Never had one this smooth and was about 3 months after having surgery to remove all of them!

Took it out this afternoon. I followed all the tips that were given to me so hopefully this will help others (I’m female btw):

About an hour before I took it out I took two AZO, two extra strength Tylenol and a toradol. I started a nice warm shower and put on a YouTube video to distract myself. In the shower I did have to hunt around to find the string because it had come out of the tape, but I did find it. I tried to pee as I slowly and steadily pull it out but found out my body will not let me pee in the shower at all, so I kind of just beared down.

And those who told me that the stent is longer than you think, holy crap you were so right! My arms were long enough to just use the string, at some point I just had to pull on the stent itself.

It did feel weird, but wasn’t unpleasant at all. I’m just so happy it’s out because I had spasms last night and it hurt so bad.

I hope this helps others and good luck in getting yours out!

Does it end anytime soon after surgery or only when the stent is removed? The horror.

Finally got to get this horrible thing out today!

I passed my 5mm kidney stone today after about 1 month and am wondering if my pain and attitude was overreacting the whole time I guess?

It’s a little embarrassing to ask but as I’m sure a lot of you know, the pain spikes that I’ve had over the last month have without a doubt been the worst pains I’ve ever felt in my life and after finally passing it I’m having a surge of weird emotions such as “wow I’ve been such a bitch over this”, “people have had it so much worse”, etc.

I know 5mm is a lower end on the size scale and I guess what I’m wondering is have I been warranted in feeling so shitty this past month?
I’ve canceled plans, missed work, and have just not been myself at all and for some reason after passing it my brain is telling myself that I’ve just kind of been a pussy the whole time.
Is that normal?

My body accepts pain like a hellraiser movie.

So ended up having the Ureteroscopy since my 5 mm kidney stone went back into the kidney and just wanted to get rid of it.

This stent though is HELL. Like when my stone was in the tube and I had a period, it was not has bad as this pain, and I would say I have a decent pain tolerance. This is so much worse than trying to pass the stone.

Now I’m running on 4 hours of sleep from before the surgery because I was nervous, I was in pain all day, have taken like 4 hot showers to help with pain, drank lots of water, maxed out on medicine to take, and can’t sleep because I constantly have to pee. Like it’s almost 4 am as I’m writing this, so I’ve mostly been up for 24 hours now (other then when they put me out for surgery which I did not feel rested from, I’ve heard different accounts saying it helps others feel rested but not everyone)

Please tell me this gets better or that I could talk to the doctor about maybe taking the stent out a day earlier because it is messing me up. I need my sleep.

Had a ureteroscopy where apparently they couldn't get this damn stone out of me and they placed a stent. I have to go back for another surgery in the near future that isn't scheduled yet, but holy shit it burns so much when I pee right now I'm seeing white when I try to pee.

Is this how it's going to be the entire time? Is it worse right now because surgery just happened? I'm so frustrated I didn't really even get to talk to the doctor after my surgery I'm just hearing things second hand from my wife. But holy shit I can't pee like this for 2-3 weeks while I wait for the second surgery.

Hi all. I’m a 32M, 186 cm and 72 kg. I’ve had calcium oxalate stones, analyzed as whewellite. I drink 3–4 L a day and work out 3× a week, about 30 minutes of running and weights each time.

I’m confused about how to count protein, because the sources I’ve found don’t agree:

• EAU guidelines: limit animal protein to 0.8–1.0 g/kg/day. For me that’s about 58–72 g.
• Jill Harris (kidneystonediet.com): the limit only applies to meat, poultry and fish. Dairy, eggs and legumes don’t count toward it.
• University of Chicago (Dr. Coe): 0.83–1.05 g/kg of total protein, so about 60–76 g.

On a typical day I eat around 77–90 g of total protein. About 37-40g of that comes from meat or fish, and the rest from dairy, grains and nuts.

So which is it?

1. Do I count only meat and fish toward the limit?
2. Do I count all animal protein, including dairy and eggs?
3. Or do I count everything, including plant protein?

I’d especially like to hear from anyone who’s talked this through with a dietitian or urologist, or who adjusted protein based on their 24-hour urine results. Thanks!

Hey everyone! I Had ESWL done on my left kidney two weeks ago for an a roughly 8mm and 4mm stone. I got my follow up KUB xray done on Monday and then my post op appointment with my urologist yesterday. My urologist reviewed my xray and said it looked great and that my left kidney was stone free. I then got my radiologist report today on MyChart and it said “Renal calculus left kidney is less conspicuous but appears to likely persist measuring 6.1 mm.” I’m very confused and feeling discouraged. I sent my urologist a message to hopefully get some clarification. I’m just stumped and really down since I thought this was behind me for now. Any insight?

