Kidney Stent to Ureter (Bladder Cancer)

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Hi Everyone,

following a CT scan back in June it was found that I needed to have a stent fitted from my right kidney to my bladder rather quickly. ( Due to scar tissue causing a stricture from previous TURBT's) This was done on June 30th via entry through my back. I also had a tap one put in my back but that was removed the day after. (Top tip - make sure the nephrostomy tube is unlocked before trying to remove )

All communication for follow ups were upon a 3 month time scale for June 30th - Balloon Dalation/investigation & New stent fitted. I am now 4 days away from having had this stent in for 4 month. Over the last 3 weeks it has caused a lot of issues, severe pain either on its own or when going to the loo and every so often I have been passing quite a bit of blood. I did all my pre opp stuff 3 weeks ago but according to the hospital I'm still on the pending list.

My question is, is there a maximum amount of time a stent can stay in as I have read the longer it is in, theres a chance of crystals building up on the stent which can cause issues ?

Thanks :)

Normy

rily over 3 years ago

Hi Normy. Nice to hear from you again. Can't help with the stent query sorry, but hoping they get things sorted for you soon. Best wishes.

Best wishes to All, rily.

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KidneyBeen over 2 years ago in reply to rily

Hi there, Sorry I can't advise on the timescale for having a stent.

But I can say that the period that I had mine in, following a cystoscopy to check on the tumour in my kidney was a nightmare! I've never know pain like it, particularly when trying to pu.

It was absolute agony for 2 weeks, before the surgery to removes the kidney, The only thing that eventually took the edge off it was liquid morphine, that was eventually prescribed, after ever increasing strength pain relief had failed to stop me crying on the loo!

KidneyBeen

Northern Normy over 2 years ago in reply to KidneyBeen

Hi there :)

Just a little update

I had my ureter stent (plastic) put in on June 30^th 2021 (through my back :0 )– it was eventually removed last week , December 16^th , some 5 and a half months later. (Originally penciled in for the end of October it was cancelled and then planned for Nov 4^th. This was also cancelled due to the surgeon catching Covid. The next date was Nov 23^rd – cancelled too, I had been booked in with the wrong surgeon)

I was always aware the stent was there and had some niggles but after around 12 weeks in, things became awful. The pains were awful and the whole experience was very debilitating, I could hardly walk and the pains in my bladder & kidney were terrible. All I could do was hot baths and pain killers (tramadol – morphine was ineffective). I was prescribed Tolterodine, and it did help a tad but I was advised to head to A&E if things got too bad. I literally never left the house.

Anyhow, that dreaded stent is out and I now have a silicone one fitted and to be fair I can’t feel this one at all. It comes out on Jan 7^th and the balloon dilation I had will be checked for success. My tumor was right where my ureter entered the bladder and the scaring from 3 Turbts led to the stricture. These last 6 months have been miserable but dare I say I’m starting to feel pretty good. I no longer have aches & pains coming from my bladder & kidney! I still have “pain” issues with the physicality’s of the actual operation, but paracetamol keeps that at bay and I’m sure as the days progress things will get much better. It still really hurts though when I go for a wee !

My BCG treatment has been stopped as they reckon the 18 treatments I’ve already had should be enough and I’ll stay under surveillance going forward. I’m ok with this as I really suffered after the last 9 treatments with pain, spasms and cramps that went on for weeks so fingers crossed.

Thanks for listening.

Have a great Christmas everyone

Marie1272 over 2 years ago

My husband was told 6 months but not 100% though

Northern Normy over 2 years ago in reply to Marie1272

Hi Marie, I was told last week when I was in hospital that 6 months is the max. :)

sylvieron over 2 years ago in reply to Northern Normy

Hello i am Ron and want to ask if you don't mind why they put the sent in through your back and not from the bladder as usual. Thank you for reading my question.

Regards from Ron

Northern Normy over 2 years ago in reply to sylvieron

Hi Ron,

My right ureter was blocked with scar tissue from the removal of the tumor and an attempt to insert the stent (10 or 11 inches long) from "below" failed due to the scar tissue blocking access. This led to the insertion through my back into my kidney, down the ureter and into my bladder. Also had a nephrostomy was fitted but this was removed 24 hours later. The stent stayed in for 6 month then replaced with a silicone one for 3 weeks then out all together. Its all going well so far. Hope this helps.

sylvieron over 2 years ago in reply to Northern Normy

Thank you for your reply Normy. The reason i asked is because the last time i had a cystoscopy to see if the BCG had worked the surgeon wanted to look in my ureter as well but couldn't get there because he said the bladder wall was thick. Then he said not to worry we will do a CT scan and if we see anything we will go through your back.? I have had 6 rounds of BCG and was wondering if this could be the cause of the bladder wall been thick. He did a biopsy, and it was a shave? We go tomorrow for the results. My wife is out of her mind with worry because she thinks there not going to offer me the top up BCG.

Thanks for reading my answer

Kind regards Ronnie

Northern Normy over 2 years ago in reply to sylvieron

Thinking of you today

sylvieron over 2 years ago in reply to Northern Normy

Thank you so much i will let you know the outcome

Ron

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