Stent and kidney stones while pregnant , any moms experience this?

Kristian - posted on 04/14/2011

Do request that you be under anesthesia to have the stint removed! When I worked in surgery, men ALWAYS got put under for scopes and stints, while the women were in office. So not fair. Guess they think we can handle it, but why should you have to?

Kristian - posted on 04/14/2011

The shockwave lithotropsy shouldn't be a problem to help with your kidney stones while pregnant . And you will feel much relief when the stint is removed. I am currently suffering through a second pregnancy with hydronephrosis, and am an RN that worked in surgery years ago, the baby is blocking the flow of urine from right kidney to bladder, causing urine to back up. It is quite painful to have kidney stones when pregnant. At 8 months for the first child, I passed a stone. I was on pain meds the last month because the pain from the kidney caused contractions. They said it was better to be on the pain meds and keep her in, than to have her early. She is 7 now, perfectly healthy since the day she was born. With my current pregnancy, the pain began sooner. I have been on an antibiotic, muscle relaxers, and pain meds, not to mention constantly laying on my left side to keep the tube open from the right kidney to the bladder. I have been told by many doctors that a stint can be as painful or more painful than the hydronephrosis, but I imagine with the stones you keep getting, that you very much need the stint. The doctors wouldn't do the x-rays unless it was absolutely necessary, and it sounds like it was. I am unsure of any problems with a fetus and x-rays. Typically it is the eggs they worry about with birth defects and not a fetus. It never hurts to ask your doctor about concerns, or as many doctors as you would like to ask! The issues they are concerned about with the pain meds is fetal addiction, which typically just causes a cranky baby for a week or two, so don't worry about that. With the antibiotics, some can cause their teeth to be yellow, but docs tend to stay away from the ones that do that. I hope this helps. I know it is terrible to have kidney stones while pregnant. Good luck to you. Make sure you have plenty of help when the baby arrives, and you will not believe the relief you get after the lithotropsy. I have many patients that told me how much better they felt. The stint removal will also be a BIG relief! Take care of yourself.

Raven - posted on 04/14/2011

I am dealing with the possibility of a kidney stone while pregnant. Several months ago I had a large stone and had to have both a stint, and shockwave. The stint was very uncomfortable, but the shockwave was nothing. My back was sore that night and the next day, but it wasn't anything compared to the pain I had previously been feeling. I can honestly say if you have been in horrible pain that you opt to have your stint removed under anesthetic. I was not given the option originally, and didn't know that it was an option. So, I had mine removed in the office with no sort of pain block. It was the worst thing I have ever gone through. Now granted, I have not been through child birth yet, but I honestly can't imagine anything worse. They can put you under to do this, and I highly recommend it!

April - posted on 03/09/2011

I know exactly how you feel! I am ONLY 4 months pregnant and I now have my second kidney stone. I have never had a kidney stone until now. I was just in the hopsital a month ago with severe pain and they had to put me under to put a scope down me to see if they could remove it since they couldnt do an xray at 14 weeks. I ended up getting very lucky and passed it during the procedure when they put the stent in. The stent was very painful for me, and ended up having to remove it the next day becuase if caused more pain, and throwing up than the kidney stone alone did. Now its a month later and I have another Kidney stone! I have been in the hospital for 4 days because of pain and throwing up again. They have put another stent in, which is more pain than what its worth to me. I had it removed this morning in his office and now I am doubled over in pain in my kidneys and also have really bad bladder spasms. Needless to say, I am very ready for my pregnancy to be over. They told me since my body is producing to much progestrone (sp) then I will probably have kidney stones through out my whole pregnancy. I know your pain, and it scares me with the baby because only strong meds takes care of the pain.

Vickie - posted on 03/02/2010

I know that it is going to be at least 2 weeks after I have him that they will do the procedure for the kidney stone. That is probably going to be the worst two weeks too! With my daughter we were 3 days past our due date, I pushed for 2 1/2 hours with her and you could see her the doc just couldn't get her out, she was 3-20-04, then 11-29-05 we had my son by c-section at 38 weeks, I was dialated to a 2 the day before and at a 4 the morning we had him, he was going to come that day! I just don't see how with everything else going on that I am going to make it to 39 wks. I would think the constant infections would be a concern for the doctors as well as the pain that I am in. I just want it to all be over with! I know that 7 wks doesn't seem like much, but April just can't come quick enough right now!

Iridescent - posted on 03/01/2010

I can't blame you! Being raw to the point of tears was the worst by far. It took me a long time to figure out that trick, and although it's unpleasant, the feeling is so much better! It even works on yeast (possibly another thing you are dealing with, considering you're on long term antibiotics right now). I hated pregnancy. I went to 42 weeks with my first, 36 weeks with my second, 37 weeks with my third. All C-Sections. It's wishful thinking that they'd just fix the kidney while they're in there dealing with the baby! Too bad they can't (completely wrong angle...). Our kids birthdays are 4/13, 5/2, 5/9, and twins 3/15. Bad pregnancies feel like they last forever, no doubt!

