. Or, have your OB check it. The stress of pain can't be good during pregnancy either.

Best of wishes to you.
Hugs.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

I have a friend who got a huge kidney stone blasted during pregnancy. Now, I don't know how severe her situation was, or why they decided to go forward with it. I would say you are not getting the care you need, you feel something is wrong...time for a second opinion. See if your OB has a recommendation. I hope you get answers.

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L.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi,

I am so sorry! I completely understand your pain. I have had several stents in the last several months and I understand what you are going through. What I did was tell my doctor that they needed to come up with a solution for me right away. That I am not ok with being "uncomfortable". They need to address your pain and whatever is happening in your private area right away. It is not good for you or your baby for you to be stressed out and in pain because of it. There are safe medications for pain and for the stent that can be used safely in pregnancy. Don't take no for an answer. If they don't help you, get another urologist. Best wishes and hope you feel better soon!

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K.R.

answers from Denver on

I am so sorry! I had kidney stones at the very end of my pregnancy and was in such pain I did not even know I was in labor. I had a stent put in for three weeks and. Was extremely uncomfortable, but never in pain. My sense is that there should not be pain and would ask around. Or look on a medical web site. I remember the never ending feel of needing to urinate still stands out in my mind..and there is no description. My heart goes out to you thirteen weeks sounds like a long time..I would maybe consider switching docs if there is nothing that an be done for the pain.

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B.G.

answers from Springfield on

I have had several stents for kidney stones but none while pregnant (thank God!). I think they are painful! Not as painful as the kidney stone, but still.

Do your urologist give you any medicine to take? I was always given pain meds but also medicine specifically for the stent. I think they were to prevent bladder contractions. If you don't have anything like that, please ask.

My doctor gave me instructions about drinking lots of fluids and cutting back on activity. I was not to lift my kids. Please tell me with 2 year old twins you were told you could not lift them! The activity will increase all of your symptoms and possibly even cause visible blood in your urine.

Another thing that might help. If you feel, even a little bit, like you need to go, go right away. If you have to wait, you will be in pain. the pain will begin in your crotch and can even go up into the kidney until you empty your bladder. No fun!

I am so sorry you're going through this. Try to ask lots and lots of questions during your next visit. I really hope they can do something to make this easier for you.

J.O.

answers from Boise on

I have no experience, but I would look into a second opinion.

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B.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

I had a huge kidney stone, but they didn't discover it until after my daughter's birth. Because I had a c-section, they made me wait two months before doing the surgery to remove it. Ugh. So when they put the stent in after the surgery I felt like I had to pee every five minutes. I also had the pain you do with the stabbing in the crotch. It was terrible. When the urologist removed it he said, "Boy, you must have been really uncomfortable." He told me I was uncomfortable because mine moved. I would suggest you get another opinion. They should be able to maybe take it out and put the stent back in or shift it? I feel your pain and hope it gets better soon :( Those pregnancy kidney stones are awful (I had one with my first too and they just left it to pass).

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