I have 4 stone , In my left kidney the doctor said it will be only operation RIRS and will remove most stone the thing is I have one stone with 1200 Hu and 9.9 mm size . i am afraid of operation any side effects like losing urine control or in fertility issue.

My first kidney stone at 53 (I'm female, now 55; diagnosed nearly two years ago). I blamed the sore stomach / back on menstrual cramp (I even typed "can you still get menstrual pain after menopause?" as a Google Search term before I knew! D'oh).

First clue something was wrong, post-menopause, was blood in my urine and UTI symptoms. Urine tests kept coming back negative. Not long after, in late 2024, it was diagnosed as a "small stone" after a visit to a urologist / ureterscope / ultrasound.

A year (late 2025), and a CT scan later, I was told it was now too large to pass and booked in for a ureteroscopy and stent.

The NHS can be slow (was originally told the procedure would be "in a few months"), but, credit where it's due, I only had (mostly) mild pain (I did bleed whenever I went on long walks or exerted myself, though).

I had an NHS call when my partner was in hospital in May 2026 and required 24/7 care for weeks. So I intentionally and reluctantly put plans on the back burner (don't recommend doing this, as it's a gamble, but he was seriously ill).

My main worry was that the stone had grown even larger since August 2025's CT scan!

Had the ureteroscopy / laser / stent yesterday (20th October 2026).

Went under about 2.50pm, awake again (I think) about 5.20pm, at least, that's when my partner turned up!

I was confused post-anaesthetic (and told I tried to get up once I was in the recovery room - cringe - hopefully I wasn't rude to anybody!) and heard "1.5" quoted but can't remember if it was mm or cm. Some fragments will be sent off for analysis.

I'd read about stents - they installed the string, which I expected to be akin to a tampon. I was surprised when I went for my first (groggy) pee and saw spidery blue threads everywhere, taped to each thigh.

First wee was not fun! "Peeing razor blades" as Redditors like to say, that's exactly what it feels like. Even "needing" to pass urine hurts!

Seems me and general anaesthetic don't get on - I felt sick for hours - was only discharged from hospital once I'd peed, had tea and a biscuit). On discharge, I was given Co-Codamol, Ibuprofen and anti-nausea medication.

Left around 7pm. 2.5 hours' car journey back to his place feeling queasy was an ordeal but I much prefer that to the hubbub of a ward! Weirdly, once in my partner's house I perked up after tea and water. (I know tea isn't great for kidney stones but I had a croaky throat, must be the breathing tube placement).

Went to bed about midnight. Felt relaxed (I have bad anxiety / insomnia normally) but although I was exhausted, I barely slept.

Napped, got up at 3am, in pain, had ibuprofen and started violently shivering (partner's house isn't cold).

I'm much better today. Peeing's still uncomfortable as is sitting down / getting up but hopefully I'm over the worst (why did I put a blue loo freshener down the cistern before the op? I can't see what's coming out when I wee! XD).

Thankful my partner lives on one level with a flat garden and hand rails beside his loo (I stayed at his) rather than my apartment's three flights of stairs and cramped bathroom!

The surgeon said "you're young for a kidney stone" ?? (Much younger people get kidney stones, going by Reddit) and asked what I think caused it. I'll put my hand up and say my diet isn't the best but don't drink, smoke or do drugs (though I'm on long-term sleep medication - Mirtazipine - I take on and off).

The stent will be removed in three days (Friday), a surprise, being so quick. Not looking forward to this! But I'll be more lucid and able to ask questions. An ultrasound follow up in 3 months.

I've got off lightly when I read the stories on this sub - and what a relief not to worry about the stone moving! Will my body produce more? Let's hope not.

Has anyone had a stent with the strings all over that look like (blue) sutures / stitches / thread?

I had to re-tape some threads (luckily my partner had medical tape for his own dressings). One was starting to pull slightly which was a bit owie so I repositioned fresh tape to allow for more "give" on the thread. Another reason to be glad I'm at my boyfriend's!

I had to get a stent placed early due to having a fever and still having pain with the kidney stone. So far, so good, but they were not lying when they said it would burn when peeing. I had to take ibuprofen because my pharmacy was closed to get my medications they put me on. The stent makes it feel like a bad UTI. What were your experiences with it when you first got yours?