Vickie - posted on 03/01/2010

Thank you Amy, I hadn't really thought of putting anything on to help with the pain from the urine. I assume that even after the shockwave it will be awhile before that feels better too. I have had several days in a row where I could barely wipe, I had to go to the bathroom so much that I actually got raw. This has certainly not been a pregnancy that I would wish on anyone!
At the moment my OBGYN things I will make it to my 39th week for my c-section, I am going to discuss this with her at my next visit as I was in labor and had my second child (also a boy) at 38 wks also by c-section. I just don't see how I can make it that far! While I am still in the hospital from the birth my Urologist is going to order a CT scan of my kidney to see exactly what the next step will be for me and then set a date for it. I am hoping that this will all be done with by the first week of May! :) I can dream at least!!

Iridescent - posted on 02/24/2010

I totally understand! My first pregnancy was fairly pleasant. My second two were a living hell, and I wouldn't wish them on anyone. It's unrelated (for the most part) to my kidney issues, but I can still relate. Even NOT pregnant, it's miserable to be up several times per night and all day feeling the urge to go to the bathroom, and be in pain all day every day, and spasming... If you haven't learned this yet, request a tube of Calmoseptine (has lidocaine) or even use Vaseline or Desitin in your folds so the urine doesn't burn. It decreases the urge to go significantly, and goes from pain ALL OVER to just abdominal. It might help.

Vickie - posted on 02/24/2010

Amy, I almost feel horrible saying this but there are days that I think I am more excited about the Shockwave and Stent removal then the birth of my son. I just want to cry somedays that I am in constant pain and have a constant bladder infection. I am happy to be having another child and getting excited with getting the boy's room fixed up and at the same time I am just getting so worn down with the everyday part. Only 7 more weeks til my son makes his apperance and 9 til the procedure is done so I can get my life back and really enjoy my children again!

Iridescent - posted on 02/15/2010

Oh, the stent removal will honestly feel like heaven! The pain the stent causes, and the spasms, are immediately gone. You really will feel better.

Iridescent - posted on 02/15/2010

I didn't have this all while pregnant, but it was a very similar line. I started out with tons of bladder infections as a child that continued into adulthood. It got to where I can no longer feel when I have a bladder infection, and now they're kidney infections that progress into urosepsis within 24 hours. There is a strong suspicion I have kidney reflux causing this.

I had a 1cm stone in my right kidney that was blocking the renal pelvis and needed lithotripsy. I got that done, and it was actually not too bad! I went in, they laid me on a glass table and put a water balloon under me, then coated me in oil (really!). I remember nothing after until I woke up. They said they thought they blasted it all, so all that was left was to flush the results. I passed blood for a few days but nothing painful (sand). I was tender but not in pain from it. Had to strain pee for 2 weeks I think. Went through all the testing for the causes, found out my water intake need is much higher than typical for my size so they increased my minimum daily fluid requirement to 2500mL/day. This is really hard for me to drink that much.

Got another kidney stone a couple years later in the left kidney. I had a lot of pain and went to the hospital, diagnosed with urosepsis and hospitalized. I was started on Dilaudid (allergic to most pain meds), and IV fluids, and antibiotics IV. They pumped 8L of fluid in within 24 hours, and I passed 120mL out. I was officially in kidney failure and they didn't know why. I was in severe pain, orders were nothing by mouth but I was so thirsty I was crying then sneaking water from the bathroom faucet. The doctor ordered higher doses of Dilaudid in hopes I'd improve. As it was more than safe for my weight and lack of kidney function, the nurse refused to turn it up and the doctor did herself. They shipped me via ambulance to another hospital for emergency surgery (stent placement) that night. When I woke up I was in a ton of pain still, had to pee immediately and every 5 minutes for the next 12 hours (literally!), and had lots of bladder spasms. They found out I have a deformed ureter and a 2mm stone was stuck in it, infection was surrounding it to the point it was not safe to remove until I had more antibiotics so they stented around it. I was in critical condition for 2 weeks on IV antibiotics and then they were able to remove the stone and the stent. The kidney failure went away as soon as the stent was placed.

The last time I had a problem was with the birth of my last child. I had a catheter for the C-section and was released on a Saturday morning. I had to be readmitted Sunday night (Mother's Day) again for urosepsis from catheter caused bladder/kidney infections. I was not allowed to have my daughter readmitted with me, and she was not even a week old. I was very mad they had released me on Saturday since I was already requesting a UA then and running a fever, and it caused my daughter to not be readmitted so I couldn't be near her for a week (for IV antibiotics).

