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Stone Surgery Complications

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Posted 3/16/2010 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I usually haunt the Diabetes forum but since developing a kidney stone in the past little while, I thought hang around here for a bit.

In late January, I had severe pain, rode in an ambulance and after a CT scan was told I had a 4mm. stone lodged in my kidney. A specialist later told me that if didn't pass on its own, it would have to be removed. Well, I had that surgery on March 2nd. When I woke up, a nurse told me that I must have previously passed the stone because nothing was removed during the operation. A stent was put in ... no noticeable pain ... until I had to urinate. INTENSE PAIN the first and EVERY time thereafter. The stent seemed to be contracting each time I urinated, causing severe cramping. A pharmacist suggested I might have an allergy or sensitivity to rubber or whatever the stent is made of. Not sure about that.

Many pain meds and 8 days later, I had the stent removed. The doctor said I was now OK and to drink lots of water to avoid future stones. He didn't say anything about the type of stone I had or recommend further medications or treatments.

Three days later (last Saturday), intense pain again ... checked into Emergency where after an ultrasound test, I was told that I had a 4mm. stone, now lower down and close to my bladder. Now the same doctor wants to see me again. Before I commit to that, I thought I'd ask a few questions and make a few observations for your comments.

The 4mm. stone sounds suspiciously like the one originally found in the CT scan. Could the surgeon have missed it during the operation?

If he didn't remove a stone, why was a stent installed?

Any comments or opinions are welcome. This is all new to me.
Posted 3/17/2010 2:17 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Chris,

So sorry to hear about your stone and it's complications.  Did your dr say where the stone was the first time you went to him?  If it was in your tube, there shouldn't have been any reason it was missed.  If he didn't remove a stone the first time, then there isn't any way for him to tell what type of stone it was.  As for the stent, they cause severe spasms and if you weren't taking any medication to help control the spasms as well as pain meds, you will have intense pain with a stent!!!!!  I currently have a stent up into my kidney that is replaced every three months and it causes severe spasms; any activity increases the spasm even if it's just standing for a short period of time or taking a quick shower.

I would think twice about going back to the same dr.  If you have a choice, I would see a different urologist; it took 7 urologists for me before one finally figured things out and was able to help me.

I wish you the best and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Judy

Posted 3/17/2010 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
The first CT scan showed the stone lodged in my kidney. It moved down the tract later that day, my screaming and crying verified that shocked Yes, I agree, there should be no reason it was missed during the operation. I was just wondering if, under certain circumstances, only a stent is put in to allow the stone to pass naturally or if I could have made another stone in less than a week? I am just trying to give the doctor the benefit of the doubt but it looks to me like he missed it.

As I said, I'm seeing my family physician tomorrow and will ask for another referral but options are limited. There are only 3 urologists in the area and the pelican I had the pleasure of dealing with is unfortunately the best of the bunch.

Very frustrating.
Posted 3/17/2010 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Chris, sorry, I am not very familuar with Kidney stones. Our other moderater, who is, will probably be away for a little while do to health issues.

If it were me, I would deffinatly try to see another urologist. It is hard for me to believe that another stone formed in less than a week. What did your doctor say today???
Posted 3/18/2010 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
My family doc (a good guy) recommended I stay with the same urologist for the follow-up operation since he is the best one around here. He also said it is the first time he'd heard of this guy missing something during a procedure.

Since the stone is lower (in my bladder), the stent may not be necessary so there should be less pain. I hope so.
Posted 3/19/2010 1:22 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Chris,

Don't really wan't to discourage you but for a dr to miss what he went in there for???? I would definitely think twice about going back. I know it's a pain to travel to a dr but I actually travel 3 hours one way to my urologist and believe me, he is more than worth every mile we drive.  My last urologist literally almost killed me; and last summer this new one had to fix his mistakes as well as perform about 10 procedures over a 2 month period.  Needless to say we traveled a lot last summer and it was extremely painful each time we got into the car but I knew this man was finally going to help me and helped to save me life so no amount of distance mattered.  Plus, when you go to other drs, you might find one who treats you the way you should be treated; I never was able to talk with my drs in my hometown, always had to talk with the nurse or leave a message & hope someone would call me back the next day.  When I found these new drs, they either have talked to me right away when I call, call me back within 30 min, or my urologist has given me his cell number and says to just call him and don't call anyone else when I have ?'s.  It's so comforting to be treated by skilled, compassionate drs.

So, I know you trust your family dr., but are you going to give someone a second chance who put you under once & placed a stent in you causing severe pain for NO reason due to HIS error?  One time missing something is too many especially if it's happening to YOU. 

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope that your pain eases soon.

Judy

Posted 3/19/2010 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
I understand what you're saying Judy but where I live, I'm 6 to 8 hours away from the next major city so options are limited. I had a good long talk with my doc and he assured me that although this guy is severely lacking in social skills, his medical skills are exceptional. He also said that the stone in question could be a new one or one that was out of the CT scan area (my pain was much higher up initially).

Interesting too; my doc found a filed test that showed I had a calcium oxalate stone. This is strange since, as I said before, I was told that no stone was removed. Either the urologist did remove something or particles showed up in a pre-op urine sample I gave (there were some but I thought someone would have to order specific tests to confirm their presence -- maybe the surgeon did this?).

In any case, I see him again next Tuesday so I'll be asking questions.
Posted 3/25/2010 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
An update for anyone interested: I saw the sawbones again. He explained that he removed a fragment during the original procedure and that I still have a fragment that was hidden from the scans (this one is lower down, approaching my bladder). He said that since I am not in pain and have no other symptoms, I should give it another 3 weeks, have another ultrasound and then take it from there. Assuming the stone doesn't pass on its own, I'm in for another bout with him and his scope. I have been assured that this time around, the procedure will not be as extensive and probably not require another stent.

I hope so.
Posted 5/7/2010 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
There are lots of patients which have a same problem given here. My friend also suffering form the same disorder....
Posted 5/7/2010 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
HI, I was hoping there would be other people here to share advice about what they do when they have pain from a kidney stone. I have had a dozen stones over the past 15 years (calcium Oxylate). The first thing I do when I start to feel the back pain is to take an anti inflamatory, since when the stone gets stuck,,,, the tissue around it becomes inflamed and holds it in place. this can be any kind of Ibuprofen just look on the front of the bottle. This is just common sence, I just make sure I take them before I start getting nautious and cant keep them down...then its too late.
I hope this helps someone. I will check back tomorrow for comments. Thanks Mike

Post Edited (Mikeinnc) : 5/7/2010 8:14:07 AM (GMT-6)

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