If you're prone to infections, and end up with a catheter, make sure you have a clear UA before leaving the hospital after giving birth. At least then if you have an infection that needs treatment you can be with your child.

Vickie - posted on 02/15/2010

Thank you Krista, it has been a challenge having a kidney stone while pregnant. This is my first kidney stone, so I am at a loss as to how this will all come out, I have heard that they are very painful, and that with the shockwave I am still going to have to pass the remains of the stone. This was going to be our last child anyway, knowing now that I am at higher risk of this happening again, it really is our last!! I know there must be other moms who have had kidney stones while pregnant, I am just having a hard time finding any, it is a scary process and rough without any support from others that have been there.

Krista - posted on 02/15/2010

Ugh -- I didn't have a kidney stone while pregnant, but I have had them otherwise, and you have my deepest sympathies for the agony you must be going through. Kidney stones really, really, really, really suck.

Kristian - posted on 04/14/2011

The shockwave lithotropsy shouldn't be a problem to help with your kidney stones while pregnant . And you will feel much relief when the stint is removed. I am currently suffering through a second pregnancy with hydronephrosis, and am an RN that worked in surgery years ago, the baby is blocking the flow of urine from right kidney to bladder, causing urine to back up. It is quite painful to have kidney stones when pregnant. At 8 months for the first child, I passed a stone. I was on pain meds the last month because the pain from the kidney caused contractions. They said it was better to be on the pain meds and keep her in, than to have her early. She is 7 now, perfectly healthy since the day she was born. With my current pregnancy, the pain began sooner. I have been on an antibiotic, muscle relaxers, and pain meds, not to mention constantly laying on my left side to keep the tube open from the right kidney to the bladder. I have been told by many doctors that a stint can be as painful or more painful than the hydronephrosis, but I imagine with the stones you keep getting, that you very much need the stint. The doctors wouldn't do the x-rays unless it was absolutely necessary, and it sounds like it was. I am unsure of any problems with a fetus and x-rays. Typically it is the eggs they worry about with birth defects and not a fetus. It never hurts to ask your doctor about concerns, or as many doctors as you would like to ask! The issues they are concerned about with the pain meds is fetal addiction, which typically just causes a cranky baby for a week or two, so don't worry about that. With the antibiotics, some can cause their teeth to be yellow, but docs tend to stay away from the ones that do that. I hope this helps. I know it is terrible to have kidney stones while pregnant. Good luck to you. Make sure you have plenty of help when the baby arrives, and you will not believe the relief you get after the lithotropsy. I have many patients that told me how much better they felt. The stint removal will also be a BIG relief! Take care of yourself.

Raven - posted on 04/14/2011

I am dealing with the possibility of a kidney stone while pregnant. Several months ago I had a large stone and had to have both a stint, and shockwave. The stint was very uncomfortable, but the shockwave was nothing. My back was sore that night and the next day, but it wasn't anything compared to the pain I had previously been feeling. I can honestly say if you have been in horrible pain that you opt to have your stint removed under anesthetic. I was not given the option originally, and didn't know that it was an option. So, I had mine removed in the office with no sort of pain block. It was the worst thing I have ever gone through. Now granted, I have not been through child birth yet, but I honestly can't imagine anything worse. They can put you under to do this, and I highly recommend it!

April - posted on 03/09/2011

I know exactly how you feel! I am ONLY 4 months pregnant and I now have my second kidney stone. I have never had a kidney stone until now. I was just in the hopsital a month ago with severe pain and they had to put me under to put a scope down me to see if they could remove it since they couldnt do an xray at 14 weeks. I ended up getting very lucky and passed it during the procedure when they put the stent in. The stent was very painful for me, and ended up having to remove it the next day becuase if caused more pain, and throwing up than the kidney stone alone did. Now its a month later and I have another Kidney stone! I have been in the hospital for 4 days because of pain and throwing up again. They have put another stent in, which is more pain than what its worth to me. I had it removed this morning in his office and now I am doubled over in pain in my kidneys and also have really bad bladder spasms. Needless to say, I am very ready for my pregnancy to be over. They told me since my body is producing to much progestrone (sp) then I will probably have kidney stones through out my whole pregnancy. I know your pain, and it scares me with the baby because only strong meds takes care of the pain.

Vickie - posted on 02/15/2010

Thank you Krista, it has been a challenge having a kidney stone while pregnant. This is my first kidney stone, so I am at a loss as to how this will all come out, I have heard that they are very painful, and that with the shockwave I am still going to have to pass the remains of the stone. This was going to be our last child anyway, knowing now that I am at higher risk of this happening again, it really is our last!! I know there must be other moms who have had kidney stones while pregnant, I am just having a hard time finding any, it is a scary process and rough without any support from others that have been there.